I agree. No one asks for help. Well, by no one I mean I don’t ask for help because I have this huge fear of sounding naive and incompetent, which in turn facilitates even more of that. You have to ask questions or else it’s going to be overwhelming.
There’s a lot of mystery and misinformation out there about the influencer economy. Anything you want to clear up?
People think it’s super easy—anyone can do it. I do believe if you’re really passionate about something and you want to express it, you can be successful in whatever that is. But people don’t realize you are the producer, you are the editor, you are the actress, and you are the script writer. You are bringing an active audience that you grew and nurtured into this product or company or brand. It’s a much more intimate relationship with consumers and companies than I’ve ever seen. You’re not just hiring an actress to read a script.
You’re really putting yourself out there.
More than people know. I think they think it sounds so great, and it is amazing, but I always say if I was younger, I don’t know how I could do this. Because the mental strength you need to have a full, solidified foundation of belief in who you are as a woman, as a friend, as a mother, as a daughter, as a human being.
One thing that has, I imagine, been exciting about this chapter in your life is that you are a homeowner. What advice do you have for someone buying their first home?
Do your research. I was going to buy three different places before I found this one. Don’t be sold by “oh, this house is so cute.” If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Figure out what you need to know before you buy it. Look at the area, look at the real estate that’s been the past five, 10, 15 years in this neighborhood of this community. What district is it in?
Also, don’t feel rushed. Like, oh, I am 35, I need to buy a house, that’s the blueprint. No, it’s not. The blueprint is what you make. Don’t feel like you’re going to be judged. That’s my biggest piece of advice: Don’t feel pressured.
What’s the last thing you splurged on?
Probably my house. Not going to splurge on anything for a long time.
Something you’ll always save on?
Kitchenware. I know that sounds so weird and niche, but the pots and pans I used growing up were my grandmother’s, and the pots and pans at my mom’s house are still my grandmother’s.
Do you have any spending regrets?
Those are mostly the late-night Instagram scrolling or TikTok scrolling where I literally am delusional, I’m so tired. So I believe everything that person on the camera is saying. I’ll buy four of them for my friends and me, and then the next morning I wake up and I’m like, what? I’m a 2 a.m. purchaser on the phone. The algorithm knows me. They target me at 2 a.m.
