#CreatorStory! A new series highlighting ShopStyle Collective influencers, their stories and learning experiences, and advice they have for other content creators who may just be getting started.
This month, we are celebrating AAPI Heritage Month with Wendy Nguyen from (@wendyslookbook) to hear about her unique journey becoming an influencer!
Read on for the full interview:
Wendy Nguyen #CreatorStory
Q: Tell us your story of how you got started as a content creator?
A: After graduating from UC Berkeley, I became a business banker. Being in banking taught me a lot. Mainly how to assess long term business goals, understand cash flow and financial management. After 5 years of working in the finance industry, I decided to quit and pursue something more creative. Fashion was something I always loved since I was 8 years old. Growing up, instead of birthday presents, I’d ask for fashion magazines. When I started blogging, the community was rather small. There were only a handful of us and even less on YouTube. I started posting styling videos on YouTube and my fifth video, “25 Ways to Wear a Scarf” went viral. With over 45 million views, it really jump-started my career. I’ve been a content creator for over 10 years now and I love every minute of it!
Q: How can your followers support the AAPI community?
A: I greatly appreciate this question. Support can come from many different directions. With the current rise of harassment and attacks on the AAPI community, I implore you to say something when you witness these attacks. Please don’t put yourself in harm’s way, but please call attention to the situation. Majority of the time, bystanders silently watch as young and elderly Asian Americans are beaten, stomped, and dragged. Other ways to support the AAPI community is to learn about AAPI history, because many historical moments are left out in school teachings. And last but not least, please consider supporting AAPI restaurants, shops, and brands. Many are struggling to survive during this time, so your support is truly impactful and meaningful.
Q: How, if at all, has your heritage influenced you?
A: My heritage and background made me who I am today. Being Vietnamese American, I was taught the values of working hard, prioritizing education, and respecting the dignity of others. My background, however, strengthened the values that my heritage taught me. I was sexually abused as a child and was placed in the foster care system. While in the foster care system, I learned that hard work and putting education first gave me the best chance of survival after emancipation. My social worker told me time and time again that 30% of foster youths will end up incarcerated, 30% homeless, 30% pregnant and only a small few will successfully transition out of foster care. I was transferred from a group home to a foster home, went to four different high schools, and held three jobs (I worked in the high school cafeteria, was a math tutor, and worked at Jamba Juice) in high school with the hopes of saving money for college. I desperately wanted to go to college, because universities offered dormitories so I wouldn’t be homeless. I graduated from high school with honors and was accepted into the University of California, Berkeley. Even though my past has left deep scars, it also made me who I am today, I’m so grateful to be alive, to live in New York City, to have a caring and loving partner, and to have this dream job. I also do not forget. I’m a Board Member of InsideOut Writers, a non-profit organization that provides trauma and healing informed programs and services to previously and currently incarcerated youth and young adults. Many of these young adults are from the foster care system.
Q: What advice would you give someone that wants to become an influencer?
A: It’s a marathon, not a sprint. When I was a banker, we would look at three years’ worth of financials to assess the health of a business. I find that to be true in this space as well. Hard work and give yourself three years to mature in this space. Within this time period, ask yourself – what problem am I trying to solve? What added value do I bring to this space? These questions will hopefully provide guidance and direction in developing your brand.
Follow Wendy on her Instagram @wendyslookbook or on her blog wendyslookbook
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