Today we’d like to introduce you to Princess Chukwuneke.
Hi Princess, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My interest in skincare probably started around my junior year of college, though I was too broke at the time to invest in any routine. I used to get comments from friends and strangers on the street asking me how I got my skin so clear, and frankly, I was too embarrassed to tell anyone at the time that it was just youth and genetics. I wasn’t wearing sunscreen (yikes!) and would occasionally borrow from a roommate some facial scrub that was likely leaving micro-tears in my skin. But the comments stuck with me, and they got me so interested in the world of skincare that I started watching youtube videos and paying more attention to skincare aisles whenever I walked into a store. I started my skincare and beauty page in 2017. I had just begun an extremely intense graduate program, and this page was therapeutic. At the time, it was just for me; I posted inconsistently every few months and treated the page as a diary where I checked in on my skin’s progress and whether the products I had started using were working for me. I had so much time when the pandemic hit, especially with the stay-at-home orders. I used that opportunity to think about my page and decide what I hoped to get from it. At that point, I was so much more knowledgeable and had some disposable income to invest in a solid skincare routine, so I was ready to share my knowledge beyond myself. In August 2020, I began posting more seriously and purposefully on my page, sharing skincare reviews and education.
As my audience grew, I learned more about who I am, and my desire for my page expanded further. I did not just want to discuss skincare; I wanted to share my knowledge about everything beauty – makeup, natural hair care (including coily hair care), fragrances, wellness routines, and beauty treatments. I updated my handle to Minimalbelle, encapsulating my brand’s vision and underscoring everything I post. I strive for simplicity in life and a home where everything has a place and a purpose. My routines, tips, tricks, reviews, and more all fall within a minimal umbrella. I don’t hold on to things I do not truly enjoy; instead, I find new homes for them through donations or gifting. A few months into getting serious with my account, I began to receive brand emails, gifts, and press samples. By 2021, I realized that my content creation skills had grown so that I could go beyond just gifts. I received my first sponsorship in 2021, and by the end of that year, I established a business with the same name to work more professionally with brands, agencies, and other businesses needing various kinds of social media services.
I am happy to say that it has been going very well! I also have a smaller account called minimalbelle.life, which covers restaurants, events, food, and life in Austin. I am growing this account as I explore Austin and hope to make it the go-to review space for anyone looking for things to do in Austin! Throughout my journey, I’ve done my best to remain a resource for new, nano, and micro creators and influencers. Apart from my creator tip videos, I have a blog, minimalbellesocial.com, where I share tips for creators via PR Tip Series. I cover frequently-asked topics, such as how to email a brand, brand-creator etiquette, what to look out for with contracts, and getting started with user-generated content. I am one person who is thankfully very loved and encouraged by her parents (check out my skincare videos with my pops!), but I dream big and hope to become a well-known name in Austin someday!
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My biggest struggle was internal. I have a science and medical background, so I had to fight the fear of being seen doing something “frivolous.” Once I got over this, my next battle was figuring out how to distinguish myself from the multitudes of creatives out there in the same niche. It wasn’t long before I realized that content quality was insufficient, especially as a black creative. I’ve had instances of brands disappearing after a contract is signed, instances where I’ve been lied to in the middle of negotiations, instances where payments have come in late, instances of copyright infringement, and instances of brands presenting numerous deliverables without comparable compensation. This business can be quite frustrating unless you draw the line at what you are willing to accept. When you decide what you are worth and who you are willing to work with, saying no and moving on becomes quite freeing. Lastly, I had to overcome the follower-count fear. With user-generated content being highly sought after, follower count is far less important than professionalism and content quality. With this understanding, relationships become even more critical. My mother often tells me, “You catch more flies with honey,” she’s right. I’ve learned how to communicate effectively as a nano-influencer, and in most cases, this has fostered lasting relationships and new business partners.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us more about your business.
My business is a social media services business. I specialize in content creation, from short and long-form videos to photography services. For any posts on my account, the businesses interested must align with my public vision and be within the content categories I make: skincare, make up, hair, fragrance, other beauty, services, and events. If on my lifestyle account: events, restaurants, fun activities, food, beverages, etc., all based in Austin, Texas, only will be considered.
For user-generated content, I offer my content creation skills to any business in Austin looking for video, photography, and platform-specific content that will appeal to specific social media channels (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube Shorts, Lemon8). These will be submitted directly to the business for them to use to build their pages and are ideal for busy businesses that need help to do this or need the staff or skillset needed to create and edit social media content.
Bulk contracting is also available, whereby Minimalbelle is hired to build a brand page from scratch for a set period, on an ongoing basis, or contracted for a certain number of unique videos, photos, or general content. For a limited time while I am building my Austin lifestyle account (@minimalbelle.life), I would be happy to offer collaborative videos or carousel posts in exchange for a free experience, as long as I do not receive directions/deliverables and the review remains my authentic experience.
I am patient and keenly interested in understanding your business and marketing needs. I also have about 10 years of event planning and logistics experience, which will allow me to understand better and execute your marketing vision. I pride myself on being an excellent communicator, so I always aim for transparency and clarity at every step of the project. You can follow me on TikTok, Instagram, and Threads: @minimalbelle and for Austin-only events, follow @minimalbelle.life on Instagram. You can e-mail me at info@minimalbellesocial.com for inquiries and pricing. I am excited to work with you!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
If it keeps you up at night, occupies your thoughts during the day, and keeps you fueled rather than exhausted, that is your passion. I’ve learned that even with limited resources, you can create something that inspires or touches others. I’ve learned that patience is the key with skincare, so it is with anything you want to foster and grow. Sometimes I look back on the content I made when I first started and compare them to what I make for brands now. It’s incredible how far I have come, and I am so grateful for every mistake because it made me stronger.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.minimalbellesocial.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/minimalbelle
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/minimalbelle/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmUImiABnzwNhxLnKxjtc5Q
- Other:tiktok.com/@minimalbelle
