Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Mone Knight
Hi Danielle Mone, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
One day in high school my mom and I went shopping at Forever21, and I’ll never forget they were giving out these little magazines/brochures with each purchase, and it highlighted a few different bloggers. I found it so interesting and looked up their websites and told my mom, “I can do this!” I love putting together outfits for myself and my friends and even for my mom and thought I could photograph those outfits and link the pieces I was showcasing and post them! That same weekend I created my first fashion blog, which evolved into xoxodaniellemone.com and as of lately has somewhat taken a backseat to my Instagram page @xoxodaniellemone.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, especially with all the changes over the years in algorithms and whatnot! I think it’s important to realize that, from when I started my blog as a 15 or 16 year old to now at 32, so much of my life, style, and just overall who I am has changed, and when you build a following or a brand online, you have people who want to grow with you and people who are only interested in the season of your life in which they found you. I think having to come to the realization of that and be okay with it can be difficult, especially when it shows in your engagement or follower count, but truthfully, it’s just part of the ebbs and flows of creating and/or running a social brand, blog, page, etc. I know it sounds like a cliché, but it’s so true when people say social media has really given us a warped sense of reality. Online people feel that 30 or 50 or even 100 likes isn’t enough, but if you got dressed and even just 10 people complimented your outfit throughout the day, you’d be ecstatic! I know I would! I say that to say you just have to keep yourself in check and keep things in perspective.
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?
I think at this point I would call myself a content creator, but I started as a fashion blogger, which led me into fashion and lifestyle blogging, and eventually, as I moved away from my website more to Instagram and other social networks, I settled into content creation. I create content in the fashion and lifestyle niche, so lots of outfit of the days, shoppable graphics, sharing local restaurants my husband and I love, and beauty recommendations! I think I’m most proud of having worked with brands I love and building relationships with other creators I admire. I think there’s a lot that sets me apart from others, yet when I look at ad campaigns and brand trips, etc., I often think there’s minimal or no girls that look like me, yet I follow so many amazing Black content creators within the fashion and lifestyle niche. I think we all have something that makes our way of creating content unique, and I’m just happy to be able to share mine with everyone.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
This is actually a funny question to me for so many reasons! My husband is from Orlando (if you ask him, one of the only people here who was actually born here), and I often would say Orlando is so boring; I’m so over it! But that has recently started to change with the influx of amazing dining spaces and small boutiques that have been popping up all over! My new motto is tell me you’re coming to Orlando for a long weekend, and I can build you a full itinerary of places to go, dishes to order, and things to do! Looking to put together an amazing outfit and go have an aesthetic drink? Head over to The Moderne, do some shopping for a friend’s birthday gift in Ivanhoe at Miscellaneous Market or Yay Tiny Shop, get some amazing glassware or a fun birthday card at Gold Dust Home, and visit Tartini Pizzeria for the BEST chicken parmigiana I’ve ever had! There truly is something here for everyone, but how DIABOLICAL is the traffic! I could definitely do without that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://xoxodaniellemone.com
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@xoxodaniellemone
