We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tabia Ceja a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tabia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

One of the most unexpected challenges I’ve faced as a creator is navigating situations where brands repurpose my content for advertising and marketing without proper compensation or permission. This has happened to me multiple times, and it’s an issue many creators encounter as they grow in the industry.

One instance that really stood out involved a well-known beauty brand run by two celebrities. I was thrilled to receive a PR package from them, as I genuinely admired the brand and its products. Excitedly, I created and posted organic content featuring their product, expecting nothing more than to share something I loved with my audience.

However, I later discovered that my content was being used across their email campaigns, social media ads, and even their website. While they tagged me in an Instagram post, they never asked for permission or offered compensation for repurposing my work. I felt flattered to see my content showcased by such a large brand, but I also felt frustrated and undervalued because my effort and creativity weren’t properly acknowledged or compensated.

This has happened before with other brands, but in those cases, I reached out via email and was able to arrange fair compensation for the time they had been using my content. However, with this beauty brand, I emailed and messaged them multiple times—five follow-ups in total—and never received a response. I even tried to identify and contact their head of marketing to escalate the issue, but my emails were repeatedly ignored. It was incredibly disheartening to be overlooked, especially by a brand I admired so much.

This experience taught me the importance of understanding usage rights and advocating for fair compensation. While I hope this particular brand eventually learns to treat creators fairly and respect their work, it has reinforced my commitment to ensuring my work is valued. I also make it a point to share these lessons with other creators, so they can protect their efforts and navigate these challenges more confidently.

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.

Hi there! My name is Tabia, and I’m a lifestyle, fashion, and beauty content creator based in Los Angeles. My journey into this creative space started with a love for expressing myself through fashion and beauty, and it’s grown into a career where I get to inspire others daily.

I focus on creating content that shows how to elevate everyday looks, making basic and inexpensive clothes look expensive and polished. My goal is to help my audience become better dressers while staying true to their personal style, no matter their budget. Whether it’s sharing styling hacks, outfit ideas, or beauty tutorials, I want my content to feel relatable and actionable.

What Sets Me Apart
What sets me apart is my commitment to accessibility. I believe you don’t need designer wardrobes to look chic and put-together, and I’m here to show my followers how to make the most of what they have while still incorporating new pieces thoughtfully. I bring a mix of creativity and practicality to my content, which resonates with people looking to upgrade their style without overspending.

The Problems I Solve
For my audience, I help demystify fashion and show them that dressing well isn’t about having the most expensive clothes—it’s about how you put things together. I make it easier for them to feel confident in their style and embrace their individuality.

For brands, I create content that bridges the gap between their products and my audience’s needs, ensuring authentic connections and impactful results.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m proud of the community I’ve built—a space where people feel encouraged to try new looks, take risks with their style, and feel more confident in themselves. Knowing that my content has helped someone feel their best is the ultimate reward for me.

My Vision
In the future, I hope to expand my impact by launching my own clothing brand, showcasing my approach to accessible, elevated style. My dream is to create pieces that embody the polished, elevated aesthetic I love sharing with my audience.

Through my social media journey, I aim to inspire confidence, creativity, and a sense of empowerment in dressing well without breaking the bank.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Absolutely! There are a couple of key resources I wish I’d known about earlier in my creative journey:
PR Agencies: Learning to identify and reach out to the PR agencies that represent popular brands has been a game-changer. Getting on their radar ensures you’re at the forefront when brands are considering influencers for campaigns, gifting opportunities, or collaborations. This would have saved me so much time and effort in trying to connect with the right people early on.
Influencer Platforms: I also wish I’d discovered influencer platforms sooner—those that connect creators with paid and gifted collaborations. These platforms make it so much easier to get started as an influencer without any upfront investment. They help bridge the gap between brands and creators, especially for those just starting out and looking for opportunities to build their portfolio and gain experience.
Having access to these resources earlier would have allowed me to focus more on creating and building my brand while navigating collaborations more effectively.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

One thing I think non-creatives might struggle to understand about my journey is just how much time, effort, and emotional investment goes into content creation. From the outside, it might seem like a simple process—take a photo, record a video, post it online—but the reality is far more complex.

Every piece of content involves brainstorming ideas, planning shoots, setting up equipment, editing, writing captions, engaging with the audience, and so much more. It’s not just about being creative; it’s about being consistent, strategic, and business-savvy.

Another challenge non-creatives might not realize is the vulnerability involved. As a creator, you’re constantly putting yourself out there—your ideas, your personality, and sometimes even your personal life. This opens you up to judgment, criticism, and the pressure to constantly evolve and stay relevant. It can be exhausting but also deeply rewarding when you connect with people who truly resonate with your work.

I think it’s also important for people to understand that creative careers don’t follow traditional paths. There’s no clear roadmap, and a lot of the journey involves trial and error, learning as you go, and staying resilient through uncertainty.

For anyone considering a creative path, I hope this sheds light on both the challenges and the joys of this journey. It’s not easy, but the ability to inspire, connect, and share your passion with others makes it all worthwhile.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/tabiaceja
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabiaceja/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuMQUAtUzuXI17aOFU5yMAg
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@tabiaceja