Today we’d like to introduce you to Ora Lewis.
Hi Ora, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I feel like I’ve been an obsessed with fashion and beauty since I was a little girl. My mom always dressed me in the cutest outfits, and let my imagination run wild! As I got older, I longed for an outlet to express my creativity and share my passion for the fashion and beauty industry with the world. My influencer journey began when I started college because outside of being a student, I spent so much time on YouTube. As a Communication major, I learned how to use editing tools like the Adobe Creative Cloud programs and how to use social media as a hybrid platform. Since then, I’ve grown more into who I am and what I want my brand to be. I decided to have fun when I create content, and not worry about what people may think of me! Now I’m connecting with brands and other content creators like myself to share new products and my personal style without breaking the bank.
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?
This journey has definitely been a marathon, not a sprint. When I first started influencing, I did what I saw other popular influencers doing because I thought that’s what people wanted to see. I was so focused on the numbers, that I didn’t realize I was losing myself in the process. I also saw people my age creating the same content but becoming more successful than I was. I was robbing myself of joy because I was too busy comparing myself to other people. I had to take a step back and really enjoy the process and appreciate the growth I was making. Don’t get me wrong, I still have my days when I feel discouraged and burnt out, but it’s never enough to make me want to quit. I get so many ideas all the time, and that has to mean something. I don’t think I would’ve been given this gift of creativity if all was meant to do was sit it on a shelf to collect dust!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m currently an Account Manager for a graphics company. More specifically, I work with soft drink bottlers to ensure they receive whatever packaging graphics they order from us. Most of my professional background has been in the customer service industry, so helping people is my forte! Coming out of college I started in retail and eventually worked my way up to my current role. I take pride in the fact that no matter what position I was in, I still worked hard.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I would have to say that the most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey is everything I have is all I need. For a long time, I thought that I needed to be rich and have the latest camera equipment in order to be a successful content creator. I’ve started to see different doors opening up for me because I put that ideology behind me and started being true to who I am. Everyone has to start from somewhere, and as long as you give your passion your all, you can’t fail.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orasteez_/
- Twitter: @orasteez_
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@OMGorasteez
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@orasteez_?_t=8YBNI0xOoxf&_r=1
Image Credits
My main image was taken by a photographer named David Hawthorne. He can be found on IG @talismanshoots
