Shana T shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Shana, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are really about creating balance. I make it a point not to scroll on social media or check emails right away because that used to leave me feeling drained before the day even started. Instead, I put on subliminals or affirmations while I move through my morning. As I brush my teeth, do my skincare, and get dressed for work, I let those positive words and sounds set the tone. I also take a few minutes to breathe, meditate, or simply be present and notice my surroundings. Even something as small as the sunlight coming in or the sound of my dog moving around helps ground me. Making space for that quiet, intentional time, even while I am getting ready for work, has shifted my whole energy. I walk out the door calmer, happier, and ready to take on whatever is waiting for me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Shana! I create user-generated content that mixes my love for beauty, lifestyle, and a little bit of travel magic. I like to think of my content as real life but prettier, the kind of content people can actually relate to while still feeling aspirational. I started creating because I love sharing products, experiences, and little tips that make life feel a little brighter, and now I am building a brand around that same energy.
What makes my work different is that I bring my own perspective to everything I create. I have traveled a lot, and I use that eye for storytelling to make every piece of content feel personal, fun, and authentic. Right now I am focused on combining beauty and lifestyle with travel so that every brand I work with gets content that is not just seen but remembered.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
The person who saw me clearly before I could see myself is definitely my mom. She has supported me in every single thing I have ever wanted to do in life and would literally break her back to make sure I got to experience the things I dreamed of. From encouraging me to follow my passions, to always reminding me that I was capable of more than I thought, she has been my biggest cheerleader. She is truly the definition of the sky is the limit, and her belief in me has shaped so much of who I am today. Because of her, I learned to trust myself, take risks, and aim higher than I ever thought possible.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back the most in my life is definitely my social anxiety. It’s made me miss out on networking opportunities, and I’ve never considered myself the best conversationalist. For a long time, I even hesitated to post content because I was worried about putting myself out there. Looking back, I realize I held myself back from growing faster in my content journey. But now, posting and creating content is actually helping me come out of my shell. Every video I make, every idea I share, pushes me a little further and makes me more confident in myself. I’m still learning, still growing, but I love that the process is teaching me to trust myself and enjoy the journey. It’s slow, but it’s exciting, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the social media and UGC marketing world tells itself is that you have to be perfect to succeed. People act like every post needs to be flawless, every video has to be viral, and every brand partnership has to be a huge deal. The truth is, the content that really connects is the stuff that feels real and authentic. Another lie is that growth happens overnight. I’ve seen so many creators stress about follower counts or likes, but building a brand is a journey, and consistency, creativity, and showing up for yourself matter way more than any algorithm. Learning to ignore those “rules” and focus on what actually works for me and my audience has been a total game changer.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Absolutely, I feel like I’m finally doing what I was born to do. Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be on TV. In elementary school, I auditioned for shows, actually got to be on TV, and in high school I went to acting and modeling school. I always dreamed of being famous or at least notable, but it clearly wasn’t the right time. Later, I modeled in college and kept creating content, even as a kid I was always messing around with videos for YouTube. I was always interested in putting myself out there, but I was also timid and worried about what people thought.
Now, I’m making content for social media and UGC, and while I’m not famous, there’s something about scrolling through and seeing my face pop up in random places that feels like my little taste of it. It’s exciting, validating, and honestly just fun. I feel like I’m finally living out that part of myself that’s always wanted to be seen, and I’m loving the process.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ugcbyshana.my.canva.site/ugc-by-shana
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ugcbyshana/
- Other: Tik Tok: www.tiktok.com/simply.shanaa
Image Credits
Eshana Thornton
