How I went from social media side hustler to full-time creator and entrepreneur
Hi! I’m Austen, a digital content creator, podcaster and entrepreneur based in Hoboken, NJ and New York City.
I’m on a journey to build a life I love and I’m documenting it all online. I love helping people tap into their creativity and find ways to get paid to do what they love through my content, products and services.
I’m what you might call a recovering girl boss who is now prioritizing being balanced instead of being busy.
The world of social media can feel fast-paced and overwhelming but I believe in building a business with multiple income streams, focusing on one platform at a time and focusing on feel-good content instead of vanity metrics.
My creative journey started in 2012 with the launch of my blog, Keep Calm in Chiffon (which I still contribute to each month!) and you can now find me on pretty much any corner of the internet—whether I’m vlogging on my YouTube channel or sharing stories from my magazine editor days on my podcast, Create & Consume.
In the last decade plus of my creative career, I’ve built an online community of over 100,000+ followers, primarily millennial and Gen-Z women who love fashion, beauty, and city living.
Whether they’re looking for the best breweries in Brooklyn, a recommendation for what to rent on Nuuly or whether or not that viral makeup product is worth the money, they can find it on my socials.
As a creator, I’ve partnered with brands like Walmart, Dove, HoneyBook, It Cosmetics, kate spade new york, and HelloFresh.
I have been quoted in Forbes, Business Insider and Adweek discussing the business of influence and I have also appeared on dozens of industry podcasts.
My previous experience as a magazine editor at Nylon and Interview as well as my time as the beauty content director at a tech startup gives me a unique 360 degree perspective of the creator economy.
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, Founder of Serviette
"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, Founder of Praize Studio
“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 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, Vice President of Retail for Little Words Project
“Austen is the greatest! She first contributed a piece to Making it in Manhattan about getting laid off from her job and she’s contributed more since then. 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 Some Shelly Photography
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