We were lucky to catch up with Chelsei Grady recently and have shared our conversation below.
Chelsei, appreciate you joining 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 remember vividly the first dollar I earned as a creative a few years ago! A brand reached out to me through email and at first I thought that it wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real because didn’t have millions of followers, right? Wrong! The representative sent me the information and asked me to send of my rates for they were asking me to do. I called my husband to discuss with him and I asked was $50 too much to ask for 5 product shots that i did not have to physically appear in the photos, just the products. My logic was $10 per shot and knowing what I know now I was low balling myself lol. I was fully prepared to ask for that but before I could the rep emailed me back asking if $500 was a suitable rate for me. I said yes and that was the start of a pretty cool journey.
Chelsei, 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?
I am Chelsei Grady of the GradyBunnch, a blended family of 5. We’re a homeschooling family residing out of Florida that creates content that varies over a broad range of topics.
I think what sets us apart from others is that we are open and vulnerable with our audience and we take them along for the ride in the ebs and flows of our life because apart from some skits our content is largely based on our lives.
I am most proud of the fact that our audience or the “Bunnch” as we love to call them resonates with us exactly as we are. When we’re dressed in our best hitting an event or comfy and cozy at home it’s always the same love. They also give back to us in forms of support and encouragement when we need it so that’s nice as well.
When people view our family and our content I want them to see and realize that no one or any family doesn’t have it all together. No family is perfect but there is beauty in imperfections. Enjoy what you have with the ones that you have.
I also want them to know that having children or a family young does not mean that your fun days or accomplishing your personal dreams are over. There can be balance, you just have to create it and prioritize it.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
When I first started “The GradyBunnch ” it was because my husband and I were away from family in the military and it got exhausting trying to remember if we sent a baby picture or video to this family member or that one. So I created the page for family but over time other people started liking and commenting on the photos and videos. Often times people say it feels like a family and that’s because it was created for family and intimacy. Over the years I’ve tried to keep the “family” feel. My advice to those just starting to build their social media presence is to know who you’re trying to reach with your content and don’t stray from that no matter what the insights are looking like. You will feel fulfilled and eventually your tribe will come along.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Society can best support creatives by not trying to stuff everyone into a category or a box. I feel like when society does that we end up with the same tired content and then someone feels the need to try some new crazy challenge for views and it’s a never ending cycle. Society should also get into the habit of interacting with the content and creators. Like, comment, share especially if you really like what they stand for or the content they’re putting out. It gives the creator more opportunities and the morale boost to continue giving you what you love.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.annandalexx.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/gradybunnchtv
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gradybunnch?mibextid=nW3QTL
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@TheGradyBunnch?si=ERA2gFTUQFL41g1o