Today we’d like to introduce you to Amelia Riley.
Amelia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always hated being told “no” or that I couldn’t do something. This became a driving force for me as I got older and began to discover what I wanted my life to look like. I have always had a passion for photography, creative spaces, and fashion, and I started to channel that into expressing myself on social media. As my personal Instagram started growing, I realized I could expand my ideas to help others. I was working a job that I was incredibly unhappy at and was always told I would need to go back to school and obtain a marketing degree in order to be successful in what I was so desperate to pursue. In 2021 at 25 years old, I took a leap of faith to pursue my greatest passion as a content creator and social media manager and founded Modern Muse Creatives allowing me to combine my many interests into one creative outlet. Now, Modern Muse’s clientele includes a variety of businesses and multiple local entrepreneurs who not only trust me to grow their online presence within social media but also curate their brand visually. Through content creation and social media management, I have been given a space to provide my creative expression as a service to and for others. My business was born on the foundation that I always was told “no,” so I took my ideas, created a business, and proved them wrong.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to getting to where I am today wasn’t always easy. I worked in many different fields, from health care to service and fashion, before allowing myself to even toy with the idea of the brand I always wanted. I knew that a career in social media wasn’t conventional, and many people didn’t understand the impact it can have, especially older generations. I put my two weeks in at my full-time job without having any other jobs lined up, and I certainly didn’t have any clients yet. I had nothing but faith in myself, my work ethic and talents, and a gut feeling that it was the right time. The very next day, Michelle Leal who is my hair stylist and part owner/founder of Leal Marston Salon, told me that she had a client that was looking for someone to help her with her social media. Her client’s name was Liz, and I met with her for a meeting just a few days later. Liz became my first client and now, many clients later, I also work with Leal Marston Salon. It always makes me emotional thinking of how I got my career started because it was purely based on my relationship with others, that they so strongly believed in me and recognized my talents for what they are worth.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
The bulk of my work is in photography and videography for different Instagram accounts. My clients range from realtors and fashion bloggers to hair and bridal salons. I think what separates me from others is that I really take the time to curate a brand/feed that is unique to the business/person. My editing styles, color schemes, and overall “feel” are different for each. For every new account, I take the time to create mood boards and include content ideas to send to the client to make sure we are on the same page about the direction we want to take before getting started. This is probably my favorite part of my process! All of my clients give me full creative control, and to have that level of trust with people’s businesses is truly an honor; that is something I’m most proud of.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I would say that if you’re passionate about something, no matter how silly it may sound to others, always speak up and voice your aspirations. You never know who could be listening. That’s essentially how I got started! Through word of mouth, I have grown my clientele tremendously in the past year and a half. I’m very blessed that I have yet to seek out additional clients; they have all found me one way or another. It’s never too late, and you’re never too old to pursue your dreams! Put in the work, and you will be rewarded, always.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/amelia_riley @modernmusecreatives
