Conversations with the Inspiring Cyrillynn Chen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cyrillynn Chen.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am a native born Californian, who transplanted to Arizona last August. Our family moved to Chandler from San Diego due to my husband getting a wonderful career opportunity in Tempe. In addition to being a mother and wife, I have been given the wonderful opportunity to work from home by my California employer, which saved me from having to look for employment here. Outside of my work and home life, I am an influencer and blogger.

I essentially have two blogs, both called “Any Second Now”, but are completely different. I started the first version in 2004 as a way to deal with the death of my father. I needed an outlet because I wanted to share what I was thinking and feeling with my friends and family, without having to re-tell it 20 different times. After about a year, I lost focus and direction with that blog, so I simply stopped.

I started my second blog in 2010 because a friend turned me onto fashion blogging, saying she could completely picture me doing the same thing. What spurred me to start it was because so many people would ask me, “Where did you get that purse/those shoes/that dress (etc.)?” I found it was a way to document how and where I shop, to show my friends and family where I go and how much I spend. It then evolved into more of a “Lifestyle/Personal Style” blog, because I now incorporate my entire life in my blog.

Now that my blog is going on nine years now, it has evolved, even more, focusing on four elements: Fashion/Music/Family/LIfe.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Family:

Always make time for family. If you have children, it only takes a few moments to check in with them several times a day to find out how they’re feeling or to give a kiss and hug or have playtime. Make date nights with your significant other/spouse. Spend a day with your mom, dad, brother, sister, niece or nephew each month. Call people you care about, not just text. That saying “A little goes a long way” is so true.

School/Career:

I know there are people who are successful without going to school, but I still say it’s important to continue education after high school, whether vocational or at a university. We all learn in every capacity, so why not keep learning. Once you have that degree or certification under your belt, then you can go anywhere, even if it’s not in that capacity or even if your career changes. No matter what, you will have that in your back pocket. And as Dr. Phil says, you have to do what you can to earn money now, so that you can do what you want later in life. I was a Visual Arts major and I worked in that industry for a decent amount of time, getting my name in the credits of a few movies and TV shows. But my current career is in the Healthcare industry, which seems to have endless career opportunities, so that I can continue to contribute to my family’s well being and livelihood, yet I get to do what I really like to do when I have time.

Blogging/Being an Influencer:

Just do it! No matter what your niche is, just get going and keep going as long as you enjoy it. Also, be true to yourself and your voice. I have never sacrificed who I am to promote a product or to get paid, or have become an influencer for a product or service I don’t believe in. My blog is the very essence of who I am, and I will never change. I think it is very important to have a personal side to your blog because it allows people to relate. Finally, don’t do this for what you can get or to “become the next big blogger.” Blog because you enjoy it, regardless of what happens next.

What should we know about Any Second Now? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
As stated previously, I’m a mother, wife with a degree and a career, as well as a blogger/influencer. I was a Visual Arts major at UCSD, specializing in film and media. I have worked on a few movies and TV shows. But since I didn’t want to move to LA, I also worked in Customer Service, mainly in the call center. I excelled in a call center environment and usually worked as a supervisor or manager. I then moved into the Healthcare industry, working in the customer service or call center division of a laboratory or contract research organization. I currently work from home in the billing department of a major workforce solutions and professional healthcare staffing company.

For my brand as an influencer/blogger, I focus on being able to be fashionable as a mother, reviewing clothing brands, beauty products, and products for family and home. I feel I am set apart because I have never compromised my voice or self to sell a product or service. I receive the opportunities that I do in this blogger/influencer industry because I have stayed true to who I am.

Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
I mentioned previously that some of the best advice I’ve heard has actually been my mantra for a long time: Do whatever it takes to earn a living so that you can have the time to do what you want. My father has always told me to make sure that I have an educational degree, and everything will follow. This has been reinforced by people like Dr. Phil who gives the same advice. I know it’s not easy because we all want to do what we want and we don’t feel we need to compromise our vision. Don’t let earning money now compromise that vision. Have a career, earn what you can, and then make that path possible. I feel more comfortable now because I know that I have enough for food on the table, in a home with my family, and we can all have fun to do what we want both individually and as a family.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://any2ndnow.com/
• Email: sighgee@yahoo.com
• Instagram: @any2ndnow
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/any2ndnowblog
• Twitter: @any2ndnow
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/any2ndnow/

Image Credit:
Cy Chen

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