We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Karen Tefft. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Karen below.

Hi Karen, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

My mission as a creator is to inspire others, especially women, who feel like outsiders or are stepping into unfamiliar territory. I came from Brazil 12 years ago, when I was 23 years old. I didn’t speak English, and I didn’t even know what I was good at, so first I had to learn the language.

I started my journey as an UGC creator almost 3 years ago, when I was 32 and I had to completely step out of my comfort zone to believe I could do this and succeed as a content creator. I know what it feels like to start over, to feel small, and to wonder if you have what takes.

The only thing I had was a passion for creating content and I decided to take a chance on myself.

Through my content, I want to show that it’s possible to do something you love and make a living out of it. It can change lives, starting with your own.

I create to bring my clients vision to life, to make their products stand out but also as a reminder that growth happens when you lean into discomfort, that confidence is built day by day, and that even if you come from somewhere else, you still succeed here.

I’ve now worked with over 350 brands, names I never imagined working with. If someone had told me this would be my reality, I honestly wouldn’t have believed them.

But my story is proof that it’s never too late. There is space for everyone, and the key is leaning into what makes you unique. So now, if I can help even one person feel a little braver, to believe they belong, to keep going, to show up with purpose, then I know I’m fulfilling my mission.

Karen, 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?

Hi, my name is Karen Tefft. I was born and raised in Brazil, and when I was 22, I fell in love with an American — it was love at first sight. A year later, I moved to Los Angeles without speaking English. I had to learn a new language, build a new life from scratch, and figure out who I was and what I was truly passionate about.

Three years ago, I discovered the world of UGC after seeing a few girls talk about it online. I already loved creating videos and telling stories visually, but that’s when I thought: I would love to do this. Even with my accent, even at 32 years old, I had to believe there was space for someone like me, and that brands would want to partner with me and see value in what I could create.

Since then, I’ve worked with hundreds of brands, many I never even dreamed I’d have the opportunity to collaborate with.

Today, I partner with brands to bring their vision to life through high-quality, aesthetic, performance-driven content that stands out and converts. I create both organic UGC and ad creatives across multiple niches, always with storytelling, authenticity, and results in mind.

Of course, along the way, I had to learn everything about content creation. As I kept creating, the quality of my content improved, and it still does every single day. But more than anything, I realized that the real turning point wasn’t just better visuals, it was discovering what made me unique, my unique way of creating. That’s what truly makes you stand out!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

It’s not just the brand deals, or the
content itself, but bringing a vision to life, connecting with people through storytelling.

Whether it’s inspiring someone to start, helping a brand grow, or simply making someone feel seen… that’s the most rewarding aspect to me!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Not only to inspire and encourage others to believe they can do something they love, but also that I get to spend time with my daughters, as I have a flexible schedule.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://curatedcabrands.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/curatedcabrands?igshid=YzAyZWRlMzg=
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-tefft-curatedcabrands?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Twitter: https://x.com/cacurated?s=21&t=SiD4teWyo3L3wpxmYnzsIw