There are so many of them and I can't name just one. I started my journey watching Penial (@pennytovar) and Bianca (@mzbizncarenee) and later on found and admired Anjana (@curlsandbeautydiary), Deepika (@desicurly) and Sheena (@chicmedusa). Their simplicity and honest desire to help people accept themselves the way they are inspired me the most.
I am an ex-service man’s daughter and while my father was in the army I had moved a lot throughout the country. From a very young age I have been creative and at the same time outdoorsy, may it be art or makeup, sports or fashion. Never cared about my looks, it was all about living an adventurous life.
It wasn't until my early 20s that I started to get conscious about my appearance and started taming my hair by multiple straightening sessions. As it has been ingrained in our heads that straight hair is beautiful and everything else is a mess, it was always my utmost goal to have the perfect poker straight hair. Hence the journey of hair damage started.
2. When did you first decide that you wanted to create content and how did you start?
After damaging my hair for 6 years of straightening sessions I finally decided to find alternative solutions. While I was in search of a good shampoo I stumbled upon the “Curly Girl Method” and was immediately fascinated by women loving their natural hair. And thus started the journey of nursing my hair back to good health.
2. When did you first decide that you wanted to create content and how did you start?
After damaging my hair for 6 years of straightening sessions I finally decided to find alternative solutions. While I was in search of a good shampoo I stumbled upon the “Curly Girl Method” and was immediately fascinated by women loving their natural hair. And thus started the journey of nursing my hair back to good health.
During this journey I helped quite a few people, mainly my friends and family to accept their natural hair too. That brought me a lot of happiness and became a passion. At the same time I was also following many content creators and watching them help people over social media. That's when I decided to start creating content.
Instagram was my choice of social media as it was not a huge commitment. I understand it can be nerve wracking to put yourself out there. It's that first step that bothers one the most. Just taking the leap and not putting too much pressure on myself helped me a lot.
3. Is Instagram content creation a financially sustainable career?
The only way to make money on instagram is through brand sponsorship and affiliations. This doesn't come easy. You need to build a good audience base and a lot of trust both with the audience and brands. Also with the number of people already in the business it is difficult to stand out.
3. Is Instagram content creation a financially sustainable career?
The only way to make money on instagram is through brand sponsorship and affiliations. This doesn't come easy. You need to build a good audience base and a lot of trust both with the audience and brands. Also with the number of people already in the business it is difficult to stand out.
I would say with a lot of efforts and patience you may get to a stage where it can become a sustainable career. But it does take quite a bit of investment in the beginning. Consistency and helpful content is the key.
4. Who is your favorite creator and why?
There are so many of them and I can't name just one. I started my journey watching Penial (@pennytovar) and Bianca (@mzbizncarenee) and later on found and admired Anjana (@curlsandbeautydiary), Deepika (@desicurly) and Sheena (@chicmedusa). Their simplicity and honest desire to help people accept themselves the way they are inspired me the most.
5. How and where do you find inspiration to churn out content?
I have an amazing audience. The fact that people are willing to finally embrace their natural hair is an inspiration in itself. The best part is, it's them, they always provide me ideas for content through their queries and never ending support.
6. What does your typical day look like?
I am usually up by 7AM. Currently my only source of income is social media and I am preparing to get back into IT hence I start my day by learning something new and practising coding for about 3 hours. Then comes helping my mom in the kitchen to get the lunch ready.
4. Who is your favorite creator and why?
There are so many of them and I can't name just one. I started my journey watching Penial (@pennytovar) and Bianca (@mzbizncarenee) and later on found and admired Anjana (@curlsandbeautydiary), Deepika (@desicurly) and Sheena (@chicmedusa). Their simplicity and honest desire to help people accept themselves the way they are inspired me the most.
5. How and where do you find inspiration to churn out content?
I have an amazing audience. The fact that people are willing to finally embrace their natural hair is an inspiration in itself. The best part is, it's them, they always provide me ideas for content through their queries and never ending support.
6. What does your typical day look like?
I am usually up by 7AM. Currently my only source of income is social media and I am preparing to get back into IT hence I start my day by learning something new and practising coding for about 3 hours. Then comes helping my mom in the kitchen to get the lunch ready.
Meanwhile I'm also catching up on everything new on social media and answering queries over DM. In the afternoon I take some online one on one consultations and guide people personally in their hair care journey. I also keep a few afternoons free to create new content. My end of the day is usually consumed with editing the content I created or posting the content that's ready.
7. Which is your favorite book and why?
I don't have an inspiring answer here. Books are my escape from reality. I always like to read books from genres like fantasy and scientific discoveries. That level of creativity with story telling inspires me.
8. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring creators?
Don't stop. No matter what, don't stop. I divide my content in two parts, 50% is what I want to create and the remaining 50% is what my audience wants to see. This keeps the balance. Remember, never create or follow something you don't believe in. It's okay to be wrong sometimes.
7. Which is your favorite book and why?
I don't have an inspiring answer here. Books are my escape from reality. I always like to read books from genres like fantasy and scientific discoveries. That level of creativity with story telling inspires me.
8. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring creators?
Don't stop. No matter what, don't stop. I divide my content in two parts, 50% is what I want to create and the remaining 50% is what my audience wants to see. This keeps the balance. Remember, never create or follow something you don't believe in. It's okay to be wrong sometimes.
You learn so much when you are wrong. Also it makes you human when compared to all the perfect content creators out there. Don't forget to have fun and create few trustworthy friends. Remember, not everyone is your friend.
- Srinidhi Raichur, Blogger
- Interviewed by Shilpy Sharan
- Interviewed by Shilpy Sharan
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