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

Alyssa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I knew that I wanted to pursue being an influencer/content creator when I lived in Japan. I saw the opportunity to create content that revolved around my life being an American living in a foreign country. However; as much as I wanted to pursue being in the creative space, I didn’t feel I had the talent nor the life people would be interested in. This was when TikTok first came out and I remember being in quarantine telling myself just to start somewhere, yet I never could figure out what it was that I wanted to show to the world. I saw so many people starting to pursue TikTok and make a living off of it and I just kept telling myself that if I started sooner, I would be where they’re at. I let time pass me by without creating any content, and eventually moved to Hawaii. This is where I turned my dreams into a reality. I finally started creating content about 2 years after living on the island, and although I still wasn’t so sure as to what my content would entail, I knew that I just had to start and that everything would figure itself out. Within time, I had my first child, my daughter, and she is the one that gave me the biggest push in my life. I realized how important it was for me to be a stay-at-home mom and I would be able to also provide for the family if I pursued my creative path. Once we relocated to the East Coast, everything changed. I stopped making excuses and fully committed to me creative dreams and turn it into a profession. After a few months of making videos, I started working with brands and eventually started getting paid. As the packages I was receiving was becoming more of a common occurrence, I started to realize just how much my dreams have come true. I was finally entering the phase of my life that I had always dreamed about. I feel so lucky to have gone through the journey I’ve been on. It has taught me the meaning of “there is no better time than now”. I was always waiting for the “right time” or the “right content” to make, but all of those were just keeping me from the reality, which was just starting to begin with. I have wanted to follow my creative heart for years, but I have finally come to accept that my path is what I make of it, and I can either pave the way day by day, or stay stuck wondering what it would be like. I now choose each and every day to make the most of it and recognize how truly blessed I am to have this be my reality, and also know how much I have always wanted this.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For those who are just getting to know me, they might look at me and see a young mom, married into the military life. But that is far from what my content is about. After becoming a mom, I struggled a lot with my identity and that showed a lot in the content I tried to make. Every time I made content that revolved around being a mom, or a military spouse, I often found that it didn’t really resonate with me and I would eventually delete the video. Ultimately I found my niche, makeup and primarily skincare. I never noticed my freckles much as they have been a part of me for so long, I don’t see them the way other people do. It wasn’t until I started posting skincare videos that my audience would point out “how cute and pretty” my freckles was. This is what helped me realize I have a lot more to offer than what people’s first impression is of me. As someone with freckles, I grew up thinking makeup that the makeup everyone would do, never suited me. My freckles are so dark, that it always took a lot of foundation to cover them, and even then I realized I didn’t look like myself. After discovering how unique my freckles truly are, I started to embrace them and actually center my skincare and how I put on my makeup around them. I learned that makeup isn’t going to look the same for everyone, and I can show others, especially those also out there with freckles, that they aren’t something that should be covered by makeup but can rather be enhanced by it. I am most proud to show others that not every face looks the same, and it’s okay if you don’t have that clear flawless skin that is so often shown in the beauty industry. I am also proud to be a part of the beauty community in a time where diversity is embraced, encouraged, and celebrated. I feel honored to work with so many brands and show people that it is truly the most beautiful thing when you embrace, love, and accept who you are. Because nobody can take that from you.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think that a lot of non-creatives assume that I have it A.) all figured out and B.) there isn’t a lot of work that goes into doing what I do. There is a huge misconception that being an influencer/content creator is truly just fun and games. To an extent I thought that was true as well, until it became my life. While I am truly blessed and privileged to call this my job, at the end of that day, that is what it is, a job. I have deadlines to meet, videos to create and edit (which requires a certain amount of knowledge of video editing/production), and meetings to attend. Also because I get so many great opportunities, I have to make sure it coincides with the one job that will always come first, which is being a mom. I typically do not involve my daughter in the type of content I make, so I feel as though people do forget she is my first and foremost priority. Aside from the behind-the-scenes of what goes into being a creative, it is also my job to make it LOOK easy. The videos you see not just from me, but other creatives are often intended to be viewed for entertainment purposes. Nobody’s life truly looks like what they put onto social media 24/7, but it is our job to make it seem that way. While other’s view content to decompress and escape the realities of life, it is our job to provide that world for them. I feel that’s why so many people feel creative’s can seem “out of touch” but we are people too, we just have a way of creating things in a way that almost feels cinematic. But just like the movies, it is all a facade but so much work goes into making something so wonderful and fascinating.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I hope to show that it is never too late to start your creative journey, and that there is also no “wrong” or “right” way to do it. That is the beauty of creativity, it is left up for interpretation. There are so many resources nowadays especially when it comes to technology that you can truly become a creative with even just your phone now. So I deeply encourage anyone who has ever considered the thought of pursing their creative passion, to pursue it. I am also always open to helping fellow creatives. The journey can seem so long, but I promise with the right guidance or tools, you can be the best creative you want to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/alyssa.delo
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssadeloera/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@alyssadelo?si=6i9xbOUzO7Aic0Yz