Today we’d like to introduce you to Rose Simeus
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hi,
My name is Rose and I was born in Port-de-paix, Haiti. I came to the United States at 4 years old with my father. Thank you to my grandfather, Sermy, and mother, Alourde, for taking the initiative to send me overseas. I grew up with my aunt, father, cousins, and grandparents in Miami. I was raised by my aunt, Verdithe. I knew I didn’t want to be the typical doctor, lawyer, or engineer very early on.
I graduated from University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s in Hospitality Management in 2018. This degree allowed me to gain the business knowledge and social skills necessary to become a successful business leader. I knew I wanted to be a business woman but didn’t know how I was going to get there. I was obsessed with watching YouTube vlogs and make up tutorials in college. I got lots of questions on my hair growth tips, my scents, my fitness routine, etc. My number one compliment is you always smell so good. What do you use or wear? How do you make it last and project. My aunt, Tata, loves to say “I know when you are here or have stopped by. I can smell you before I see you. You leave your scent on my pillows, blankets and in the house when you leave.” One day, I said that’s it. I can do exactly what these girls are doing with my own twist. I can gain a genuine rider die community who can eventually support me in my future business ventures. I didn’t know I could monetize my recommendations/knowledge. This was an actual job/skill. You can make millions simply being you and sharing.Word of mouth goes a long way. I naturally would share what I use, love, tips/tricks, etc. I spent a little over a year researching marketing and the business side of content creation before uploading my first video. I started content creating during the start of COVID. I had a lot of free time and always wanted to start a YouTube channel. I didn’t have my 9-5 anymore so it was go time. The world was in shambles and news was draining. YouTube was my escape from reality. It was a time to catch up with my faves and see what they were up to. I love all things beauty and self care. From there, I started uploading strictly hair care videos but there was something missing. I had more to offer than just hair care. I love makeup, skincare, perfume, beauty treatments and services, health and wellness. My personality couldn’t really show itself so I jumped into lifestyle vlogs while still incorporating aspects of beauty that I love. I now get to showcase my life through a slightly curated lens thanks to video editing. I make passive income while doing something that doesn’t feel like work. I love seeing what’s in my brain come to life on a screen.
I have worked with so many brands like Dossier, Merit Beauty, Filter baby, Firmoo, etc.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth ride at all. I had to pivot from doing just hair care videos because I noticed the natural hair movement died down around this time. People had other needs and wants during COVID. We weren’t going anywhere and didn’t know the future of our lives. We needed entertainment so I jumped to lifestyle content. It allowed more flexibility with video ideas and freedom. I could easily pivot with life changes. I wasn’t tied down to just doing my hair. That gets exhausting when you feel boxed into always having to do that one thing. I gained a pretty quick following showcasing my life while still incorporating hair care, beauty, and fashion into it. I also lost a huge chunk of those who initially subscribed for just hair care. But I knew God had better plans. A minor setback for a major comeback. And he did!
While all of this is happening, I lost my grandma, grandfather, and recently my significant other. My grandma was my little bestie. We used to chat and gossip about random things. Especially her kids lol! It was a very life altering experience especially losing my significant other. This really shattered my heart into a million pieces and I didn’t want to continue. Being with someone the week before and seeing them gone the next week was unbearable. I just saw you. I just spoke to you. How are you gone? Life stopped and everything was moving in slow motion. I still had to show up despite grieving. The bills didn’t stop and life was still lifeing. The out of body experience was very foreign. It’s almost as if I was floating in an alternate universe. I didn’t see how I was going to make it through. Like how was life going to continue. Everyday feels like yesterday. What’s my purpose? I no longer wanted to pick up a camera and be this happy person anymore. Crying nonstop everyday and just feeling sad 24/7. It wasn’t a good feeling. I almost stopped YouTube. My engagement suffered and so did my content. Surprisingly, I only lost a handful of supporters due to not posting. I had to shake up myself and get back to it. We made it this far. I cannot stop now. What are you doing Rose!!! You are counting on yourself and still have life. You have a group of people looking forward to your videos. Life happens for you and not to you. There will be trials and tribulations but it’s how you handle them that matters. Everything you are going through has a purpose. I prayed about it and God gave me strength, clarity and peace to keep going. It’s still an ongoing struggle everyday. I have days where I just cry because I miss this person so much but it’s beyond my control.
Imposter syndrome is something I struggle with daily. Trying to be so perfect all the time and thinking what I put out isn’t good enough. If the video didn’t come out like I envisioned, I’ll scratch it. Not a good way to go about that. Just post the content. Need to be confident in my work and skills. Also, I have a tendency to compare my progress to my peers. My motto now is what’s for me will not miss me and will always be on time. Keep pushing, learning, and sharing. You only get better with time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My 9-5 work is as a DME coordinator for catastrophic worker’s comp cases. I handle all of their equipment needs and essentially is a case manager for their files.
With content creation, I film my day to day life but try to make it more cinematic/aesthetically pleasing with b roll footage. This is a series of clips put together to showcase what I am experiencing in the moment. I try to do a balance of montages and talking segments. My main focus is living a healthy balanced lifestyle, internally and externally, with emphasis on sharing high quality clean products/services with my audience. I share my daily supplements, skin care, hygiene routine, perfume scent combos, groceries, etc. Always putting people onto things that they didn’t know they needed. On the weekends, this is when I really focus on my content. I bring my supports along with me so they can see what I do on my free time while sharing products/services that I love. I record 80% of my life while trying to keep certain things private like relationships. By now I know what to record and not. Over sharing is a thing and people become entitled. Have to have boundaries from the beginning or else content will control you. I love to showcase what Orlando has to offer and share the best of the best as far as places to eat, hang out, beauty services, juice bars, products, etc. It’s never a dull moment living where people vacation.
I would bulk record videos and edit them in the two days that I have off. Some weekends I actually will have family obligations and things to do outside of YouTube. Other weekends, I would search for things to do so that I can have something to post. I also do dedicated videos for like make up, perfume, routines, etc. I get to work with brands and showcase their products. I get a lot of free products and services. It has to make sense for my brand though or else I’m not accepting or reviewing it. Most are products I’m already using, want to try or are new. A lot of the work I do is commission based and/or promo in exchange for product. I will land paid partnerships here and there which is always good. You will get paid a set amount to produce deliverables. This can be x amount of videos, photos, reviews, short or long form, dedicated videos, mentions, etc. I also love to travel so I like to record my vacations to bring my supports along and share my itinerary. It gets a little tricky when you are deciding what to film and not to film. Some vacations I don’t want to have to worry about getting the right shot. I just want to live in the moment and be present. But then I feel guilty because I’m like this is something I could have posted and have in my archive to look back on. I am my photographer, director, editor, make up artist, hairstylist, etc. It’s a one man show here. Team no sleep. The ultimate goal is to do content creation full time and as a full on business.
What matters most to you? Why?
My peace, spiritual relationship with God and creating memories with my loved ones. Peace is the most beautiful feeling ever as this allows you to be less stressed and more focused internally. Without inner peace you cannot function. Your life will be chaotic and on edge. I hate feeling anxious and overwhelmed all the time. A sense of peace allows for balance. God is at the center of everything I do. This relationship allows me to see and operate in my purpose. I can get clarity on my life, vision, and serenity. He has shown me time and time that I’m on the right path and trials will happen. It’s all in preparation for the greater good. Also, creating memories with my loved ones always me to have something to look back on when it’s all said and done. Pictures, videos and mental imagery is all you will have to look back at and smile. Once all of these things are in line then I’m able to walk in my purpose and give to the world what I was put on here to do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaelle_19?igsh=Nzl2dHBwMjZpbDU5&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RoseSimeus
