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

Alright, Sydney Rose thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

I started my first job and business ownership when I was 12 years old with my best friend and musical theater buddy. We started a character entertainment company where we would dress up as Elsa and Anna and go to little girls birthday parties and sing for them. We also volunteered at Make-a-Wish events. It was the perfect job for us because we loved theater, dressing up, singing and entertaining children. It is the best job ever to make little children happy. We still own Once Upon a Fairtytale Parties and the business expanded and we play most of the Disney princesses. Primarily, I play Anna, Ariel, Cinderella, and Snow White.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Currently, I wear many hats. I am singer/songwriter, model, graduate school student and online bridal boutique owner. I was homeschooled so that gave me the gift freedom to pursue my passions and interests and sparked an entrepreneurial spirit. I was able to finish my associates degree while in high school and I graduated with my Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice & Sociology when I was 18. I am now at Liberty University working towards my Masters in Clinical Mental Health. I would really like to be able to help others, While I am working on my masters degree I am still writing, recording and releasing original music to streaming platforms and performing monthly. I also just opened my own online bridal boutique, Rust & Roses Bridal. I was modeling in a lot of styled wedding shoots and realized there was an opening in the bridal market for young and fun wedding outfits that the traditional bridal store did not carry.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I think the biggest suggestion I have for building your brand is be willing to work hard and put yourself out there. When I started playing music at venues I took every opportunity to play, even if it was unpaid or volunteer. I gave me practice, confidence and photo and video opportunities to put on social media. It is the same with modeling. I collaborate with a lot of photographers. It builds a portfolio and better yet, you get a community of people that support your dreams and become like family. You also need to be reliable and kind. I always do my best to make sure I am on time, do what I say I am going to do, and work hard. Your reputation is very important as you grow a business.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I am young so I am constantly pivoting my life vision. But I think that ability is a strength at any time in your life. Life changes and I have found change is good even when it hurts a bit. For example, I was recently doing the social media for a local bridal boutique, They decided not to continue with my services and at the time I was heartbroken. I gave myself a few days to be sad and then decided to follow my long time dream of owning my own store. Within two weeks I had filed all of the paperwork to open my own online bridal boutique. It’s still new so success is still up in the air but I am enjoying it so much.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rustandrosesbridal.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sydneyrosewray/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sydney.wray.942
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/sydneyrosewray
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sydneyrosewray

Image Credits
@kacimoranphotography @nicholaraephotography @dawnmariephotos @anjawray @edinablankphotography