Meet Shea Nelson of MILQ MAGAZINE in Tempe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shea Nelson.

Shea, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I decided to start a style-inspo page on Instagram featuring fashionable women of color from all over the globe. It gained a lot of traction and eventually became a go-to destination for many bloggers, creatives, stylists and influencers alike. I thought about the lack of diversity outside of Instagram. So many of my favorite magazines barely included models or stories of women that looked like me, that I could relate to. I was inspired to use my platform to change that. I wanted to flip through a magazine and relate to every page. I wanted to feel connected to my own unique beauty outside of my own bathroom. I started reaching out through social media to writers, photographers, stylists, and graphic designers. My first cover girl was an Atlanta-based blogger who I admired for years! It was surreal to hold that first issue in my hand. It was the moment I realized I could make a difference and create a sense of community for an entire demographic left out of the fashion world.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely not! I had to move in with my family and use almost every check from my retail job to pay for that first issue. I had no idea what I was doing but I knew my ‘why’ and that has continued to motivate me through this journey.

Please tell us about MILQ MAGAZINE.
MILQ Magazine has since become a digital style and beauty destination for women of color. We pride ourselves on creating a platform to celebrate community among new age trendsetters, from emerging social influencers to minority-owned brand, and providing them with an inclusive space to embrace style from their own lens.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Currently, we are working on several fashion editorials in New York, our first event in Los Angeles in September and wrapping up some exclusive interviews with a few celebrity stylists! We are so excited to keep growing and can’t wait to share what we’ve been cooking up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.milqmag.com/
• Phone: 213.568.4996
• Email: info@milqmag.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milqmag/

Image Credit:
My portrait: Annalise Cox, 4 Editorial Shots: Philip Vukelich

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