Female Influencers on their life online

This week I am honoured to interview a brilliant group of female influencers to find more about the women behind their successful accounts.

I’m inspired by them all and I wanted to know more about them, so I asked them to shed some light on their life on and off line.

So enough from me already! Let’s find out more about these brilliant influencers.

Abi Nunn: @midsizegal

How do you find being a woman sharing your life online?

I absolutely love sharing my life online as a woman because the community I have found whilst running my social media accounts is so lovely! I have loved seeing the change in dynamic over there especially over the last couple of months, I feel like people are seeking to consume more real life content and in turn I’ve seen so many midsize and plus sized girls finally getting the recognition they deserve!

Is there anything you would change about the experience?

I wouldn’t really want to change a thing because it might sound lame but it’s what got me where I am today *spews*.

What’s something you’re interested in, but don’t usually share online?

*Realizes I share everything online and need to find things to do offline* I did get obsessed with colouring during the first couple of months of lockdown actually. Although I did share my progress it was really nice to switch off from my phone and focus on nothing but trying to colour in the lines lmao!

What’s the BIG dream?

I’m not going to lie my big dream is to make my social media accounts a full time job and have little jobs on the side like a clothing brand, move out into a house with Guy, have a few dogs – BLISS

Is there anything you wish you could go back in time and tell your younger self?

Oh my godddd yes! I would definitely tell her to screw what others around you are thinking – especially at school! I was such an awkward bean to people I didn’t know – I’d also tell her to hop on the blog bandwagon sooner because I’d love to have seen just where it would have gone!

If you had one piece of advice for a female influencer, what would it be?

ONE? I don’t know where to start, I’d definitely say that you should use the “block” or “remove” function more often. I see all too often girls getting negative comments (often from other girls I should add?!) and simply removing that persons access to you can make you feel the world better. Or even if it’s a weird guy sending you a dodgy photo. USE THE BLOCK BUTTON! And just be a nice human x

Hameedah Salaudeen: @meedah.sf

How do you find being a woman sharing your life online?

As someone that thrives on learning from people’s experiences, I greatly enjoy sharing my life online because it’s a very intentional decision I made. My decision has brought a lot of value to other women because I share things I believe should be talked about more or things society thinks we shouldn’t share as women.

It’s enlightening because I’ve learnt a lot of sharing as people also share parts of their life with me. I find it really interesting. 

Is there anything you would change about the experience? 

I would have established myself as a brand earlier on and create some boundaries. I started sharing as a 19 year old in uni and it was majorly for fun. This somehow has made some people see me as less of a brand. I think it’s hard for some people to stop seeing me as that 19 year old but as a brand. It’s been 7 years and a lot has really changed about who I am and what my values are. 

What’s something you’re interested in, but don’t usually share online?

I love to dance but I’ll never share a video of myself dancing online. It’s one of the few things I do with family only. 

What’s the BIG dream? 

Having a successful chain of brands to my name. I have a few business plans that I want to bring to life gradually. Something that benefits and contributes to the lives of black women and Muslim women. 

Is there anything you wish you could go back in time and tell your younger self?

Do it afraid. I’ve ignored really great opportunities out of fear of not being good enough or being tagged a fraud. Looking back I wish I took those opportunities and made something great out of them. 

If you had one piece of advice for a female influencer, what would it be?

Stay true to yourself. I believe it’s easy to lose focus because I’ve experienced trying to make myself small just to accommodate others. Always stay grounded on your beliefs and your tribe would find you.

Keelie: @keelies.journey

How do you find being a woman sharing your life online?

I love it! I’ve been sharing my life online for about 7-8 years (all through uni) and it’s the best thing I’ve done! I’ve met some amazing people and had some great opportunities from it too!

Could you give us an insight into anything you would change about the experience? 

I don’t think I have overly shared which is good because some things you want to keep private! I wouldn’t change anything except maybe going into a big more detail with uni life, then teacher training and the house buying process as I think these points would really help people!

What’s something you’re interested in, but don’t usually share online?

I love my job! I don’t share much of it as I’m a teacher and need to keep things private but I wish I shared more about how I became a Science teacher in a secondary school!

What’s the BIG dream?

To travel as much as possible and climb the ladder in my teaching career! I love instagram but there’s so much more that goes on behind the scene too which I don’t think people realise. I really love to travel and have so many destinations that I want to tick off my lists, which of course when I go away I share online!

Is there anything you wish you could go back in time and tell your younger self?

Don’t worry about what people think, you do you girl! Not everyone is going to agree with you or even like you, but you have to remember that people that see you online only actually see a snippet of your day.

If you had one piece of advice for a female influencer, what would it be?

Don’t give up, don’t take anything personally and don’t take no for an answer! – Sophia Amoruso

Jess King: @jesselleking

How do you find being a woman sharing your life online?

A mix of rewarding and exhausting! I’m so proud of the work I do and I often receive lovely messages letting me know that I inspire and motivate others to love themselves, and their body, more. But I also come under a lot of scrutiny and get a lot of criticism to go with it. Putting yourself online makes you vulnerable to people who don’t agree with you and aren’t afraid to tell you and it certainly takes its toll after a while.

Is there anything you would change about the experience? 

I would love for there to be less negativity. I’m all for constructive criticism but the comments I receive about my weight, health and the way I look are unnecessary and sometimes hurtful. Having said that, for every negative comment I receive, there are hundreds of positive ones to balance it out!

What’s something you’re interested in, but don’t usually share online?

If I’m honest, I think I share the majority of my interests online! If there’s something I love, I want to tell everyone else about it too. But if I had to pick something it would be art and illustration.

I’m an Illustration graduate yet I rarely ever talk about it as the uni experience kind of killed my love for it, but I’m definitely starting to feel that creative spark again so would love to share some of my work with the world soon!

What’s the BIG dream?

Since I was little I’ve always wanted to make a difference in the world, but never known how. I just want to leave the world a little better than how I found it. Being online is definitely helping me with that but since I’m still so young, I hope I find a few more offline ways to do it in my life. I’d also *love* to be on TV for something, not fussy what! 

Is there anything you wish you could go back in time and tell your younger self?

I’d love to help her love herself a bit sooner; I wasted so many years hating the way I looked and making myself miserable with diets. If I could tell my younger self just how beautiful and worthy she was already, I could’ve saved myself a lot of upset.

If you had one piece of advice for a female influencer, what would it be?

Be wholly and unashamedly yourself and don’t let the haters get you down! There will always be someone who doesn’t like you or ‘get’ you, so don’t waste your time letting it bother you. As the saying goes “you could be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there’s still going to be somebody who doesn’t like peaches”. 

Anne-Marie: @annemarie.akin

How do you find being a woman sharing your life online?

So far it’s been nothing but welcoming. I love my online community and almost treat my social channels as one of my friends. I love running ideas past my audience or even asking them for advice. It’s nice to have that discourse. 

What’s something you’re interested in, but you don’t usually share online?

I’m a massive geek and love everything about History. At times I come across amazing historical facts or new  historical developments and automatically feel the need to share but somehow always stop myself. – Mostly because I think oh perhaps its not the right audience. It’s definitely something I’m going to talk about soon – My interests apart form beautiful clothes, skincare & makeup. Though I do have to say that I have been posting a lot more about societal issues & politics and the reception has been very accepting.

What’s the BIG dream? 

I want to create something. I don’t know what it is yet or what sector it’ll fall in but I want to create something may it be a business or service – Something i can look back on and think “Wow I really did that”! 

Is there anything you wish you could go back in time and tell your younger self?

I would tell my younger self to enjoy the present. I was so occupied with where I was going instead of actually living and enjoying the present. Also, take some risks.

If you had one piece of advice for a female influencer, what would it be?

I think in the beginning we all strived for perfection on Social Media. Nothing and nobody is entirely perfect. Celebrate your flaws and be yourself. Being yourself in everything may it be real life or online is truly your best asset.

Charleigh: @charrvictory

How do you find being a woman sharing your life online? 

I’ve been posting myself online since I was around 14, so I’m kinda used to this online world now! Sometimes its challenging but now that it’s my job, it’s totally worth it!

Is there anything you would change about the experience? 

What I would change about being online is the trolling and the nasty comments that you can get. 

What’s something you’re interested in, but don’t usually share online?

Singing & dancing!! Sometimes you’ll hear me singing on my IG stories but no one online has ever seen me dancing.

What’s the BIG dream?

To perform in Wicked the Musical, to have healthy babies and just to be happy! 

Is there anything you wish you could go back in time and tell your younger self?

I would tell my younger self to have more courage and faith in the uni worse because everything in your life, will eventually fall into place! 

If you had one piece of advice for a female influencer, what would it be?

Own who you are, be authentically YOU and never forget that you deserve a place in this industry!

Amy Astrid: @amyastridd

How do you find being a woman sharing your life online?

On the whole, it’s a lot of fun. I love being part of a community that is so empowering and creative.

Is there anything you would change about the experience? 

It’s got to be either the amount of judgement you can get from people in real life or the number of creepy unsolicited DMs!

What’s something you’re interested in, but don’t usually share online?

I really nerd out over musical theatre. It’s something I’ve started to share a little bit more but has always been an escape for me.

What’s the BIG dream?

To run a couple of businesses that still allow me the freedom to travel and maybe even move around for a little while.

Is there anything you wish you could go back in time and tell your younger self?

It’s cheesy but it stop worrying so much about what other people think and just get on with what you care about.

If you had one piece of advice for being a female influencer, what would it be?

To remember that someone else’s success doesn’t mean your failure – lift others up and be genuinely happy for them and they will do the same for you.

Lucy Cole: @lucyc0le

How do you find being a woman sharing your life online?

I love it. I’m not the most confident person in the world, but through blogging I’ve managed to meet some amazing people, boost that confidence and blossom into who I am today. 

Is there anything you would change about the experience? 

I’ve been blogging for 8 years now. When I started, the idea of earning a living from blogging was still pretty new. Seeing how much it’s grown in that time has made me wish I’d put in the graft when I started.. who knows where I could be by now!

What’s something you’re interested in, but don’t usually share online?

I share most of my life online… there aren’t many secrets! I love exercise and going to the gym though which is something I probably don’t talk about as much as I could.

What’s the BIG dream? 

To be happy and healthy. 

Is there anything you wish you could go back in time and tell your younger self?

Stop caring so much!!! Do what you love and do it unapologetically. 

If you had one piece of advice for being a female influencer, what would it be?

Do what you love, enjoy it, and do your best to use your influence for good.

Sophie Bradbury-Cox: @fashionbellee

How do you find being a woman sharing your life online?

Sharing my life online can definitely be a daunting experience, especially as a disabled mum as there can be a lot of judgement.

But I also think that by sharing my life online it can actually be a benefit and help others who have lives similar to mine.

Could you give us an insight into anything you would change about the experience? 

There aren’t many disabled women seen actively in media and in the fashion industry, so as a disabled woman who has a huge interest in clothes and styling, I want to be able to change that.

Is there anything you wish you could go back in time and tell your younger self?

I would love to go back in time to tell my younger self to proud of who I am, to be comfortable in my own skin and stop worrying so much about the future!!

Helen – @thehelsproject

How do you find being a woman sharing your life online?

To be honest, I’m not overly conscious of this on a day-to-day basis. I’ve had relatively few unwanted DMs over my time online which I’m very thankful for, probably due to the fact the majority of content I share online is book-based.

Is there anything you would change about the experience? 

Rather than due to my being a woman and sharing online, it’s more around parenting and being online. I don’t tend to share as much of this side of things, I find the guilt and shaming that can be so prevalent with “online parenting” too much to handle and so I opt to avoid this as much as possible. I don’t share photos of my son’s face, and any of my baby daughter tend to hide quite a lot of her face, especially now she’s looking more like a little person rather than a baby.

What’s something you’re interested in, but don’t usually share online?

Fitness is something I don’t really talk about online, and also writing. My friend and I have co-written a book which is due to be published this year, but I’ve found myself keeping it more to myself rather than talking about it, maybe due more to nerves than anything else!

What’s the BIG dream?  

For our book to be successful, and to continue writing.

Is there anything you wish you could go back in time and tell your younger self?

Hmmm… Maybe to not take things so seriously, and also to stand up for myself a bit more!

If you had one piece of advice for being a female influencer, what would it be?

Share what you love, and because you want to share it. You need a thick skin at times, but also to surround yourself with like-minded people! 

Hannah Briggs – @hannah_briggs

How do you find being a woman sharing your life online?

I think as a young woman you face a lot of criticism, whether you’re talking about things in the right way or saying the right thing. Some days it can be quite challenging, but in other respects it’s also very rewarding – the feeling of community and strangers sharing your content makes you feel really good.

Is there anything you would change about the experience? 

I think to be kinder to myself and not to compare – I’ve been doing this for around 8 years now and it’s very difficult to keep on the path, but it’s best just to do you!

What’s something you’re interested in, but don’t usually share online?

I’m a big Sci-Fi nerd! I love anything to do with Space! Films, NASA documentaries, going to observatories, you name it! It stemmed from going to work with my Dad at the European Space Agency and just loved it ever since!

What’s the BIG dream?

The older I get the more I want to just drop everything and travel the world!

Is there anything you wish you could go back in time and tell your younger self?

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail – always live by that quote!

If you had one piece of advice for being a female influencer, what would it be?

Just be YOU. I found that the more that i’m myself  online- informal car chats, stories, ‘real’ posts – they tend to resonate with more people because they relate to them and see you as a ‘real’ person.

Tea – @teadayblogs

How do you find being a woman and sharing your life online?

It’s been a really positive experience for me! I’ve found the experience to be largely cathartic. Mainly because of the community of women and people that I’ve found online who let me know I’m not alone in my experiences and challenge me to do better.

Could you give us an insight into anything you would change about the experience? 

I think I’d give myself permission to take time for myself away from all the digital noise.

What’s something you love or are interested in, but you don’t usually share online?

This is hard because I have shared my major interests. But one interest that I don’t think I have shared online is my fascination with psychopaths and serial killers. I use to find the psychology of it all so intriguing, especially Jon Ronson’s The Psychopath Test.

What’s your big dream?

The big dream I have is honestly nothing goal-orientated per se. It’s just living a life I’m content with. Where I am still constantly growing and experimenting artistically, emotionally, politically, and lifestyle-wise.

Is there anything you wish you could go back in time and tell your younger self?

It is fine that you don’t feel like you fit in or that you aren’t ‘normal’ – lean into that. Prioritize yourself and those who see your intrinsic value.

If you had one piece of advice for being a female influencer, what would it be?

Find your reason for sharing yourself online. Experiment with your content. Seek out community rather than competition.

Read more interviews here.