Channel Your Influence

#22. Fashion model Michael-Chase Strollo joins to chat all thing New York Fashion Week and the newest controversial trend at the shows: TikTok influencers sitting front row.  As the fashion industry evolves, so does its preferred social media platform with TikTok seeming to gain more relevance over Instagram this NYFW.  We talk about how to get those coveted invites to NYFW, new designers to watch, and  the best and worst trends for Spring/Summer 2022. Have questions about the episode or want to comment?  Tag or DM @channelyourinfluence on Instagram.To connect with host Diane Taha go to instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with Michael-Chase Strollo go to Instagram.com/mcstrollo.Music:Say Good Night by Joakim Karud @joakimkarudMusic provided by Free Music for Vlogs youtu.be/tdSn9l_HzFE 

#21. One major mistake microinfluencers make is not charging brands for whitelisting and usage rights. In this episode, influencer marketing expert Justin Moore, founder of Creator Wizard and Trending Family,  demystifies these terms and explains why you should charge an additional fee for whitelisting and licensing  - as well as how to price your sponsored content. We discuss other influencer FAQs including how to negotiate unpaid brand pitches into paid partnerships; whether or not to share your rates on a media kit; and how to improve organic reach on Instagram. Have questions about the episode or want to comment?  Tag or DM @channelyourinfluence on Instagram.To connect with host Diane Taha go to instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with guest Justin Moore go to instagram.com/creatorwizard.You can also find Justin at the following:https://www.youtube.com/c/creatorwizardhttps://twitter.com/justinmooretfamJoin Justin's Facebook group for influencers: https://branddealintel.com/Music:Say Good Night by Joakim Karud @joakimkarudMusic provided by Free Music for Vlogs youtu.be/tdSn9l_HzFE 

#20. Is fast fashion really a necessary evil? The Baller on a Budget blogger and podcaster, Aileen Luib, joins to chat about all things fast fashion, capitalism, and the never ending cycle of consumption fueled by Instagram and TikTok. We talk about the ways the pandemic has reframed our relationship to consumption and budgeting, and how to shift your mindset towards a healthier financial future.  Plus, learn why it's important to invest in stocks and simple ways to get started.  Have questions about the episode or want to comment?  Tag or DM @channelyourinfluence on Instagram.To connect with host Diane Taha go to instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with Aileen Luib go to instagram.com/theballeronabudget.Music:Say Good Night by Joakim Karud @joakimkarudMusic provided by Free Music for Vlogs youtu.be/tdSn9l_HzFE 

#19. Beauty digital marketing expert, Liz Lutz, chats about how she built her career and launched two brands - MarketingMuse and G4Generation, a GenZ community. On this episode, we talk about all things Gen Z - the main differences between Gen Z and millennials; Gen Z beauty trends; and how to market beauty and skincare to Gen Z. Liz also shares her tried and true growth strategies for building your brand on TikTok; pitching beauty brands; and why you need to be on Clubhouse. Have questions about the episode or want to comment? Tag or DM @channelyourinfluence on Instagram.To connect with host Diane Taha go to instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with Liz Lutz go to instagram.com/marketingmuse_.Music:Say Good Night by Joakim Karud @joakimkarudMusic provided by Free Music for Vlogs youtu.be/tdSn9l_HzFE

#18. With several years of recruiting experience under her belt, career and mindset coach Brett Chinn shares her do's and don'ts for job applicants, including how to network your way to a new job. We also discuss strategies for mitigating impostor syndrome, cultivating a confident mindset, and how to find your true career passion. Have questions about the episode or want to comment? Tag or DM @channelyourinfluence on Instagram.To connect with host Diane Taha go to instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with Brett Chinn go to instagram.com/brettchinncoaching.Music:Say Good Night by Joakim Karud @joakimkarudMusic provided by Free Music for Vlogs youtu.be/tdSn9l_HzFE

#17. Achieve your goals in 2021! Fashion and lifestyle blogger Jaimie Tucker is back on the podcast to talk about how you can set effective goals - both personal and career - that can help you achieve your ideal outcome. Jaimie also shares her tips for pitching brand collaborations, including how she's developed long-term "retainer" brand partnerships that have her a full-time Influencer. We also discuss time management hacks to get things done while also carving out time for self-care. Have questions about the episode or want to comment? Tag or DM @channelyourinfluence on Instagram. To connect with host Diane Taha go to instagram.com/stylecontext. To connect with Jaimie Tucker go to instagram.com/jaimie_tucker.Music:Say Good Night by Joakim Karud @joakimkarudMusic provided by Free Music for Vlogs youtu.be/tdSn9l_HzFE

#16. Best known for her artistic travel photos and videos, content creator Tina Lee from the blog Of Leather and Lace, chats about how she scaled her business to become a full time influencer. We discuss Reels - and why you should be creating them - including best practices to keep your audience engaged. Tina also shares how she grew to over 200k followers by creating viral, shareable, inspirational content Instagram. Other topics include the importance of developing your own aesthetic; how to stay disciplined if you feel burnt out; and ways to inspire yourself if you're in a creative rut. To connect with Diane Taha go to instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with Tina Lee go to instagram.com/ofleatherandlace.Check out Tina's course for microinfluencers: instagram.com/fulltimeinfluencer.co/

#15. Boutique owner Jenna LeeAnn returns to the show to discuss how she pivoted - and scaled - her online clothing boutique during the pandemic. Jenna chats about strategies and resources that have helped her drive sales and adapt to rapid changes in retail and consumer behavior, such as utilizing Facebook Live for shopping. And contrary, to what many would think, now is the right time to launch your clothing boutique. Interested in launching your own clothing boutique? Check out episode 2 of the podcast, and Jenna's boutique owner 101 series. To connect with the host, Diane Taha, go to Instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with the guest, Jenna LeeAnn, go to Instagram.com/shopjennaleeann.

#14. On this episode, marketing expert and influencer CJ Johnson joins to discuss the current state of the influencer industry and all things influencer marketing. Topics include: How to leverage your influence to make a social impact that's not performative. What type of Instagram content will be trendy this fall and winter. How influencer marketing has changed - and what to expect for the remainder of the year. CJ also gives tangible tips for pitching yourself to PR companies; negotiating with brands; and creating a morning routine to help boost your success. To connect with Diane Taha go to Instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with CJ Johnson go to Instagram.com/cjjohnsonjr.

#13: Blogger, influencer and YouTuber, Ariba Pervaiz, chats about how she built her career as a full-time Influencer after quitting her job as a hair dresser. Ariba leveraged her passion and expertise in hair and DIY beauty to create viral videos that have garnered her over 350k followers on Instagram and over 50k subscribers on YouTube. We discuss the benefits of being represented by a talent agency; DIY hair treatments; and how new bloggers can find their footing in an crowded, competitive industry.To connect with Diane Taha go to Instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with Ariba Pervaiz go to Instagram.com/ariba_pervaiz.

#12. Reality TV personality, celebrity stylist, and mommy influencer, Ali Levine chats about how she started her career as a celebrity stylist, which includes styling the cast from Vanderpump Rules. We discuss how Ali has channeled her influence by sharing real, raw stories of motherhood via her podcast and blog. She also gives us an inside look into her experience on Bravo show Stripped. We talk self-care, motherhood, getting vulnerable on social media, and postpartum depression. To connect with Diane Taha go to Instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with Ali Levine go to Instagram.com/alilevinedesign.Read more about Ali Levine in the media:https://pagesix.com/2017/12/06/celebrity-stylist-could-die-in-lisa-vanderpumps-epic-closet/ https://www.bravotv.com/stripped/photos/this-is-what-it-looks-like-to-have-your-home-stripped

#11. In this episode, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle blogger Kelly Lund of Dream in Lace joins to discuss season 8 of Vanderpump Rules. We touch on the recent firings of Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute, Max Boyens, and Brett Caprioni; the ethical dilemma of watching a predominately white reality tv show; and what's next for VPR. Plus we dish on our favorite (and least favorite) cast. To connect with Diane Taha go to Instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with Kelly Lund go to Instagram.com/dreaminlace

#10. On this episode we sit down with Sandra Morgan Downie, esthetician, influencer, and founder of the clean beauty and skincare line, Amenda Beauty. Sandra shares her top skincare (and clean eating!) tips, skincare ingredients you shouldn't use together, the pros and cons of clean beauty, and how she built Amenda Beauty. We also discuss the importance of leveraging your influencer status to build something bigger "beyond the 'gram." To connect with Diane Taha go to Instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with Sandra Morgan Downie go to Instagram.com/sandramorganliving and Instagram.com/amendabeauty

#9. Jewelry blogger and entrepreneur Yinka Oni-Orisan takes us through her entrepreneurship journey and provides several tips for influencers along the way. We discuss the best - and worst - brand collaborations; the importance of vetting brands to ensure they hold our values; how to create a vision board to prioritize your goals; and much more! We also discuss leveraging our platforms for social issues and how white influencers can continue to show up and amplify black voices and stories. To connect with Diane Taha go to Instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with Yinka Oni-Orisan go to Instagram.com/yourstrulyyinka.

#8. Special guest and good friend, Nonee Ngazimbi, APRN, lifestyle blogger, and entrepreneur, talks about how she launched the successful micro-influencer community Connecticut Bloggers Collective and her new podcasting studio, The Content Lab. Nonee gives advice for creating a collective In your own community and offers tips for hosting large influencer events with sponsors and vendors. We also discuss what we love - and hate - about New York Fashion Week; how to deal with haters; and how to practice self-care when you feel burnt out. To connect with Diane Taha go to Instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with Noneee Ngazimbi go to Instagram.com/noneesworld

#7: In this episode we're talking self-care in quarantine. Style and wellness blogger, Jaimie Tucker, shares some tips for managing stress and anxiety, including her experience with meditation and detoxing. We also discuss the state of influencer marketing during this pandemic. To connect with Diane Taha go to Instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with Jaimie Tucker go to Instagram.com/jaimie_tucker

#6. We're still reeling over that awkward Bachelor finale - and the aftermath! Special guest, Katie Cruz talks why she's #TeamBarb, why Peter and Madison's relationship never stood a chance, and striking parallels between this season and past seasons of The Bachelor! To connect with Diane Taha go to Instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with Katie Cruz go to Instagram.com/katiecruz.

#5. Known for her engaging stories on real motherhood and self-love, Connecticut-based lifestyle blogger and influencer Caitlin Houston discusses how she elevated her blog to become her full-time business. She offers tips on how to pitch brands for paid campaigns; how to work with local TV networks; and how to find your voice and niche. We'll also discuss Caitlin's recent feature in the NYTimes! To connect with Diane Taha go to Instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with Caitlin Houston go to Instagram.com/caitlinhoustonblog.

#4. On this episode, we sit down with fashion model and actor Michael-Chase Strollo to recap the current season (S24) of The Bachelor and make predictions for the finale. We'll discuss Madison's controversial ultimatum for Peter in Fantasy Suites; Hannah Ann and Peter's "perfect" relationship; and breakdown the body language between Victoria F and Peter. Listen to hear our favorite (and least favorite) contestants of the season; our predictions for the next Bachelorette; how influencer culture has infiltrated #BachelorNation, and much more!To connect with Diane Taha go to Instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with Michael-Chase Strollo go to Instagram.com/mcstrollo.

#3: Eliana Cardeno joins us to discuss how she launched her Korean beauty subscription box startup Kiyomi Beauty Box while working a 9-5. She'll share the challenges of creating a startup; how she leveraged local business accelerator programs; and how to deal with negative feedback. We'll also discuss the 10 step K-beauty method and our favorite K-beauty brands.To connect with Diane Taha go to Instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with Eliana Cardeno go to Instagram.com/kiyomibeautybox.This episode is sponsored by The Content Lab, a podcasting studio located within West Hartford CoWorking.

#2: Ever wanted to start your own clothing boutique? CT-based fashion blogger Jenna LeeAnn shares how she launched and grew her online clothing boutique while working a 9-5. We discuss how much startup capital is needed to for a successful launch; the importance of collaboration over competition; and social media marketing hacks for reaching your target audience. To connect with Diane Taha go to Instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with Jenna LeeAnn go to Instagram.com/shopjennaleeann.This episode is sponsored by The Content Lab, a podcasting studio located within West Hartford Coworking.

#1: On this episode, we sit down with holistic health coach and wellness blogger, Mariah Mandile of Fresh Water Peaches, to discuss what foods trigger bloating, anxiety, depression, and inflammation. Mariah shares how she discovered her food sensitivities which led her to on a path to a gluten-free diet, and offers tips for listeners who want to live and eat healthier. To connect with Diane Taha go to Instagram.com/stylecontext.To connect with Mariah Mandile go to Instagram.com/freshwaterpeaches.This episode is sponsored by The Content Lab, a podcasting studio located within West Hartford Coworking.