Today we’d like to introduce you to Tatianna Samuel.
Tatianna, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I first started my blog 3 years ago, I started it with the intentions of opening up myself to the world and trying to create a safe space for readers that may have been feeling the same exact way I was. I wanted my blog to be a place where people who pretended all day that they could finally take their masks off and be themselves. So, I made attempts at writing lifestyle pieces and very personal stories but it didn’t work out quite the way I expected it to, in fact, most of my post never actually made it to my blog. There was something about the way I wrote, my grammar and the way I told my story that didn’t satisfy me, so I put blogging my real life on the back burner. I needed to find a new way to tell my story and I remembered when I was in middle school, I attended a program called “Citizens Schools” and one of our instructors witnessed me in an argument with another student and when I had walked away from the scene he saw me and he said to me “Love better Tatianna, just Love better.” It didn’t take me long to figure out what he meant by saying that. It means to love better, love people, show compassion, even when people do you wrong to be the bigger person. Something that I knew all too well from just living life. So, I decided to show that message on my social media, I really pushed myself to show people what my brand is and what it means. I used many different ways to show this message through my fashion posts, my INSTArants, lol, and through my beauty and travel posts. I got to a point where I was really consistent with putting out content and that’s how I got where I am today.
Has it been a smooth road?
NOOOOOOOO, it has not been a smooth road at all, and even today it still isn’t a smooth road. But here are a few tips or bits of advice to make the road a little less bumpy:
1. GET ORGANIZED! I cannot stress this enough, it is very easy to lose focus and want to dabble in so many different things but you have to remember to stay organized and on topic.
2. TAKE YOUR TIME. that’s simple, just take your time and go at your own pace.
3. Be Consistent! When you do get into the swing of things make sure that you are consistent so people can understand what lane you’re in and that you take what you do very seriously. (This advice goes for any career you choose for yourself.)
I’ve struggled with all 3 of things at a certain point in time and sometimes I struggle with all 3 at the same time. But the beauty in it all is you get to continue to learn about yourself and what you can do, and you get to understand the power of understanding who you are as an individual.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into LoveBetterxo story. Tell us more about the business.
I currently work full time at a daycare to help support my dreams, but when I am not working my day job I am working on collaborations or creating content for my blog. I also do brand strategy on the side and help my clients build their brands. It’s easy to say I wear many hats I am both a business woman and a brand. If I had to pick I would say people know me more for being a fashion blogger and spreading positive vibes and light through my social media.
As a brand, I most proud of my reputation and my journey, I feel like I’m not where I want to be but getting here where people actually see me for my work feels great! I want more of that, so I can continue to spread the “LoveBetter” brand. I think what sets me apart from others is I am always Tatianna no matter when you see me, on and off social media I’m always me.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
In general, one of the things that serve as a barrier is women competing with each other, I feel like a lot of women want what another woman has which leads to competition. Sometimes, we have unity and most times we don’t and instead of uplifting each other we tear each other down. This problem leads to lack of confidence in some women which trickles down to feeling like they have lack of ability to do things. I feel like that is a good place to start and then we can begin to address other things.
Pricing:
- $25 for a 45-minute consultation about branding or being an Influencer on social media.
- $450 for a 3 month trial for brand strategy. This includes a lot of hands-on work, one on one.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lovebetterxo.com
- Email: lovebetterxo@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/love_betterxo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovebetterxo/
Image Credit:
Tobi Makinde Instagram @thatphotokid & @makinde_art
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager 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.
