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As a business owner, especially in the beauty industry, social media is a vital tool for showcasing my work. I mean, who doesn't want to see *before and after* shots from a makeup artist, esthetician, or Microblading technician, right? But here's the catch: I absolutely *hate* social media. Yep, you read that right.
Let me break it down. On the one hand, I’ve got two Instagram pages. There's my business page, Bellissimi, where you see all the magic—my work, the transformations, and the results of what I do. Then there’s my personal, private page, which is filled with family stuff—what me, Taryn (my little one), and my husband have been up to. You know, the usual: what we’ve eaten, where we’ve gone, and general life updates.
But here’s the problem. When I scroll through my personal Instagram, I’m bombarded with parenting advice, perfect mums, and the never-ending comparison game of “Am I doing this right?” or “Why am I not doing enough?” And when I open up my business page, I’m hit with flawless makeup artists making millions, influencers jet-setting on yachts, and yet again, feeling like I’m not enough. It’s exhausting. Either way, it feels like I can’t win.
The Struggle of Social Media for Business Owners
The truth is, I *have* to be on social media. It’s crucial for my business. If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ve probably noticed I’ve been talking about a brand pivot. And I’ll be honest, I haven’t really explained what that pivot is. Well, here it is: I’m still doing what I’ve always done—makeup, Microblading, fillers, Botox, all of that. But I’m shifting the focus a bit. This new direction is deeply tied to my personal journey.
I became a mum two years ago, lost a significant amount of weight, and I've struggled to figure out who I am now. It’s no longer just about *Bellissimi*, it’s about *Simi*. Who is Simi, as a wife, as a mum, and as a business owner? And how do all those identities merge?
For a long time, I tried to keep my personal and professional lives separate. But recently, I’ve started to integrate them. It’s been a tough balance, and honestly, sometimes I still struggle with what to post. My personal posts get a lot of engagement—people want to know about *me*, the woman behind the brand. But I can’t help but ask myself, how does sharing my personal life help my business grow? How is it helping me get clients? I get that people want to connect with my story, but where does that fit into selling a service?
The Pivot: From Selling to Empowering
So this is where my pivot comes in. My goal with Bellissimi isn’t just to sell you a product or a service—it’s to empower and educate you. I want to give you the tools and the knowledge to make informed decisions about your skincare and makeup routines. As someone who has spent years working with big brands, I’ve seen the pressure to sell, sell, sell. It wasn’t always about what was best for you; it was about meeting targets.
Now, I’m brand-agnostic. I don’t have sales targets to hit. Whether you’re shopping at Superdrug with a £20 budget or at Selfridges with £200 to spend, my mission is to help you navigate the overwhelming world of beauty products. I want to help you understand the ingredients you need for *your* skin. And I’m here to help you figure out what works for you, within your budget and your lifestyle.
And when it comes to makeup, my motto is: *bring your own makeup bag* (I like to call it BOM). We’ll go through what you’ve already got, and I’ll show you how to make those products work for you. No more buying products that just sit on your shelf unused. I want to cut through the noise, empower you to make the right choices, and ultimately, help you feel confident in your own skin.
The Reality of Social Media Pressure
But here’s where the dilemma really comes in: I have to use social media to promote this new direction. And the truth is, it’s hard. I recently attended a content shoot that was meant to help me promote this new brand, and it was overwhelming. I hated sitting in front of the camera, trying to summarize my entire vibe, my story, and my brand in a single clip or photo. How can you understand who I am and what I’m about from just seeing a picture or a short video? It doesn’t capture the full story, the values, or the mission behind Bellissimi.
It’s especially tough when I post something and immediately start wondering: *Is this authentic?* Am I posting this because it means something to me, or am I just trying to get likes and followers? Am I aligning with my brand values, or am I getting caught up in the algorithm? Social media has become this overwhelming beast that I sometimes hate to engage with, even though I know I have to. And that’s the struggle of trying to balance authenticity with the demands of building a business online.
Finding Balance in the Chaos
The good news is, social media has its positives. I recently met someone through a networking event, and guess what? I wouldn’t have even known about the event if it wasn’t for social media. It’s allowed me to connect with so many amazing people, but it’s still a balancing act. How much of my personal life should I share? How do I ensure that my posts are authentic and aligned with my values?
Ultimately, this journey of saying goodbye to *Bellissimi* and hello to *Simi* is just beginning. It’s about figuring out who I am now, what my brand represents, and how I can empower and educate the incredible women who trust me. And yes, that means continuing to push myself out of my comfort zone with social media, even when it feels overwhelming.
So, if you’ve found this interesting, if you’ve ever felt the pressure of social media, or if you have any questions, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s continue the conversation. And remember: the reels aren’t real. Stay beautiful, stay empowered, and I’ll see you next time.
– *Simi* 💖
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If this resonates with you or you’d like to join in on the debate about social media, leave a comment or send me a message! Let's chat about the highs and lows of navigating this digital world as a business owner, mum, and everything in between.
