We were lucky to catch up with Esther McLean recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Esther, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

Absolutely! Not only did I miss out on building my brand during a prime time (the pandemic) when I was still traveling, but I also missed out on sharing my experiences with those who needed it. I was once told, “It’s inspiring to see someone who looks like me travel to different places.” I have made many connections and met so many amazing people. I honestly believe the only thing that held me back was myself, and I wish I had seen what others saw in me to have started sooner. However, everything has its time, so I am still grateful.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As an enthusiastic foodie with a passion for travel and a zest for life, I hail from a small town in New Jersey and am currently living my dream in NYC while exploring the world. I take pride in sharing authentic and relatable life experiences with my audience with a hint of fashion. I also take pride in providing an honest opinion and don’t try to convince my audience to buy into any restaurant, hotel/resort, or product just because. As someone who is still a full-time 9-5 professional in the tech industry, I would never want to steer anyone in the wrong direction based on a dishonest review.

I love to provide gems for my audience that are budget-friendly and also include luxury stays. This philosophy extends to food as well because I believe the best places and hidden gems don’t have to fit into one category. The same goes for creators/influencers – we do not have to talk, dress, or act a certain way. Each of us are beautifully and wonderfully made, and we should not let anyone or anything stifle that uniqueness.

I’m proud of taking that leap and not allowing fear to hinder the path that God has set out for me. I strive to be an example of an everyday individual who is working towards making their mark, just like the rest of us.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When someone I didn’t know reached out to me, asking how I was able to travel to certain places and seeking help with planning her first journey out of the country, it was a significant moment for me. Being able to assist someone in realizing that traveling as a young black female is not impossible and is more attainable than one might think has inspired me to be more consistent in finding and creating experiences.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

As cliche as it may sound, consistency was key! Not just in posting, but also in researching my target audience. I had to understand what resonated most with my audience. Initially, I focused solely on food reviews, but then I decided to take a chance include a hotel review, and that was the missing piece. I discovered that my audience appreciated my honesty and the specific details of my experiences. This realization led me to consider what questions I would want answered if I were reading a review, and I made sure to deliver that to my audience.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: EssieMadeline_
• Other: [email protected]