An Exclusive Interview With Professional Model & Social Media Star, Renee Estella.
Q: How did you get involved with social media?
RE: I have always loved being on various social media platforms. When I was younger, I was big on MySpace and Facebook, so I just kept going with it and ended up growing a following. Now I love posting the most on Instagram and TikTok.
Q: What inspired you to start your own clothing line?
RE: Fashion has been a passion of mine for a long time. I started to tweak little things on the outfits that I would wear to create my own look and make outfits appear to be made just for me and by body style. As I continued to create for myself, I found that my passion for fashion grew and that’s how I decided to create my own line!
Q: What would you like people to know about you that they might not know?
RE: I’m really a down to earth person and sometimes people don’t get to see that side until they get to know me! People constantly tell me how surprised they are when they get to know me and how different I am from their first impressions of me. I’m very outspoken and I tend to joke around a lot. I like to have a good time!
Q: What is one word of advice you can offer to young women who want to reach your level of success?
RE: First and foremost, always stay true to yourself. You know yourself better than anyone else and only you truly understand the vision you have put in place for yourself, so listen and believe in your inner voice. Do solicit advice from a variety of people from your personal and professional circles. I do think it is important to listen to outside advice from your peers and mentors as their experiences can only help guide you and help shape who you are becoming and where you want to go on this journey with your brand and career.
Q: Can you tell our audience one of your most memorable moments in your career?
RE: The most memorable moment of my career was recently when I saw my clothing line up on a billboard in Times Square! It was an incredible feeling and seeing my image and brand appear alongside so many well-known brands, made me realize everything I have worked for is all coming together. What a moment!
Q: At the start of your career, what do you wish you had known?
RE: Stay true to your brand and if you want something, you need to make it happen for yourself! No one is going to hand success to you. No one will ever work harder than you. Never stop learning about your craft. Surround yourself with people who will educate you, be honest with you and share in your vision for your brand.
Q: Which woman inspires you and why?
RE: My mother! She always made everything happen and anything possible no matter what situation she was in while I was growing up. I’m a hard worker because of her, I never give up.
Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to pursue their dream and start a business?
RE: Don’t give up if at first you don’t succeed. To be successful, you have to put in the hard work, long hours and that might mean you have to start over a few times to get it right, and that is okay. Be creative, never stop learning and think outside of the box. Most importantly, have patience with yourself and your brand! Success does not happen overnight.
Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?
RE: Do not compare yourself to anyone else! Be confident in who you are and your vision. Always come well prepared. It’s important to know your craft and present it with confidence. You want others to think your brand is as great as you do. Never settle for good. Always aim higher.
Q: After high school, where did you feel your career path would take you?
RE: I had no idea what I wanted to do after high school or even during high school for that matter. I just knew the world was going to know my name one way or another! Nothing piqued my interest more than fashion. I knew that I had an eye for designing and creating unique looks for myself and I could do that for others as well. My dream became my vision and with a plan in place, I went to work on making that dream come true.
Q: Can you tell us how you manage your work life balance?
RE: It is important to have balance in my life with being a social media personality. No two days are ever the same. My schedule is constantly taking me away from home, traveling for work assignments, meeting deadlines, designing, and working on my brand can be very consuming and quickly turn into a 24 hour job. It is important for me to stay on task, be organized and prioritize my schedule to allow me to work hard but to also have balance in my life to enjoy my downtime with family.
Q: What's your advice for women in male-dominated fields?
RE: Know your self-worth, work hard and never take no for an answer. Be strategic and don’t let something unfamiliar or intimidating deter you from putting yourself out there. Challenges are good. We don’t grow when things are easy, we grow when we face challenges.
Thirty Five Things About Renee Estella
1. If you could share a meal with any four individuals, living or dead, who would they be?
Karol g, Beyoncé, Marilyn Monroe
2. What's your favorite family tradition?
On Thanksgiving everyone in my family says something they are thankful for, even the kids!
3. What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee?
Kanye West
4. What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time?
SLEEP! I love to sleep!
5. Who is the most fascinating person you’ve ever met?
I'd have to say my fiancé amazes me with his outlook on life and determination!
6. What was the last book you really got into?
Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill
7. What’s the most amazing adventures have you’ve ever been on?
I have too many crazy stories to pick one!
8. Among your friends, what are you best known for?
That I am funny
9. Where’s the strangest place you’ve ever been?
The inner city of Peru. An eye opener for sure!
10. What’s your favorite international food?
Mexican food
11. Who is your favorite author?
J.K. Rowling
12. What’s your favorite app on your phone?
Instagram of course! Apple Music too
13. Best and worst flavor ice cream?
I don’t like ice cream but if I had to choose: Dulce de leche is the best and chocolate is the worst.
14. What TV shows did you watch when you were a kid?
I watched Novellas
15. What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve done?
I think my whole life has been spontaneous, you never know what I’m going to get into.
16. What’s your favorite quote or saying?
“Every dog has his day” - Scarface
17. If you unexpectedly won $10,000, what would you spend it on?
My brand 100%
18. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Probably more of a night owl even though I do like to be up and productive.
19. What would your perfect vacation look like?
On a beach somewhere with good foods and drinks.
20. Favorite Dessert?
I love sweets! But I'd have to go with donuts.
21. Favorite City?
MIAMI for sure!
22. Tell me about the best vacation you’ve ever taken.
Puerto Rico with my fiancé. Best vacation I have ever been on thus far.
23. Do you read reviews, or just go with your gut?
Read reviews almost too many sometimes.
24. What’s your big passion?
My brand! Renee Estella Co
25. What’s your signature drink?
Tequila with fresh lime juice and sparkling water.
26. What would you sing at Karaoke night?
Karol G 200 copas.
27. What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
I like watching basketball and playing volleyball.
28. Have you ever met anyone famous? Who?
I have met a lot of people!
29. Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest?
My hearing! My smell too.
30. If you could go back in time to change one thing, what would it be?
I wouldn't have procrastinated on goals that I was scared to accomplish. I never would ask for advice or help. So, if I could go back I would’ve asked for help or advice and done it quicker!
31. What were you like in high school?
I was a very popular rebel and class clown for sure.
32. What would your perfect Saturday be like?
Definitely relaxing with good food, sun, and naps.
33. Would you rather cook or order in?
Depends on what I’m craving. Sometimes I make it better than ordering out!
34. What was your favorite subject in school?
History
35. Cake or pie?
Cake