Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Stevenson.
Hi Brooke, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi, I’m Brooke. My husband and I moved to Galveston, TX, for his first year of medical school. After living here for a few months, I came to love the town’s history and the spirit of the locals who live here. @Aesthetically_Galveston was originally created to showcase the island’s beauty and serve as a guide to send to friends and family who wanted recommendations when visiting Galveston.
I posted pictures of weekend festivities, local food and drinks, and other areas of beach life. The account has unexpectedly gained the interest of other Instagram users. It has sparked the opportunity to meet and collaborate with other creators and businesses on and off the island!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been some bumps in the road. I’m a creative individual and always have ideas for projects I want to pursue. The thing you have to get used to as a creative is accepting that only some ideas will be successful. You have to be okay with failing, even if it’s disappointing. But the bright side is, for every failure, there is a lesson to be learned.
What you do with that lesson helps fuel the next idea, which could be the one that turns out to be a success. Some personal struggles would be not having enough personal time to commit to growing my account, competing against a saturated social media market, and knowing when to turn off my phone and be in the personal moment.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Aesthetically Galveston was the first Instagram account on the island that highlighted local businesses, events, and beach life authentically. As a result, it has become a resource for locals and tourists when looking for things to do or new places to visit. This past year, Aesthetically Galveston won Best Instagram Feed for 2023 Best of the Island Awards, which is voted on by the community. It was an honor to know that people love and use the account because running it takes a lot of time and effort.
What sets AG apart is the ability to show Galveston from a fresh new perspective. Galveston, unfortunately, can have a bad reputation for being “ugly” or “dirty,” but I’ve found that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. By going off the beaten path, meeting business owners, and learning about the island’s history, I’ve been able to have a deeper appreciation for the small town. All those components are reflected through my content to display to the world.
Also, the fact that I keep AG very personally sets it apart. I want people to reach out and ask for specific recommendations that are unique to them. I’ll also be honest and share the cons of living on the island or experiences I’ve had that I want people to avoid when being here. It is important to me that people know a real person is behind the profile.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
First off, I’m a HUGE self-help junkie! I love Nedra Tawwab, Lori Gottlieb, and Tiffany Roe’s work. Those three women have taught me a lot about boundaries and healthy relationships with others and yourself, impacting my life in many areas. Creatively, I’ve admired and learned from other digital creators online. For example, Victoria Garrick is an influencer, podcaster, motivational speaker, and former D-1 athlete. I’ve been inspired by some of the work she has put out on Real Pod, her podcast.
As basic as this sounds, Taylor Swift greatly influences my life and creativity. Her willingness to show up as her authentic self without apologies inspires me. She pushes expectations and limitations and takes risks which is incredibly badass. Her acceptance speech for iHeart Radio’s Innovator of the Year brought me to tears. If you have yet to listen to it, I highly recommend it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aestheticallygalveston.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aesthetically_galveston/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AestheticallyGalveston
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dbrookestevenson
Image Credits
@Aesthetically_Galveston
