SHE DID IT: HOW PRIMROSE OF STYLE PETAL TURNED HER BLOG INTO HER CAREER Giorgia Guazzarotti

Hello gorgeous,

welcome to “She Did It”, an interview series highlighting women who are rocking it online. These women aren’t afraid to go after their dreams, pursue their passions and do it in style. I hope they’ll inspire you, as much as they inspire me. 🙂

First up, Primrose of Style Petal. Primrose is proof you don’t need a million Instagram followers to turn blogging into your full time career (although I’m sure she’ll get there. 😉 ).

After “spamming” her Instagram followers with countless outfits and lipsticks photos, Primrose took the leap and started her blog, Style Petal. Originally a fashion diary, it has evolved into a lifestyle blog that showcases Primrose’s many passions, from makeup to travel and fitness.

But her mission runs deeper than that: Primrose is determined to inspire a generation of millennials to live the life they love, on their own terms.

Here, Primrose shares her journey as a lifestyle blogger, the challenges she encountered along the way and her habits for success:

1. What is your dream and how are you currently living it out?

I guess I’ve just always wanted to live a life where I love what I do and that’s definitely what I feel like I’m starting to do! I’m a firm believer in doing what you love and what you’re passionate about – life’s too short for anything else and as long as I’m doing what I love – I’m a happy girl! I’m currently working for myself in a job that I suppose I essentially created for myself! It’s not without it’s ups and downs but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

2. What steps did you take to get started in the beginning?

When I started blogging there definitely wasn’t as many opportunities as there are now to earn money, it’s amazing how it’s come along and how creatives are being recognised for their talent and influence, regardless of size of following! The best thing I ever did to start living the way I do is to just START! You can’t live a life or a dream if you don’t start somewhere in creating that! Whatever it is you want to do, take the first, small steps today to make sure you’re on track. Even with small progress I feel so accomplished and inspired!

3. What challenges did you face to pursue your dream and how did you overcome them?

It’s difficult to know what’s wrong, what’s right, or who to trust. With blogging there are no guidelines, no short cuts and no straight forward way to really go about things! A lot of it is learning through doing, even if it means you make a few mistakes along the way. I’ve come to learn that a lot of lessons in life need to be learnt through experiencing them for yourself. The most important things I’ve learnt have been through going through a bit of a crappy patch – it’s what makes you stronger, more resilient and smart; you come out the other end even better for it. Everything happens for a reason after all, or at least that’s what I tell myself and what pulls me through!

I’m a firm believer in doing what you love and what you’re passionate about – life’s too short for anything else!

4. What mindset shifts did you have to go through to turn your dream into a reality?

That sometimes it’s not as straightforward as you think and sometimes can’t have a timeline put on them – it’s good to have goals but don’t beat yourself up about not accomplishing something by a certain time. I’ve also learnt about the importance of mistakes, bad decisions and learning from them in order to improve yourself and your work!

5. How do you deal with fears and self-doubt?

One day I can feel on top of the world and the next plagued with doubt – I think it’s only human. It’s all too easy to compare your work to those of others, especially with blogging – I know myself and a lot of friends all have patches of feeling not good enough, not creative enough and not innovative enough. I think it’s important to feel this way sometimes and pull yourself back together and motivate yourself even more! After I’ve moped around feeling a bit useless or uncreative, I find I bounce back 10x better!

6. When did you realise you had made it?

I don’t really think that I will ever think to myself that I’ve ‘made it’ – I think every day is different, sometimes you question if you’re good enough, doing enough and others you feel super pleased with all that you’ve accomplished so far and where you’re heading. I like that I’m not too comfortable though, it keeps me on my toes, keeps me striving and aspiring to constantly become better and grow.

7. What personal characteristic helped you the most in achieving your dream?

100% my passion and drive – I’m super stubborn and I won’t let anyone tell me I can’t do anything. You deserve to live an incredible life that you want to live, so create it and believe it. I believe I can do anything, I always will and I think that constant drive is what fuels me through the good days and bad days. You can achieve anything you put your mind to but make sure it’s what your passionate about. It’s a lot easier to be inspired when you reach for what you truly love – I could never settle into anything I hate, because our careers are huge parts of our life and if I was unhappy in that, I’d probably be an unhappy person. I want to wake up in the morning feeling excited and happy and that’s what I ultimately want everyday.

Lightening Round

Fave personal development/business book: I love Girl Boss – that’s totally cliche but a very inspiring read!
Inspiration: Meryl Streep is just incredible, she didn’t let set backs knock her down and built herself up instead.
Mantra to live by: “You could be the juiciest peach in the world and there will still be someone who hates peaches” – Just do you, unapologetically.
Breakfast: I love smashed avocado and poached eggs on rye toast – totally cliche again, but I could live off of that for the rest of my life!
Fave app: Probably, definitely Instagram! Despite the algorithm craziness it’s where it all started for me 6 years ago! I’ve met so many amazing people I call friends from Instagram!

8. Do you have any daily habits or rituals that have set you up for success?

This is super cliche but lists really are invaluable! Also having notebooks constantly in your bag or desk for midnight scribbles and ideas is always amazing! I get inspired at really strange moments and if those ideas aren’t jotted down they’ll probably be lost. Strike while the iron is hot and writing your dreams and ideas down when you’re inspired is 1000x easier than forcing it out. Being self employed is a bit weird coming out of school and from waitressing jobs where you’re constantly being told what to do, so I find making myself to-do lists for the day and week really help me stay on track and wake up with a purpose.

9. What are three lessons you’ve learned on your journey?

My biggest lesson is always trust your instinct – I’ve followed things through that I had a funny feeling about and have ended up having to deal with stuff I didn’t really want, if you’re not sure – ask questions and it’s okay to say no!

Secondly, surround yourself with a really good circle of people who have your back, believe in you and you trust. In difficult times you’ll want to vent to someone and when you’re plagued with self doubt they’ll be the ones to pick you up and remind you of why you’re doing this.

Thirdly, I’ve learn to grow a pair and sometimes tell people how it is and chase things up. I’m a bit of a walkover and a people pleaser, but there’s only so much advantage people can take of you before you need to put your foot down. Know your worth and don’t settle for anything you’re not happy with!

PRIMROSE’S BLOGGING TIPS

Just start – whenever anyone asks me advice I just tell them to start! Stop thinking about doing it, stop waiting for it to be perfect and just start. A blog will grow and change with you and will forever be a work in progress, but that’s the exciting part!

Also set up social media platforms for you blog too – make yourself accessible and above all – do it for you and write about what you love!

10. What advice would you give to other women who want to become bloggers?

Do it! I have absolutely no idea what my life would be without my blog. I’m not saying you have to make it your career – that’s the beauty of blogging – YOU make the rules. You want to earn money from it? Go out and do it! You can make anything happen with perseverance and passion. Want to keep it lighthearted and a hobby? Amazing – blogging is such an amazing outlet for feelings and really improves my happiness, even when I’m feeling down. Writing and creating is so therapeutic! Figure out what you’re passionate about and what you’d like to write about and do it! You’ll meet the most amazing people along the way – the internet is an amazing place, connecting our world and like minds together!

Thank you, Primrose!

Don’t forget to visit Primrose’s blog, Style Petal. You can also catch up with her on Youtube, Instagram and Twitter.

With love,