We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Audrey Muse a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Audrey , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?
My parents are both very harder workers and have always instilled that in my brother and I. Something they have always said is “if you are going to do something, do it the right way”. My mom and my dad have both always worked in the fashion industry which is where my love for the industry came from. They have both been in many different fields of the industry, which has been even more beneficial for me. I can always call them with questions, which they usually know the answer to and if not, they can point me in the right direction. The main takeaway from them is work hard and cultivate genuine relationships in your line of work.
Audrey , 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?
I went to the University of Mississippi and majored in Marketing Communications with a minor in Business Administration with an emphasis on Magazine Publication. I wouldn’t say my schooling necessarily put me in my industry, but more highlighted my strengths and weaknesses. Which in turn has helped me know where I need help and where I can/want to take on more. My mom has owned a women’s boutique for over 20 years now, which I grew up in. Since the 3rd grade I have gone to NYC market with her. My love for fashion definitely started then, however growing up with a Mom who is a true business woman and numbers driven I quickly realized the fashion industry is hardly what most people think it is. I am very creative and have always loved photography, painting, creating, etc. So basically I have combined the 2 and have my own line which is my “creative outlet” but I also work for the coolest lifestyle brand, Aloha Marina. I have my hand in every area of Aloha Marina which has been so amazing and lots of learning. I like to say my job is Aloha Marina, my side gig is ByAudreyMuse and my hobby is creating content. Aloha Marina, is a lifestyle brand based off of vintage Hawaiian prints, we have grown our product line so much in the past 2 years… it is super bright, colorful, resort. While Byaudreymuse is also a lifestyle brand, but more relaxed, everyday wear with a twist. My favorite part of my jobs is creating products that make other people happy and feel good about themselves.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
In my opinion, more things come to play on this than people realize. It is not just “the look” of your brand, product, etc that builds your reputation. Cultivating relationships, asking questions, asking for help when you need, and creating a specific overall vibe / community is what builds your reputation. Consumers want to feel a connection to a brand and I think it is super important to do so for your reputation. A huge thing I have seen in this industry, is a talented creative that has a bad company culture which puts the brand’s reputation in a “bad spot”.
How did you build your audience on social media?
There are so many layers to social media, but in my opinion it is, (at the moment) the most influential way to get your brand out there and drive sales. Consistency is key — meaning the actual amount you are posting, but also a consistent vibe and imagery. Your brand gets recognized from those things. You also want to make sure you are putting your product in front of the right people which can be a tricky thing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.byaudreymuse.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audweee/