Interview with a Young Influencer & Content Creator 👑

Iyana Le'Shea is a young woman of many titles— model, illustrator, content creator, YouTuber, businesswoman, influencer. In this interview, I had the honor and privilege of speaking with 24-year-old Iyana as she discusses how she became a content creator and influencer on the YouTube and Instagram platforms!

JM : How are you doing today Ms. Le'Shea?

IL : I'm doing pretty good today!

JM : That's good! There's so much to talk about with you because I understand that you're a young woman of many things! I guess I'll start off by asking about your foundation. What made you want to become a content creator? Or was it even something you wanted to do?

IL : Honestly I literally fell into it 😂. I was in my last year of college and I already was on YouTube at the time going on a year and a half. Instagram was something I had for years, but I would post every now and then but nothing serious. My final year of college, I wanted to take Instagram more seriously and was just curious to see what would happen if I pushed myself. I wanted to see where it would go. Surprisingly my 2nd or 3rd mini-hair tutorial went viral and that was the very start of my content creation journey!

JM : So I see you're describing it as something kind of spur of the moment or unplanned. You say you were on YouTube already, what made you start YouTube initially? Was it something you had always wanted to do?

IL : Yes, I've always wanted to start YouTube. I remember the urge to at the age of 16, but I didn't know where to start or what to do at that time, so I didn't try to, but when I was 21 that urge came back and that's when I told myself to actually go for it. I was very determined this time around when I started YouTube to stick with it because I didn't really see anyone who was Black, had albinism and was doing natural hair at that time. So that need to fill that creative space and represent really pushed me to start as well.

JM : I'm sure there are so many young people out there that can relate! So many people want to start their own YouTube, but they're unsure of themselves. Now that we're on the subject of it, can you describe your channel & your content to anyone who may have never watched it before?

IL : My channel is majority based around natural hair because I love caring for my hair. Some examples of videos I create would be tips on how to care for natural hair, different hairstyles, natural product reviews, etc. I also do a couple clothing related videos such as try on hauls and lookbooks.

JM : Do you get monetized from doing YouTube videos at all?

IL : I do but it's not how people would imagine it would be. I'm still considered a small YouTuber so it's not a consistent and steady income yet!

JM : Still very notable though! Can you tell us a little about the steps you took to getting monetized? I know a check didn't just fall in your lap one day & I know a few other aspiring YouTubers that could use some tips on how to reach such a milestone.

IL : Getting monetized was a very long process for me but I knew it would be so I wasn't so much focused on it. I honestly would say it would happen when it happens. I started YouTube from scratch so at 0 subscribers. You definitely have to stay consistent on what you are doing and meet the 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch time hours YouTube has required. Also, most importantly, not just doing YouTube for a check. I know that has been said lots of times by other YouTubers but it's definitely true. You definitely won't see "big money" from YouTube until you maybe get to 100,000+ or happen to create a virtual video, so definitely have the passion for YouTube and creating content.

JM : That is so important, I know you don't depend on YouTube for a steady source of income & I love that you're discussing the reality of it. Speaking of which though, I understand that recently you've been doing some paid partnerships with hair companies like Maui Moisture and Lotta Body. How did that come about?

IL : Most definitely! I love working with brands, I think it's so cool and exciting! Lotta Body actually reached out to me last November to create content for the holidays for their honey collection. I created a reel for the brand which was fun to create. Maui Moisture also reached out to me to collab with them and create content for Black History Month so I definitely had to make sure I jumped on that opportunity. I honestly have to say that the content I created for them had to be the best content I made so far as in quality in my opinion. But most times when I have the opportunity to work with brands I usually am contacted by the brand through email and we go from there.

JM : That is so cool to me! Anybody on the outside looking in might say it must be nice getting paid to make videos, but I know content creation doesn't cover your whole living. I understand that you also have a business that you call Iyana Le'Shea Illustrations. Can you tell us more about that?

IL : Yes Iyana Le'Shea Illustrations is literally my baby 😂 I really take pride in my illustration brand. I started Iyana Le'Shea Illustrations the same year I graduated from college. I always knew I wanted to start a business but I never would have expected it to be now. I create my own illustrations and have them printed on t-shirts, sweatshirts, and other products that I will be releasing soon. I really enjoy having a vision or idea in mind, putting it down on paper, and creating it on the computer. The process is crazy but in a good way to see it come to life.

JM : You told us all about how & when you got started, but where did the idea for your business originate from? Have you always had a love for art & design?

IL : My love for art has always been inside. The earliest I can remember was around when I was 3 years old. The idea of actually starting a majority t-shirt business came about when I was in the process of graduating from college. We have this event called Portfolio show where all the graduating seniors showcase their work. I had my area set up very nicely to showcase my work, but I wanted to stand out so I decided to make a few t-shirts with my designs on them. I didn't pass them out to anyone but my family and friends did receive a tee beforehand to wear to my table to set up. Once visitors, professors and other students saw my t-shirt designs, that's when I was asked if I was selling t-shirts. At the time I wasn't but I had gotten so much positive feedback and an overwhelming amount of requests that I should take the idea to shape.

JM : A very lovely story. You describe becoming an influencer and even becoming a businesswoman as unplanned events, so I presume that you didn't study anything related to what you do now in college like business or journalism. So, what did you study? What was the initial plan?

IL : My major in college was Illustration & Design, so my major really did pay off in the long run. My initial plan after graduating was to work at the Carter's headquarters here in Atlanta and use the skills I learned in college there, but surprisingly my degree is literally working for me and my brand.

JM : It's quite remarkable how everything turned out for you! Now as for your brand and your channel on YouTube, do you see either of those things being continued in your future or do you see them as just for right now? Do you have long-term goals for your channel or your brand? Is there more you want to do as you get older?

IL : As of right now, I do see myself continuing to create social media content as long as I can and grow my channel and brand as much as I possibly can and see where that takes me. As I get older I definitely want to continue living life, I want to travel and experience that lifestyle because I'm a true "home body" 😂.

JM : That makes two of us sis 💀 I rarely wanna leave the house. I'm loving the goals you set for yourself as far as your content & brand go. How do you define success?

IL : I personally define success as getting to the point where the money you make is working for you now and being able to build generation wealth.

JM : I love it. Simple & straight to the point. Ms. Iyana Le'Shea, thank you so much for your time today and for giving me the honor and the privilege of speaking with you! I look forward to the content I see from you in the future & hopefully it comes with an abundance of paid partnerships!!

IL : I am honored thank you so much for the opportunity to interview with you! Keep up the amazing work!🙏🏻

Links & Socials

YouTube : Iyana LeShea

Instagram : @iyana_leshea

Twitter : @IyanaLeshea

Iyana LeShea Illustrations :

Website:https://iyanalesheaillustrations.com/

Instagram : @iyana.leshea_illustrations