They are young, fashionable and successful. We had a tête-à-tête with the #reigningqueens of Social Media.
**By PALLAVI MAJUMDER**
—
### SANTOSHI SHETTY
*(Photo Credit: Mohit Varu)*
An architect by qualification, Santoshi Shetty is the founder of blog, *The Styledge*. Inadvertently building a blogging career from scratch, it was never planned, she says. Her blog is interactive, fashionable and documents her travels.
**Instagram Followers: 5,62,000**
**What are the three things, anyone starting as a blogger should know?**
The one thing that everyone really needs to know is that this job is not all glamour and glitz. It is fun, exciting and grants you exposure to a variety of things, places, but is hard work and there are challenges to be faced every day. Expecting instant success is also not a good way to look at it, rising in this field like in any other will take time, effort and will power.
**Who inspires you?**
People like Negin Mirsalehi, Chiara Ferragni and Priyanka Chopra inspire me to be the real girl boss.
**What have you learnt from setbacks?**
There is nothing that I consider a failure, because I take everything as a learning experience. Working with brands and PR companies does give you a direction and also helps you rectify the things which did not go well for you in the past.
Through my journey, I have also learnt to say NO to a lot of people and collaborations and it has given me a better understanding of what I really like doing. This helps improve my content.
**What does a typical day in your week looks like?**
A typical day is full of shoots, preparing looks and keeping a tab on new trends or styles. If I am travelling, it involves a different way of working as I am meeting people, working on new collaborations, figuring out content for the blog and keeping myself updated.
**What keeps you going when things get tough in your business?**
My friends and family. They are my backbone and give me a reality check when things get too hectic.
**What would you say is the number one key to success in your business?**
Being genuine, confident and true to yourself.
**What would you do differently if you were starting in your industry now?**
Nothing really. Like I said, it is a process of learning, and you will only learn from your own journey and get better with it in time. I am very grateful about how everything started off for me.
**What are your three favorite tools for doing something your audience cares about?**
I like working with applications such as VSCO, Huji and Glitché. They help me create content that stands out from most of the crowd.
—
### AKANKSHA REDHU
*(Photo Credit: Aman Godara)*
Akanksha Redhu is content creator and digital marketeer. She has collaborated with a number of Indian and international brands such as Chanel, Renault Motors, Samsung, Westin Hotels, Amazon, Coach, Estée Lauder etc.
**Instagram Followers: 1,31,000**
**What are the three things, anyone starting in your industry, needs to know?**
Creating the best content consistently will always see you through, no matter how saturated the market may seem. You can create great content even by yourself, without hiring professional photographers or running into debts by shopping the best brands to build your image. Being professional, courteous and having basic manners should be your first step.
**Who all have had the most influence on your growth and why?**
There is no one who has had such an impact on my growth except for Naina Redhu, who is a leading luxury photography and digital branding expert in India, and also happens to be my sister. She is a constant bubble of energy. I have never understood how she channels it. I think some of that energy rubs off on me and inspires me to do more.
**Talk about your failures. What did you learn from them?**
I don’t look at any of my past experiences as failures, even when things don’t work according to my plan. I always came out smarter and more experienced than before. I know it sounds clichéd but it really does make you who you are.
**What does a typical day in your week looks like?**
No two days have ever been the same for me, which is why I haven’t yet tired of what I do. I knew a week into my first and only 9-5 job that I was not meant for it. It took me nine months to quit but it is one of the best decisions I ever made. A typical day would involve a meeting or two, phone calls, lots of e-mails, time spent on the laptop editing photographs and drafting blog posts or shooting a campaign/outfit, taking some time out for a workout, getting some Netflix and beer and some family time.
**What keeps you going when things get tough in your business?**
I save my money so having a few tough months in a year doesn’t bother me. It gives me time to work on myself, focus more on my workouts and health, have more time for my family, and travel. Honestly, things have not gotten that tough in my business yet and there is still plenty of space for more!
**What would you say is the number one key to success in your business?**
Respecting your time as well as the time of others and realising the value of your work.
> “CREATING THE BEST CONTENT CONSISTENTLY WILL ALWAYS SEE YOU THROUGH, NO MATTER HOW SATURATED THE MARKET MAY SEEM.”
**What are your 3 favorite tools for doing something your audience cares about?**
I prefer to work mostly on Instagram after my blog. Instagram is very popular not only with the followers but also with clients. In fact, over the last couple of years I have seen a major shift from brands wanting to be featured on the blog along with other social media platforms to just wanting to be featured on Instagram as it is a lot quicker, content is consumed faster and the interest of your audience is also gauged quickly.
—
### AIEN JAMIR
*(Photo Credit: Rawky Ksh)*
Stylepreneur is the word that best describes Aien Jamir. From starting her online store AJ-Store on Facebook, to being the face of Fashion and I, Aien has done it all. There is no stopping this lady as her unique eye for fashion, style and beauty have made remarkable waves. She has worked with a plethora of global brands such as Gap, Nike, Adidas, H&M, Bobbi Bown, Aeropostale etc.
**Instagram Followers: 60,000**
**What are the three things, anyone starting in your industry, needs to know?**
Ask yourself why you want to start a blog, find your niche and create good content.
**Which people or books have had the most influence on your growth and why?**
The Olsen Twins were the two individuals who introduced me to the world of styling, layering, fashion and personal style.
Other than that, Andy Torres from Style Scrapbook, Nicole Warne from Gary Pepper Girl and Denni Elias from Chicmuse introduced me to blogging. These three individuals were the forces who actually made blogging a full time business. Rest of the crowd just followed. So I give huge credits to them
**Talk about your failures. What did you learn from them?**
I cannot pin point just one incident as such but with each failure I have managed to learn and improve my personal and professional lifestyle.
**What does a typical day in your week looks like?**
It depends from week to week.
When I take too many campaigns and collaborations, I’m basically running around sourcing/returning outfits, location hunting and shooting back to back (I have sometimes done three shoots in a day for different campaigns).
And when it’s slow, I invest my time working on new DIY projects and watching makeup tutorials on YouTube.
**What keeps you going when things get tough in your business?**
I remind myself why I started in the first place.
I focus on things I can control and then I get back up, work around or through it. There is only so little that we can actually control in this world. Do things that matter. And I keep reminding myself how much there is to be grateful for.
**What would you say is the number one key to success in your business?**
I would say being consistent and true to oneself is that key.
**What would you do differently if you were starting in your industry now?**
I always regret not being able to pitch the monetary collaboration sooner with the clients. Sadly, blogging as a full-time profession in India took a while to catch up with the rest of the world.
**What are your 3 favorite tools for doing something your audience cares about?**
I like working with applications such as VSCO, Photo Grid, Inshot as most of my work involves editing and making my photos stand out.
—
### KAVYA TREHAN
*(Photo Credit: Aastha Manchanda)*
Kavya Trehan is a multi-talented creative from Delhi. She has dabbled into films, television, collaborated with various Indian artists and designers. She has toured India with her dance and grime band Mosko.
**Instagram followers: 21,899**
**What are the three things, anyone starting in your industry, needs to know?**
First, you must know the power of self motivation and use it at its optimal level. Second, being yourself is the biggest boon and finally, never stop pushing the envelope, creatively.
**Who all have had the most influence on your growth and why?**
My mother is perhaps the biggest reason behind me wanting to push myself and grow up, so that I can provide her the life she truly deserves.
**Talk about your failures. What did you learn from them?**
I have had many small failures, and I salute them because I wouldn’t have the fire in my belly without them. One of the main ones was when I was rejected from colleges that I was applying to, post which I realised how I wanted to be my own boss for the upcoming years. That is a trait one must learn and develop in order to dedicate their lives to all creative forms of expression.
**What does a typical day in your week looks like?**
I like cuddling with my cat who loves to sleep in the bathroom, have oats for breakfast garnished with fruits and then spending hours on end in my home studio jumping from composing songs, to YouTube tutorials to learning new tricks. I keep a keen eye on various performances and always make time for the special people in my life.
**What keeps you going when things get tough in your business?**
I am not an angel. I tear paper, curse and work out to get the bad jujus out of my system. I have learnt to bounce back and approach what I want to from different angles. I also have a group of very close knit friends, who I am lucky to consult during such gloomy days.
**What would you say is the number one key to success in your business?**
Allowing all bizarre ideas to come to fruition, because they are too original to be wasted. Originality is key.
> “I SALUTE MY FAILURES, BECAUSE WITHOUT THEM, I WOULDN’T HAVE THAT FIRE IN MY BELLY TO SUCCEED.”
**What would you do differently if you were starting in your industry now?**
Maybe, not listen to what others have to say and just always trust my first instinct.
**What are your three favorite tools for doing something your audience cares about?**
Instagram, Soundcloud and live in concert because I’m a musician.
