Today we’d like to introduce you to Roxi Fam.
Hi Roxi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As the older sibling and child of immigrant parents, I had a lot of responsibilities and challenges growing up. I could not really relate to others and until we are able to walk in someone’s shoes, we truly do not know what they are going through. I was shy, introverted, and scared of what others thought of me because, for the majority of my middle and high school years, I got bullied. I did not have a lot of confidence in myself and the hurtful words were piercing through my ears.
I loved reading books such as “Chicken Soup for the Soul” whose slogan is, “changing the world one story at a time”. The reason why I loved reading Chicken Soup for the Soul books was that they offered stories of hope and inspiration, stories that were different than the one I was living. Soon after reading stories of paperback books, I turned to the internet to find “older sisters” who I could relate to and find their story of hope that gave me confidence that one day, it could be me too. I would watch Michelle Phan on YouTube and browse through Wendy’s Lookbook fashion blog. I have always loved fashion and when I wore an outfit that I took the time to pair together, it gave me confidence.
Fashion is much more than surface level to me because growing up, I did not have much. I was embarrassed that my mom would take me to discounted stores and that we would wait in line for early bird doorbuster hours back when we would cut coupons from the newspaper. Fashion not only meant feeling confident in an outfit, but it was also about finding a good deal.
In the summer of 2019, I first started on Instagram as a content creator and built “Chic and Lively”, which I came up with the name because “chic” means fashionable and stylish, and “lively” because that is my personality. Instagram was so much fun, but also a lot of hard work. That was the first exposure I had to immerse myself in a community of like-minded individuals who loves fashion just as much as I. It was also my first exposure to the influencer world and working with brands.
I dedicated my whole heart, efforts, and passion to building my brand on social media, specifically Instagram. I gave it my all, connected with people who were similar to me, who loved affordable fashion, faith, and authenticity. But somehow, I did not have peace. I am sad to admit that I was constantly comparing myself to others, speed of success, and vanity metrics. I felt like what was meant to start off as being fun became more draining. I felt like I had to live up to the social standards. It was hard and I had a prayer breakdown asking God to show me the answer to building an authentic connection with my audience and that if it was not going to be on social media, to lead me off, because I couldn’t stop creating content, engaging on comments, and posting.
In early January 2021, my prayers were unexpectedly answered in a way I never thought would happen. God redirected my path to what I needed to focus on all along, building my website. I went all-in on social media when it was sinking sand, the thought that came to my mind was that I was “renting a space” on social media, but it was never mine, to begin with. God led me to “build a house” on solid ground, and that is www.chicandlively.com. At times I feel like I am starting a re-do, but my passion outlives the temporary space. I am given the opportunity to build again, on stable ground, this time, a website domain that I own. I once needed an older sister to connect with, look up to, and help instill confidence in the girl I was to the woman I was becoming. I want to be the voice and older sister to young women whose shoes I once walked in.
Chic & Lively is a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle blog based on fashionable finds and affordable living. Chic & Lively serves as an outlet to inspire, encourage, and connect with the everyday millennial. The mission of Chic & Lively is to cultivate and empower a community of like-minded individuals.
Thank you for reading and I look forward to connecting with you.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. I had self-doubts and fear, but time and time again, I prayed for guidance, wisdom, and discernment. I pray that God would help me make a difference and to witness the young girl I was once. I am still working on myself and currently reading a book titled “Mental Toughness”.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I feel that often we, as minorities, underestimate ourselves. It is so much easier to believe in someone else than ourselves. I was wounded from the bullying and am healing more through my faith, confidence, and belief that I can do it. What makes me most proud is the fact that I have not given up when something I worked so hard failed and it redirected me on another route. I am still here, learning, growing, and becoming mentally stronger. I can relate to minority Asian-American women whose parents have migrated to the United States and who are first-generation college graduates navigating the pressures of maneuvering adult responsibilities while juggling life. I am more than what I wear and my love for fashion. Often people think that fashion and beauty are superficial and shallow, but my love for fashion stemmed from expressing my creativity. I want to help young women find confidence in putting an outfit on and not having it break the bank.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Resiliency, not giving up when you try something and it fails. I am building mental toughness and becoming a stronger woman than I once was. My identity is not in vanity metrics, what I wear, or my influence on others, my identity is in Christ. He is my solid foundation and rock. As hard as life is, I honestly do not know who I would be if it were not for my faith in Jesus. I am learning that even if I have nothing to give or offer, I am enough, through Jesus alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chicandlively.com
Image Credits
@c.lifestylehouston
