Meet Trailblazer Erika McChesney

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika McChesney.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Erika. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The need for a creative outlet sparked the idea for the Beaut Optician blog in August 2017. I was grinding away at my job as an optician at the time in Memphis, TN while my husband was in Optometry school to become an eye doc. Something was a miss for me since prior to being an optician I was a production vocalist for the past five years for Celebrity Cruise lines. I was missing the daily creative flow that I once had. I didn’t want to go back to the performer/traveling lifestyle since I was never home and I missed my husband and family too much. Something clicked one day, and I had the urge to all of a sudden to create a blog. This was something at the time I really knew nothing about, and it was and still is an evolving journey! The beauty of having your own blog is that you can really share whatever you want and on your own time. The rest is history, and I couldn’t be happier about what I have created. It sparks so much joy for me to be able to share what I am honestly and truly loving from fashionable eyewear, to outfit inspo, beauty faves and where I travel to!

Since the start of the blog in 2017, it has evolved into a one-stop place for all things fashion, eyewear, travel, and beauty. It showcases style inspiration in loved locations, with a very “you do you” attitude. I love creating quality photos and posts that will transport you into the story of the products in a very “Erika” artistic way. From being a performer on stage from a very young age, I love being able to merge that into the blog with the content that I create. It’s always okay to be a little bit extra in your own way!

My husband Brandon and I just moved to the Phoenix area for his final residency before he will finally become a doctor this May! We are absolutely in our element here. Arizona has it all, adventure, fashion, dining, culture, you name it. Currently, I work as an optician still at Eyecare Plus Scottsdale with the best team and the most fabulous products! I am so looking forward to continuing this journey in Arizona and sharing all my experiences and style inspiration with you.

Has it been a smooth road?
I definitely had struggles. Most of it was finding time to be able to do this blog while working full time. However, if you really love to do something, you will find a way. My advice for this is to write down your plan and really try to stick to it and be consistent with your content and your goals you want to achieve.

The other struggle as a blogger is definitely social media! We spend so much time and energy on this and it is easy to get bogged down in the numbers. The numbers of followers and likes that we have. Yes, if you really want to work with big brands then you do need to have decent stats. However! I was able to work with brands with even a little under 1,000 followers. Let you shine thru and the numbers will come. Everything takes time, growth is slow but steady. Nothing good happens overnight. Trust the journey that you are on, and if you really genuinely enjoy what you are doing, that will be magnetic to your followers.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I love being an optician. I work at Eyecare Plus Scottsdale and it has been the best experience thus far. Being in the optical industry, I’m able to work with all different kinds of people daily and help them not only be able to see better with the wide variety of lens options but also help them bring out their personality and style with their eyewear. The industry I’m in mixes so much, patient care, fashion, and optics. There is problem-solving every day and never a dull moment!

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
What has worked well for me in the blogging world, was to reach out to the bloggers you look up to. I learned so much from simply talking to them and then also engaging on social media with other like-minded bloggers. After a year or so of doing this, I can’t get over how many friends I have made from becoming a blogger! Surround yourself with creative and go-getters. They will help propel you forward as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.beautoptician.com
• Email: erika@beautoptician.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautoptician/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erikabeautoptician
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/beautoptician/

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