Today we’d like to introduce you to Sim Lang Koch.
Sim Lang, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always had a passion for art. I remember being in kindergarten and when I learned that my teacher was getting married, I drew her a picture of her as a bride and her husband as a groom at a wedding reception. They were seated at a big table filled with food and it looked more like Thanksgiving than a wedding reception. I just did it as a nice gesture to my teacher, but I think it left quite the impression on her since she called a conference with my parents to show them the drawing. I didn’t really understand at that time, but looking back now, that was the first time that someone noticed a talent that I had. I just was touched that my teacher liked my drawing so much.
It gave me a good feeling and that inspired me to keep doing it and to keep finding ways to improve my art. Throughout elementary school, I earned a reputation for being good at drawing among my teachers and my peers and even won an award for it in 5th grade. Even though I enjoyed it and was good at it, I knew that drawing wasn’t my calling because I grew tired of it and eventually stopped.
Years went by and I haven’t drawn since elementary school, but it didn’t mean my love for art and my desire for self-expression went away. I started getting into makeup senior year of high school from watching beauty gurus on YouTube. The girls that I watched looked awesome to me. They were always put together and always had fun and bold makeup looks that I didn’t see in everyday life and it inspired the artist in me again. At the same time, I was experimenting with fashion and finding my style which I had so much fun with. I also liked the attention and compliments that I got on my outfits and makeup looks. I even acted as a go-to for my friends who seeked makeup and fashion advice.
Even though I loved makeup and fashion and I had a true passion for helping women look and feel beautiful, I didn’t have the motivation nor the drive to pursue those things as a career or even YouTube. I moved on to pursue a career in the corporate world, but after years of routine and commuting and sitting at a desk day in and day out, I lost my passion. After a while, I got sick of wearing the same seven outfits to work! I decided that I wanted to dress better and do makeup again because I lost that passion throughout the years after college.
That is where I find myself today with my blog simlangkoch.com. I went from drawing pictures to applying makeup, and now to styling clothes and writing. Fashion is just another form of art and self-expression. I first started this to help me dress better and document my style progression, but given the opportunities that are available today for bloggers and influencers, I now want to see how far this can take me and if I could potentially make this a career. I would still be doing this regardless, so why not?
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The biggest struggle in starting my journey as a blogger was just starting. Even now, I can’t help but think that if only I had started sooner, where would I be now? If only I had started sooner, I could have possibly seen success sooner.
What it boils down to is not believing in myself. I tried to find every reason not to do this. It’s too late for me to start. There are so many people doing the same thing and they are more talented than me. There is not enough time in the day and I’m too busy. This is just a hobby and I should focus on my job. The worst thing I told myself is that I have nothing to say and nothing to offer. I know now that none of these reasons are valid. I am me and there is no one else in the world like me. My unique perspective is something I can bring to the table. Now, almost ten years after I started my style journey, I just barely launched my blog and I am more inspired than ever.
My advice to those who are wanting to start something, anything, is to just start. You don’t need to know it all right away because you’ll figure it out as you go. If it is something important to you, just do it.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
My self-titled blog, simlangkoch.com is a platform where I share outfit ideas, style inspiration, makeup looks, beauty tips, and occasionally giving sneak peeks into my life. I write in a casual, conversational style because I want my readers to feel like they are reading the words of a close, personal friend. What I bring to my audience is good advice with some humor. I try not to take life too seriously and I am the biggest goofball! I laugh at almost everything. I hope to inspire as many people to be confident in their personal style as I can.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
I was always passionate about art and I was always creative even as a kid. Unfortunately, every time I would bring up the idea of me pursuing a career in art or anything art-related, I was immediately shot down by my own family. It was hard growing up being pressured to be something and do something I was not passionate about, but in the end, it really showed that I was meant to be a creator.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.simlangkoch.com
- Email: simlang@simlangkoch.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/sim_langg
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/simlangg
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/sim_langg
Image Credit:
Jessica Ranjel
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