Life and Work with Jonica Wildes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonica Wildes.

Jonica , can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have always loved fashion and took great pride in playing dress-up as a young girl. I loved wearing princess costumes around the house and dressing my Barbies in their finest attire. My love for fashion continued to grow throughout my life. Both of my parents would ask me for outfit advice and allow me to choose clothing for them while shopping, which has always been a passion of mine. While in college, I noticed how many of my friends were coming to me for outfit advice, asking where I purchased clothing from, and began receiving comments about my outfits on my personal Instagram account. I then decided to create a blog to share where I was purchasing my clothing from, how to style outfits for each season, and where to find the best sales. I noticed there was a need for college girls, like myself, to find affordable clothing options without having to search for clothing on multiple websites with no direction. I then began traveling more and started receiving questions about luggage, packing tips and city specific travel guides, which is when I added travel as a niche, along with fashion. Shortly after, I began receiving questions about skincare products, beauty products, hair products, etc. and also added lifestyle as a niche. I now call myself a fashion, lifestyle, and travel blogger and I am so passionate about all three topics.

Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road and to be honest with you, I thought about quitting multiple times in the beginning. I am not a full- time blogger, which makes finding the time to blog a challenge, which is something I continually struggle with. I currently work in public health at my local health department and work 40 hours a week. I also just got a goldendoodle puppy and was accepted to the Master of Public Health program at the University of Arizona. With that being said, I have a very busy schedule and find it difficult to dedicate the amount of time I would like to dedicate to blogging. I have learned how to manage my time well and usually do most of my blogging on the weekends. I try to shoot all of my looks, plan my posts, and type blog posts on the weekends, which makes my week so much easier. I think being in the influencer space can be difficult at times because we are all human and naturally compare ourselves to others.

I sometimes find myself scrolling through Instagram and feeling down because I’m not on vacation or don’t have the newest bag someone else is featuring. I then remind myself that Instagram is a highlight reel and we just because people share glamorous pictures, doesn’t mean they have a glamorous life. That picture could have been taken weeks, months, or even years ago and we never really know what everyone else is struggling with. My advice to young women exploring the influencer space is to remain authentic. Being authentic means being who you are and portraying who you are through your pictures and words. Being yourself also means you are not swayed by what others are doing, which is SO important in the digital space. If a blogger or brand is doing something that does not align with your values, don’t compromise and follow along, do what you believe in.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Sandy Toes & Salty Hair – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I love connecting individuals with products that best suit their personalities and lifestyles. It is so important to feel confident in what you wear and do, which is what I portray through my blog. I want my blog to be a place where women of all shapes and sizes feel confident finding products and clothing that best suit their style. I am also passionate about sharing affordable clothing, where the best sales are, and how to style clothing for every season. The majority of my readers are on a budget and look for the best sales and affordable clothing, which is something I love to showcase through my work. I have always purchased affordable clothing and there are so many great brands that sell quality clothing at affordable prices. I want readers to be able to find all of the best sales and affordable items in one place instead of searching through multiple websites.

Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
My mom is my biggest role model and always has been. My mom has always pushed me to succeed while still catching me when I fall. She has always told me to “reach for the moon and if you fall, you’ll be among the stars.” I live by this quote and always refer to it when making big decisions in life. My biggest blogger role model is Amber Fillerup, who also lives in Arizona. Amber and her husband, David have set a high bar in the influencer space and have turned Amber’s blog into an amazing business. Not only do I love her business and her blog, I love who they portray themselves online. They have such a great relationship, are amazing parents to their children, and don’t let the negativity that comes with blogging deter them from what they do. I also love how real they are and when I met Amber in person at Disneyland, she was so down to earth and kind, which is exactly how she is on social media.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sandytoesandsaltyhair.com/
• Email: sandytoesandsaltyhairblog@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandytoesandsaltyhairblog/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandytoesandsaltyhairblog/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JonicaWildes

Image Credit:
Charles Inch

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