We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Phyllis Lynch. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Phyllis below.
Alright, Phyllis thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Who is your hero and why? What lessons have you learned from them and how have they influenced your journey?
My hero is my Aunt Anne. As a child, she was the one adult who truly saw me for who I was, without projecting her own expectations or ideals onto me. Anne Bell (Rushin) is my mother’s older sister and the middle child of nine siblings. Growing up in North Louisiana during the Civil Rights Movement, she developed a deep love for learning, which led her to earn a bachelor’s degree in Early Education from Louisiana Southern University and a master’s degree from Xavier University of Louisiana. For her, education symbolized freedom.
Her lifelong commitment to nurturing creativity and intellectual curiosity has had a profound impact on my life. I’ve always admired how intentionally she lives her freedom—unapologetically and with whimsy. After my mother passed away when I was nine, Aunt Anne became the adult I leaned on the most as I navigated a grief I was too young to understand.
She taught me to be fearless in my self-expression and to embrace my creativity. She believed in me, even during times when I couldn’t believe in myself. She showed me what it truly means to live freely and authentically. For that, she will always be my hero.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My journey into the social media industry started long before it became a profession. It began on MySpace. As a kid, I was captivated by the ability to personalize my page using HTML and CSS. That early exposure to coding and design wasn’t just about aesthetics—it was about self-expression, creativity, and community. I loved the feeling of creating something that felt uniquely me, and even more so, I loved sharing it with others.
That passion followed me into higher education, where I attended the University of North Texas and earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a concentration in Strategic Communications. There, I gained a deeper understanding of messaging, audience engagement, and the ever-evolving media landscape. Social media was the perfect intersection of my creative instincts and my desire to connect people with information that matters.
What truly solidified my love for digital communication was the realization of how powerful social media could be—not just as a platform for connection, but as a tool for empowerment, learning, and influence. I channeled that belief into launching my own website, where I shared reviews and tips about curly hair products. People were always asking what I used on my hair, and I saw an opportunity to build something helpful, accessible, and authentic. It wasn’t just about hair. It was about creating a space for representation, education, and personal storytelling. It even evolved into a mini blog where I could share life updates and news about what’s happening in the city I call home.
What sets me apart in the social media world is my full-circle approach to creativity and strategy. I’m not just someone who writes copy or schedules posts. I’m a content creator in the truest sense of the word. Over the last five years in my role as a Social Media Strategist for a major municipality, I’ve worn many hats and built a wide-ranging skill set. Whether it’s photography, graphic design, video editing, content planning, or campaign execution, I can do it all. I pride myself on being a jack of all trades who brings consistency, excellence, and intentionality to every part of the process.
But beyond the skills, it’s the foundation of authenticity and lived experience that sets me apart. Social media isn’t just my job. It’s something I’ve been passionate about since childhood. My work is grounded in a genuine love for storytelling, community-building, and creativity. I don’t chase trends. I build meaningful content strategies that resonate, inform, and inspire.
Above all, I’m most proud of my creative evolution. It’s empowering to see how much I’ve grown. That growth inspired me to step outside of work and explore other creative outlets, like DJing, which has become a deeply therapeutic and joyful hobby.
Every step of the way, I’ve leaned into curiosity and stayed open to learning. That mindset has allowed me to not only thrive in my role but to lead, innovate, and elevate the content I create, whether it’s for an agency or my personal brand.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
At the heart of my creative journey is a deep passion for capturing a moment in time — the subtle, the beautiful, the unexpected. Whether through the lens of a camera or the sound of a set, I’ve always felt compelled to pause the world just long enough to frame it in a way that feels meaningful. As someone who’s naturally shy but still loves to leave an impression, creativity has become both my voice and my spotlight. It’s a way to speak without saying a word and to share who I am without ever demanding attention.
What began as a simple desire to share product reviews, especially for curly-haired folks like me navigating beauty shelves, has blossomed into something more layered. It has become a lifestyle and beauty blog that celebrates self-expression, everyday creativity, and the magic of evolving in public. My 30s felt like the right time to lean into this evolution. Not just to document it, but to embrace it as a statement. This is who I am, this is what I love, and this is how I see the world.
Now, my goal is to inspire others to see the artistry in their own lives. Whether it’s finding the right light, the right words, or the right look, I want to remind people that creativity isn’t just for show. It’s a form of self-care, empowerment, and connection. And if my journey resonates, entertains, or simply adds a little more beauty to someone’s feed, then I’m doing exactly what I set out to do.
Looking ahead, what excites me most about my creative journey is the possibility of deeper expression, greater impact, and broader connection. I’ve grown so much by leaning into photography, video editing, graphic creation, web development, and even experimenting with DJ mixing. Now, I’m ready to take those skills further, both personally and professionally. I’m looking for creative work that feels both meaningful and expansive. I want my projects to challenge me in the best way, to push me out of my comfort zone and help me sharpen my voice and style even more.
I also look forward to collaborating with other creatives who share a passion for visual storytelling and self-expression. There is something incredibly rewarding about working with people who inspire you, who challenge you to see your work differently, and who bring their own magic to the table. Whether it’s a joint content series, a branded shoot, a live event, or a digital product launch, I’m excited for the kinds of partnerships that energize my craft and grow my community.
Ultimately, I’m working toward a future where my creativity isn’t boxed in by one title or platform. I want to keep exploring and evolving, staying curious and open, while continuing to express my unique style and voice across every medium I touch. If my work can inspire, empower, or simply spark joy for someone else, then I know I’m right where I’m supposed to be.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
One of the most rewarding parts of being a creative is the freedom to infuse my work with my personality, my style, and my interests. The content I produce becomes a reflection of how I experience the world — with curiosity, care, and a little flair. There’s a deep satisfaction in putting something out into the world that feels genuinely me, and even more in seeing how it resonates with others.
But perhaps the most fulfilling part is the connection. There’s a special kind of magic that happens when you engage with people who see the world through a similar lens. Whether it’s a comment, a shared laugh, or a DM from someone who felt seen by something I created, those moments of mutual understanding and inspiration remind me why I started this journey in the first place. It’s in those exchanges that creativity becomes a bridge — between ideas, between people, and between who we are and who we’re becoming.
What would feel most rewarding is seeing my creative work live out in the world in new and exciting ways. I’m in the process of building something lasting. A portfolio. A personal brand. A creative legacy. I envision producing images that move people, editing video content that resonates, launching a digital space that’s both beautiful and functional, and curating soundscapes that bring people into a mood or memory. I want my creativity to speak across mediums and reach new audiences, not just for recognition but for connection.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://phylyouin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phylyouin?igsh=MWNpOXh1NTgyaGdnbA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@phylyouin
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/PLTtxSkLqvnn72JfA
- Other: https://linktr.ee/phylonyah
phylyouin.substack.com
https://bsky.app/profile/phylonyah.bsky.social
Image Credits
Phyllis Lynch
Michael Brown II