We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Aimée Terese a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Aimée, thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents have supported me in every skill I ever wanted to pursue. Those who know me understand that I love exploring all forms of art. Because of this, I was constantly trying something new, whether it required materials or making connections to succeed. My parents believed in me and encouraged me to excel, even if my pursuits didn’t always lead to something more. They instilled in me the belief that I could achieve anything.

Family support means so much. Whether you’re related by blood or not, having someone to root for you when no one else will is a blessing. I was fortunate to have the support I’ve received. My upbringing, particularly from my mom, was very different from most people’s—and that was very intentional. Intentionality was her guiding principle. Everything she did in raising me and my siblings was designed to help us excel physically, academically, and mentally. Intentionality is incredibly important, and I want to stress this. Great things are birthed from being intentional, and all parents should take this seriously.

My mom always made me feel like a star who could take on anything, even when I lacked confidence. She not only built me up emotionally but also took actionable steps to help me succeed. She served as my mentor, managed my endeavors, and exemplified what it means to be a boss. I am incredibly grateful for the unwavering support and encouragement I have received from my parents over the years.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a social media influencer and an aspiring entrepreneur. I began my journey on social media at the age of 13, starting as an actress and model. Over time, I expanded my content to showcase my creativity in various forms, including beauty, dance, painting, and other artistic expressions. My passion for creating and sharing my work with others has always brought me joy, and social media became a perfect platform for this self-expression.

Learning the intricacies of social media has significantly contributed to my understanding of entrepreneurship. In today’s age, social media is crucial for gaining supporters and effective marketing. Understanding how it works and how to attract attention to oneself and one’s brand is a vital aspect of modern entrepreneurship.

My mother inspired me to enter the business world and pursue entrepreneurship. By the age of 14, I found myself in rooms filled with business professionals, learning the ropes of running a business. Now, at 19 years old, I am in college working towards a degree in business management and finance. My love for business and entrepreneurship is matched by my enthusiasm for combining it with creativity. I believe that having a creative mind is essential when developing a business, as it requires innovative thinking to manage multiple roles until additional help becomes available.

In addition to my business and creative pursuits, I am passionate about leadership, giving back, and activism. I plan to leverage my knowledge of business, creativity, and finance to engage in these areas as my career progresses.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One story that illustrates my resilience is from my time running the Teen Tea Show. It was a teen news and gossip page where I discussed the latest news about popular celebrities and influencers. Managing a popular teen news and gossip page with 120K followers was both exhilarating and overwhelming. The constant need to stay updated on the latest news and drama, paired with my personal responsibilities and school, made it incredibly challenging to find balance. I had to learn time management on the fly to keep up with the demands of the page while still maintaining my personal life and self-care.

The pressure to always be online and post immediately about trending topics took a toll on my mental health. I was constantly racing to my phone for notifications, often feeling burnt out and unmotivated. Despite these challenges, I persevered because I was passionate about creating content and engaging with my followers. I realized the importance of balance and self-care, understanding that rest was essential to avoid burnout.

Another significant challenge came in 2022 when I decided to speak out on controversial topics such as abortion, feminism, Black Lives Matter, and Christianity. My outspoken nature on these issues led to misunderstandings, strained relationships, and even lost opportunities. It was hard to connect with people because my views didn’t fit neatly into a box, and I often felt isolated and lonely. Despite this, I remained steadfast in my beliefs and continued to use my platform to speak the truth as I saw it.

These experiences taught me resilience by showing me the importance of standing firm in my beliefs, managing my time effectively, and taking care of my mental health. Balancing my creative passion with self-care and navigating the complexities of public opinion has made me stronger and more determined to pursue my goals, both as a content creator and an aspiring entrepreneur.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Understanding your niche is crucial. Being inconsistent with your content because you don’t know your target audience will make it difficult for your content to gain traction. This is something I wish I had understood from the beginning. As I’ve mentioned, I love doing a bit of everything and often get hyper-fixated on various interests. This has led to my content being inconsistent and somewhat scattered.

It’s tempting to want to cater to everyone, but that’s not an effective way to grow your platform. While your content can be for anyone, having a clear target audience is essential if you want to do this professionally. Consistency in your content helps with the social media algorithm, as it allows the platform to understand who to push your content out to. This is especially true on TikTok. Learning this early on is important because it can be challenging to correct once you’ve already established an inconsistent presence.

For my personal social media, I’ve found significant followings through my K-pop (Korean Pop) fan and Christian content. I’ve connected deeply with these audiences by being relatable and understanding. Despite being outspoken, I’ve found that while some may dislike what I say, just as many appreciate my boldness. Engaging with my Christian audience has been especially rewarding; I cherish the opportunity to connect and offer advice. I’m grateful that God has entrusted me with a platform to share His word without hesitation.

Regarding my K-pop content, I enjoy sharing dance videos to my favorite K-pop songs and engaging with fellow fans. It’s been a highlight of my social media journey. Through this mix of K-pop and Christian content, I’ve not only grown my following but also formed close friendships. It’s heartwarming how social media can bring people together; some of my closest friends started as online connections and have now become cherished companions whom I spend time with regularly. It’s truly an amazing experience.

Learning to balance these interests and maintain consistency has been a valuable lesson in cultivating a dedicated and engaged audience.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @aimee_terese_
• Facebook: Aimée Terese
• Linkedin: Aimée Terese
• Other: TikTok: @aimee__terese

Image Credits

Oliver Martines Photography, JRayMay Photography, SDI Productions.