I have always been a huge fan and supporter of Kelly
Clarkson so when Spotify asked me to share my story of self-empowerment to
celebrate the launch of her new album, āMeaning
of Lifeā,
I was thrilled.
Growing up I had no idea what I wanted to be when āI grew
up.ā I was incredibly
fortunate to be raised by two very supportive parents
who assured me I could be anything I wanted to be and also instilled the
importance of a good work ethic. My dadās advice was always āwork hard and be
nice.ā Simple, yet incredibly powerful. When I was in high school, my mom
started her own business. During this time, my dad was laid off from his
position and it was powerful to see my mom take on the role of breadwinner in
our family. We all rallied around my mom and her business pitching in, me
working there after school and my dad helping with the administrative side. My
dad went back to work full-time a few years later but seeing my mother take on
such an entrepreneurial feat and supporting our family single-handedly always
made a big impact on me.
up.ā I was incredibly
fortunate to be raised by two very supportive parents
who assured me I could be anything I wanted to be and also instilled the
importance of a good work ethic. My dadās advice was always āwork hard and be
nice.ā Simple, yet incredibly powerful. When I was in high school, my mom
started her own business. During this time, my dad was laid off from his
position and it was powerful to see my mom take on the role of breadwinner in
our family. We all rallied around my mom and her business pitching in, me
working there after school and my dad helping with the administrative side. My
dad went back to work full-time a few years later but seeing my mother take on
such an entrepreneurial feat and supporting our family single-handedly always
made a big impact on me.
When I enrolled in college I studied French and English with
aspirations to be an international journalist. To make extra money while in
school I started selling makeup from my dorm room with a direct selling
company. I quickly grew to love the freedom and flexibility of earning money on
my own terms. I also worked a part-time job at a cosmetic store all while
juggling my classes. It was also around this time started my YouTube channel. I
knew I loved sharing my love of makeup so I found it to be a fun way to express
myself and connect with others around the world. The channel started off super
small but grew over time and I couldnāt believe how many people were actually
watching my videos. In the summer, I scored an internship with the
direct-selling company in New York City to become a Social Media Intern. This
was an incredible turning point for me. That summer I fell in love with New
York and I felt like I had finally figured out what I wanted to do with my
life.
aspirations to be an international journalist. To make extra money while in
school I started selling makeup from my dorm room with a direct selling
company. I quickly grew to love the freedom and flexibility of earning money on
my own terms. I also worked a part-time job at a cosmetic store all while
juggling my classes. It was also around this time started my YouTube channel. I
knew I loved sharing my love of makeup so I found it to be a fun way to express
myself and connect with others around the world. The channel started off super
small but grew over time and I couldnāt believe how many people were actually
watching my videos. In the summer, I scored an internship with the
direct-selling company in New York City to become a Social Media Intern. This
was an incredible turning point for me. That summer I fell in love with New
York and I felt like I had finally figured out what I wanted to do with my
life.
Fast forward to graduating college, I booked a one–way ticket to
New York and Iāve never looked back. Once I got to the Big Apple I took two
part-time jobs in the fashion world while interviewing for a role at a big
beauty brand. After a few months of the interview process (yes it can take that long) I got the job! I continued
working on my blog and YouTube at night and on the weekends and it spiked with
growth. I was living two lives one as a blogger attending events, shooting
photos on the weekends and after work and the other as a full-time, albeit
tired, social media manager at a big beauty company. As by blog continued to
grow I started receiving paid opportunities to collaborate with brands. I
couldnāt believe my āside hustleā was actually earning money. And anyone that
lives in NYC knows everyone could use a few extra bucks in this City! I loved
my job but a part of me was starting to seriously consider blogging full-time.
I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit and my desire to be my own boss
eventually won out. I was very careful to save up and take the decision
incredibly seriously. It has now been over two years that I have been 100%
self-employed and I couldnāt be happier that I took the risk to go out on my
own. Sure, there are downsides, but I love making my own scheduling and having
the flexibility to travel all over the world and share my photos and videos. I
continue to be inspired by other incredible women who have blazed their own
unique trails, women like Kelly Clarkson. Her confidence is so apparent in her
new album āMeaning of Lifeā. My favorite song is āWhole
Lotta Womanā,
which is soulful with country sass, which takes me back to my roots growing up
in Kentucky! You should definitely listen to this song along with the rest
of the album on Spotify now! And Iād
love to hear more about your confidence journeys- comment below!
New York and Iāve never looked back. Once I got to the Big Apple I took two
part-time jobs in the fashion world while interviewing for a role at a big
beauty brand. After a few months of the interview process (yes it can take that long) I got the job! I continued
working on my blog and YouTube at night and on the weekends and it spiked with
growth. I was living two lives one as a blogger attending events, shooting
photos on the weekends and after work and the other as a full-time, albeit
tired, social media manager at a big beauty company. As by blog continued to
grow I started receiving paid opportunities to collaborate with brands. I
couldnāt believe my āside hustleā was actually earning money. And anyone that
lives in NYC knows everyone could use a few extra bucks in this City! I loved
my job but a part of me was starting to seriously consider blogging full-time.
I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit and my desire to be my own boss
eventually won out. I was very careful to save up and take the decision
incredibly seriously. It has now been over two years that I have been 100%
self-employed and I couldnāt be happier that I took the risk to go out on my
own. Sure, there are downsides, but I love making my own scheduling and having
the flexibility to travel all over the world and share my photos and videos. I
continue to be inspired by other incredible women who have blazed their own
unique trails, women like Kelly Clarkson. Her confidence is so apparent in her
new album āMeaning of Lifeā. My favorite song is āWhole
Lotta Womanā,
which is soulful with country sass, which takes me back to my roots growing up
in Kentucky! You should definitely listen to this song along with the rest
of the album on Spotify now! And Iād
love to hear more about your confidence journeys- comment below!
With my incredible mom at my college graduation.
At my first internship in New York in 2009
My first day on the job at Estee Lauder in 2012
My first professional photo shoot for my blog in 2012
My site redesign in 2014
At the Fashion 2.0 Awards in NYC in 2014
My last day at Estee Lauder in August 2015
Working from home, 2015
Boss Babe, #GladiatorGal ā this one goes out to all my
ladies who have found empowerment in their lives & careers!
ladies who have found empowerment in their lives & careers!
Special thanks to Spotify for sponsoring
this post!
this post!