Today we’d like to introduce you to Dymond’s Diary.
Dymond, 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 fashion since I was a little girl. I decided early to go to college for fashion merchandise. It was there that I learned I had a passion for inspiring and motivating others. I love to write, it’s always been a way for me to express myself. My sophomore year, I decided I wanted to combine two of my major loves: fashion and writing. I always had a diary from the time I was six, even until now. Back in 2016, I had an idea for a blog but I didn’t know what to call it, I just knew I wanted to write about fashion and motivation and beauty. One night in January in 2017, I was sleep and I had a dream of a business name. The next morning, I called my mom, so excited telling her the name I came up with. Once I said Dymond’s Diary, the joy, and excitement in her voice made me feel amazing. It was from there that I decided to move to the next steps. I had a friend who recommended this web designer, name Tate. She brought my vision to life at such a reasonable price I will always appreciate and value her. For my birthday in April, everyone asked me what I wanted. All I asked for was money and I invested it all into my business. I had a website made a logo created and scheduled my photo shoot. May 2017, I launched Dymond’s Diary. at first, I was writing five posts every Monday at 8 PM, that was what got me some attention. I had built my own little community of readers who would send me topics and would look forward to my blog post every Monday. In 2019, I now have over 2500 readers from all over the world. Compared to some larger bloggers, that number is tiny, but for me, a little black girl from Buffalo, NY, it’s everything. My blog has helped get me in places I wouldn’t normally be allowed in. On top of that, I have had so many opportunities because of Dymond’s diary that I’m forever thankful. I still have so much to improve on, and so much more work to do, but I am happy with the success I’ve had with my brand this far.
Has it been a smooth road?
Absolutely not, I’ve struggled with consistency, getting people to understand my brand and so much more. On top of that, with video content, a lot of people don’t read, like they used to. So that was a big struggle for me, finding my direct target customer. I used to get so discouraged because I don’t actually sell a product. With a blog, I sell myself on each post. I still sometimes struggle with being disciplined and learning what true sacrifice is. Being a millennial I wanted instant gratification, and it’s not like that with a blog. Once people see you consistent, then they trust you. Also, with social media, you see everyone’s highlight real and it makes you second-guess yourself sometimes. So, I had to get to a place where I stopped looking at everyone else and focused on myself. I also had to learn that it wasn’t about money. It is more about serving my community and helping my readers in every way that I can. I became more of a servant to my readers. You should read Dymond’s diary and instantly become inspired and motivated and pushed to do whatever it is that you want to do. My biggest struggle was being open. I’ve always been a very to myself and quiet person, I had to learn how to open up and share things. I had a fear of being judged, but I’ve gotten to a point where I don’t care anymore. I would rather share my struggles to help someone else, than to act as if I’m perfect or have everything together. Through each of my challenges I’ve had, between my family pushing me and prayer, I’ve constantly overcame them. I learned that this is my purpose so whatever obstacle that comes my way I will get over it.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Dymond’s Diary – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Dymond’s Diary is a lifestyle, fashion, and beauty blog. Every Monday, I release new posts on topics like fashion, relationships, motivation, storytimes, school, family, beauty products and more. I also interview people all over the world who are making it happen and share their stories. My readers have gained so accustomed to getting new content each week. I also do giveaways, detoxes, fasts, and occasionally have guest writers. Many other entrepreneurs use Dymond’s Diary for ads and to get promo. I’m most proud that Dymond’s Diary has encouraged and motivated the number of people it did. I love getting my subscribers feedback on how they feel and what they accomplish from reading my blog. What sets my blog apart is that I don’t just write about what I want, I listen to what my readers want to hear. I also, don’t sugar coat things on my site, I keep it as real and open as I know how to be. Overall I’m happy from where I come from. I don’t go back as often as I should, but the cities I’ve lived in have helped me become the women I am today.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and the least?
I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. I love my city because it’s where I learned how to hustle. I have a New York hustle and grind in me like no other. As a kid, I used to have bake-good sales every summer, on top of that I sold candy (illegally, LOL) in high school. My city taught me that, you can have what you want, but you have to be willing to grind to get it. My junior year I moved to Detroit, MI. At first, I hated it. It wasn’t until I became an adult where I learned to appreciate it. Detroit humbled me like no other. Back in Buffalo, I thought I was the It Girl. My mother and grandmother, always made sure I was good and got me everything I wanted. We were far from rich, but I always had a little more than the people around me. When I moved to Detroit, I learned it was people who looked like me, with way more than me. Detroit suburbs were full of black families, the suburbs in buffalo were predominantly white. Detroit motivated me. Detroit also taught me that everybody doesn’t have good intentions. It’s like Buffalo taught me how to grind and hustle, but Detroit activated me to go hard! I dislike that so many people feel trapped in my city. Buffalo is small but has a lot of violence.
Contact Info:
- Website: DymondsDiary.com
- Phone: 716-463-7656
- Email: dymondsdiary@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Asia Smith (@asmithhh_ instagram)
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