Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhylae McClelland.
Rhylae, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Just over a year ago, I had just graduated from college and while I felt a new sense of freedom, I also suddenly found myself with no creative outlets. Having loved my writing classes, I decided I wanted to start a personal blog; writing had always been a passion of mine and this blog really started as just that. I had no intention to turn my writing or my social media into a business or influencer platform but as I continued to write about my day to day life and all the little moments of happiness, I found myself relating to so many young women. I still don’t really consider my blog a business and I by no means think of myself as an influencer, instead, I see my blog as a space to share my happiness and I see myself as someone who encourages others happiness.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been easy! Earlier this year I had a really hard time finding the time or desire to write and working a full-time job in addition to my blog is a constant struggle to balance. There are days that I get off work at 5 PM and the last thing I want to go do is edit photos and sometimes, I wish my weekends were not dictated by what content I need to create for the next week. But in the end, I love writing and sharing photos and when I write a post I cannot help but smile and feel a sense of pride. This work is 100% my own and that is so rewarding!
Please tell us about SmileyRhylae.
SmileyRhylae is all about my personal moments of happiness in day to day life and encouraging others to find the smiles in their daily lives. My brand and my blog focus on the happy moments but they also touch on my moments of stress and anxiety. I think what sets me apart is that I encourage self-love and happiness but also recognize those low moments in life. It has led to countless connections with people and I love hearing others daily stories that include both the highs and lows.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
I follow A TON of other bloggers! I love seeing what other bloggers are talking about both locally and internationally and I have made some amazing friends through it. One of my very best friends has her own business, Haley Comet Astrology in which she reads people birth charts and helps them understand their astrology in their daily life. Whenever I am having a low moment, I connect with her and she always has the most positive affirmations for me! Plus, she is also a badass yoga instructor! I also attend a lot of blogger industry events to meet other local bloggers and influencers.
Contact Info:
- Website: Smileyrhylae.com
- Email: smileyrhylae@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smileyrhylae/
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
