Hi, friends. Welcome to the Life with Loverly podcast. I’m Brittany, a wife, mom, and lifestyle entrepreneur here to help you discover your best daily style and encourage you to try new things when getting dressed each day. I took a tiny following on social media and turned it into a community of over one million amazing women, and I am so glad you’re here. I’ll be sharing my heart with you beyond the 15 seconds on Instagram, so we’ll be diving into things like personal growth, friendships, motherhood, marriage, and of course, the business of blogging. Really, this space is here to serve as your go-to resource to building a life you adore while sprinkling some kindness to others along the way. Grab an iced coffee and let’s do life together. I’m Brittany, and this is the Life With Loverly Podcast. Hi, friends. Welcome back to the Life with Loverly Podcast. If you’ve ever snagged a fashion steal thanks to a viral Instagram post or found yourself deep in a rabbit hole of Walmart lookalikes, you might already know today’s guest, or at least your closet does. I’m so excited to be joined by Chloee Huseman, a.k.a. Retail Cheapskate on Instagram. She’s a mom of three, a total queen of affordable fines, and has built a community of over 900,000 followers who trust her for real lifestyle that doesn’t break the bank. What I love about Chloee’s story is that it didn’t start with big strategy or fancy setup. It started with a new baby, a nine to five job, and a simple goal, just make $500 a month. And now her husband works alongside her. She’s partnered with her favorite brands, and she’s still showing up as one of the most down-to-earth creators in the game. In today’s conversation, we’re talking about her first brand deal, the moment she finally showed her face online, and her best advice for anyone trying to start something of their own. Here’s my conversation with Chloee Huseman. Hi, friends. Welcome back to today’s episode of the Life with Loverly Podcast. I am so excited to have Chloee with me. You guys probably know her on Instagram as retailcheapskate. How are you, Chloee?

I’m doing so well. I’m so excited to be here.

I know. We’ve gotten to spend time with each other twice this year already, which is super uncommon. I feel like in the influencer space, if you don’t live close by somebody or you’re not traveling as a group, you don’t always get to see your friends in the industry, but you and I have been able to see each other, and that’s been really fun just catching up and talking about the business and influencer life and all of that.

It’s nice to pick people’s brains and just get other people’s perspective on what we do, because sometimes it can feel really lonely.

Totally. I think that all the time. I mean, I’m thankful for the team that I have, but sometimes they also don’t just realize the loneliness I’m feeling that another influencer who’s probably feeling the same thing does. I think that’s probably one thing that’s a misconception of people who just think like, “Oh, being an influencer is so fun and easy.” But that’s definitely something I feel like I struggle with at times.

Totally. And I feel that way too, and it’s hard to find common ground. And it’s one of those things that only someone that does what you do really understands. And it’s great with a team, but they also look to you. So it’s like you kind of feel like this pressure of like, “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

Yeah. It’s so true. Okay, so tell me what life looked like when you first started posting fashion content.

Yeah. So I started, I don’t know when it was, six years ago, and I was trying to remember what it was like. What’s funny and how I did it, and I totally forgot this, I would ask for direct messages. I would ask people direct message me if you want to find something cheaper. So I had an inbox of direct messages of people flooded just being like, “I want this dress. Can you find it cheaper somewhere else?” Obviously as the business transpired, I couldn’t keep up with that. So that’s when I really started showing just broad, basic, affordable fashion fines. But yeah, at first I was asking people if they had something, send me a picture, I’ll try and find something similar, cheaper. And I also wasn’t showing my face at all. I go from the neck down.

Right.

I was so embarrassed. I don’t know if it’s embarrassed or just scared to show my face, so I just didn’t.

So what changed when you got to the point where you were like, okay, I’m going to show my face. It’s fine.

It helps having a husband who is unapologetically himself all the time. So he’d be like, “Why are you being so weird about this?” I think I finally was like, “You are right. I have to swallow my pride and just be proud of what I’m doing.” And that’s when I just started slowly easing into showing a little bit more of the behind the scenes.

Well, and I’m sure it became even more relatable when people were like, “I’ve already trusted this faceless person and her picks. And now I see her face and now I put a face to a name and can trust that even more.”

Exactly. And it’s like a personal relationship now. I’m like, they don’t want to have a personal relationship with me from the neck down. They want to be able to see my face and see that I’m excited about what I’m showing and such. So yeah, it was such a good time.

I mean, but to be fair, there was definitely a time back then where it was really just about the outfit. I remember posting in 2017, 2018, and the cropped neck down, just above the knee, neck down was the photo people wanted to see because it was just the outfit.

And you didn’t worry about video like you do now.

Right, oh my gosh I know.

So it’s easy to just cut your makeup-less face off.

Totally.

Anyway.

It’s just like, make sure yourself tanner’s good and then white face.

From here down, I looked great.

That’s so funny. Any of the B-roll photos where you can kind of see are probably like, what?

I know. I know.

So thinking back to when you first started, what was a moment or do you remember when you were like, “Okay, I’m going to do this. I’m going to go for this. I’m putting my first post out there.” What were some thoughts around that?

Honestly, I know a lot of people are like, “It was a hobby and it turned into more.” I honestly was like, I was working a corporate job. My husband was too, and I wanted to be home. I wanted to be home with my baby. And that was like, okay, if I can just make. I remember telling my husband, I’m like, “If I make $1,000 extra a month, then I will have enough to. I can quit my job and I can be home.” So I was so more business-minded when it came to it. It wasn’t like, “Oh, I’m doing this for fun.” It was like, “I’m doing this and I’m going to make $1,000 a month, and I’m going to be home with my babies.” So I think that was motivation for me to finally be like, “Okay, we are doing this. Let’s take it seriously.” At the time, I feel like affordable fashion wasn’t as popular.

Totally, People weren’t sharing it.

Caught on really quickly and people were like, “Oh, we like what you share.” I’m like-

Totally.

“You’re going to keep doing it.”

Yeah. Well, I think that’s a great point too though, because a lot of people are in that point where they’re like, “I kind of want to get into this, but I just don’t really know.” And it really does help if you have some goals for yourself or have a reason you’re wanting to do it, not just like, “I don’t know, I’ll try it out and if it works.” It’s kind of like, no, I want to make $1,000 extra a month and I’m hitting that goal. And if I don’t, then this isn’t going to be for me.

And you know this firsthand, consistency is key. And I think if I was doing it as a hobby, I don’t think I would’ve been as consistent with it. I was like, “I am going to be a stay-at-home mom. I am going to be here. Let’s figure out how to make this work.” So I think the consistency really played in my favor.

Totally. And even for growth, it holds you accountable by being consistent. But I know you’ve seen tremendous growth. I’ve seen tremendous growth by being consistent because now you’re telling your followers like, “Hey, these are the times I’m showing up and you can count on coming back to my profile and there’s going to be new content. There’s going to be something that you want to see, and I’ve proven that’s what I’m going to give you.” Whereas others who just put it up whenever, and then they go dark for a few days and put it back up whenever. I feel like maybe there’s strategy to that, but I think it also can kinda frustrate followers.

I think the algorithm plays into that too with Instagram. They know you’re going to be there. I think the people that see my stuff are people that see it every single day.

Totally. I agree. And I think now with just so many other places they can see content like in Amazon Storefront, LTK, content can live in so many places for people to shop now, and that wasn’t always the case either.

Yeah, 100%.

Okay. So I know that you said you want to set goals for obviously making your extra money each month. How long did it take to see some income coming in from your posts, and what kept you showing up during that time?

I think for the first 18 months, I would say it was pretty sporadic. I get paid $100 here and there, but there wasn’t really any sort of. I honestly think my family though I was crazy. They’re like, “You have this pipe dream and it is not playing in your favor.” But after 18 months, I think that’s when I got my first Walmart collaboration and it came through LTK. And I remember the number. It was like, whoa, that is something I have not seen yet. And that’s when I was like, “This big company believes in me. I have to believe in this. I have to just do it.” And so that was the first time I think I was like, “This is it. This is my big break.” Even though it took a lot longer after that to figure it out. But at the time I was like, “Oh, I made my $1,500. I’m going to quit my job.”

Right? I know. It’s so funny too. Just you really have to believe in yourself when other people are like, “Oh, this seems like a strange path you’re on.”

Right, because did you feel bad at first too?

Yeah. I remember, well, because I worked corporate job too and I started a separate account. It was different than my personal Instagram account because I was like, “Well, I don’t want to make my current followers feel like they have to consume because I know what I’m about to start sharing is not going to be for everybody and it’s weird and people are going to think it’s strange.” Where I worked, everybody was really close, but a good joke, a good dig, and I got that all the time. And so I just felt hopefully I’m still doing this because this is what I want to do. And regardless of all the uncertainty, and then when I came in and I was like, “I’m actually going to quit this job and go do this full-time.” And everybody was like, “I’m sorry, what are you doing?”

I feel that same way. I do agree. I think I told Steven this, I’m like, I’m sure when I first started, probably some of my best friends were screenshotting my page being like, “What is she doing?”

I know.

Why is she doing this? But it was kind of a thing where I’m like, “Okay, I’m just going to go for it. We’re just going to go for it.”

So when did things start to shift? And when did you feel that turning point where you were like, okay, this can actually be a business?

Yeah, it was right before COVID. I was finally making, I think I was actually making more doing this than I was in my corporate job. And I think COVID altered a lot of our brain chemistry in the sense of what’s important and where I should be spending my time. And it was then, I was like, “We have to make a change. I’m just going to jump into it and figure it out. And if it doesn’t pan out, I will find another job and it will be fine.” So I jumped ship right during COVID, and it was the best thing. I don’t know. And I always say this, I think the Lord knew I had to just take a risk and I had to just trust in that. Sorry, I get emotional talking about it. I just had to trust in God and trust in myself that I can do this. And so yeah, I jumped ship in COVID. And then three months later, Steve, my husband did as well. We were like, “We are going to just do this.”

That’s amazing. Well, and I think it’s so interesting. There’s been some things recently just in my personal and work life that I am looking back and I’m like, “I really think that God was setting these things up over here that I didn’t even realize. And now we’re in this position,” and I look back and I’m like, “Oh, that’s what he was doing.”

His hand was all along.

Yeah. And you don’t know. And it sounds kind of the same thing. He put this desire on your heart. You got this goal of, “I want to be a stay-at-home mom. I want to do this.” And then it just sets you up. And then it’s almost like he’s like, “Okay, go fly now. This is your time.”

Figure it out. You just have to trust it. Trust in everything. Every little piece of it came together. And I was like, “This is it. This is what I’m going to do.”

Yeah, I love that. Do you take a day off in the week?

No.

Is that something. Okay. I can’t remember if we talked about that at LTK.

I don’t know about life, but I’m working on it. I’m going to figure this out.

Let me just encourage you. It is life-changing.

I know. I know.

Because do you film on the weekends and do stuff on the weekends?

I don’t feel like I film as much on the weekends.

But if something naturally just comes up, of course. It’s like easy.

Exactly.

So easy to do.

I’m always doing something, but I do know that I need a day to recharge my battery. It’s just finding. I finally think I have a team where I feel like I could do that.

Yeah. Okay. Before you start with a full day, because that does feel hard, I would start with just a half day. Start where you just don’t start working until one o’clock. And so then you have the morning and go to a workout class or go have coffee out. Leave.

Great idea. Yeah. Splitting it first and then seeing how much I can handle. I think that would probably –

Totally. I started that way, and then I was like, okay, wait. I want a full thing. I can sort of batch this other stuff. Or it made me work harder on the other day so then I could rest on a one day. I know. And if I needed to run errands or do a doctor’s appointment or something, it could happen on that day where I was already planning to not be filming.

Yeah. So you film a lot in one day, you bulk batch?

Yeah. Usually I’ll try to do that and I don’t mind it. It helps me save time on the other days, but especially if I’m in the mood. But it also, I think one thing people don’t realize is there is so much waiting around because waiting on packages to arrive.

Oh my gosh.

Waiting on it to get opened and steamed and just – Ready to go. And then styling. It’s not like I’m just walking to my closet. I’m like, “What clothes wants to jump out and be like, share today?”

And I feel like we actually run our business similar that way. I’m not as good about, “I’m going to get dressed today, so I might as well show my outfit.” I’m like, “Oh no, I have all these things I want to accomplish.” So it’s a little bit different.

And I think too about setting it up in a way where it’s like, “Here’s this series I want to talk about.” So it might be work wear, it might be active wear under 50. It might be all these categories that I want each piece of content to fall under. Sometimes I’m like, “Gosh, it would be so much easier if I was just getting dressed and filmed my outfit.” And I have tried that and people don’t like that. They want to see six outfits for me at minimum.

After the last summit, I feel like I was like, “I’m just going to try…” I filmed five outfits, five outfit of the days. Oh no, that’s not what people come to me for.

I agree because I think too, especially you do a lot of Amazon and Target and Walmart, it’s like if they’re already on site getting something, what’s one or two more things that you are talking about that they’re just going to check out and get? It’s like sometimes people want to buy more than just the one thing. So if you give them that, I mean, it’s great for you, it’s great for them.

Yes, exactly.

And then they don’t. I mean, I don’t know. There’s so much. It’s also interesting, the psychology behind it. Are people, if they buy in bulk one week and then not something the next week, then do they feel like they can come back and it’s I’m making this in one order instead of multiple orders?

And you get people who are very Amazon. Totally. Very Target, but they don’t like Walmart. So I’m like, I’m trying to hit every type of person so that everyone’s cup is full by the end of the week. Totally. And this is another thing I don’t think people think about is shipping costs. If you’re at checkout and it’s $9 to check out, you just lost a lot of customers. I’m like, I wish companies would just like, “Can you just eat the chipping costs?” I know. They’re like, “Put the price in the price tag so that I don’t even see the shipping.”

I know. Well, it’s funny too, because I think with Target you have to spend $35 before you get free shipping.

Yes.

And there’s definitely times something will be like $30. I’m just buying one thing. And I’m like, “I’m not paying $5. I need –

That’s when I add my energy drink. I add $2 things in there. I’m like, okay.

I will get right over, which then I’m like, is this also, this is ultimate girl math. How do you get free shipping by buying more?

Yes. Yes.

Okay. So let’s talk a little bit about your creative process. Your content feels so fun and effortless. And I feel like when I’m watching it, I’m right there in your living room with you and we’re talking about the sets that you’re wearing. Do you have a way that you come up with your ideas or do you brainstorm with your team to put things in motion that you want to share each week?

Yeah, we do brainstorm. Every Monday we have an idea of what we want to do based on what performed well the week before. We joke because it’s hard to get in my brain. I don’t think anyone could really even figure out what’s going on up here. It’s laughing. But most of the time I’m just filming a ton of outfits. And then at the end of the day or at the next day, I am piecing them together. I’m like, “Whoa, I have tried on seven things that are butter yellow. I’m going to put those all together.” I think that’s one thing I’ve learned over time is they really don’t care if I’m changing scenes. They don’t care if I’m in my bedroom one scene and my living room the other. For years I was like, “Oh, I have to refilm that because I was in a different spot.” And it’s now to the point where I’m like –

Whatever.

It’s cohesive, all sets. That’s what they care about more than my living room fireplace being in the background.

Well, it almost makes it seem more like you’ve had it and worn it and you wore it here and then a different time you wore it here. That’s some psychology too, because it just feels like, oh, I’m watching it in different places and wow, look at everything she’s done. And sometimes I feel like that too.

I can get more creative that waay. I can take pieces and just style it however I want to and then be like, “Oh, this would work with this.”

Yeah. So do you feel like you go with the flow a little bit more?

If you asked my team, no, because they’re like, “What is going on? We have no idea what you just filmed. But if you ask me, I think I’m going with the flow. I think I figured it out. It works for me.”

Yeah. I know for me sometimes I need an hour of just like, let me just be in the closet. What can I do with this? I haven’t really showed this a lot, but it is a great piece. What way do I want to spin the story so that could be styled multiple ways?

And you’re really good at changing your shoes. I’ve noticed that. I forget to change my shoes. I’ll wear the same shoes for the whole video. I’m like, crap, I should have done what Brittany does.

That’s so funny.

Use my shoes.

Yeah. Well, so I have in my office where it’s connected to our closet, and I have shoes in there that are the ones I’m currently styling with, and I have them set right next to my tripod. So it’s like I see them and like, okay, new shoes, new outfit, new shoes.

I need to do that. I need to do that.

But there’s definitely –

Shoes though. So you’re doing something, right?

That’s funny. Well, I just filmed a reel before this and I’m wearing the same shoes in all of them because I was like, this will be faster if I don’t have to take my shoes off.

Oh, yes. And the ones that lace up your ankle, I’m like, “I just don’t want to.”

Too much. You’re like, “Maybe I should make a reel on outfits to wear with these shoes.”

There you go. There’s our new idea.

Yeah. That’s so funny. Would you say that your process has evolved over time or do you just still follow your gut with most of the content you’re creating?

I definitely think it’s evolved. I think I look really heavily into what is performing well, but also stuff that, like I said, that I’m very excited about. And I think people can see that. When you’re excited about something, they get excited about it.

Totally.

I’ve also feel like you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. I feel like I can share the same skirt 10 different times and they still love the skirt.

Totally. And you do a good job of that. I remember watching one of your reels recently where I was like, oh wait, that skirt. I have it too. And it reminded me to bring it back out because I was like, wait, that looks so great. And I just think it’s a good reminder of people who maybe bought it the first time you shared it, and now they’re seeing another way to wear it.

Or liked it the first time and didn’t buy it. And then they’re like, oh wait. You can wear it that way too. Now it’s worth the buy.

Totally.

That took a while though. Do you feel that way? I feel like it took me awhile to figure that out, that I don’t have to always be showing new stuff.

I agree. We use a lot of, we call it repurposed content now. And they say it takes seeing something seven times before you are like, okay, now I need it. There’s either instant buy gratification or it takes a little bit of time. And so it’s like, okay, how can we use the data that we know, the type of content we know performs, and make it work so that people get it in front of themselves?

Totally. And I think you have to hit that. Steven last night when we were going to bed, he’s like, “You have shown that set 10 times.” I’m like, “I know. Okay, I’ve done my due diligence with that set. I got to move on.” But I was excited about it and it works in so many different ways.

Oh my gosh, I know.

Yeah. But I also think it’s funny, and you might feel this way too. Some of the stuff I’m most excited about, people don’t like as much. Sometimes I’m like, “Oh, dang, I thought you guys would really like that.”

I have felt that way, especially with some of my more unique pieces that I’ll put together or doing something that’s a little bit outside of the box that I have the confidence to go and wear, but I’m like, “This is a little bit not safe for some people.” And I’m like, “Oh my gosh, we’ll talk about outfits that are so loverly, but they’re not the ones that are the hot hitters that sell out.”

Yes, exactly. Exactly.

And so you kind of have to reset your expectations.

Yeah.

When you share those type of things, because I can be super passionate and obsessed with it, but it might not be a top seller. Whereas this target set is going to blow through the roof because it’s like everybody can wear it. It’s a great color. It’s $30, whatever.

Right, exactly.

So it’s sort of finding that balance of sharing that type of content you super love and the other stuff. Do you have any go-to tricks or styling tips for taking a basic outfit and making it feel more elevated?

I think with Amazon especially, and I don’t talk about this near enough, if you are on the fence, you are sizing up. You don’t want the button so tight that it looks cheap. Right. Yes. I feel like with Amazon stuff especially, if you are even back waffling a little bit, size up because you can tuck it in, you can make it work more than if it’s too small.

Totally.

Especially with affordable pieces, you don’t get that tailored look as much. So It’s like you kind of have to alter it a little bit to make it work for you.

Well, and I think too, so many people don’t remember that you should make your clothes work for you.

Yes.

That is something you kind of have to put a little bit of effort into, but you will like the look better in the long run if you just try tucking it a certain way or cuff the sleeves or just do something else to bring it together.

Yeah. So I would always say that. Like I feel like just size up or you’re not going to get that tailored look on Amazon or Walmart, but you can make it work for you for the price.

Totally.

So that’s my number one tip is just always think about sizing up. The next one is accessories, of course.

Yeah.

Feel like that makes or breaks an outfit.

I know. I’m looking at your outfit right now and I was hoping you were going to say something about accessorizing because you’ve got great layered necklaces going on, your bracelets. And if you didn’t have any of that on, your top is really cute, I’m sure by itself, but it feels like it’s just easily elevated.

Easily. Yes. It’s such an easy way to do that.

Yeah, I agree. Do you feel like you have any type of great jewelry storage hacks?

Oh my gosh, no. Do you?

No. I feel like my jewelry is just disaster. I just ordered a new jewelry stand just for more necklaces. And it’s kind of in an awkward place, but I just need something to keep it organized.

You fill out with bags too. I’m like, “What am I supposed to do with these? I need to figure –

I know. Where do we set it so that it. Yeah, I agree.

Yeah, you should have people weigh in. Give us in the comments.

Yeah.

Tell us.

Where are we putting –

Tell us what you’re doing.

I know. For a long time, I would just have one of those sort of soft cosmetic bags with a zipper, and I would just put all my jewelry in there and it would get tangled. And I was like,” Don’t do this, but this is what I do.

“No, there’s no good way. There’s no good way. I swear.

I know. Okay. What’s something that most people overlook when it comes to making budget-friendly fashion look high-end?

I think a lot of times people stick to. And I think Amazon is actually doing a really good job with this, is those bright pattern things. They look expensive.

Yeah.

I think that’s something people usually stick to black or white. And I think if you add that floral vibe, you get that farm real look on a budget. Yes. I feel like some of those, I’m like, that is a hidden gem right there.

Yeah.

I think sets are really big right now, and I feel like people miss the mark of you can wear those shorts with a graphic tee that’s more expensive, but the shorts do more than just with the top.

I know.

I’ve been really honing in on that on my page, taking pieces from sets and styling.

I agree. Okay. Give us some of your current faves. What are five products that you are loving right now?

I am loving colorful jewelry. I think the turquoise, the colorful thing right now is so in, and it’s such an easy way. I’m in all white right now, but then I added color, makes my outfit a little more fun.

Totally.

Um , I also love that cognac color right now, the tan bags with tan shoes. I feel like that can make up an outfit.

Totally. And it goes with so many different colors.

Exactly. That’s what I’m saying. That’s why I don’t change my shoes when I’m building videos. I’m like, they match everything. They go with everything. I have to change them. My last three are kind of random.

Love it.

Have you tried Bloom energy drinks?

No. Wait, did we have those in Florida?

You have to.

I don’t think so.

I think it’s at Walmart and Target.

Okay.

They’re like a natural energy drink. And I drink one every single day.

Really? What’s your favorite flavor?

I like the raspberry lemon the best, but the orange one’s great. And I swear it says it on the thing. Steven’s like, “You just think this because it’s on the can,” but it says it helps with brain fog. I promise you. 3:00 when I’m having brain fog, I drink one of those.

See, okay. I need to try that. I love coffee, but sometimes in the summer when it’s so hot, even an iced coffee just feels like that’s not the taste I want. Yeah. I want a refreshing. Okay. Bloom. I’m going to look that up.

Yeah, I get the sparkling. They come in cans. They’re the best.

Perfect. I’ll try it.

And then there’s this vitamin C serum from Amazon. It’s like $7. And like my skin has never been more glowy.

Okay. Wait, did you just show this in one of your carousels recently? Yes. Is it the orange? Okay. I think I scrolled through it the other day and was like, wait, what is this?

Yes. And I have really sensitive skin, so I’m weird about trying things, but I’m like, “Hey, I’ll just try it.” And it’s so good.

Okay. I feel like Vitamin C is something I’ll love and then I’ll be like, “I don’t need it right now.” And then I’ll go back to using it and I’m like, “What have I been doing without this?”

I know. It’s like the glow that you get from it.

But yeah, that one is fun.

And that’s affordable. $7 is crazy.

Yeah, It’s so good. And then there’s this new covergirl lip balm. It’s tinted and it’s clean and it comes in a bunch of colors, but I showed it in a carousel also, but it’s the best color pigment without drying out your lips.

Dang.

Yeah.

Okay. So my mom is actually a huge cover girl lipstick. They have that lip stain and then you get the clear pin. And it was from years ago. Yes. She still swears by that. Yes. So I’m going to have to look into this lip balm, especially clean.

It’s the best.

But that’s great because think about anytime you’re just at the pool or running around and you just want a little something, not like a full lip.

Yeah.

That sounds like it’s a great. Man, okay. These are great things that I’m going to have to try.

These are random, not fashion related, but things that I’m loving.

I love it. Okay. How do you balance being visible online while keeping parts of your life just for you and your family?

Yeah, it’s been, I think over time, like I said, my house is not a stage and I am very protective of what I show of my kids. I would never want to put them in a situation where they don’t know. I feel like they don’t know the magnitude of social media yet. It’s funny because my eight-year-old Cruz, he records his outfit on my phone probably three times a week.

That’s so cute.

He’s like, “I want to show my outfit.” So he’ll show it in the mirror and he thinks it goes to all of my followers, but I keep it close obviously. But they don’t really understand the magnitude of it. So I’ve always been pretty protective over them. I don’t feel like I’m a lifestyle creator. I’m more like I’m showing fashion. So it’s been a learning curve, but I think I told you this, we’re building a house right now.

Yeah, so exciting.

And I’ve kept it very personal because I’m like, this is where my kids are going. I just want them to feel safe. And I don’t ever want them to feel like their house is a stage because it’s not somewhere they feel safe and comfortable. And I think that’s something that I have really, I want to say I’ve done a good job with, just trying to keep it separate.

Well, and having just guidelines or set up. I mean, I remember at one point I felt like I had to share more personal and show family and our routines and things like that. And then once I was like, that’s actually not what I started this for. I want to show up the way –

You felt like your followers want.

Yeah.

And that’s what I learned. I’m like, they probably don’t mind seeing it, but they really want to see me in clothes and with a trickle of that.

Totally. And so I think you’ve really, once you figure out and going back to the setting goals, how you want to do this, and as long as you feel convicted and excited about that, I think that’s what’s really important. Okay. If you could go back and sit with yourself in year one, what would you say to her?

Just keep going. Honestly, I think even my family, I think it was such a weird thing. I remember Steven having so much faith in me and me not even realizing the magnitude that this business could. It’s totally changed my life. Yeah, for sure. Our families that you feel the same and your team relies on you. I just think it’s hard to see the finish, not the finish line, but it’s hard to see where something can go. So if you feel like you have potential there, I would say just keep going.

Yeah, I love that. What about for the woman who’s listening who is just trying to earn a little extra, maybe $500 extra a month? What would you tell her about what’s possible?

First and foremost, I would say get on LTK. I feel like they have done a really good job of making it easy for people to earn that extra dollar. I also think find your knee, find your thing. I think for years, and you probably feel this way too, you are trying to show all these different things. And when it came down to it, I figured out what worked for me.

Totally.

Because once you go viral, if you’re going viral for a funny video, I’m not that funny. Don’t join clothes.

I just want to try the clothes on. We don’t have to talk.

I’m going to call you and be like, “What in the world are you just like, this is not why I followed this girl.” Finding your thing is really what I think can catapult a business in this industry right now, especially.

That’s so true. I think too, it’s just like you have to bet on yourself. And if you believe in yourself and you have people around you who believe in you and are encouraging you, so many things are possible. I mean, it is so possible to do that if you have the passion and excitement and desire behind it. But I think sometimes people forget that it’s like you have to be so willing to try something new and if you fail, it’s okay. Let’s pick it back up and try again.

And I’ve always said that, and in my personal Instagram, it says this in the vial. It says designing a life I love. And I’ve always felt that. I’m like, I’m going to show I’m very passionate about clothes. I’m very passionate about women feeling good, and I’m designing this life I love so much based on the things I love. So I think just finding that one thing that really makes you tick, does it for you.

It’s so true. Okay, so we wrap up every episode with the same question. So what is the most meaningful act of kindness that somebody has extended to you that has had a lasting impact on your life?

Yeah. A few years ago, my dad had a stroke and then I had a newborn. I was three months postpartum. My dad had a stroke. And then three days later, my mother-in-law unexpectedly passed away. And it was this crazy weekend. And then a week later, my grandma died. It was a domino effect. All of these things. And I’m in the depths of postpartum. And I just, more than anything, I just remember the small acts of kindness that, again, I feel like the Lord put these earthly angels in my life to help me through this treacherous time. And it totally reworked my brain chemistry on what kindness is, because it really is not about these big grand gestures. It’s about everyone’s little mountains that they’re climbing and being a kind individual and showing up for your people. And I think sometimes we overthink it. But these small acts of kindness, like bringing me a Diet Coke, checking me in on me, texting, picking up my kids to take them to camp, all of these things got us through this time that was so painful and so hard. And I think if we just remember that, remember these small things that really can change someone’s day or get them through really hard times. So I don’t know if that necessarily answers it, but I just know that ever since then, being kind and showing up for people has been my number one.

Yeah. Well, it sounds like you took the example that other people were giving you, the way they were giving you kindness is something that you are continuing to use and share with those around you who might be in need.

Exactly. And when people are going through things, a lot of times they’re not telling you that. Does that make sense? They don’t tell you and it’s showing up for people. And I think there are people that came to my door and brought me things that didn’t even know me that well. They live down the street. And I think it taught me when people are going through hard times, those little things mean a lot.

Yeah. And sometimes that’s what really means the most. Exactly. Is just those multiple ways that you were just picked up and puzzle pieces that put you back together.

Exactly. And I think a lot of times we pray for help or guidance, and I think a lot of times we miss the fact that he sent us to each other. So true. We’re all just walking each other off at the end of the day.

Yeah, it’s so true. Well, Chloee, this has been such a great episode. I think the listeners are going to love hearing your experience as an influencer and just kind of getting a glimpse behind the curtain of what it’s really like. So I truly appreciate your time today.

Thank you. And I love you. You know that.

Yes. Well, I’m excited to see you hopefully in September.

Yeah.

Yeah. I know. I’ve got to get all those things finalized. I’m going to leave all of your information for our listeners to follow in the show notes, but tell us just your Instagram handle so they can just go check you out immediately.

Yes. My Instagram handle’s @retailcheapskate.

Perfect. Well, thank you again and friends, until next time. Hi friend. If you’re loving the show, will you go find that follow button on your podcast app? This will ensure that you won’t miss a single episode. I love having you in this community. Until next time. This season of Life with Loverly is produced by Elizabeth Evans Media Productions.