Today we’d like to introduce you to Monalisa Reyna.
Hi Monalisa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi! My name is Monalisa Reyna. I am an aspiring full-time travel and lifestyle blogger, but I am currently a full-time UGC creator for the travel industry and lifestyle brands. Being a blogger is moreso being known for my personal brand, while being a UGC creator is creating content for brands to use for their ads and socials, not posting on your socials or needing a large number of followers.
I went to college off and on but I eventually dropped out because deep down I knew that school was never for me. It just put me in a box I didn’t and never wanted to be in. I wanted to be outside the box and find my own success outside of school. So, I did.
My family always supported my dreams but of course, being part of the Filipino culture, medicine was the typical path. So, I took up nursing until I had enough of school.
I always felt out of place growing up, being the more creative one. I was always creating. When I was a kid, my dream and answer to “what do you want to be when you grow up” was to be known and loved by everyone. Looking back, it makes sense now that I’m doing what I love and I’m awaiting the rest of my dreams to unfold. I am nowhere near where I want to be yet but I know I am close and it’s coming.
Previously, pre-covid I had worked at a travel agency as one of their social media marketers but had lost my job once the pandemic had started. I didn’t want to admit it but this was the sign I was waiting for and needed to finally chase the dreams that I’ve had for so long.
While working on my personal brand, I knew I couldn’t live without an income so I started off taking clients as a freelance social media manager. I created my own agency and hired my own virtual assistant to help me with outreach. I started during the pandemic and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I’ve made more in a month than at my previous job. I was happy! But I was still not where and who I wanted to be ultimate. I wanted to be a full-time content creator. This was when I found out about UGC. I had been doing this for fun! I loved being creative and doing photoshoots with my favorite products. I didn’t know this could be a job. So, I started with the brands that I’ve used for my personal brand collaborations. They loved my content so much that they asked for more. From there, I have been pitching myself to different brands and it has become my main source of income. I’ve worked with luxury hotels and I’ve worked with high-end beauty and lifestyle brands.
My ultimate goal and dream, however, is to create content for the hospitality and tourism industry full-time. Travel has and is my first love. I’m currently manifesting a work trip to Europe or Asia to create content for one of their tourism boards. That is a dream. My passion and willingness to explore and learn about new cultures give me the ability to create unique content about the destinations I visit. I’d also love to attend Paris Fashion Week one day.
I am proud to have come this far and I can’t wait for more success. I have the best support system and network, it’s just a matter of time. It’s important to celebrate your wins, no matter how big or small.
If I could give a piece of advice to those hesitating to go after their dreams, don’t think twice. Life is short and you only get one chance. And you never know who’s silently supporting you. You’d be surprised! Do it for you.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It hasn’t been.
It was a difficult journey transitioning from a college student to what I do now. It took me a year to tell my parents I was dropping out of school.
Some of my cousins and relatives still don’t understand what I do but I’ve learned to accept it. The creator economy is still new and different from what my relatives grew up with. Growing up I was always compared to my cousins and was told to do what they do, but I love the path I chose and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My career choices may still be a topic of conversation during family parties, but these days I deserve to express and celebrate my accomplishments instead of downplaying them like I did in the past because of a lack of understanding. I deserve to be proud of how far I’ve come.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
So as a full-time UGC creator, UGC stands for user-generated content. It’s taking over social media just like how social media managers and influencers were. I think this industry is booming and I got lucky that I started at the right time.
I haven’t really seen anyone else (yet) who does luxury travel UGC but that’s what I specialize in, as well as luxury beauty and lifestyle brands.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I have great gratitude for Tina Lee (@ofleatherandlace on Instagram) because I was one of the first students in her mentorship program when I first decided to make a change in my career.
She has been so helpful and the community is so kind. I’ve met most of my creator friends through this mentorship. I’ve also just been open to meeting new people.
Contact Info:
- Website: monalisareyna.com
- Instagram: @themonalisasmiles
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themonalisareyna
- Twitter: twitter.com/monalisareyna
- Youtube: youtube.com/monalisareyna
