Today we’d like to introduce you to Bailey Seay.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Bailey. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
If you asked me five years ago if I would ever be influencing or putting myself out there on social media platforms, shy 18-year old me would have laughed and said, “absolutely not!… and as you can see, I am so glad I did not listen to 18 year old me, ha! I am from a small town where taking a leap of faith and putting yourself out there, was not a norm for most people so even though, I thought about the idea frequently, I was too timid to do anything about it. I first started getting inspired and motivated to start influencing and blogging by watching my favorite influencer/beauty blogger Katy a.k.a. “LustreLux” around two years ago! I was a fan of her blogging and loved her story of how her and her husband took a leap of faith and quit their jobs to pursue their dreams!
Before living in San Diego, I watched YouTube videos of how to. Other bloggers and YouTubers got started, I watched tips and tricks on adjusting camera settings, light fixtures, blogging tips and anything I really had questions on. I started a blog after high school but quit quickly at the first sign of criticism. Then, as I moved to San Diego about three years ago, to go to school at San Diego State University, I felt that this would be my fresh start, this was my time to step out of my comfort zone and show the world what I really had to offer, so with my personal motivation and the help of my favorite YouTubers, it influenced me to buy my first camera, certain products, ring light and start blogging my favorite tips and tricks. I am now 110% more outgoing than I have ever been, I am so comfortable not only with social media, but with myself. Influencing over the course of these years has given me so much self love and comfort within myself! I am now always looking for ways to inspire others by my post and ways to become more creative in my influencing ideas! 🙂
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, definitely not, but that’s what makes this all worth it. I am still an up and coming influencer that still has a lot of learning to do. I will admit, with the days that I feel successful and proud of how far I have come, there’s still a fair share of days where I feel like my post are not good enough and that people are not interested in what I have to say. Everyday, I try to learn new tips, tricks, do’s and don’t of this industry, but even with all the trial and error, the process is so fulfilling at the end of the day! I also have been trying to take myself out of my comfort zone and go to meetups and blogger events in the San Diego area. At these meetups hosted by other bloggers and entrepreneurs it is so empowering to be able to meet and network with others who have the same vision and passion as you do!
Now that I live in San Diego and away from home, the women I have met over Instagram and meetups have been some of the biggest influences and motivations to keep striving for my dreams even on days, where I feel like I should just give up and quit influencing.The San Diego influencers and bloggers, both that have been in the industry for years and those who have just started that I have encountered, have shared their stories with me as I have with them and we have also shared our dreams and goals, which is always a breath of fresh air and helps me feel great wave of acceptance and relief.
Please tell us about goldenxblonde.
When I first started, I specialized in solely beauty and fashion! Now as I continue on, I have found myself finding a love for all around lifestyle influencing that includes not only fashion and beauty, but social, dining, academic, mental health and home tips, I feel could inspire or help others!
Who have you been inspired by?
Growing up in a family of all women and with a single mother, I found a love for fashion, make-up and life at a very young age. My grandma, my aunt and my oldest cousin were my biggest influences to start influencing for fashion and lifestyle aesthetics, especially in the past year. They are the three most fashion forward women I know and have always expressed their personalities so effortlessly, through their clothing and I always was in awe by that. As a kid and even in my teens, I was very shy and not one to reach out past the social norms, I knew in my heart, I wanted to be like the bloggers and influencers I fangirled 24/7 on social media platforms, such as LustreLux and Desi Perkins. But coming from a very small town, I was intimidated by the thought that I would be judged or would be seen as “not good enough” to be in the influencing/blogging industry.
In August of 2017, my sweet aunt passed away from pancreatic cancer, but as she battled for a rigorous two years, she never let anything stop her from feeling beautiful! As the cancer struck, she made sure her fashion sense and her love for life struck even harder. From her nails to her outfits to her head scarves, she never skipped a beat and that’s what mostly inspired me to take a leap out of my comfort zone and put my thoughts on daily lifestyle situations, beauty and fashion trends out there on my social media platforms and brand myself. My aunt’s journey inspired me to take risks in life and in fashion despite what others might think of it because at the end of the day, your happiness is what matters, not others opinions about you. Life truly is too short not to take opportunities… and to not wear your favorite pair of heels!
Contact Info:
- Website: goldenxblonde.wordpress.com
- Email: baileymseay@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bailey.seay
Image Credit:
Martin Pena (IG: penababy)
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