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

Courtney, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

I started taking content creation more seriously in 2021. At that point, I was focused on getting comfortable in front of the camera and figuring out my personal style, so I offered to work with brands in exchange for PR. I treated every gifted product like a full campaign because I knew that if I kept showing up and putting in the work, a paid opportunity would come.

On February 17, 2022, it finally did. Adore Me offered me $300 to create a TikTok for their Queen of Hearts Valentine’s Day campaign. I was so excited. It literally felt like a breath of air, like all the unpaid hours and energy I had poured into my work were finally worth it. I danced around my room and refreshed my inbox over and over, just to make sure it was real.

That moment gave me so much confidence. I ended up working with Adore Me again after that, and having a recognizable brand on my portfolio helped me attract more partnerships. It felt like the official beginning of my creator journey, and I’ll always remember how proud and thankful I was to see that first paid email come through.

Courtney, 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?

Hi! I’m Courtney Faith, a Florida-based content creator, curve model, and social media coach who’s all about helping people feel confident in their skin no matter what. My journey into content creation started pretty organically. I’ve always loved being creative, whether that was dancing, painting, or storytelling, but I found my true calling when I picked up a camera and started filming little fashion hauls and lifestyle moments for fun.

During the pandemic, I leaned in and treated it like a serious career option. I taught myself how to edit, how to structure campaigns, and how to build a community. Over time, I went from doing PR-only collaborations to landing paid partnerships with brands like Redken, Dove, Torrid, and more. Now I create a mix of influencer content, user-generated content, and lifestyle videos that blend real life with aesthetics. Whether it’s a TikTok review, a behind-the-scenes vlog, or a self-love reminder, I want people to feel something when they watch my content.

As a plus-size creator, I know how important representation is. I don’t just create content to look cute—I create to make people feel seen. I’ve built a community of over 100K across platforms, and what I hear most often is that my page feels like a safe space. That means so much to me.

What I’m most proud of is that everything I share is rooted in honesty. I never want to feel like I’m just going through the motions. Whether I’m highlighting a product I actually use or opening up about something personal, I try to keep it real. At the end of the day, I’m just someone who loves connecting with people and creating content that feels meaningful, whether it’s silly, stylish, or something in between.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think one thing non-creatives might not fully understand is how much goes into this work beyond what you see on the screen. It’s not just taking cute photos or filming a quick video, it’s planning, scripting, editing, negotiating, pitching, emailing, and constantly trying to grow in a very saturated space. But even more than that, you’re juggling the emotional side too.

There’s imposter syndrome, comparison, burnout, and the pressure of always needing to be “on.” You’re putting your personality, your creativity, and sometimes even your vulnerabilities out there and once it’s out, you’re also opening yourself up to opinions, criticism, and expectations from people who don’t always understand your journey. That can take a toll.

What’s helped me most is learning to protect my energy and redefine what success looks like for me. Creative work can be isolating, but it’s also deeply fulfilling. And while it’s not always understood or respected in traditional ways, it’s absolutely valid and powerful. The best thing I ever did was stop waiting for permission and start showing up anyway.

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

This one’s a no-brainer for me. The most rewarding part is knowing that something I created made someone feel seen. When someone messages me and says, “I needed this” or “Omg this fashion hack completely changed my outfit,” that means everything. Even if I can make their day better for just half a second, that’s a win in my book.

There’s something really special about turning a random spark of inspiration into something tangible. I can have an idea at 11 PM and by the next day it’s a video reaching thousands of people. That kind of creative freedom is such a gift—but what makes it even better is knowing that it’s actually helping people.

If I can make someone feel a little more confident in their body or a little more at peace with where they are in life, that’s what makes it all worth it. I truly love creating, but I love who I get to create for even more.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thecourtneyfaith.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecourtneyfaith/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCourtneyFaith/videos
• Other: TikTok- tiktok.com/@thecourtneyfaith?lang=en

Image Credits

First photo: Miranda Doughty