Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Joplin.
Hi Stephanie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
My first experience with social media was on MySpace, back when we were all experts at writing code for our expertly curated profiles and we ranked our best friends one through eight! When Twitter was booming, I immediately was drawn to it and became obsessive about creating content that people would find entertaining, and therefore retweet. I started tweeting about sports, my opinions mostly, and direct questions to the athletes.
After a while, my followers encouraged me to start a sports blog. I covered Houston sports and soon was asked to cover the Houston Aeros as a Special Reporter for Fox Sports Houston. I was also asked to write for the (now) Legacy Fighting Alliance (nee, Legacy Fighting Championship). I live-tweeted the cards and conducted fighter interviews. I also interviewed many high profile athletes for my personal blog and was picked up my several larger news outlets for my in-depth and hard-hitting questions.
Even though I was in the corporate world, I continued to pursue my dreams in the digital space and switched focus to a lifestyle YouTube channel highlighting beauty and sports. A mixed message, but still two things I was so passionate about! It was a huge project to take on with a full-time job, so I abandoned the channel.
When everything transitioned to Instagram, my platform was not consistent, because I wasn’t sure what exactly I wanted it to be: was it sports? Was it beauty? Was it luxury or fashion? I was all over the place with my content and I wasn’t connecting with them. I believe that that is why it has taken me nearly a decade to grow my brand into what it is now. I am hyper-focused on self-love and care. I would say all the lifestyle topics I discuss float around those two things.
As my focus shifted to health, fitness, and personal growth, I started really honing in on where I needed to be, with regards to my content. In the fall of 2020, I was laid off from my corporate job, which cleared the path for me to form my own company, Stephanie Joplin, LLC. I began to manage one, then two, then three small businesses here in the Houston area. From strategy, to curated photos and video, copy editing and execution: I do it all! In April 2021, “The Luxury Dropout” Podcast was at its’ genesis: I wrote out a business model, gave the show a name, and began work on what exactly I wanted to put out into the world, and what this show could give back to me, as well. I have learned so much from my guests thus far; it has enriched my world beyond measure. I have around 20 episodes currently in production and the very first one dropped Tuesday, September 14th. All episodes will be available on YouTube and all streaming audio platforms.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Two things!
Imposter Syndrome is a real thing! It generated this “failure to launch” period for me from the time I was laid off and formed my LLC, to actually taking the steps in launching production for the podcast in April 2021.
“The Luxury Dropout” name comes from holding myself accountable for years of buying luxury goods that would depreciate quickly, and left me feeling empty emotionally, and in debt financially! I had to do a lot of personal reflection, journaling, online courses and personal therapy sessions to understand that enrichment comes from the inside! I think being able to truly face yourself in the mirror like that is something not many people can do. It’s difficult to “call yourself out” for the damage you did to your mental and physical health over, say, a decade of your life! And then to turn around and do the work to fix those things – I would say that shows real strength of character, and I am proud of myself.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I genuinely care about others and I listen intently. Everything I put out there has a strategy or purpose behind it. I am intentional with the content I put out in the world, because I know others are watching. I do my best to answer questions with thoughtful answers, and I am transparent when I have stumbled or failed. I also have a wealth of knowledge that I have gained from a lifetime of traveling and seeing the world with my family. I adapt easily and can become proficient in any subject through thorough research.
I am also all self-taught! Trial and (lots of) error! I give credit to Christina Najjar, the most insightful and witty content creator; she and I are alike in many ways, so I feel even more comfortable continuing on this path with my content after seeing her hard-earned success over the past year by being unapologetically herself, vulnerabilities and all; almost like an affirmation that I am headed in the right direction.
The Luxury Dropout Podcast is going to change lives! Mark my words. The guests I have on board have gotten very real in front of my mic, all for my listeners’ benefit. My dream is to grow the podcast so big that my name becomes synonymous with my most admired podcasters, like Lauryn Bosstick and Amanda Hirsch.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I firmly believe that “luck” has nothing to do with my journey! It was truly all to do with timing, dedication, getting uncomfortable, self improvement, and hard work. I may stumble along the way, but I realize things are not always linear; there isn’t an age that is “too late” to start living your dreams.
Contact Info:
- Email: stephanie@stephaniejoplin.com
- Website: https://linktr.ee/stephaniejoplin
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/stephaniejoplin
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/theluxurydropout
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/stephaniejoplin
- YouTube: http://youtube.com/stephaniejoplin
- Other: https://linktr.ee/theluxurydropout
Image Credits:
Lauren White – Laundromat (@rogue.aesthetic.photography)
Anh Pham – beach photos (@heights.portraits)
Corry Bergel – smiling photo with black shirt (@corrys_photos)
