Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Brooke.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was that little girl in the Saks shoe department passionately shoving my toddler feet into the most eye-catching high heels I could find. Naturally, I ended up in a high-profile career as a publicist in New York City where I was ensconced in the grit and glamour of the fashion industry. Having recently returned to my home state of Florida with my handsome French Bulldog Choonie, I was searching for a way to remain connected to the fashion capital I left behind. Enter fromappletoorange…
I feel fortunate to say that I don’t think there’s any major barriers in the blogosphere for women. It’s definitely an even space, and that’s because women are able to support each other here. I’m always engaging with other female bloggers to bolster their content and message, and the majority of my followers are women who are there for me. It’s a very exciting time to be a girl – we’re special and powerful. Let’s keep listening to each other.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nothing worth it is easy. When I worked in NYC as a fashion publicist, my life was very exciting and fulfilling, but very intense. Finding time for a work/life balance was not easy, nor was it a priority at the time. Boy did I wake up.
When I made the decision to move back to Florida to live near my family, I promised myself two things:
1 – I’d make sure that whatever I did for my 9-5 would provide me with the personal time I had been craving
2 – That I was going to throw myself into social media to stay connected to the fashion industry
Being a social media influencer takes a lot of time and dedication. I don’t wake up and snap a photo and post it. I plan my looks, lay out my grids and work with a professional photographer to make sure my content is strong. As they say – content is king.
With the constant shift in Instagram algorithm’s, I’m constantly learning about ways to further cut through the clutter to stand out amongst other influencers. I’m working on being more authentic on my stories and sharing my true voice. I want people to get to know me better. I’m also constantly trying to get to know my followers better.
I also need to dedicate more time to my blog, but there’s only so many hours in the day. So, my biggest challenge thus far – time. I wish I could clone myself.
But I will say, it’s all worth it. I love doing it so much.
Please tell us about from apple to orange.
My focus is on fashion and lifestyle, and I’m really proud of how far I’ve come. My handle @fromappletoorange is not only about my move from the big apple (NYC) to the Florida orange (Miami), but my aesthetic is very much that too. Someone recently told me that they love the way I fuse NYC and Miami style and that was the best compliment ever because that’s exactly who I am.
I’m also beginning to incorporate more food into my page. I’m a vegetarian, (thankfully an apple and an orange work well in my diet :)), so I want to show people that they can find really yummy vegetarian options anywhere. I’ve been shooting in a lot of delicious Miami spots so keep an eye out for more content on the topic.
And beauty, who doesn’t love beauty. Hair, makeup, nails, facial care – it’s all so necessary. I document it a lot on my stories but am also working with some great beauty brands that I believe in to showcase to my followers.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
I feel fortunate to say that I don’t think there’s any major barriers in the blogosphere for women. It’s definitely an even space, and that’s because women are able to support each other here. I’m always engaging with other female bloggers to bolster their content and message, and the majority of my followers are women who are there for me. It’s a very exciting time to be a girl – we’re special and powerful. Let’s keep listening to each other.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fromappletoorange.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromappletoorange/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromappletoorange/
Image Credit:
Cassie Ann Photography, Diana Valencia Blas Photography, Lydia Hudgens Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
