Today we’d like to introduce you to McKenzie Morgan.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As an eighth-grader who had just been asked to share with my peers what I wanted to be when I was older, my stomach twisted into knots at the thought of not knowing the true answer, and yet I responded with “a teacher.”
It was a question I had been asked a thousand times, and yet each time I answered, it never felt right. I sat in my mother’s office sobbing one night, begging for her answers to the questions bottled up inside. At the time, I was interested in everything under the sun because I so desperately wanted to find something that stuck – photography, reading, writing, clothes. She mentioned that I should start a blog. This, she explained, would be a way to creatively express my thoughts in a professional way. I reluctantly agreed and a few weeks later, “Styled by McKenz” was born. As a 14-year-old starting a fashion and lifestyle blog, I was nervous. I didn’t know what to expect but I worked endlessly regardless. I poured out hours and hours, typing through the night. I shot pictures whenever I had a second to spare, promoted across social media platforms while I walked quickly between classes, and skipped out on late nights with friends. On January 1, 2019, I celebrated three years of StyledbyMcKenz. I’ve been able to connect with over 180,000 people while working with over 30+ brands. It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience to be chasing my dreams at such a young age.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I can honestly say it has not been a smooth road. As a high school aged blogger, I’ve been faced with the doubt and hate of not only teenage girls but many people I do not know. However, I’ve never cared about the nasty comments that are posted or the people who dislike the posts I spend hours working on. I’ve never paid attention to. As an experienced blogger, I get asked about this frequently: How do I get past the bullying, how do I keep it from getting to me? Why would I let something that I worked so hard for, something I was so proud of, something that I poured every ounce of my passion into being ridiculed, belittled, degraded by people I don’t know? Robert Kennedy once said, “If there’s nobody in your way it’s because you are not going anywhere.” I’m going somewhere. And with that, I give my advice to all women starting their journey – remind yourself endlessly that you are going somewhere regardless of whose walking alongside you.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about StyledbyMcKenz – what should we know?
StyledbyMcKenz started as a fashion based blog that shared bits of lifestyle, travel, and beauty in between. To this day, it is very much the same thing. I specialize in sharing trendy yet affordable options for everyday girl. My goal is to empower women to be whoever they desire while wearing whatever expresses them best!
What started as a hobby quickly evolved into more. A few short months after I launched StyledbyMcKenz, I landed my first ever brand deal with Warby Parker. I soon found myself freelancing, working for companies I had loved and admired many years prior. Shoes, clothes, makeup, and beauty products. Oh, how the piles have grown over the years. However, no amount of free stuff compares to the feeling of a company seeing value in your work and choosing to believe in you. At fourteen-years-old, I became my own boss and I hadn’t even realized it yet. I’m proud of this in ways I cannot even begin to explain. As I look back on my three years as a blogger, I am overwhelmed with the love I have received from my viewers and the opportunity to touch more lives than I ever could have dreamed possible.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
The best advice I can give to any young woman is to find your fire. What makes you excited? What are you passionate about? What leaves you feeling proud? It is through my blog that I have discovered a fire within me. And now that I’ve discovered that fire, I’ve burned with passion for everyone who desires to see.
Once you’ve found your fire, you are golden. It will be visible not only through your content and work but through your personality as well. People will come and they will be so infatuated with the way you burn because seeing a true passion in motion is truly the most beautiful site to see.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.styledbymckenz.com
- Email: styledbymckenz@gmail.com
- Instagram: styledbymckenz
Image Credit:
Garrett Brown
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