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

Yvana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you 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?

Yes, I’ve been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but it definitely wasn’t like that from day one. My journey started on YouTube, where I built my platform through raw, honest commentary and storytelling. Over time, I expanded into multiple channels, creative consulting, and dance-based education — all tied together by my mission to uplift and inspire Black youth and creators.

In the beginning, I was juggling content creation with other jobs, often reinvesting everything I earned back into equipment, branding, and learning. The real turning point came when I started treating my creativity like a business — building systems, understanding my audience, diversifying income streams, and staying consistent even when growth felt slow.

If I could’ve sped up the process, I would’ve focused on building a clear brand identity and streamlining my offers much earlier. I had to learn the difference between creating content and creating value — once I did, everything started aligning financially and purposefully.

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?

My name is Yvana Romelus, though most people know me online as Thee Mademoiselle — a multidisciplinary creative, educator, and entrepreneur dedicated to amplifying Black voices and helping creatives and organizations build meaningful brands. I was born in Long Island and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and my journey started on YouTube, where I built a platform around raw commentary, cultural conversations, and empowerment. What began as a creative outlet evolved into a full-fledged career in digital media, dance, and consulting.

Today, I run multiple YouTube channels and my social media consulting brand, where I help small businesses, schools, and nonprofits develop their brand voice and presence on YouTube and Instagram. I also founded Lakayro, a dance-based nonprofit that provides cultural dance education and access to professional opportunities for underprivileged youth and adults. Across all my work, my mission remains the same which is to create platforms that inform, uplift, and inspire through storytelling, movement, and strategy.

What sets me apart is my transparency, versatility, and ability to connect across different audiences. Whether I’m consulting a client, teaching a dance class, or speaking online, I always bring honesty, cultural awareness, and heart to everything I do. I’m most proud of turning my creativity into purpose — building a career that not only sustains me but also empowers others to find their voice and take up space.

For anyone discovering my work for the first time, I want them to know that everything I create comes from lived experience, community, and a deep belief that your story…no matter how unconventional — can become your power and your platform.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the ability to create impact through my work. Whether it’s through storytelling, dance, or digital strategy, I love knowing that something I’ve created can inspire, educate, or empower someone else. Creativity has always been my way of connecting — of turning experiences, culture, and emotion into something that moves people to think differently or take action.

There’s something powerful about seeing your ideas resonate beyond yourself. It reminds me that creativity isn’t just about self-expression — it’s also about influence, representation, and legacy. That sense of purpose and connection is what keeps me going every day.

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

think a lot of non-creatives struggle to understand that being a creative isn’t easy or stress-free just because you’re doing something you love. There’s this big misconception that when your passion becomes your job, it’s all fun and effortless — but in reality, it can be even more draining. When creativity becomes your livelihood, there’s constant pressure to perform, produce, and stay relevant, and that can lead to burnout really quickly.

What people often don’t see is the discipline, consistency, and emotional energy it takes to keep creating while also handling the business side of things. You have to protect your creativity like it’s your peace — because once it becomes a career, it’s easy to lose that original spark if you’re not intentional about balance.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/theemlle
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theemlle
• Youtube: https://Www.Youtube.Com/c/theemademoiselle