We were lucky to catch up with Olena Mads recently and have shared our conversation below.

Olena , appreciate you joining us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

Absolutely, I’ve experienced my work being misunderstood and mischaracterized. As a content creator and influencer, I’ve faced over-sexualization and misidentification based on my content. One tough part was growing apart from my family because they didn’t understand or agree with some of my posts. This taught me the importance of staying true to my values and maintaining clear communication with my audience. I hope that one day my family will understand me and see the positive impact of my work.

Olena , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For those who may not have read about me before, I go by Olena Mads, and I’m a 20-year-old content creator, influencer, and travel consultant. I’m originally from the Virgin Islands, but I moved to America, leaving my family behind, hoping to create a better life for myself after my island was severely destroyed, leaving me and my family homeless and without resources. I got into this industry in 2021 when I started college, and my journey has been incredibly rewarding. I create content that showcases my lifestyle, including college and travel experiences. I collaborate with brands to advertise their products, and I recently launched my travel agency, Anywhere But Home (Instagram: @anywherebuthome.inc). This guide is designed to help and motivate young girls to travel, showing them that it’s possible to explore the world even as a college student. I plan trips and help with travel difficulties. I started my travel agency because of my passion for travel. I never thought about starting a business, but my supporters would ask me so many questions about travel that it became overwhelming and time-consuming. So, I decided to turn it into a business so they can send all their inquiries to my business page. My platforms are dedicated to helping others both mentally and physically. I share my life story and aesthetic to inspire others, hoping that people see my content and think, “If she can do it all by herself, I can too.” The thing I’m most proud of is the positive impact I have on others. I’m big on mental health and motivation, and I receive many messages from people who reach out to vent, ask questions, and express how much they look up to me. It feels amazing to know that I’m helping someone. I think what sets me apart is that I’m a mix of many things and a work in progress. I’m easy to relate to, and my journey resonates with a lot of people. I want my followers to know that if I can balance being a college student, traveling the world, creating content, and running a business they can achieve their dreams too.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was that asking for help is a sign of weakness. Moving to America without my parents made me very independent, and I’ve always prided myself on handling things on my own. However, this mindset really took a toll on me mentally. Through my experiences and reflections on social class and systemic barriers, I realized that seeking support is actually a strength. It allows for collaboration, learning, and growth. I had to learn that asking for help is okay, and it’s something I’m still getting adjusted to. This shift in mindset has made me more open to teamwork and better at leveraging resources, ultimately improving my effectiveness in both personal and professional settings.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an creative isn’t about the lifestyle, free products, benefits, money, or the views and likes. As someone who came from poverty and literally had nothing, I find the greatest reward in helping others get to where I am and motivating them to keep going. It’s about giving people someone to relate to and being an inspiration. I take pride in being a genuine soul and using my journey to uplift others.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olenamads?igsh=dzRkMHM0ZjNjODBl&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp1XpI2EmEzoZ6mwme83EMw
• Other: Business page: https://www.instagram.com/anywherebuthome.inc?igsh=d2Q0MDQwNHc2eGI1&utm_source=qr

  Email: [email protected]