It’s been about eight years since the photo above was taken. Since that moment so much has changed for us together as a couple and for us as individuals. It goes without saying that we’ve done a lot of growing up. I’ve worked with some of the biggest brands in the world, I’ve jet set around the world for events and activations, I’ve met and chatted with celebrities local and international, and I’ve even had up to fifteen staff. As I head in to April 2021, my door isn’t knocked on as much as it once was as a creator. But if I’m being perfectly honest, I’m not that upset about that fact and I thought I’d sit down to talk about it.
I guess it all comes down to what you define “success” as. At my busiest I was signing about 5-6 new clients a month, posting almost every image with #ad and billing for everything I was creating. The fact remains that I’m very self-aware and I know I’m not the 29 year old I once was. I don’t have a six pack anymore and I don’t have the energy I once did. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. My proverbial fifteen minutes of fame may be coming to an end, but my longevity has never faltered. Nor do I plan on letting it.
I’ve worked with every car company, every chocolate brand, every major fast food chain, every wine and literally every single hotel you can think of. I’ve walked in Toronto pride on a Pride float, I’ve walked red carpets, I have been there, done that and loved every single minute of it and sharing it with you all.
That being said I also set the bar for a lot of the content being created right now, and hunny, I’m proud of that #fact and no one can take that from me. I was the first blogger hired by the LCBO ever. I was the first blogger ever hired for Ontario Lottery. One of the first bloggers hired for The Juno AWARDS ever. One of the first bloggers hired for Canada’s Wonderland ever. One of the first bloggers hired for Rogers ever.
Yes, ever.
I’m thirty-seven and my priorities have shifted. I am stronger than ever before as a brand because of you reading this very blog post. Social media is fun, but the blog has and will always be my strongest platform. I own my accomplishments and am proud of everything I have accomplished over the years. I am friends with the majority of the PR industry but never misuse my friendships or expect special treatment.
Am I getting the amount of sponsored calls I once did? No. But that’s okay. The media, like anything else, evolves and changes. I love seeing the latest creators and their incredible talent being signed to do what I once did. At one point in my career I would have become quite jealous of this shift in my “status” for some brands when it comes to their vision of me. However for those of you who know me, you’ll see that I sing their praises and of the accomplishments of those in my industry that I love. No one needs to see me do the same thing I did before, or over and over again. Fresh faces, new talent and some invigoration is key to keep this industry interesting.
To be honest I’d also rather know where I stand than be delusional and clutching to some idea of what I once was. Or worse yet “famous” and portraying myself as something while being a horrible person behind my blue checkmark. I’m perfectly happy not getting the deals I once did.
The collaborations I sign now are because I want them and they want me. The car company I love is ever present on the blog and my social media because I am going to buy a Kia Canada one day and buy a car seat for it shortly after if all goes well. I share posts about wine and wineries I love because I believe that you should genuinely try them. The brands I love are present in my life and my blog because I believe in them – and yes, while I may have less work, the quality of the work I do has never been better. At the end of the day I know who I am today and where I plan to be in another eight years.
It’s never something I would never have seen as a strength like I do now – in admitting that I’m not hired as often as I used to be. But I’ve never felt more like myself, more proud of the work I do get, and more lucky to work with some of the best brands and people in the business.
I read the quote used on the banner image for this blog post and realized it was very apropos. “To sustain longevity, you have to evolve.” So I evolved, I grew in the ways I could thrive and I let go of the things that no longer made me happy. Maybe I am getting hired less, but it’s with the brands that I love and for things that I truly believe in while I work towards starting my family. Maybe it’s time the world of content creators started to reevaluate the definition of success and fame, because I’ve never been happier.
Just a thought.
Photos: Daniel Reyes & All Social Media accounts listed above
Don’t forget to be kind & laugh a little more this year, and the next!
Mobile photos were taken with my Mobile Device of choice on the Rogers network.
*Promotional consideration may have been offered by participating brands – all opinions expressed are my own and my disclosure can be found at all times by clicking here.