What do you love? What are you absolutely, unapologetically passionate about? What do you already do for free, but secretly wish you could turn into a career?
The beauty industry is all about a passion for transformation. It’s about taking something (or someone) in its current state and finding its best presentation. It’s an art that Catherine Kemi Akin, Beauty, Fashion, and Lifestyle Blogger at Skylish, has been writing about for years.
But Catherine contends it’s about more than the content of her blog. It’s about the content of her heart – and it should be for you too!
Why has beauty and lifestyle blogging been so important for you?
I do it because I love it. I’ve had so many hobbies over the years from writing novels to editing video and so on, but the only ones that have really stuck with me have been blogging and web design. I genuinely find satisfaction in coming home, editing photos, and typing up a new blog post. A lot of people seem to get into blogging because they want free things, but if you don’t have a genuine passion for it before you start it, there’s only so far it can take you.
Why have you decided to pursue investment banking rather than taking your knowledge of beauty, blogging, etc. to the next level by pursuing an education in beauty and/or cosmetology?
I love beauty and fashion, but I’ve always been very academically-minded too. In school, I was always drawn to math, science, economics, and other related subjects. As nerdy as it sounds, it’s just something I’ve always enjoyed. I find it satisfying to work through a really hard finance question, breaking it down and coming up with a proper conclusion. Regardless, every door to my future is open; but with banking, I also get to apply all my love for academics to real world situations.
If your blog were to inspire someone to pursue beauty school/cosmetology, what elements of your work would you want them to take with them?
Passion. I would hope in my blog they would see genuine passion for the subject matter and take some of that passion with them in their pursuit of beauty/cosmetology.
Further, if your blog were to inspire someone to create their own brand (or beauty/lifestyle blog), what are 3-5 pieces of advice you could offer?
In terms of beauty and lifestyle blog tips, my top 3 would be:
1. Have a genuine passion for it. Your readers will be able to tell if you don’t.
2. Take good photos. Really spend your time taking the best photos possible. This doesn’t mean you have to buy an expensive DSLR camera, but the right lighting, good editing software, and some big photos can make a huge difference. This is definitely something it took me a while to come to grips with.
3. Build your network. I’d say the best way to build your network in blogging is to meet other bloggers. Follow them on Twitter, get involved in Twitter conversations if you have time (this is something I am bad at), and go to events. You don’t have to have 10,000 followers to go to events and meet some good people.
Are there any other lessons you could share with the beauty/lifestyle blog enthusiast?
In terms of blogging, you really just improve as time goes on. You learn what does and doesn’t work. This can apply to everything else in your life, too. Life is about self-development. When you make mistakes, learn from them and grow.
Check out our courses.