Meet Trailblazer Sivan Ayla Richards

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sivan Ayla Richards.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Sivan Ayla. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started my blog as a creative outlet while I was working a 9-5 job I didn’t love. I enjoyed having a space with complete creative freedom and I definitely did not do it for money. I spent years publishing content with little to no readers, but I think my love for blogging is why it eventually turned into a career for me.

I started gaining some traction around the time I got married in Greece and from there I decided to dedicate myself to my blog full time. It was a huge risk to take at the time but the best decision I ever made.

Today, my work as a blogger has expanded into partnerships with major brands in the beauty & lifestyle industries, as well as collaborations that have enabled me to create products.

It definitely took time and patience, but I like to believe the passion behind what I do is why my blog is successful today.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not always been easy. Like I mentioned, I spent years writing articles for basically my mom and husband to read. However, since I wasn’t solely depending on my blog for income it wasn’t a concern to me. I was just happy to be producing content.

My advice for anyone trying to blog as a career, do it for love. Be consistent, be yourself, have a voice.

We’d love to hear more about your blog.
I call my brand Lux Unfiltered, which is a term I created to describe myself (& my brand). It means attainable luxury in an unfiltered voice. I produce content that is real, true, and at the moment. You won’t find an endless stream of staged photos on my Instagram feed, instead, you’ll see glimpses of my home, outfits, or cocktails in their natural state.

My blog posts are about my real life experiences. I love to share the nitty gritty details of things I’ve gone through like birth, Botox, buying a house, relationships, etc. I want my readers to leave my blog feeling like they have gained value, not just another censored article with half-assed details.

So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
Women have as much power as they want, in my opinion. There are parts of my life I like full control, and other parts I recognize are not my strength and I would rather someone else take charge. I also believe you need to take initiative through actions, not just words.

For me, if an opportunity didn’t present itself to me but I wanted it, I would make my own opportunities. Blogging very much falls into this category for me. No one was offering me a chance to blog, make money, and do what I love. I had to create that myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sivanayla.com
• Instagram: @sivanayla

Image Credit:
Sivan Ayla Richards

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