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

Paloma, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Yes, I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work.

My first job out of college was an office job. I started working there in 2019, and I learned a lot about myself in the 3 years I was employed there. I learned that it didn’t fulfill me as a person to work for someone else, and I also learned that I wasn’t happy working in an office environment. Deep down I always knew I was destined for more, but at the time I was too insecure to do anything about it. I wanted to make more money than what I was making, be able to manage my own time, and most importantly, work for myself. But I didn’t know how. I have also always been a very creative person, and during my time working at an office, I lost that part of myself and I didn’t like that. I longed to express myself creatively in my day to day work.

In 2021, after the pandemic, was when I got my dog, Ollie. I began posting on social media then, but I never expected our first videos to go viral. As followers started pouring in, brands began to reach out to me, hoping that I would advertise their products on my page. At first, I accepted product for post collaborations, but as our following grew more and more, brands started to actually pay me for my work. I was making a whole separate income off my social media pages. At the time, I was still at my office job and I considered social media my side hustle. But as our pages continued to grow, so did the revenue I was making off them. And in November 2021, I started to make more from my “side hustle” than from my full-time job.

In April 2022, I finally made the decision to part ways with my office job and become a full-time content creator. To be honest, I was scared at first. Everything was uncertain. As a full time content creator, your next paycheck is not guaranteed. But I think I had the right mindset. I really wanted this to work out, and I promised myself I would do everything in my power to be successful. I knew that no matter what happened, I was not going to give up. After years, I was finally at a point in my life where I felt happy and certain of what I was doing.

I honestly don’t think that anything could have sped up my process to do this full time because everything happened organically and when it was supposed to. The sequence of events that led up to me doing this full-time were all learning experiences. And without those experiences, I wouldn’t be where I am now.

Paloma, 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 was born in Trujillo, Peru and when I was 8 years old I moved to South Florida. I did musical theater growing up, and in the theater was where I found my voice. I always loved to sing, dance and act. I was also obsessed with Youtube. I loved watching Colleen Ballinger/Miranda Sings and I also loved beauty gurus’ videos. So much so that I even started my own channel, but after a couple videos, I gave up. I was so young, but I almost wish I hadn’t given up. That was my first experience creating content.

After high school, I went to the Savannah College of Art and Design and got my undergrad in Performing Arts in 2019. The summer I graduated, I also started a course to become a certified Nutritionist with NASM, and once again I started a page. This time I shared fitness/nutrition content.

Like most of the world, when the pandemic started, I fell into a deep depression and once again I stopped posting content. Apart from the world being turned upside down, I was also going through hardships in my personal life, and I lost myself. After a lot of self reflection, healing, and growing, I slowly pulled myself out of it and began to build my life again. I asked myself “what do I really want?” “what truly makes me happy?” “what is stopping me from being the best version of myself right now?” and those answers helped me find myself again. This was also around the time I got Ollie and started posting on our page, @goldenbearollie. But this time I didn’t give up!

What I provide my clients with is high quality ads- content featuring their product. There is usually a brief from the brand I have to follow, but for the most part I am able to let my creativity soar. In fact, this is what sets me apart from others and what I am most proud of- my creativity. My content is very well thought out. I could spend days creating a sponsored post. I research the brand and product, I write out captions/scripts and record voiceovers, I create an engaging storyline. Then I actually shoot the content and edit it. Apart from this, I post it on my pages, so my clients get targeted advertising to a niche audience of over 1.4 million people. An audience that I’ve built over 2 years, and that trust my recommendations. I also really take pride in the fact that I don’t take every collaboration that comes my way. I am very picky about the brands I work with. I ask myself, “Is this something I would use on/feed my own dog?” “Is this product actually gonna resonate with my audience?” The first thing I take into consideration when it comes to brand partnerships is how well I align with the values of the brand. If they don’t resonate with me, I don’t feel comfortable promoting their product to my audience.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Doing something I really enjoy, while also making good money. Being a full-time content creator is something that makes me really happy. Apart from the actual creating, I love the fact that I can control my own time, and that I don’t have to respond to anyone. It leaves me more time to enjoy quality time with my friends and family, and to practice hobbies that fulfill me. I love to rollerskate, dance, sew, care for my plants, read, go on walks, and cook on my free time.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I built my audience by posting consistently. I participate in trends too, but I always think of what I can create to stand out from others.

My advice for those just starting out is
-Anything is content if you’re creative enough.
-Don’t give up, no matter what.
-Don’t care what other people think of you. If you do, this job is probably not for you.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @goldenbearollie
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paloma-leon-velarde-77308a108
• Youtube: goldenbearollie
• Other: tiktok: @goldenbearollie

Image Credits
N/a