Gabriela Chávez: A Guatemalan Influencer Making Waves
https://www.instagram.com/TheSkinnyVanilla
This podcast about Gabriela Chávez, a Guatemalan influencer known as @TheSkinnyVanilla on Instagram highlights her career trajectory, the challenges she faced, and the values she upholds in the competitive world of digital content creation.
From Food Blogger to Fashion Icon:Gabriela began her journey with a food blog called @AlDenteFoodBlog on Facebook. Initially hesitant to reveal her identity, she gradually gained recognition through collaborations, interviews, and appearances on television and radio. This exposure led to the creation of her Instagram account, @SkinnyVanilla, where she transitioned into a full-time influencer, focusing on high-end fashion and beauty."It all started with a food blog on Facebook, @AlDenteFoodBlog.
At first, I didn’t show my face or who was behind it, I was a little embarrassed, believe it or not. Little by little, they called me for collaborations, interviews, to participate in television and radio programs, campaigns… and that’s where my SkinnyVanilla account was born.”The Demands and Rewards of Influencer Life:Gabriela emphasizes the dedication required to succeed in this field. It demands constant connectivity, openness to sharing personal life, consistency, reciprocity, genuine commitment, and professionalism.“Now I dedicate myself 100% to it. You have to be connected all the time, be open to sharing your life, be constant, reciprocal, genuinely committed, and professional.
"Authenticity and Empowerment: Distinguishing herself from other content creators, Gabriela prioritizes authenticity, promoting self-love and female empowerment among her followers. She aims to build genuine connections and foster a sense of community. "My main objective is to show myself as I am, send messages of self-love to my followers, of female empowerment and discover our individual beauty without entering into competitions or comparisons. I wouldn’t want to be just another content creator. I like to create friendships with my followers, listen to them, and feel that I can connect with them every day. They are my sisters, and thanks to them I am here today.
"Overcoming Challenges: Gabriela acknowledges the challenges she encountered, including learning about marketing, camera work, editing, and digital communication. Developing resilience and a thick skin were also crucial."One of the challenges I went through was learning about marketing, camera, editing, and digital communication. In addition to not taking anything personally.
"Staying Grounded in a Glamorous World: Despite the allure of the influencer lifestyle, Gabriela stresses the importance of remaining true to oneself, upholding personal values, staying grounded, and maintaining a sense of gratitude."The most important thing in this job is learning to stay true to yourself, to your values, to who you are, to remain human, with your feet on the ground and to stay grateful, wherever you are."H&M Campaign and International
Recognition:Gabriela's dedication and authentic approach have attracted international brands like H&M. She was selected as one of the Latin American influencers for their exclusive STUDIO collection launch, putting Guatemala in the spotlight. This achievement highlights the growing influence of Guatemalan women in the fashion and beauty industry.
Looking Ahead:Gabriela, alongside her husband Diego, an AI marketing entrepreneur, is set for their next adventure in Japan. They plan to celebrate their wedding anniversary at Tokyo Disney Sea, utilizing their social media channels to promote this destination.
Conclusion:Gabriela Chávez's journey exemplifies the opportunities and challenges of navigating the influencer landscape. Her story highlights the importance of hard work, authenticity, and a commitment to empowering her audience. Her success not only elevates her personal brand but also shines a light on Guatemala's growing presence in the global fashion and beauty world.