Ep 204: From Influencer to Entrepreneur With WeWoreWhat’s Danielle Bernstein
What were you doing your sophomore year in college? Maybe some studying, some sports, some parties? Perhaps you and your roommates spent a few too many hours in front of the mirror, debating outfit choices before going out for the night?
Well today’s guest also spent a fair amount of time styling the perfect ensembles — only she turned her passion for wardrobing into a multi-million dollar company that she runs today. Danielle Bernstein is the founder of world-renowned fashion blog and social media platform WeWoreWhat. The platform, which she launched in 2010, now boasts more than 2 million instagram followers, and the fashion collections she offers seasonally frequently bring in more than $2 million in sales within just a few hours of launch. At 24 years old, Danielle was named to the exclusive Forbes “30 Under 30” list, and within the last year she stepped outside of the fashion world and into technology. She recently founded Moe Assist, the first project management tool to help online influencers manage projects, brand partnerships, and payments, and thousands of influencers have already signed up.
This week, Danielle and Jean talk about her journey into entrepreneurship, what it's like to find a business partner, and Danielle's tough decision to drop out of school to pursue her brand full time. Danielle dishes on all things related to the "influencer" world where she got her start, and what it means to her to be a good role model for young women.
Danielle talks about what it was like to start a company at such a young age — she wasn’t even 20 when she started her company — and details her philosophies for making a real connection with followers. Hint: It doesn't happen overnight. Authenticity and staying true to who you are is key, as is being selective with the partnerships you pursue.
The pair discuss how young women can gain and hone their confidence when they're just starting their careers, and Danielle shares how she carved out a place for herself in the often-cutthroat fashion industry. She also dishes on how she learned to negotiate, the importance of reading the fine print in contracts, and the best ways to handle yourself in a meeting.
Of course we also dive in for some of Danielle's favorite fashion and styling tips — She tells us what she never leaves home without and what she always makes sure to pack for a weekend away. Lastly, and most importantly, Danielle shares some insight into her relationship with her wealth manager who helps her invest her money, and why she's elected to save half of her income from every paycheck.
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