Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Ibsen.
Kristen, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In college, I realized how passionate I was about justice in a variety of areas from the environment to gender equality and education. Being a young student, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness came with this – how was I supposed to make an impact at that point in my life? I was a full-time student with a full schedule and limited income. So instead of wishing I could open a non-profit or write a book (both not feasible ideas at the time), I looked at what influence and resources I did have available to me. The biggest one? Social media.
I was already fed up with the surface level content on Instagram, so I decided to use that platform of influence to talk about the issues I cared about and spread awareness. Coupled with my pursuit of Consumer Psychology research on the fashion industry, I have been able to cultivate an environment of authenticity and open conversation with my followers. It has been a wonderful experience and I am excited now to be gaining more paid opportunities with brands I love such as modeling and brand partnerships.
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?
Some main challenges that have come up would be discerning which companies to partner with, which hot topics to engage in, and how to feel like I’m being true to myself while still generating content. I try to only promote and work with companies with a clean supply chain that operates with respect to their employees and the planet. There is a lot of greenwashing going on these days (google that term, trust me), so it can be really hard to tell which brands are doing things right. It takes constant researching and awareness to sift through and find the trustworthy companies.
Social media is also a popular place to stay up to date on recent events, which means it can also be a breeding ground for political debates. Nothing has ever been accomplished through a Facebook comment war, but it can be hard to hold back on expressing my opinion on hot topics such as the election. It is a lot of trial and error, and I have definitely regretting posts and comments I have made before. Lastly, to keep followers engaged, it is essential to create content which can feel awkward at times. I always want people to see my posts as relatable and authentic while still being engaging and aesthetically pleasing! It is a tricky balance to strike.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
There is a lot of stigma that comes with the term “influencer” but you could call me a micro influencer that is known for discussing sustainability, wellness, and slow fashion!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moments come from direct messages my followers send me. Last week I had a few people message me with encouragement to start a YouTube channel because they feel like I have a unique perspective that would be beneficial to share through video. Conversation with people is really what I want out of all of this, so having people go out of their way to tell me I’m doing good for the world was so rewarding!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: SimpleKristen
Image Credit:
Wedding photo: Briana Nolan
B&W model + Blue dress photo: Nicolette Bardos
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