MY STORY
How I went from social media side hustler to full-time creator and entrepreneur
Hi! I’m Austen, an entrepreneur, creator and consultant based in New York City.
I love helping creators, influencers and business owners show up authentically online, communicate their unique value to their clients and customers and make consistent income from their social media presence.
In 2012, I started my blog Keep Calm and Chiffon as a way to document my outfits over a summer.
Now, almost a decade later, I’m still blogging and creating content and I’m teaching others how to do the same.
I’ve built an online community of 90,000+ across my platforms sharing beauty, fashion and lifestyle content.
As a creator, I’ve partnered with brands like The New York Times, Kohl’s, Glossier, Walmart, HelloFresh and more on sponsored content and have been quoted in Business Insider, Forbes, Business of Fashion, and Adweek discussing the business of influence. I’ve also been a guest on several industry podcasts and have spoken on numerous panels and workshops.
I support creatives through free content on my social media accounts (also known as #tipsbyausten), an affordable monthly membership community hosted on Patreon, and one-on-one consulting and coaching sessions with tailored strategies to help them create quality content, build an engaged audience, and thrive online.
I have previously worked as a magazine editor at Nylon and Interview, and I also went on to work as the beauty content director at a tech startup. My prior professional experience informs every element of my content creation and gives me a unique 360 degree perspective of this industry.
I graduated from Barnard College in New York City with a BA in art history.
“While working tirelessly on Interview’s print issues, Austen also constantly pitched ideas for the website. As Interview’s former Senior Online Editor, I worked with Austen on her weekly column Clothes on Film, where she profiled costume designers about the iconic looks they created for memorable films, as well as larger features. She always met deadlines and was receptive to feedback.” - Trey Taylor, US editor at The Face
"Partnering with Austen was such a delight! I worked with Austen on a social media campaign and she was very communicative, approachable, and creative. If you are looking for a freelancer to partner with, Austen is the person! Not only did she meet deadlines but she also promoted our products in an authentic and organic way." - Emma Grace, Assistant Manager of Community at Fur
“After connecting with Austen on social media back in 2015 to send her some Social Sunday merchandise, we began to talk more and more and I hired her on as our freelance blog editor in 2018. In the year that Austen worked with Social Sunday, she also took over our brand copywriting and worked across platforms from email marketing to product descriptions to keep our voice consistent and unique. She communicates clearly, meets deadlines, and is always looking for ways to improve what we’re doing.” - Sam Sisca, founder of Social Sunday
“Austen is the greatest! She first contributed a piece to Making it in Manhattan about getting laid off from her job and she’s written for us ever since. She’s an incredible writer with an unbeatable work ethic. She’s incredibly creative and always brings a fresh and interesting perspective to everything she does. Plus her knowledge of the industry makes her one-of-a-kind.” - Caroline Vazzana, fashion influencer and author of Making it in Manhattan
“Austen is fantastic and I am so glad to have booked in for a consulting session with her. I was a bit nervous beforehand that I wouldn’t convey my idea well but Austen made me feel so comfortable and it truly felt like just being out for a coffee with a friend. By the end of my session, Austen had helped me to compile so much to launch my idea. I can’t recommend her enough and I am so excited to book in for future sessions.” - Vanese Maddix, Freelance Beauty & Lifestyle Writer
If you’d like to leave Austen a testimonial, please fill out this form.
Website photos shot by Jessie Alcheh
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