Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alexandra Tebay. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Alexandra thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with 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?

I like to say my “day job” is merchandise planning in the corporate fashion industry, while my “bonus job” is a digital creator. Interestingly, both roles are often misunderstood. Take my corporate fashion job, for instance. Many people imagine the fashion industry as glamorous, cutthroat, and easy to break into if you’re attractive, creative, and skilled at swiping a credit card. Why wouldn’t they? That’s how it’s often portrayed in mainstream media. Although the fashion industry can be glamorous and competitive, it is also incredibly challenging and demands a high level of intelligence. Some of the smartest people I know work in this field. Success requires determination, tenacity, and a tremendous amount of business acumen.

I frequently hear comments like, “I have no idea what Alex’s job is,” or even, “Doesn’t she just shop for clothes all day?” While I do shop for clothes occasionally, my daily work is much more complex. I forecast financial metrics that are as challenging as those tackled by actuaries. I analyze data with the same approach as technical product managers. I also pitch to executives and vendors, using presentation and people skills akin to top sales professionals. To work in fashion, you have to be a jack of all trades.

I have worked in this industry for over eight years now. Throughout my experience, I learned that you have nothing to prove to others, but everything to prove to yourself. This lesson has been invaluable in my role as a digital creator. Like fashion- social media appears glamourous and simple on the surface, but it demands a killer marketing instinct. I remind myself of this lesson whenever my confidence wavers in either of my jobs.

Alexandra, 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?

My career journey has been a relentless pursuit of my passions. As a college student, I was deeply enthusiastic about fashion and art, which led me to New York City to work as a buyer for Macy’s and Tory Burch. During this time, I fell in love with the city. The vibrant culture and constant buzz of activity matched my personality perfectly—I can’t stand sitting still. I also gained valuable experience in corporate fashion, built a network of industry leaders, and encountered various business models. My hard work paid off as I advanced up the corporate ladder.

However, my initial passion for fashion began to wane, and I discovered a talent for numbers, financial planning, and forecasting. When the pandemic hit, I found myself seeking a new role closer to home. I am originally from Philadelphia and wanted to move there with my now-husband. This change led me to a position at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia, working as a Merchandise Planner for URBN’s newest startup, Nuuly.

In this role, I focus on analysis, mathematics, and data—quite different from the creative path that first drew me to fashion. After three challenging years in Philadelphia, marked by both personal milestones (getting a dog, buying a house, and getting married) and a sense of disconnection with my new city, I found myself in desperate need of a creative outlet. This led to the creation of my digital platform, Style Hungry. Style Hungry is a digital guide to where to shop, eat, and explore in Philadelphia and beyond. Through Style Hungry, I present an idealistic, trendy, and cultural view of Philadelphia while exercising my creative and strategic skills. Being a content creator is like running my own business, and although I’m still in the early stages of growth, I’m proud to have rediscovered my creativity. Most importantly, I’m proud of myself for applying the lesson I learned from eight years in the fashion industry: to pursue what fulfills me, rather than seeking validation from others.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

It’s astonishing how many resources and tools are available today for content creators, reflecting the growing market. Throughout my journey, I’ve talked to successful creators about the tools they use daily to save time and produce high-quality content. Their recommendations have ranged from content scheduling tools like Later to photo editing software like Snapseed. Given the saturation of creator tools, it’s really a matter of trial and error to find what works best for you.

Recently, I’ve been using ChatGPT to generate video hooks, write captions, and target specific audiences. To stay updated on industry trends, I listen to podcasts such as The Business of Fashion, The Glossy Podcast, and The Creator Club. For editing my Reels and TikTok posts, I rely on CapCut. However, I truly discover something new everyday.

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

I’m building my audience through authenticity and education, aiming to make aspirational lifestyles more accessible to everyday consumers. My best advice for those starting out is to stay consistent. Keep posting, regardless of the immediate results. Social media is a marathon, not a sprint. You have to play the long game, which means taking care of yourself along the way. If you become too fixated on analytics, you might lose sight of why you started posting in the first place.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/style_hungry/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-tebay/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@style_hungry