Today we’d like to introduce you to Sanai Graden
Hi Sanai, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am from the Bay Area! Growing up my parents were divorced, but they both always encouraged me to prioritize my education. After shuffling through a few different high schools, I briefly attended community college. In under a year, I was able to earn enough credit hours that would typically take most people at least two years to achieve. From there, I transferred to UC Berkeley. Although I was excited about attending Berkeley, I was unsure about my future goals. Having two successful entrepreneurs as parents, I just knew I wanted to follow in their footsteps somehow. I set a goal to start posting content on my social media platforms until I reached 10,000 followers.
My time at Berkeley provided me with the opportunity to study in New York for a summer. In New York, I discovered a completely different atmosphere than what I was accustomed to in California. I quickly realized that fashion was my passion. I landed an internship with a fashion designer and Vogue, using the experience to not only learn about the fashion industry but also to grow my social media platforms. Documenting my time in New York through vlogs helped me gain more followers.
After returning home briefly, I traveled to Italy for my uncle’s wedding, where a viral TikTok video of my grandmother helping me choose outfits for the wedding gained me my first 10,000 followers. I became known as ‘the girl in Italy with the grandma dress issues’. Back at Berkeley, I continued posting content, knowing that I did not want to stay in the Bay Area forever. I decided to complete my final semester of school in DC.
Unfortunately, while in DC, I faced some unforeseen challenges that led to a small bout of depression. However, a walk to get groceries became my second viral moment, opening up numerous opportunities for me, including this interview.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey has been far from easy. During my senior year of high school, I applied to eight universities and was only accepted into two. Receiving rejections from six colleges triggered my first encounter with depression. I felt utterly defeated at that time, but my mom’s constant encouragement kept me going. She motivated me to enroll in community college, which was a turning point for me.
The beginning of my time in DC presented its own set of challenges. I faced numerous obstacles all at once, but I knew I had to persevere. Even with my second viral moment, things didn’t unfold as expected for myself and my viewers. Some were disappointed, not realizing the personal investment and effort I had put into it behind the scenes. Each setback only serves to make me stronger, pushing me to keep moving forward.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an influencer and the CEO of a clothing brand that will be rolling out soon. As an influencer with a deep love for fashion and a desire to assist others, I have gained recognition for some of my viral TikTok moments, such as my unforgettable trip to Italy and the day I extended a helping hand to someone in need. What distinguishes me from others is my unwavering commitment to authenticity. I have always stayed true to myself, never letting the opinions of others deter me from stepping in front of the camera and sharing my content with the world. By refusing to let external judgments overshadow my path, I have been able to navigate my journey successfully so far.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
First, I’m thrilled to share that I’m currently working on launching my own clothing line, so stay tuned for that exciting venture!
Most importantly, For those of you who may be feeling discouraged about pursuing your dreams, I urge you to remember my journey. The days leading up to one of my most significant viral moments were incredibly challenging, and I found myself at a low point where I felt like everything was falling apart. Instead of succumbing to despair, I made the decision to get up and take a walk that ultimately turned my life around completely.
Remember, when everything seems to be going wrong, it often signifies that something good is on the horizon. It’s normal to face ups and downs, but it’s crucial to keep pushing forward. You got this !
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/hustlanani
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hustlanani
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@hustlanani
