We were lucky to catch up with Becky Budhoo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Becky , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

True success, means incorporating a blend of discipline, vision, resilience, and having a willingness to constantly learn. So often people focus on just reaching the goal; it’s about the overall journey, the growth, and the values upheld along the way. I developed my view by running my business and going through the ups and downs, and learning from each mistake. Here is what I have learned so far on what it takes to be successful:

1) Have a well thought out and clear vision: For me, success means you have to start out knowing what you want by having a clear picture of your goals.

2) Embrace having a strong work ethic along with consistency: Achieving success in life requires relentless effort and a commitment to small, consistent actions over time.

3) Learn from your failures: With the right mindset, failure is a stepping stone to your overall success. As an avid reader, this is one of my favorite quotes, “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously, that you might as well not have lived at all- in which case, you fail by default.”

4) Having the ability to adapt and be open to change: The world is ever-changing, along with technology. Running my own business has taught me to implement new strategies and marketing techniques. Adaptability is a hallmark of successful individuals and one of the stepping stones needed for success.

5) Cultivate and foster self-belief and confidence: Believing in your own abilities is crucial to success. You have to trust your own decisions, even when others don’t agree. I know that I have strong decision making skills and the confidence to back the choices I make for my business.

6) Seek continuous growth: I’m always reading, making connections with others, and evolving as a person through my love for learning. Lifelong learning and growth are non-negotiable for continued success.

7) Focus on relationships and collaborations: Success is rarely achieved in isolation. I’m always building meaningful connections. I foster teamwork and collaborate with many brands across different industries.

I believe success is deeply personal-it means different things to different people. You have to define what that looks like for you, stay committed to your principles, and embrace the journey, As Maya Angelou aptly said: “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”

Becky , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

When I reflect on my journey, I see a life shaped by resilience, passion, and the unwavering desire to carve my own path. My name is Becky Budhoo, and I’m a model, business owner, and writer based in Miami Beach, Florida. While my career today might seem like a patchwork of creativity and entrepreneurship, my roots are firmly grounded in academia. I hold a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology with a minor in Psychology, which gave me a unique perspective on the world that continues to influence my approach to life and business.

As a content creator, I have the privilege of collaborating with a diverse range of brands across various industries. No two days are ever the same. One day might involve working with a wellness company, and the next, I’m collaborating on fashion or lifestyle campaigns. This constant evolution keeps me inspired, but it also requires flexibility, creativity, and a deep understanding of brand storytelling.

On the other hand, I’m the proud owner of Charmingly Brunette, an apparel and dainty jewelry brand that reflects my personal style and values. For me, Charmingly Brunette isn’t just a business; it’s a platform to share pieces that bring joy and confidence to others. Balancing both worlds—content creation and running my brand—has given me a unique perspective on the duality of entrepreneurship and creativity.

My journey as an entrepreneur began in 2021, right after one of the most challenging periods of my life. In 2020, I nearly lost my dad to colon cancer. Watching him endure the physical and emotional toll of his illness was heartbreaking enough, but what came next was equally devastating. After 32 years of dedicated service to his career, he was let go during his recovery. Losing his job while fighting for his life was an unimaginable blow, yet my dad faced it all with strength and resilience.

His experience became the catalyst for my own leap into entrepreneurship. Seeing someone you love face such immense challenges—and persevere—showed me the importance of building something that’s truly yours. I wanted to create a legacy, something that would reflect my passion and allow me to control my future.

The journey hasn’t been easy. Owning a business comes with its fair share of ups and downs. There have been sleepless nights, moments of self-doubt, and countless hurdles to overcome. But through it all, I’ve discovered my greatest strengths: my work ethic and my ability to weather adversity.

Every milestone, no matter how small, feels like a victory. Whether it’s launching a new collection for Charmingly Brunette or seeing a campaign I worked on come to life, these moments remind me why I started this journey.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about moving forward with purpose and passion. My story isn’t just about building a business or growing a career; it’s about honoring the lessons life has taught me and turning challenges into opportunities.

As I continue to navigate this path, I’m excited to see where it leads next. My hope is that my journey inspires others to pursue their passions, embrace their unique talents, and create something meaningful—no matter where life’s twists and turns might lead.

Because if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that the most fulfilling stories are the ones we write ourselves.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

When I started my entrepreneurial journey with Charmingly Brunette, I knew that connecting with people would be the heart of my business. But as I’ve discovered, social media and word of mouth have become not just tools—but the very foundation—for growing my brand and creating meaningful partnerships as a content creator.

As a model, business owner, and writer, I wear many hats, but one thing remains consistent: the way I communicate with my audience. On the influencer side, I’ve developed a system that feels both personal and professional. Over the years, I’ve built brand portfolios tailored to my experience in various industries (from automotive brands like Fisker to fashion/lifestyle collaborations), acting as a resume to showcase how I can bring a company’s story to life. These portfolios give potential collaborators a clear picture of my capabilities, making the decision to work together an easy one.

For Charmingly Brunette, social media has been the main driver for my continued success. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have helped me share my brand’s vision while creating a space where my customers can truly connect with me. Whether it’s through a beautifully curated feed of dainty jewelry pieces or behind-the-scenes videos of my entrepreneurial journey, every post is an opportunity to invite someone new into my world.

But the magic really happens after the first sale. I’ve always believed in going above and beyond to provide excellent customer service. This means responding promptly to inquiries, packaging every order with care, and ensuring my customers feel valued. When people feel good about their experience, they naturally want to share it with others. This creates a ripple effect—one happy customer leads to another, and before long, I’ve built a community of loyal supporters who trust my brand.

This dual approach—leveraging social media to gain visibility and relying on word of mouth to build trust—has helped me grow my business in ways I couldn’t have imagined. It’s a formula I also apply to my influencer collaborations, where authenticity and relationship-building are just as important as reach.

Reflecting on this journey, I’ve learned that success isn’t just about how many followers or sales you have; it’s about creating an experience that people want to be a part of. Social media is the tool, but word of mouth is the heartbeat that keeps my dream alive.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

When I first decided to step into the world of social media, I didn’t have grand ambitions or a carefully mapped-out strategy. I was simply exploring a new avenue to express myself and connect with others. Being fairly new to the scene, I didn’t know what to expect—but I certainly didn’t anticipate the overwhelming love and loyalty I’ve experienced from my followers.

It all began with a leap of faith. I wanted to share my journey as a model, entrepreneur, and writer and showcase the work I was doing with my brand, Charmingly Brunette. My goal was to inspire others with my story of resilience and passion, and to my surprise, people resonated deeply with it. One day, as I was engaging with my followers, a casual conversation evolved into a pivotal moment. Someone asked, “What should we call ourselves?” After tossing around a few ideas, we landed on a name that felt just right: “The Becky Army”.

From that moment on, “The Becky Army” became more than just a catchy phrase. It turned into a community—a family of supporters who champion each other and motivate me every single day. There’s no greater joy than hearing someone say they were inspired by something I shared or created. That connection is what fuels me and keeps me moving forward.

For anyone just starting their social media journey, here’s my advice:

1. Don’t Chase the Numbers: It’s tempting to focus on follower counts and likes, but that’s not where success lies. True growth happens when people trust you. Your audience will grow when they see that you’re genuine, consistent, and relatable.

2. Be Authentic: I pride myself on being exactly who I am, both online and offline. What you see is what you get. Share your real story, the ups and downs, and let people see the human side of you. Authenticity is magnetic—it draws the right people into your circle.

3. Spread Positivity: A positive attitude goes a long way. Whether it’s through a smile in your photos or uplifting captions, your energy radiates and touches others. Be someone’s reason to smile or feel inspired, even if just for a moment.

4. Practice Kindness and Compassion: I’ve found that genuine connections make all the difference. Reply to comments, engage with your audience, and show you care. These small gestures build relationships that last.

Building a loyal following takes time, but when you approach it with authenticity and heart, it’s incredibly rewarding. The Becky Army isn’t just a fan base—they’re a reflection of the values I hold dear: positivity, kindness, and genuine connection. And if I can do it, so can you.

Take that leap of faith, and who knows? You might just create your own army of loyal supporters who believe in you as much as you believe in yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://charminglybrunette.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovebecky_b/?igsh=MTBkaHhwYXpwdHo2bg%3D%3D&ig_mid=D6A9F7D7-EB1A-46F2-8FE0-F07DC2C36530&utm_source=igweb
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@lovebecky_b?si=HWNDKnziHGkimw6w

Image Credits

I took the images myself.