Today we’d like to introduce you to Perla Chase.
Hi Perla, we’re thrilled to have a chance to hear what you’ve been up to since our last chat. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
It all started when I was 17. That was truly a pivotal age for me. If I’m being honest, I hardly remember life before I was 17. That age is when I unexpectedly started laying the foundation for what would become an exciting and wonderful personal life and professional career. When I look back at where I started—making sacrifices, working multiple jobs, pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and taking risks—I feel a sense of pride, relief, and happiness because it brought me to the person I am today, and I really vibe with that person. I’m grateful to say that the curious, ambitious, and naive kid I was then grew up to become an independent, confident, and creative thought leader.
I’ve written about my early career and passion projects before, and although I’ve since retired the YourGirlChase blog and podcast, rest assured that YourGirlChase is still very much alive and breathing.
Today, I’m applying my 10 years of experience in social media and digital storytelling to the marketing world as a senior-level social media and content strategist. There’s a lot I can share about this exciting and rewarding endeavor, but in short: I help brands have fun and go viral on social media.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Although I wish it would’ve been a smooth road, in hindsight, I think the bumps I hit along the way all served a purpose.
People who know me well know that I’m obsessed with style, design, and fashion. Please don’t call me a fashionista though—I just find that word so cringe! I even went to college intending to become a fashion editor or columnist for a glossy magazine because I saw the Devil Wears Prada and, of course, thought I could do the same thing. After making a risky decision to discontinue my college education, I made an honest attempt at running a fashion and beauty blog and podcast, both titled YourGirlChase. I believed in this project with all my heart, but one of the hardest pills to swallow was realizing that I wasn’t going to make it as a full-time blogger and content creator. Yes, I made some cash with affiliate links and formed countless connections with other talented creatives in San Diego and Los Angeles, but I never reached the success needed to fully step away from a 9 to 5 job.
Looking back at this time in my life from where I stand today, I don’t regret a thing. Sure, the idea of a personal blog and podcast may have flopped, but I walked away with firsthand knowledge on building a personal brand, leading creative direction, and managing a social media presence, which would help create a portfolio that earned me freelance and full-time work with national brands, marketing agencies, and major corporations.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Sure! I’m a social media and content marketing strategist with 10+ years of practice, including freelance, agency, and corporate in-house. I’m actively working with clients in the luxury hospitality and travel sector, and have ample experience with food + beverage, CPG, lifestyle, and public health brands.
I specialize in content strategy, copywriting, paid social advertising, and all things social media marketing. Aside from some pretty cool campaigns that decorate my current portfolio of work, something I’m most proud of is my diverse work background, having experienced the novelties of working in-house vs. agency vs. freelance, and developing a deep understanding of various social media platforms. From Instagram to TikTok to LinkedIn to YouTube to Google Business—something that surprised me as I leveled up in my career is how valuable it is to stay curious and be willing to adapt to change as new channels emerge. In my eyes, you can’t be a successful marketer if you’re not A. flexible (literally and figuratively) and B. open to being a lifelong learner in an ever-changing industry.
In addition to my digital marketing work, I am a proud mental health advocate and have hosted events to share the story of my mental health journey and help spread the good word about wellness for young professionals.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
A total weirdo.
I was/am a true introvert and, as a child, I spent a lot of time getting to know myself. Now, I find my sense of self to be one of my greatest strengths.
School wasn’t my happy place and it often shocks people when they learn that I was a C student with a 2.3 high school GPA. Understandably, no one believed in me as a kid and teenager. And it’s not that I wasn’t smart, I just didn’t respect the system and had a wildly delusional amount of confidence in my ability to create the life of my dreams. Although, that delusion seemed to work out for me after all.
One of my absolute favorite stories to tell about my younger self took place when I was a senior in high school.
The vice principal called me into her office and I thought I was in big trouble. She sat me down and laid it out flat—I had too many tardies to qualify for prom and walking in commencement at graduation. I asked her to clarify and confirm that I was still eligible to receive my diploma if I chose not to attend a Saturday school program to clear my tardies. She then confirmed that I would receive my diploma without issue, but restated how I’d be unable to attend prom or walk in commencement.
That was all I needed to hear.
I told her that I would not be at Saturday school and instead would pick up my diploma on the last day of class.
She. Was. Shook.
“I have never in all my years as an educator met someone with such disregard for their life.” I’ll never forget her words. I still laugh every time I think about that story.
And that was a recurring theme throughout my childhood—people assumed that I didn’t care about my life because I wasn’t interested in average things or experiences. My mind was always elsewhere. Thinking about a bigger, brighter, beautiful future and how I’d get what I want vs. what the world thinks I should want.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourgirlchase/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/perlachase
- Other: https://sdvoyager.com/interview/meet-trailblazer-perla-chase/
