Today we’d like to introduce you to Ingrid Fucella.
Hi Ingrid, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am Slovakian-Hungarian and moved from Germany about 16 years ago with my husband (who is American) and my year and a half daughter. Not speaking the language at all, I have thought myself and within six months I have landed a job in a cafe and within a year I became a manager of that cafe. Fast forward a few years, we moved to the Mount Dora area and I have landed a job in a spa. That is when people started pointing out that I’m always overdressed, which to me made absolutely no sense. I was just dressing up for the job (or so I thought), wanting to present myself well and also dressing up made me feel good.
Also, to me, I was just dressing European, what I knew, what my mom thought me. So to me, that is normal. The girls started telling me that I a was so fashion-forward I should start a blog. Which sounded like a good idea but also scary. I wasn’t confident about writing the blog since I didn’t learn the language in school. After a while I gave in, set up my blog (I had no idea what I was doing). Had a cheap camera and my husband took the photos. Started my Instagram account as well about the same time. Of course, I didn’t gain as many followers as I hoped for right away, like big-time bloggers, but they did come eventually. I also started collaborating with small businesses and I am still doing that on my Instagram. I think for me, my breakthrough was when H&M commented on one of my photos and wanted to use it in their marketing. I have also moved on from the Spa and working for a non-profit organization as their design consultant and event coordinator. And because of my job, I don’t have a lot of time for my blog (I’m taking a little break) but still active on Instagram. My latest collaborations are with a European jewelry company and an Australian cosmetic company. Fashion will be in my life no matter what; dressing up is in my blood, I can’t shake it off
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It was never a smooth road. Gaining followers is hard. Especially if you don’t have the time or the funds to keep up with the big-time bloggers. And in the beginning, I had a language barrier.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work for a senior non-profit organization. I am the design consultant and event coordinator. I help seniors with the design aspect of their new home. Like picking out finishes. We are building a second community and my involvement is huge in that. And I also coordinate events. I love doing both. I use my fashion sense in both areas.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I would say three things: My ability to work with people, my attention to detail and my work ethic.
Contact Info:
- Email: ingridfucella@gmail.com
- Website: mylifeinstilettos.com
- Instagram: My.life.in.stilettos
