Empowered Women – Volume 2

This week I’d like to introduce you to one of my online blogging friends. When I think about supportive and uplifting women who also empower other women, Christine is someone who comes to mind right away. I’m proud to call her my friend and welcome her to my blog with open arms. Keep reading to learn more about Christine and connect with her on social media using her links at the bottom of this post.

Tell us a little bit about YOU:

My name is Christine and I’m the creator of Simply Stine, a Southern Lifestyle Beauty Blog. I live outside of Atlanta with my husband and our fur babies. I’m originally from Ohio (my husband from Chicago) but we made the move to Atlanta for more opportunities and warmer weather. I couldn’t be happier with that decision. It was life-changing.

I created Simply Stine when blogging was becoming more and more popular, but not quite like it is today. I kept reading blogs  and watching YouTube channels (because I was obsessed with learning more about people and researching beauty products and procedures) and I realized that I could do that also! So I worked up the nerve to start my own site (with my husband’s support) and here we are today! I’m now a full-time blogger and I can’t believe the opportunities and brands that I’ve been able to partner with. It’s been a dream come true.

My site and content has evolved with me as I’ve grown as a person. I’ve shared a lot of personal content, especially about my struggles with infertility. It’s been important to me to be open about that situation so that other women (and couples) know that they aren’t alone in their struggles.

I’ve also started a FB group that is all about encouraging other bloggers and promoting women supporting women. I’m excited to see where that group goes because I think it has a lot of potential!

Also in the plans is a podcast! I’m excited to share more on that soon!

I thrive on inspirational quotes. Please share one of your favorites or a mantra that you live by:

I adore Oprah Winfrey and I’ve seen her speak in person. She’s phenomenal and she has this one quote that I always try to keep in the back of my mind:

“Be thankful for what you have; You’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”

I think that this quote really hits home for anyone who has to spend a lot of time on social media, etc. If you are constantly comparing your life and what you don’t have, you will never be satisfied or content with EVERYTHING that you DO have.

Favorite triumph, collaboration or something you’ve experienced that you are proud of:

I think that being able to work with brands, attend PR events and meet other women in the same industry is such an amazing opportunity.

My first major pr event that I was invited to was with Sak’s Fifth Avenue. I mean COME ON!!! It was a closed-store event and we got a tour of the store, met women working behind the counters and it was incredible. I had a makeup artist work on me for a class they taught (I’m still friend’s with her to this day) It was a turning point for me because I realized that major brands WERE taking me and my brand seriously.

Also, being able to support other women is SO VERY important to me. I’ve found that I want to help women build their brands, answer their questions and teach them things I wish I would have known when I started blogging. This led to me start an online fb group as well!

Biggest disappointment or let down that you’ve learned from:

I’m not sure if this is supposed to be about professionally or personally so I’ll answer both.

Personally, going through infertility was a life-changing experience for me. I had no idea that I’d be here, 38 years old, happily married and NOT have children. The whole experience changed me as a person. I learned a lot about myself and how strong I was. I also learned that life isn’t always going to go as planned. Not being able to be a mother changed my life drastically, but it doesn’t define me. I’ve had to learn a lot about myself and what happiness looks like for me now. So that was a huge disappoint for me, but I haven’t let it ruin my life.

Professionally, I think that when I started blogging, I had it in my head that this whole blogging experience would be the easiest thing ever! I thought I knew so much, but let me tell you, I KNEW NOTHING!

I’ve had to learn all about websites, photography and editing. I’ve also had to learn more about SEO work and things that I never would think that I’d ever have to know a single thing about. Running a blog isn’t just about showing pictures of pretty products, but so much more goes into it than that. I haven’t even touched on the relationships that you have to keep and form with women in the business and brands. It’s A LOT of work.

It’s definitely not easy being a blogger! It’s the hardest I’ve ever had to work.

Favorite piece of advice for others (life, blogger, influencer or family, etc):

I think that you have to remain true to yourself. Being a blogger, there are so many moments that can make you question yourself and your work. You can’t concentrate on what every one else is doing, just stay focused on what you want to share, what stories you want to tell and what your audiences responds to. That’s the most important thing you can do for yourself and your brand.

I’m all about women supporting other women. How can we support you? Feel free to share your links for connecting as well:

You can follow my blog at: https://www.simplystine.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/simplystine/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplystineco/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SimplyStineCo

Be sure to come back every Wednesday for my Empowered Women Series. Let me know if you’d like to be featured in a future post.