Today we’d like to introduce you to Francesca Felix-Smith.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Francesca. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I first started my blog about ten years ago as a creative outlet and a fashion journal. I was studying graphic design at the time and wanted a place to practice photo editing, computer web design skills and photo editing. It was a bit more experimental at first. I loved documenting my outfits and places my husband and I would visit. I loved connecting with strangers on the internet who were also into the same things I was into. After about four years, the term “fashion blogger” started to become a more well-known industry and I ended up switching gears and took my blog more seriously. I started to gain a larger following and began to focus more on helping give styling advice and provide outfit inspiration. I also started to work with brands on campaigns and was able to start charging for content and images and exposure. My husband and I both learned a lot about photography and were able to shoot all the photos and campaigns ourselves. Now, I have built a great relationship with many brands that I continue to work with throughout the years. I love to share everything on the blog from my travels (travel and packing guides) to shopping tips (where to get the best sweaters for fall) or even social media hacks like how to grow a following.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has definitely been a struggle to get to where I am. Money at first was an issue so I took on two other jobs (waitressing and wedding photography) as well as some freelance graphic design gigs so I could help fund the blog, pay for photography equipment and pay for marketing and tech/website help. It took me about 2 years until I was financially stable enough with the blog and IG to be able to go full time and drop all my other side hustles. It was a struggle to learn the industry at first because there wasn’t much information on how to be a fashion blogger or grow a social media following. Finding my voice and what I really wanted to put out there was also a constant challenge. It wasn’t until about two years ago that I feel I really found out who I was in this space and what kind of audience I wanted to reach.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I am a fashion and travel blogger/influencer as well as a content creator. I have learned so much about photography through my blog and studying graphic design that I have incorporated that into my company. I sell presets so other content creators can also achieve the look I have on my edits as well as help them learn how to create their own “look”. I also share a lot of editing tips and show the reality behind my creative process with my followers. Typically I share my outfits and lifestyle photos with people to help give inspiration.
Frank Vinyl is financially stable now thanks to brand sponsorships (I promote them by wearing or sharing their product via my channel/blog), affiliate links, products I sell (like my Frank Viny presets) and sponsored blog content on my website. I think what sets me apart from others is that I am extremely picky about what I promote. I work only with brands I truly believe in and never settle for anything less. My readers trust me because they know I won’t share a product I haven’t tried and approved of before sharing with them.
I also believe in shopping smartly and not in a careless irresponsible way! With such a big platform to speak on, I believe it’s super important to be mindful of what you put out there. I try to promote sustainable fashion and conscious shopping whenever I can. Sharing socially responsible and eco-friendly brands has become a focus of mine this year. I hope to slowly become more sustainable as I learn more about that industry and love sharing this journey with my readers.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I don’t define success by numbers, amount of followers or how much money I have. I define success by how happy and am in life. If I can be paid to travel, live off my own schedule, promote products I believe in and can continue to live a happy peaceful home life I feel that I have succeeded. If I can continue to be myself and share my thoughts and personality with the world and can find like-minded people who also support what I’m putting out there, I think that is a success. If I can inspire one person a day to live a better life, feel happier about themselves and feel motivated by me in some way then I feel I have succeeded as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.frankvinyl.com
- Email: frankvinyl@gmail.com
- Instagram: @frankvinyl
- Other: www.frankvinylpresets.com
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