Check Out Veronica Conrow’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Veronica Conrow.

Hi Veronica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve never really had many hobbies. Growing up, I was never athletic or into very many things but when I got to high school, I became part of the yearbook and broadcasting classes. I did photography for the yearbook which I loved and also was the head anchor for the broadcasting show at my school. That’s when I discovered I liked not only taking pictures and video but also editing them into something to put out there. Simultaneously, I got my first job during my freshman year of high school so I was finally able to have some spending money. My checks from this pizza buffet I worked at weren’t much but they were enough to allow me to get some outfits from the mall every couple of weeks. I remember that being one of my biggest joys. Not just shopping but finding affordable deals and doing all this while being with my friends. Fast forward to 2020 when the pandemic hit and I was feeling like I needed to put creative energy into something. I had been following a couple of fashion bloggers already for about three years and always thought that doing what they did was a dream.

Of course, I didn’t really know everything that went into it, I just thought it looked like fun. Looking back at some of my pictures on my camera roll, I think for about a year (2019-2020) I really wanted to start a blog and put what I wanted out there but the fear of being judged kept holding me back. I wish I would’ve started it even sooner than I did which was May 2020, but I remind myself that everything happens for a reason and at the right time. There’s no way I would’ve been able to balance college, work, wedding planning, and a blog if I had started it back in beginning of 2019. SO I finally made the decision May 16, 2020 to built my website and start an Instagram account from 0. I was so incredibly excited to start and proud of myself for taking the leap. I started an Instagram account from 0 because I felt like a lot of people on my old personal account would be very judgmental of me and think “what a wanna-be” or something along those lines. At that point, only my husband and my parents knew about it. About three months later when I started to feel more comfortable with the idea of people in my “real life” knowing, I posted about it on my old insta’s stories. Only a few people went and followed me on my new account but I’m so grateful for those that did and still continue to show support.

Little by little, my following grew from zero to almost a couple thousand. I used to be very focused on the number, especially in the beginning, but I’m now at a place where I focus more on providing value and not caring as much on the follower count. I’ve seen a lot of girls try and grow their accounts overnight and get extremely discouraged if they lose even a single follower. While I know how that feels, I also know you’re not defined by the number of followers or likes. It’s more important to stay focused on your “why” and do it as long as you enjoy it. In the end, what you put in is what you’ll get out.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Imposter syndrome is a huge struggle as well as comparison. Especially during try-on videos, it’ll feel silly talking about an outfit and explaining all the details of it. More so in the beginning, I’d feel a wave of anxiety after hitting “post” on my stories. I’d think to myself “ugh I think my voice is annoying. Am I saying the right things? Do people think I sound stupid?”. I’m not sure that this ever goes away 100% but it’s definitely gotten better over time and with practice. It not only applies to try-ons but talking on stories and showing your face to so many people in general. I also think imposter syndrome for me got worse after I went public with my blog to the people that know me in real life. I still have trouble sometimes being too picky with myself and what I post because I feel like I’m being looked at under a microscope.

Although I know, it’s probably mostly in my head. It does help me a lot though when I get a positive message in dm’s or I get interaction with a story. Also, some days I’ll feel like I’m not doing enough and other days, I’ll look back at everything I’ve done and everything that’s come my way because of this and I feel super accomplished. The saying is true though “comparison is the thief of joy”. It’s so easy to look at another person’s account and think “gosh, they started their blog at the same time as me and they already have 20k followers?! Why isn’t that me??” Or also comparing editing styles, number of likes, overall engagement rates, and basically anything you can see off someone’s account when looking at it. It can get really toxic so you have to make sure to set boundaries and not let some things get to you.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My blog is about fashion, but I also incorporate lifestyle content, beauty and travel. If you look at my Instagram account, you’ll see mostly fashion since that’s what I’m most interested in and it’s the easiest to navigate with the LIKEtoKNOW.it app. With lifestyle, beauty, and travel, it’s easier to write lengthier posts on my website since you can only write so much in an Instagram caption.

What I’m most proud of and what sets me apart from others go hand in hand. I like to use my platform to talk about other issues besides fashion. If something’s going on in our community or world, I don’t like to just stay quiet about it and post “as usual”. To me, that seems superficial and not down to earth. I do like clothes and “things”, but that’s not what life’s about. I also really enjoy supporting local small businesses and featuring them in my posts when I try something of theirs that I like!

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I’ve never really thought about this. It’s hard to think of a moment that sticks out from all the rest, but my fondest memories have always been with my family. My dad and I used to watch America’s Most Wanted every Saturday and I’d keep a notebook on hand to write down the detailed description of the featured criminals thinking I’d see them on the streets and help take them down. I also used to say I would become a Forensic Sculpturist when I grew up because of this show.

Some other treasured memories I have with my family are vacations to Disney World and always acting like cake and balloons will be a surprise on one of our birthdays. When I think about traditions that we’ve done as a family that have still stuck to this day, I love that we never fail to get a decorated birthday cake and throw balloons from the top of the staircase when the birthday person walks into the room. We always act like it’ll be a surprise even though we all know the drill by now.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.veronicaconrow.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/veronicaconrow

Image Credits
Veronica Conrow