Today we’d like to introduce you to Dris Wallace.
Dris, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m happily married to my husband Dave. I am a mom of two beautiful kids under three years old. I work full time in the financial industry and love what I do. About two years ago, my sister told me about a career in Social Media by being a Social Influencer. She knew how much I loved taking photos, documenting my life, and connecting with a community of mothers. Why not turn that into a business too? In my typical Type A personality, I quickly went onto Instagram and looked up local mom bloggers. I was surprised by how many mothers were doing this full time and getting paid to do what I love doing myself! I brainstormed for a bit, came up with a name that I think connected with me and started a new IG Page. I followed accounts that inspired me and took notes on the things I liked of each account. I made notes of what I wanted my brand to be and I hit the ground running. I figured I would learn things along the way. Over time I have learned so much more about photography and growing a business. My Instagram feed has grown, but my authenticity of who I am and why I started this journey has remained the same. I love connecting with moms. I love making people laugh and I love documenting my life. I love feeding my creative side. I’m so glad that I turned this hobby into an actual business. With the support of my husband (IG Photographer-thanks babe), my sister who is on this journey with me and my wonderful mommy bloggers who I have met and supported me, THANK YOU babes!!!
Has it been a smooth road?
Nothing in life comes easy, so naturally, there were struggles. Like most people, I ran into comparing myself to these beautiful highlight reels that I was seeing on Instagram. I was like ‘wow, they make motherhood look so beautiful and I’m over here on the struggle bus trying my best.’ I was glad my sister was starting this journey with me so we both supported each other. I quickly gathered that these little squares on IG we all compare ourselves were just a highlight of someone’s life. I got out of my head and understood that most people do not post the ugly and bad stuff that happens, so I couldn’t get stuck in feeling bad. This wasn’t reality 100% of the time, so, at that moment, I overcame that struggle. I started connecting with other bloggers and asking them for tips and tricks to growing my business. That sense of community that attracted me to this journey was coming to life and it was amazing. Being an influencer you really have to be authentic and consistent to grow. You can’t expect to grow your follower count overnight. It takes time, hustle, work!!! The most basic thing I think people overlook is that you have to ENGAGE with people on social media. After all, this is social media, you actually have to talk to people, ha! I make sure I always reply to all my comments even when I have over 100. I never want to get to a point where I don’t engage with my audience. I want to always connect with the people that have got me to where I am now. I love the saying “don’t ever forget where you came from.” If it wasn’t for my loyal audience I wouldn’t be able to make this journey a business. Another struggle I think most people have including myself if the time you have to investment into this business if you really want to be successful. You really have to have good time management. I am married with two kids and I have a career in another space as well. Managing my time is extremely important. I take Sunday nights as my day to plan my posts and content. I gave up posting on the weekends too in order to dedicate that time 100% to my family. Some nights are long, but I know my end goal and I know I have to keep hustling to be successful, so am I tired? Yes! Will that stop me? NO! I know if I hustle as hard as I have been the only ending to this journey is a success. I know I will encounter more roadblocks, but I’m ready! If I can advise anyone who wants to start a business and/or follow your dreams is that you should always remember YOU CAN DO IT ALL! Your future is bright no matter how old you are, your experience, etc. If you want something you can literally do it. You just have to believe in yourself. Also, surround yourself with people who support your dreams and success! Keep those people that are cheering you on along the way! If you have people who are not supporting you on your dreams, then you shouldn’t have them in your life! You will always have people that will doubt you, let that be what lights your fire to burn those fears away!
We’d love to hear more about Modern Cali Mom.
My Instagram and blog are all things motherhood, lifestyle, fashion, and travel. I love being a mom. I love connecting with other moms. I love sharing my journey and giving moms tips on how I’m always on the go with two kids! I love traveling with my family too. I want my IG and Blog community to be a place where people come and are connecting with their BFF. I love being positive and uplifting in my work. Most of my content is focused on the photography of my family and my everyday life! I think what sets me apart is that I am living proof that you can do it all. I have a 9-5 full-time job, a mom of two kids, I’m married, and I have this Blogger business as well. I want to encourage mothers and anyone really that you are never too busy to follow your dreams. If I can do it, you can do it too!
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
It’s funny because today I’m here to talk to you about my side hustle, Social Media Influencing. I think that the only barrier in this industry is yourself. You can’t get caught up in comparing yourself to other influencers. You are the only YOU, so do you! I see more female influencers than I do male so I think we have this market locked down! There is enough room for everyone.
As far as my 9-5 job in the financial industry I think the biggest barrier is being a female in a male-dominated industry where the leaders are males. Like most of the world, I think that we have come a long way but we have a lot to overcome. I’m all about pushing the limits. I’m a natural go-getter, so I take this as a challenge. I think that women are fighting their way to leadership and we will eventually get there, the leaders now just have to be more open-minded about female leaders. Once the generations shift in leadership and we have more open-minded leaders, the barriers will drop and allow for more female leaders. We will get there. I love seeing how far we come! As a mother of a daughter who is raising her to be fearless and instilling in her that she can do anything, I can’t wait to see what her generation does! GIRL POWER all day every day! I’m excited for the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.moderncalimom.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/moderncalimom
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/moderncalimom/
Image Credit:
my husband
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