Transcript
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Kwame
Hello, everybody. Welcome to today's episode of Beyond Influence. It's our first episode of February. And the Super Bowl is what? In a few days as well. So we are super excited about everything that's about to happen right now. We are very fortunate today to have a very, very amazing creator with us who has a whole lot going on, that she somehow manages to balance.
So we're very excited to unpack a lot of that. Once again, welcome to Beyond Influence. I'm quite here with my co-host Scott, and today with us, we have Yanina. Hi.
Yanina
I'm like, why are you nervous to say my last name?
Kwame
I paused, and I stopped for a quick second. I was like, you know what, we're going to you know, kind of like Cher or Beyonce. We're going to need you, okay?
Yanina
Let's go with like.
Scott
Having you asking. Okay.
Kwame
Well, let me go look at my accent. Well, well, you know, thanks so much for joining us today. You know, for those of us who may not know who you are, I love to just start the conversation a little bit by telling the audience a little bit about yourself.
Yanina
Yes. My name is, you know, Oyarzo, I am Venezuelan. I was born in Venezuela. I am a creator. I am a host. I am a jack of many traits. But I basically started in the influencing world. I want to say in 2014/2015. I really took it seriously around 2016. I started in the music business actually, which is how everything fell into even my first job with a title in 2012/2013.
And after that, I just kind of used my knowledge and music marketing to start marketing myself. And I'm like, okay, well, if I think of an artist when it comes to a single and album rollout, let me just start using that for myself. I went through a breakup at that time, and I wrote down 100 brands that I wanted to work with and started really researching the way they were marketed.
And I looked at everything that I had around my house because I had no money. And I said, I can't go to Sephora because it's really expensive, but I can use the makeup that I have here and let me try to replicate the pictures, the aesthetics, the colors, the vibe. And I started getting reposted by brands. I started getting brand deals, and from there I was just like, wow, I can make a living from this.
And I went from leaving the music business, leaving jobs, doing creative direction to then full-on doing, influencing. And then I fell back into hosting. And then I actually left a network 2nd July ago, and I decided to create my own podcast. And now I am a full-time creator and I have a podcast called Similarly Different.
Scott
That's amazing. I love stories, especially ones like yours where you know, I think a lot of people think about overnight success and influencer or creator. And I think more often than not it is a slow journey. It's a long journey. It's a lot of learning. And I love what you said about, you know, I can look around my house and I can find the makeup that I have.
Yeah, I can make things work. And I love that kind of a little bit of constraint can drive a lot of creativity. And so is there one particular moment in like where you're like, oh man, this particular video I thought it was going to bomb, or I didn't think I had the resources to produce it just for that creator who's out there who's like, I'm like, I don't have XYZ camera, I don't have XYZ Z access to blah blah, blah.
Yanina
Yeah. So it was my second brand deal, but it was my first beauty. And it was Laura Mercier. I love Laura Mercier. Any girl who listens to or watches this knows that Laura Mercier Translucent Powder is just the OG of the OGs. And they had come out with lipstick tubes and they reached out to me and they were like, we want to give you a brand deal.
We would love, you know, for you to submit the pictures you have these days. They sent me the brief. I was like, okay. I was like, I had a fake manager email and it was me the whole time, like, you know, doing that, everybody does that. And I was like, okay, I'm going to make this happen. And then they were like, okay, what's your rate?
And I'm like, okay, well, I don't know. Right before that, I had gotten a blog post rate of $500 from Target Vaseline, which was my first-ever brand deal. So I was like, do I charge 500? Do I go up? I did it, no, but they were like, well, we're going to want to license these pictures. So at that moment, I was like, okay, wait, this seems a little bit more serious.
So I called a friend of mine. He's an amazing photographer. His name is ordinary, and I was like, hey, I'm supposed to submit this rate to this brand? What should I submit? And he was like, okay, what's the usage? What's this? What's that? And he was like, honestly, like, I don't know. I would charge $3,000. And back then I was going through a divorce.
So $3,000 to me was like, I'm back at, you know, and I was like, oh my God, are they really going to say yes? And he was like, no, I think you like, lay it out how you want it. He's like, look, if I was a photographer, that's probably the lowest I would charge. So I said, okay. So I went, this is Pre-charge.
But then I just tried to write it three different times in the most prolific way that I thought could be believable. And then they approved and they were like, yeah, we'll go ahead and do it. I went to shoot the pictures. I hired a different photographer because I couldn't afford Oren, and I went and I hired another photographer, and 30 minutes before he was supposed to show up to my house, he canceled, and I was like, oh, fudge, what am I going to do?
Like, I need to turn on these pictures, all this stuff. So I did what any resourceful person would do. I grabbed a stack of books. I put my camera on a self-timer, and I started taking pictures of myself with lipstick and, you know, doing it. And I ended up turning them in, and they actually ended up using them for newsletters for different things.
And I'm like, they have no idea. These were all self-timer pictures, but I got it done.
Scott
So I love that. That's amazing. It is funny how you know, everyone thinks they need the hottest camera, they need all this lighting equipment. And yeah, there's certain pieces of equipment and if you were to hold it up side by side, maybe you can get a more professional outcome. But I think especially in today's world like so many of the most viral videos are just random, you know, half blurry iPhone images or videos that it doesn't need to always be like full glam all the time.
Yanina
Yeah, I think the audience also wants to be able to be relatable. You know, if you have too high of production value. Sometimes it just takes away the authentic authenticity of being able to connect to the person.
Kwame
Yeah, I think it depends on what kind of content you're making right? For me, it's funny when I look at I just dropped a piece of content today, a collaboration and partnership. And Scott's got a little smirk. It's one of the spiciest pieces of content that I've put out. But anyway, yeah, it's some Valentine's stuff.
But it has to do with, like, cleaning and, how that leads to, you know, greater things, we'll call it. But ultimately, you know, when we thought about, like, the production of this, we have a friend who has great quality stuff, and we thought about bringing him on, to make this. But we were like, you know what?
Like to make it look simple, bring out our camera phone and just have fun with this. I feel like people are going to enjoy that the most and the reaction from it. I think in terms of pacing, this is by far going to be our most significantly successful brand partnership in terms of volume and reach.
It's been so good. And in terms of the production quality, I didn't do any editing. I literally just like we took a bunch of clips, we chopped them together. We were like, this is kind of funny. And so I don't know anything. When you think about what really resonates with people, it is about knowing your audience, knowing what they'll stick with, knowing what they laugh, what they'll laugh at.
So it's a cool thing to look at. You know, when you think about yourself and your resilience, and who you are, I know we haven't really touched too much on, you know, your background and and your culture, but, you know, you are Venezuelan, which, by the way, one of my closest friends, probably may be one of my, like, my best friend.
His name is Nacho Ignacio Farias. He lives in New York. He's Venezuelan, one of the greatest guys ever. But when you think about your journey, like, when I think about Nacho, he's a very, very resilient human being, you know? And I can't say that I want to generalize too much to say every Venezuelan is that way. But
Yanina
Well, and is very resilient.
Kwame
And, you know, so far, it's, two for two, right? The two that I know so far are very resilient. So when you think about your, you know, your background and your journey and who you are as a person in your culture, collaborating, putting all those things together, how much has that impacted your journey up until this point?
Yanina
It's so much of who I am. I always say that I grew up in Venezuela. I was born in Venezuela. I lived there until I was eight and a half, and during that time my mom actually came to the States, and I was raised by my aunts, my uncles, and my grandma. And it's, you know, it's a very common story that you're raised by your grandparents when you're an immigrant.
And it is my happiest. And it's what I hold dear to my heart still when I think about my childhood, my happiest moments were in Venezuela was the childhood that I had. And I think it's because of, you know, my uncles having a, what is it called when they have like a cheese factory, not a cheese factory, deli.
My and my uncles had a deli and they, like, made their own cheese. And then they also were in charge of delivering all the orange juice to supermarkets in the area. So I just saw really hard work when it comes to that, from my uncles and then from my aunts. They were all nurses, nurses in the military or teachers, and I just saw so much resilience and hard work.
My grandma had over 15 kids and over 124 grandkids, and there was not a meal. Miss that she was not making breakfast, lunch, and dinner for whoever was in the house coming in and out. And I think that that just showed me, when you want to, you will and you will find a way. So I always say that my best attribute is my resourcefulness.
I don't have to have the best thing. I don't have to know the right person, but I will if I need to, because I will find a way to do it. And I think that, like I've instilled in me from when I was a child and even from seeing my mom, the way my mom came to the US was there's this, there's the superstition that in New Year if you want to travel, you go around the block with the luggage.
And she did it every year until she was able to come to the US. So you know, when you want to, you figure it out.
Scott
That's why I'm. There are so many mental images of, like, just people circling the street on New Year's of like, it's like 124 people trying to have dinner. It is amazing learning how to make light of it. I think we've talked a bunch of different times about how, you know, your life shapes you. The culture, the experiences, the hardship, and how it kind of helps define who you are.
And I think as a creator, too, that shines through and it resonates with individuals who have, you know, similar stories. We talk a lot about the power of social media being like this connector of people with shared experiences and also those who don't like I can appreciate other cultures more by getting this real glimpse into what life is like for a whole variety of different people.
But I'm just trying to think about where there was, there was some, funny site, and it was like the amount of people you can actually be close with, there's like a theoretical limit based on, like human capacity. And I was trying to think like, if I had 124 grandkids, I don't know that I could. I don't think I could remember all their names.
Like, I would totally fail.
Yanina
No, I think like the first round of us is, I want to say like 40 is the first round, and then like they just all had a lot of kids, but, you know, like their parents did. So, no, I think I was the favorite and they all know that.
Scott
So I was like, you know, you're the favorite when, like, everyone remembers your name.
Yanina
And I also had the whole thing like my mom wasn't there. So like, I was also the favorite for that reason.
Kwame
Well, yeah. So I mean, digging into that a little bit as well, obviously, you know, I feel like we don't touch on social and societal issues enough here right now. So, you know, not to get too deep into it, but you know who you are as a person in your culture. It definitely played a big part. You said like, it is literally like everything within your existence, you know, and I think when I connect with people like you, I think about myself and how deep my cultural lineage really has to do with who I am, how I, you know, how I act, things like that.
And yeah, you know, I think it's really funny because sometimes the way that I present myself outwardly is very different from the way that, you know, it is really interesting, the cultural, you know, aspects that define who you are as a human being. You know, when you think about yourself and the fact that you've been surrounded by so many different people as you were going through it.
And we think about the current kind of diversity, equity, and inclusion thought processes in the states right now. You know, just diving a little bit into that, how deeply do you believe, like the diversity around you has factored into your journey? And like, how important do you think DNI is in terms of, you know, making sure that there's inclusivity in every aspect of our lives?
Yanina
Yeah, it's definitely a big part of who I am. It's not like a buzzword or a thing that I just want to check off for myself or want to be a part of. I think that, like growing up with such a diverse family, you know, I have families, I have family members that have blue eyes, blond hair all the way to very dark skin tone, different hair texture, family members, and in all that, it just showed how my big family had hard-working people, incredibly talented people.
And I saw really firsthand every unique person and story created, like the bigger picture of my family. And whenever I talk about, like, Dei and all that stuff, I'm drawing from my personal journey, it's all about making sure that the voice is heard and that you know you're making a path when you are going to a new country. And that's why, like even with my podcast similarly different, I focus on bringing people together, being able to celebrate our differences rather than just ticking off boxes, and even with having American values and coming to the US like you come and you have this idea of freedom and individuality and courage and to dream big no matter where you come from. You know, that's like the American dream. And I think embracing Dei is really about living those values every day, ensuring that everyone gets a chance to shine, really putting people in the forefront who are talented, who are meant to be there and contribute to their actual unique perspective. It's not just a policy or a checklist or something that it's a write-off, because the company should do it to look better.
And I think that I live that way with the people that I have around me, the people that I surround myself with, and the companies I want to work with. And right now it's just a very interesting time. The way things are shifting and the way things are moving. But I do hope that people not only look within but also look to the sides and see that there is so much more that we can be if we stick together, rather than start creating this segregation.
Scott
Yeah, I know a few different things that you mentioned. I felt very lucky to be exposed to a lot of different cultures via international work or travel and, and just getting to meet different people. And I think there were two things which are appreciating difference and diversity and, and genuinely being curious and wanting to go out and, and respect people and different cultural customs and norms and different, you know, upbringings and where people came from, but also recognizing that talent exists in a lot of different shapes and sizes.
And I think about, you know, the other thing that you said was about not just checking a box on DEI and me, I believe so strongly in that particularly because there are real issues and real challenges that manifest themselves in some of these, kind of systemic divides. And I think about, you know, in my way, where can I effect early on in the process, the things that lead to these divides?
And so it's access to education and access to housing. I don't really mention it often. You know, I'm really proud my sister leads, a charity that's working to solve family homelessness. And when you look at family homelessness, it stems from education opportunities. It stems from education into secondary education, into, you know, the ability to have and find a job and food security, housing security, all those things have such a big role.
And those are more prevalent in minority, kind of populations. And so I think that there's a big problem that we need to take action on, not just at the corporate level, but to these sources of the things that drive inequity. And I don't think that that makes businesses, that it removes the accountability that we have to make good decisions and to create safe and welcoming spaces.
I just think we as a society need to take a more holistic and broad approach to the things that drive kind of the end outcomes. Yeah. So I don't know, I feel strongly about it, but hopefully, that was a coherent thought.
Kwame
No, it's always good when you just kind of get into the like, don't even look in the camera, just talk because that you're thinking, you know, you're ruminating and I don't know when I think about it, you said something that really, I think struck, you know, struck a chord with me was that it's not about looking at, at a, at a corporate level.
It's about looking at it foundationally. You know, I think as a whole, marginalization and underrepresentation is a cyclical process. It's like it's just cyclical, you know, it's something that's fully it feels like it's ingrained and it's really hard to escape. And so there has to be a foundational resolution. Diversity creates more creativity, within groups. So how do we then allow and help our youth to think more creatively, to problem solve together, and figure out how to make sure that every positive end or every end is positive but also inclusive?
You know, America is it's it's the land of the free, the home of the brave. You know, it's not the land of some of the free and some of the brave, you know what I'm saying? So I think that that's really something that we have to figure out at a foundational level is let's get away from the corporations.
Like, I don't care if, you know, you say Amazon or Meta or whatever focuses on these things. It's like if there is even a question that they have an obligation to focus on those things, it means that down to our foundation, we did not breed it well enough for it to be something that we think about day in and day out that will help.
Yanina
We reach out because it shouldn't be a program. It should be in the foundation. It's like, oh, they're removing all those programs. Why was it a program to begin with? It should have been in the foundation of the company. You know, so I think it's like, let's go back to the actual structure of how things are being created from the moment it starts, and include the right ingredients into it for it to actually blossom correctly.
Scott
Yeah. If your DEI program is like, “Let's make sure we put all the women on the website so it looks like we have one in our company.” You know, it's like the wrong approach. Yeah. You know, it's funny, I think it's interesting and, you know, there's been such an arc on this topic over the last few years and there's these ideas and I don't preach to be an expert, but having done, you know, a lot of self-reflection and live my own life and, and walked in my shoes, I think there was this like, no, we need to treat everyone the same.
There can be no difference. And it's like, it's awesome. If I walk up to my Latin friend and say, hey, from a Latin perspective, like you grew up in a whole different culture than I did, there's going to be differences. That doesn't mean that we don't have equal footing or that we don't respect one another. But I view it the same way as I walk up to Gen Z in our office, and I have no idea about all the latest trends.
And I'm like, hey, give me some perspective. I respect that you have a subculture, for colleagues from different backgrounds, whether it's within the United States, outside the United States, you know, different religious backgrounds, whatever it may be. It's okay to understand that those subcultures can be different. But I think it's that curiosity. It's respect.
It's not just saying this is different, therefore bad. And, I look, you know, it's very cliche, this whole like, diversity breeds creativity and thought. But it's so true. Like if you just sit in a room of all of the same people, you're going to have one kind of context and perspective. And I think that is one thing that I've appreciated so much about.
You know, various teams that I've had are when someone comes out and goes, you really don't understand this customer population or this marketing, this audience that we're marketing to, or what this group of consumers who's buying this product thinks about. And so you, you know, in a capacity also as a creator, an influencer with a large audience, brands don't know how to speak as well to an audience of, you know, of yours like you do.
And I just think it reinforces this, giving creators some creative control over how to best message their audience, seeking their input on content, on how to approach their audience, to have content that really resonates. It's just that it's different. And I think exploring that difference and seeking to understand before placing judgment is kind of where we need to be.
Yanina
Yeah. I recently went to San Francisco and talked, gabbing, with Univision Televisa, which is a network, and I was one of three creators who spoke there. And in that conversation, we were talking about how inclusion was really needed inside the gap umbrella and the sense of their marketing. And, you know, I was telling them, I said I said one of the things there was a silo creator next to me, and she's from Saint Thomas, but she's Dominican and she's very dark skinned, beautiful.
And she was like, you know, like, I didn't grow up. There was no gap growing up in Saint Thomas. Like they just didn't exist in the model that we had. And she was like, but when I came to the States, you know, it was really cool when I would see a gap and when my mom would wear a crewneck that said gap on it.
And she goes, but I hope to one day see a girl that looks like me in a commercial. And then when it was my turn to speak, I said, you know, I hope you guys understand what she said. However she doesn't mean that she hopes to see herself in one campaign, one every five years, once a year. For you guys to say, we did it, it's for you to actually start sprinkling in and understanding that there's a variety group of ways that people look not only in the world, in Latinos, in everything, in different cultures, but start actually implementing in overall your marketing, because then that's when you're really going to capture people, and people are going to understand you. And then on the creator side, it's like, if you're going to come and bring us in for a brand deal and you're going to send a brief listen, we all get it. We got to breathe. We know we have to follow some guidelines, but when you come to reach out to us for a brand deal because you liked our content, you liked our audience and you liked what we're already doing, you can't expect us to go and submit a brief that has an authentic touch to who we are.
And then you have redlined it up and down, because at that point, go hire an anonymous model and make a commercial out of it, because it's now no longer you, Nina. It has, you know, you've changed me. Let's say I'm creating a not-showing winner, like a Christmas on the 24th, like a brand deal campaign, and you've broken it down.
It is no longer the emotional feeling that I have to know what you want now. It is an X brand with X people's approval and you know their own opinions of it. So it's also letting the creator be creative if that's what you came in to get.
Kwame
Yeah, yeah I like that a lot. And speaking about you and your creativity, there's a lot that has gone into your brand and your niche. As you brought that together, how did you start to really culminate that brand in like, what would you say, what you identify as in terms of a creator, like what is your niche?
What do you want to focus on? What do you want to grow?
Yanina
I call myself a Latina girl next door because I am Latina first and foremost, but I also want to be so relatable and attainable that you can reach out to me that you are going to get a response first and so that I have a human connection to you. Even before my podcast, when I started creating a blog, it was called You Know Yes when the tagline was called. Let's talk about it because my interest in being a creator and being a host has always been, how can I communicate human to human?
And if you like something about me because you think it's dope or whatever, like I'm going to put you on, I'm going to help if it helps you. Because if I help you, then we're just shining brighter together. Like I thankfully have not felt while I have dealt. I have not felt competition between my friends. I have dealt with a lot of other people feeling that way, but I just feel as cliche and as corny as it sounds.
If you light up somebody else, the room gets brighter. And that's how I'll work around my branding and my niche. I've never been like the chef or the girl who knows how to do, like, a spaceship in her eyes. It's more like, I'm going to help you with the core things that I know how to do well and add a little spice to it, and it's just going to overall make your life better.
Whether it be a boost of confidence, whether it be to help you, how to heal, whether it be to help you have some statement pieces in your closet then you can experiment after you have the statement pieces. Or if it's a guy. I've had so many guys and actually love them. These are my favorite DMs. When a guy reaches out to me and he's like, hey, you posted something like this, and because of it, I'm about to start therapy.
Or like, hey, I, you know, you posted this one quote and you wrote a whole description of your thought process behind it and actually made me think, like and I went to apologize to my ex because I realized I was being avoidant or I was having emotional immaturity. And I've had a girl be like, my brother showed me your page and he was like, I think you should follow.
And I'm like, I love that. Also, even as a woman in the creator field, think, oh, your DMs must be crazy. My DMs are so calm. They are like PG sometimes PG 13, but like it's very rare that I have the weirdos. And I love that for me because it just shows that my branding and marketing and niche that I have created overall really does transcend and the right people come and say, I don't need the others.
You know.
Scott
I love that, the firm believer that, you know, there's so many people that can win. And I think, you know, by lifting up others, especially in this, like the creator space and social space, I would argue that competition is inherently bad unless you're Kendrick Lamar or something. You know,
Yanina
And you're a rebel.
Scott
Yeah. I mean, like, he's working the beef, but pretty much everyone else, it's, you know, how do you lift each other up? The collaborations are so fun. I think it's so fun to see people lift other people up, highlight their content, support them, and work together. And I think there's so much more to be gained from that.
And it's funny because a lot of the creators we talk to, I remember when we were talking with Lewis, he was talking about how he did like celebrity kind of roast reviews. And then he was like, I started meeting these people, and I like them, and I need to be kind to them. So now he's like, I roast, but it's like all in good fun, and I'm their friend, and I just think, you know, everyone who maybe starts in that kind of way, I'm going to come to your niche.
They realize that it doesn't get them that far and it creates enemies. Brands don't want to work with that. It's a harder path for you personally, and you're just going to miss out on an opportunity. And I think there are so many opportunities in life that are waiting for you if you just kind of are kind and open and kind of willing to walk through the door.
And I think that is one thing. And it comes back to this topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion. I think one of the biggest things that we can instill in a lot of young people is that they can go take the step. They should be bold. They deserve to have an opportunity. And I think that's one thing where, you know, I'm in a very different position.
Like, you know, we grew up and we weren't rich. We had modest means, but I still walked in and I felt like I should be able to do this. Like, you know, I'm going to get out there and I think every kid should be able to walk out there and say, I deserve this opportunity. I deserve this versus, I'm not good enough like that.
Like they would never do that for me. I could never get that job. And they just stop before they try. And I think that's one of the biggest things when I talk about, how we get to the root of the problem. There are some of these like an inherent lack of confidence, a lack of the right to win, lack of the right to love.
Like all of these things, if we can help address some of those challenges, those cascade over a lifetime. And just I think if we can reinforce that young age and instill that in people, it would have a tremendous impact on a lot of different individuals and groups of people.
Kwame
100%. And I like that a lot. And, you know, when it comes to you as a creator, you said, you know, your first opportunity got you $3,000.
Yanina
So my second, my second, oh.
Kwame
Second.
Yanina
My first one was 500 Vaseline. The brand inside the target.
Kwame
Okay. Lovely. So as we veer off into a more creator conversation creator-focused conversation here, I'd love to dive a little bit into some numbers. You don't have to, you know. Tell me the grand largest numbers and sums. But you know for a little bit of that salary and compensation transparency, you know, do you have any kind of collection of deals that you've done that, you know, gave you a decent bit of money that you just looked at and you were like, wow, I can't believe I'm about to make this.
Yanina
Yeah, I cried, I cried when I, when I did, 35 because I was like, wait, what? I remember I got the email from my manager, Mel, I got the text from my manager Mel, and it was a screenshot of the approval that she had submitted, and my manager, Mel, and Sarah, they were like, so this just got approved and we just wanted to share it with you.
And I actually still have the picture. I'm lying in my bed and tears are coming out. And I was like, you've got to be kidding me. And she's like, yeah, babe, they approved it. And I was like.
Kwame
Wow.
Yanina
They want to pay me 35. She was like, yeah. And it was crazy because I'm a big manifester and I had put the brand on my vision board. I've done vision boards for the past five and a half years. For the last three years, I turned them from physical to digital, and then I printed them and put them in a frame and I put them right next to my beauty room.
So that I could visually see it, but also not waste paper and all that stuff, like cutting it up. So I do it in Canva and I have like a whole template now that I do. And I had that brand there, and I want to say it was like June, June, or May of that year. It was two years ago.
And I was like, not only is it a brand that I organically use, but it's a big brand that everyone knows. And I was like, and they want me. And the biggest thing is that I think that as creators, a lot of people don't know how much money you can make. And there is a big lack of imposter syndrome if you're not at a certain number.
And I'm still under 100,000 followers on Instagram, I'm over 100,000 on TikTok, but I'm still under 100,000. And that number was 35 when I was under 80,000. So it's like it just goes to show you if you understand marketing if you understand your brand, if you are consistent. And I always say character over talent because I will outwork anyone, just get me in the room, is what I always say.
I'm like, I always tell my mom when my manager and I have a strategy cause they probably think I'm psychotic because they'll be like, okay, what are your goals? I'm like this, this other like, oh, okay. And I'm like, why not? My biggest thing is like, why not? I have lived my life with the why not mentality. If that person can go in, why can I even in my podcast, like, you know, I self-fund my podcast, but I have big goals for my podcast.
And whenever I have a production meeting with my producer, I'm always like, why not? Why can we have a meeting with that person? Why not? Why can't we go take it there? Why not? I want to have this guest. And I was like, why can't I have them? And she likes it, now she understands how I think. But in the beginning, when people meet me, they're like this girl.
And I'm just like, just get me in the room, get me in the room, and like, I'll close the deal. And it's because my hard work and my passion will show through. And as long as the person will just give me, like, half an inch, I'll be like, I won't make them look regretful.
Scott
I love that, I think just that hustle, you know, that belief that you can go out and win is awesome. I'm curious, on the podcast you talked about, you know, why can't we get this gas or that gas? Was there a moment where you were, you know, you got someone on and you're just like, I cannot believe that this person is agreeing to be on my podcast or, you know, some gas that even for the time you were like, okay, I didn't think we could ever pull that at this stage in our growth.
Yanina
So my podcast started in May, so it hasn't been too long of a time, but I did confirm a podcast guest. And it was so funny because my podcast is 91% female. And you know, I was having a conversation with my producer, Courtney, and I was telling her I was like, man, like, I don't know who is going to be like the person that finishes like the season and the.
And then I looked down at my phone and I was like, oh my God, this person just followed me on TikTok. Like the person that I was just thinking about, that would be great. And I hadn't tagged them or anything. And it was the day that TikTok was going down. And I remember being in the studio and being like, do I better try TikTok to go down?
What should I do? I need to, I need them to like, and read my messages if I write to them on Instagram. And I wrote to her so fast and I was like, hey, I, I love what you've done, I would love to have you on my podcast. And she was like, yeah, let's do it. I said, okay, I'm ready a GM, please check your DMs.
And I like to go to Instagram. I wrote to her on DM and now she's coming in a week and a half. So it's really exciting because like it's going to be, it's the closing for this season. But I have so many people that I can't wait to have on my podcast that I know it just takes the right conversation or the right person introducing it for it to happen.
But that's going to be a really fun episode because she's just like a fun person.
Kwame
Yes, we were the same way. So I think we started in April. Yeah. And so we are, we're, you know, almost podcast siblings. But I feel like we're the same way still, you know, like, we've definitely had some people on our podcast that I was excited about or Scott was excited about. And now as we think about it, you know, we start to plan out the rest of this year.
We are thinking like, you know what? Like we've had some pretty amazing people here. What's stopping us from going to somebody who, like, typically you would think to yourself is out of reach, and approaching that person and saying, hey, these are people who I've had. This is, you know, what we talk about now, this is how you know, how many people enjoy our podcast.
Like, we think you should join us, you know, and have the confidence to do that because I really do think something that you are really, really, kind of just giving off in terms of your energy is just like the confidence to just go for it. And if you don't get it, you don't get it. But why not?
Yanina
And, you know, I always say it's better for you to get a no. And why then just wonder. Because I can work with a no. And why tell me, like even with my producer when she was like, oh, we should wait for some meetings and be like, why? And she's like, well, because your stream should be at this number.
I was like, okay, perfect. You're giving me a to-do list. You know? But like one of the guests that I really love that I had on season one because I'm on season two of my show right now, I break it up by season one was Terry Cole. She's a psychotherapist. That does it for high-end celebrities.
She's a book author and best-selling author. And I was like when I sent her a DM, I didn't think she was going to reply to me, but she's like, she does. She's a psychotherapist for Ariana Grande, you know? And she replied to me instantly and was like, I'm going to be in L.A. this day. And I was like, I can make it work.
She's like, okay, perfect. Never gave us an issue. Never. Nothing was the sweetest human wanted to do a second round of it. And I was just like, you know, she could have deemed me unimportant. Green. That podcast doesn't have that many views or followers, but there is something about me that she liked, and she loved the interview time to this day, if I post a clip, instantly repost it instantly collabs without me having to ask her to like and I just I appreciate the support like that because I think that it just shows one from my passion and my dedication to what you do, and I think that that's really important.
Whatever you're going to go in for and do, like put your all into it because other people are going to be more receptive to it. And even if you are not getting that many yeses in the beginning, you have to believe it before anybody else does.
Scott
So I love that. It's funny. One thing that you said about Terry Cole like how she jumps on and likes your posts, that's just a funny anecdote. Like, I have a very modest following. It's not what I'm known for, but I post my stories, and after having all of these folks on as guests when I go through and I have whatever 100 views on my story, the names of who are actually looking at it, I'm like, Holy shit, these people are taking the time to actually like, look at my story.
And it is interesting. And I think, like one thing I have one thing that's been impressed upon me is even the most, you know, people with large followings or really important jobs, at the end of the day, they are human and they like to build connections. They want to have meaningful dialog. And I think also one thing that I think you've done a great job too, is treating people like humans and treating them like you respect them and you respect what they've been able to accomplish.
But you also aren't awkward and you're not, treating them in a way that makes them uncomfortable and you're approachable with them. And I think it is something that everyone who is a human wants to see a connection and wants to be seen as a human being. And so I think part of just my guidance as people go out and they launch their, you know, creator journey and they start to make people as just be normal, be, you know, interact with people, you know, seek to connect with them as a human being and show them respect, but also just I think everyone wants to build relationships.
So just an interesting anecdote. It's funny, like I think anyone with a podcast or anyone who is a creator who calls me talks a lot about it is like when it came off the show, it's like you would not believe who just followed me, and it's like some NFL athlete or some actress or something. And it's wild. You know, just how much access social media has given us to connect with people, whether they're mega-celebrities or the person next door.
You know, it's pretty amazing.
Yanina
Yeah, I agree.
Kwame
Yeah. No, I agree wholeheartedly. It's really cool to notice that, like, everyone is interested in the things that everyone is interested in. You know, it might sound stupid coming out, but in actuality, like I just watched the video, I think you might have sent it to me. Now, I think Madison sent it to me like a list of people talking about their reactions to Love Was Blind, and it was like, it was like Zendaya.
It was like.
Yanina
It was like a variety did that. It was a variety magazine. Yes. For the, the whatever award was recently. Yeah, yeah.
Kwame
Yeah, exactly. And it was like Ariana Grande and she was like, yeah, I check the couple's pages like every other month or so. Like, I want to make sure that they're together. And it's so funny because like, yeah, like somebody who might have literally two followers who just, like, hangs out at home, is a big social media person, isn't a big social person all the way up to like 100 million followers Ariana Grande day.
Like they have a common ground, like, and it's just really funny seeing what connects all of us. But that's just something that I think it's just, I don't know, it was really cool. It was a really sacred moment and I really love it. But with that being said, you know, we're getting closer to the end of this conversation.
So there are a couple of things that we like to talk to creators about. As we go through the conversation and as we come closer to an end. And one of those is I'd love to know, obviously, you worked with some incredible brands looking at your page and seeing who you've already had some partnerships with. Do you still have a brand out there that is, you know, your dream brand that if they called you today, you would be over the moon?
Yanina
Yeah. I mean, I've worked with YSL Beauty. I had a six-month partnership with them and I love them, but I grew up modeling. And then I went into TV hosting, and then I went into the influencer space. And I think like any brand, like a YSL that deemed a creator, you know, important enough in their high fashion would be great because I already did a little bit of dabbling in the beauty part of it.
But I love YSL. I'm a YSL girl. I'm not even like a high-brand girl, but I love YSL. So probably YSL. I have an Audi. I've always loved Audi. Yes. So, last year I did a campaign with Genesis, but I would love to do a campaign with Audi because it just really hits home.
And I just love the way Audi looks. Audi drives, on that end, and I think more than anything, a really big goal that I have is I love fashion. I'm not a big fashionista, but I know how to put a good outfit together for your everyday girl to be elevated. And I would love to do a capsule collection with a brand.
Whether it's a smaller brand like J Lux that they are in Los Angeles, but they're still very big online, or a bigger brand like Gap, or, you know, like Lululemon or something like that. That would be really cool.
Scott
That's awesome. I think I like those brand deals that allow you to explore creativity and kind of show off your personality but also make it accessible to your audiences. It's like that perfect sweet spot where it's awesome. But it also is, you know, a little prohibitive in certain areas. I think that the fashion and beauty makeup side of it, maybe more accessible, but I think, you know, the ability for someone to buy that exact outfit gap or and then look and feel confident and be like, okay, this is the Nina look like, you know, I love those types of moments.
So as you look out, you know, you talked about, you know, your vision board and the ambitions, the goal you have, what's on the horizon for 25, like, what are you really, really excited about. If you were to take a step, you know, looking back at the age of 25 saying, wow, I just feel great about this year, what would it have looked like?
Yanina
You know, I really try to implement more of a healthy balance with everything this year. It was really important to me. Last year I was burning out a lot, and I just always say that the iPhone doesn't work great at 3% and neither does the human body. So it's really like implementing that. And it sounds silly, but like when you think about it, the apps that go in correlate with the Fogginess brain.
Also super late in the conversation. But I'm an analogy girl. If you haven't noticed by now, I and I do analogies for everything. Some of it hits, others are interesting, but it's like, you know, the same thing, like you, just you, you got to really recharge yourself. And in that, I have prioritized more traveling this year for friends and family.
Like I said, I'm going to surprise somebody for their birthday tomorrow. I went to a friend. I, my friend, lived between Puerto Rico and Miami, and within three days she was like, can you make it here? And I was like, let me see. I was able to get it from miles that I had just stored. And I was like, yeah, I can, I have nothing that I'm doing here.
But the fear of, am I going to miss out if I leave? Am I going to miss out on an opportunity? All these thoughts. But at the end of the day, if I know I'm a hard worker I know what God has for me, and I know that I'm doing the right things, I shouldn't miss out on also, living because living would lead me to more creativity will lead me to more recharge, and then I will do my work better.
So I think that one of my big goals this year is really implementing living life and not just blocking things out. But another thing is working with, you know, all the brands that I have and my vision board working with the brands that I have talked to my team about being able to be more creative in certain partnerships with a capsule collection or an edit of things of that sort, and really hitting some of these guests for season three that I have written down with my, you know, podcast team because I'm like of Jessica Alba follows me already.
Why can't she be on the podcast? You live in L.A. or you know, you like me. Just come on. So then things like that that I don't know, sometimes they seem so far away. But really, when you think about it, it's really not that far.
Kwame
That's dope. That's really dope. And I really do hope you get Jessica Alba. Then,
Yanina
I will get Jessica Alba on the podcast.
Kwame
Yeah. Sweet. I love it. It's not a it's not I hope it's it's going to happen. Yes. It's just what time exactly. So we're going to go through, you know, a last bit, a quick fire round. All right. I mixed it up a little bit. It used to be just a creator base. But the last question, that's a little bit of, you know, it comes out of left field, but hopefully, you've got a good answer for us.
So I just basically ask this or that. Okay. And then the last one, just to put any question that you answer that you think you're ready for. Yep. All right. Solid. So to start off with Instagram or TikTok.
Yanina
TikTok.
Kwame
Okay. Easy. Why is that?
Yanina
You don't think so much. You're able to just be goofy and just like go, you know, onto the next lovely.
Kwame
Okay. A story or a post.
Yanina
I would say. A story if I'm being silly or like, I'm a very goofy person because it'll expire in 24 hours, but a post if it's something meaningful so you can stay on the feed.
Kwame
Okay, I like it. What's your favorite quote?
Yanina
My favorite cruel quote is probably a Bible verse. I have it right here. I have if, if, if. Wow. What do I have?
Kwame
Ephesians.
Yanina
No, it's not even Ephesians. It's Philippians 413.
Sorry, I gotta go back to church. No, it's Philippians 413. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I wrote it when I was going through a divorce, and I put it here because I felt that I needed to really tap into my spiritual strength, my physical strength to be able to be my best self at that time and whenever I am feeling like I'm going through a really tough time, I know that I have to like, blend both to be able to get through my day.
Kwame
Amazing. And then the very last one I feel like I should move the favorite quote to the last one because that one was a powerful one. But what's your favorite movie?
Yanina
Oh my God, people are going to make fun of me. You guys may not even know it. I said this to somebody the other day and they were like, come on, you got to choose something else. Okay, ready? I have an argument with this one as well. It Takes Two by Mary-Kate and Ashley because I think this is the first movie.
This is not the original Parent Trap. The Parent Trap, in my opinion, took the idea and did not get sued. Lindsay Lohan did great, but the original parent Trap is It Takes Two by Mary-Kate and Ashley, and I love that movie. I can replay the entire movie. I know all the words.
Kwame
Fantastic. Well, look, you aced our speed round. We are just about at the end of our podcast. Is there anything else that you want to leave our audience with before we call it a day?
Yanina
I think that doesn't let the little voice in your head freeze you or stop you from doing anything that you're curious about. There is space for everyone, no matter if you think that your peer does it at a higher level or in a way, a better level. It's your voice. It's your way of expressing it, your way of explaining it.
So don't let it ever stop you. And consistency over everything.
Scott
I love it. Well, it's been an amazing conversation. You, Nina, thanks so much for spending time with us. For everyone out there listening, go check out Jung in his page and content. Check out the podcast and we will see you on the next one. Thanks for tuning in.
Yanina
Thank you so much for having me.
Kwame
Yes, for sure. Bye-bye, everyone!