Tell Your Story- Erica

posted on May 24, 2020

Welcome to the “Tell Your Story” highlight reel.

If you haven’t guessed it, everyone has a story. Within each, is identifiable life experiences, anyone can glean from if open to receive.

This is a brief Highlight Reel of anothers’ life journey designed to inspire. Have a coffee/tea and read on as Erica shares her story.

My name is Erica Raquel, I’m a 25 year old fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogger, fashion designer, and small business owner. I love eating (mostly tacos and sushi!),working out at home, dancing, singing and organizing. I also got certified as a makeup artist about four years ago. While I’m managing to do everything under the sun, I’m also managing my blog,
businesses, YouTube and social media.

Why did you start Blogging?
I began my blogging journey a little less than 3 years ago but my journey has been far from easy. When I was a kid I never saw anybody “make it”, I had no real example of what success should look like until I began watching reality tv. Now, I know that sounds a little crazy because reality
tv is supposed to be all glitz and glamour but seeing this is what fueled my passion today. I used to watch Kimora’s Life In The Fab Lane, a reality show based around designer, model and mogul, Kimora Lee Simmons. Seeing how hard Kimora worked in the fashion industry made me
believe I could do it. From episode one I knew she was what I wanted to be.
At a super young age I wanted to be able to transform fabric into my own personal creations but I never was placed into any sewing classes or didn’t know anybody with the skills so I began to figure it out on my own.

What hurdles (mental or physical) did you have to overcome to get your business started and continue on today? While discovering the ins and out of fashion, I immediately fell madly in
love with it and wanted to share my passion with others. So, at about 10 years old I began writing blogs about celebrities’ red carpet looks. I had no real clue what I was doing, so I stopped blogging for 12 years.
Every project I’ve taken on including blogging, I’ve had very little family support but I never let that stop me!
Since then I’ve taken on things I never thought I would be able to do like:
● Beginning an awesome fashion, beauty and lifestyle blog where I share how-to’s,
fashion and beauty tips along with motivational things I’ve learned over the years.
● Learning new sewing skills to become an even better designer. I sold my very first item
last year!
● Creating my very own magazine, Grand ERA magazine, where I showcase articles
written by my fellow bloggers and ads from small businesses to help promote small
businesses, artists, designers, etc.
● Finally starting my YouTube channel that I have put off for too many years because I
was afraid that it wouldn’t be perfect!

What advice would you share with someone who wants to start a business?
If you have a passion for anything be it blogging, starting your business, making YouTube videos, etc. JUST GO FOR IT!
There are always so many reasons to sit back and wait for what some would consider “the right moment” but there is no such thing! The more you wait the more time you waste. So whatever it is you want to go after in your life, take the leap!