Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Oracin.
Hi Monica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My story started back when I was in high school in 11th and 12th-grade year by selling snacks or contraband as my old science teacher used to call it in Miami Norland Senior High School. I started selling those snacks as a start to financial freedom for the things I wanted to buy and pay for the small miscellaneous things I would want and need as a teenager. As I was growing into a young adult about to be in the real world.
I had begun my entrepreneurial spirit there and always had a passion for starting things that pique my curiosity and interest in my new hobbies, as I grew older (female hustler). Once I was done with high school I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do career-wise but I knew I wanted to own a few businesses, do fashion or start something with art since I knew how to draw as well. I just knew I wanted to be successful and not have a regular 9-5 all my life but made it a positive by having a 9-5 to fund my dreams and have my side hustles or dreams on the side while building my dream life to become successful by being a woman who can live the life she always dreamed of and not having to choose. I participated in a lot of school extracurricular activities, helping the community and winning a scholarship that can help me with my studies when I decide to go to FIU for the school of business but started at a community college first which was Broward College before I transfer to FIU.
All in all, as I begin my freshman year of college I took undergraduate classes, while trying to pursue modeling gigs in Miami working with different photographers, was in music videos, walking in small fashion shows, and met all kinds of creatives around 2016-2018. As I begin to fund my dreams, things started to get a little difficult down the road and I started to have different dreams and aspirations for long-term goals also wanted to focus on finishing school while also traveling the world, which was something I never thought I’d be able to do when I was younger due to my environment. I worked two jobs, had 6 am classes, and just had little to no time to work on my craft or continue my aspiring modeling career, so I put it off for a while until I was in a better space to give it my all. I still model today when a few makeup Artists love my facial structure they would use me as their makeup model, but I also have a passion for fashion so I have found a new way to start the new things I love by still having the full control of my creative direction which ill get into a little bit more of that in a few.
Additionally, I have also had a lot of career changes in my life and had a lot of stuff planned since I figured out what I wanted to do with my life after finishing my junior and senior years at FIU 2019-2021. During the pandemic, it was hard and easy trying to keep money in my pocket so I would have a side hustle gig where I write all kinds of essays for people who didn’t want to write their papers. I was finically prepared for the pandemic so I didn’t have to work until I was ready and just focus on finishing school. Which kind of helps with managing money, and learning how to copy write a little bit by bettering my writing skills. I had a class and it was called a “happy class” an elective I took and it was for us to figure out what makes us happy. What do we want to do in our lives that will make us happy? I had an assignment that was a project, but turn it into a business later on after I graduate, it was a social media marketing business called “Marketyourdreams” in March (2021).
I had a few clients and one consistent client who wanted me to manage her dog food page called “HumanPaws”, and create content for her other businesses I have created content for a hair business page and lashes page. This was also when TikTok was beginning to pick up during the pandemic as well. I had another dream that came to me and never thought of it as a business as well and that was starting a food blog in June (2021) called Mohaniieats. I knew all the spots and spots people never heard of and decided to start it in the year 2021 as well as my social media marketing business since I love all things social media, always using it and learning how the algorithm, analytics, Ads and put my marketing skills to the test. I wanted to help people who aren’t social media savvy, help them with creating content and manage their social media platforms for their business as well.
Lastly, let’s fast forward to my now! I graduated from Florida International University in 2021 with a bachelor’s in Business Administration with a major in marketing specializing in social media. My dream job is to work in any marketing company (with any business mogul such as Rick Ross or Essence) now to get more experience, it use to be Google but I am learning to accept what I have now and what I don’t have because with any ideas that come to my mind and I put my heart in it and God first I know I will be alright. So, as of today, I do have a little bit of marketing experience and social media changes on a daily so I have to keep up with it. I am a Content Creator who creates content for others, small or big businesses, es and for myself.
The kind of content I create is with food, fashion, lifestyle, and travel. I am on many platforms creating content on TikTok, Youtube, and Instagram and I am open for work as well I am on LinkedIn. I have many upcoming projects coming up soon so stay tuned for that. I am blessed to say I can do the things I can, and that genuinely makes me happy even though it can get overwhelming it is worth it in the end.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not always been a smooth road, some days I would be out of a job and have to look for another one to keep things afloat to pay my bills and subscriptions for the things I use on a daily to create content for. I use to not drive for a very long time, I’ve also been in two car accidents by being in the passenger seat when these accidents happened. I finally got the courage to get my license in the last year because only I knew when I was ready and God did as well. I would just Uber everywhere literally to or go anywhere and that includes with reviewing restaurants and making content for them, if not Uber my family or friends would take me and I can sometimes take a guest with me to taste the restaurant foods as well. I still do now since I am working on getting a car and trying to get more comfortable with being on the road so I can do all the things I need to do or have to do without not waiting on anyone and not spending extra money.
Most of my food collaborations were based on free comped meals from restaurant marketing teams reaching out to me or PR companies, but after a while, I wanted to be paid for my content and have my content recognized by these big restaurant chains worldwide. Some would not consider paying their influencers or they will not respond to your rates. It would be a free promo for them, but not realize the gas, and time being put into the film, creating the content, and editing quality content for their business deserve to be paid and not a free promotion shout-out. Not only I am a black female content creator it’s hard to get recognized if you aren’t Latino/white and don’t have a high following account, I would probably be getting paid less than my other races as well in all the departments of me creating content.
These struggles that I deal with as a content creator on a daily are also not having the support you think you have sometimes because alike, a repost, a comment, and a referral can go a long way But I do appreciate the people who do support my content creator life and all the work I put into for this. I also have to prioritize my mental health by trying to not be hard on myself because you can be your biggest critic when it comes to doing things a certain way and making sure it is perfect for a client you are working with by still being yourself and professional. I can be hard on myself and wonder why my following isn’t growing or getting burned out quickly by not being able to socialize on social media and post my content some days because I put every thought into when I am about to post a carousel feed post and a reel down to the transitions, the music, the meaning behind the restaurant, clothes, and video or sometimes even my fashion content as well.
I would get down when it doesn’t perform the way I want it to. I just post my content and not worry about the numbers because it will get to the right people when it needs to and my analytics has the reach and numbers to back it up when I don’t think my videos or post don’t perform well when they do a lot better than I think and that’s all that matters at the end of the day that I am still doing what I love and motivate myself to do better each day while I have the time to do so.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The work I create revolves around social media. I want to be able to work for a marketing company and be a part of their social media team. I have my own social media marketing company as a social media manager that manages small or big businesses of all kinds and here to guide, and give tips to business owners on how to use social media or if they don’t want to they can hire a social media manager which is me, that can create the content for them. Being a social media manager you are wearing many hats. I have something for everyone. I have a graphic designer cavegfx that I work along with and mention as an add-on for graphic services if the brand needs a rebrand or needs graphic work. If you even want to book me as a content creator for your business I can do that as well. Since it is a part of marketing and people don’t realize working with a smaller creator can get you more organic sales, reach than a celebrity.
I am a fashion content creator, food content creator, travel content creator, and lifestyle. I create content all around those things while still doing what I love and what I went to school for in a nutshell. I consider myself to be an Artist and creative or a micro/nano influencer based on my following account) because I have a very good eye for key details. I like supporting other brands and black own businesses in my looks or unique clothing pieces when I am styling for fashion content. What sets me apart from the others Is that I don’t gatekeep when it comes to how to do this or what I am doing for someone who wants to start creating content just like me. Everything is organic and everyone can win. As long as you are hardworking and serious. I just mind my business, stay out of the mix and do things that make me happy, anything I start is coming from a place of love I want my work to be famous not me if only that was possible lol. But The definition of a content creator is different from an influencer as well. My path is different and the goals I have set for myself are not the same as other creators.
I am mostly known for my food blog “Mohaniieats” It is a virtual food guide where people can follow and try restaurants that I recommend people to try in Miami and worldwide. My food blog is super suggestive, you don’t have to get what I get, you can try something else that is on the menu at the restaurant that I put you on to. My taste buds are different from yours. To not like something you have to give it a try first, that’s all it takes really to determine if this is a spot you would return to on an opinion-based food blog whether your experience was good or bad, it may be different for someone else. Another thing, I am known for is my modeling but I have transitioned to doing more fashion and lifestyle-based content on my main page with different looks that I styled and put together myself. Hopefully to work with smaller upcoming and big fashion brands in big campaigns.
I am proud to start the things that I say I am going to do and learn, grow more about it, and better myself and my work. More quality than quantity work. I am also proud that I don’t give up on my dreams no matter how many times trials and tribulations get in the way. “I want to do all the things I am passionate about and find a way to make it a part of my everyday life”–BIA. is a quote that I live by. I can wait to start the new things I have been working on and let people know about it soon.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happy? is doing the things I love. I have a lot of things that make me happy the simple things in life such as hanging with family and friends, listening to music, taking pictures, resting, creating fire content, and eating food.
Trying new places, getting dressed up, visiting new places, and experiencing new environments when I am traveling and seeing what this world has to offer. Remembering the stuff I use to love in my childhood and finding ways to implement that in my adulthood.
Pricing:
- My marketing prices start at $250-500
- My content creator prices start at $175 & up
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/_mohanii
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mohaniieats/?igshid=Y2ZmNzg0YzQ%3D
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicaoracin/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWjoyWgrHiocGrXyBAdpvvw
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/_mohanii/
Image Credits
@ctephotography, @flashme.t, @spotlightvisualz, and @mohanii
