A few years ago now, a young writer who worked for an eco-mag got in touch with me to do an interview about my business at the time. When I read the article I was so taken with her work deciding then and there that this was one human to watch. A couple of years later and her journalism degree complete, the young woman who started to emerge was even more talented and dedicated. To put it simply, she is a marketing genius, a social media influencer and fashionista with a pedigree background in fashion and design. She is also the owner of the dynamic Melbourne Social Media. She is a a wordsmith, a sweetheart and a really nice human! I asked Renae recently what it felt like to be a girl boss. She smiled, and said “I hadn’t really thought about myself like that.” Humble and brilliant. Ponderers, I would like you to meet Renae Failla- A Girl Boss!
Renae:
I’m 22 and I can officially say that I am a GirlBoss. Funny word it is. Some of you may have heard it, yet, it’s only been in the past couple of years that it has really taken full force.
The Urban Dictionary defines a GirlBoss as “A woman in control, taking charge of her own circumstances in work & life. Someone who knows her worth and won’t accept anything less…She is empowering and inspiring to those around her. She kicks ass! A girlboss knows that if you don’t have big dreams and goals, that you’ll end up working really hard for someone who does.”
I didn’t realise years ago but now I can really recognise just how empowering that word is.
From a very young age, I was always drawn into the power of communication and
maybe a slither of the glitz and glamour of the Fashion Industry. The movie Suddenly 30 was released in 2004, I would have been 9 years old. The one thing that I took away from that movie -I wanted to work for a magazine. I wanted to be a writer and I wanted to experience the satisfaction of putting your heart and soul into a physical thing which women, young and old, would buy as an escape from the real world.
I loved to read – in fact, you would regularly find me with the latest version of a fashion magazine reading for hours. I would read cover to cover and run my fingers along the charming graphics and text.
Following this, The Devil Wears Prada came out in 2006. I was 11 year old. This has now become my favourite movie of all time. The drive, passion and determination of both Andy and Miranda motivated me. So I thought to myself I need to stand out from the crowd and I need to take every opportunity head-on! (the movie industry as an influence- who knew?)
Year 9 was a life-changing year. I met a lady who fuelled my passion and helped me snag an amazing opportunity. She was my English teacher, lets call her Miss D. With her assistance I was offered work experience at Dolly Magazine in Sydney. I assisted with every little thing possible living out my real life The Devil Wears Prada dream, although I must point out that I had a very different experience than Andy.
Getting that working experience helped to evolve my determination even more, fuelling it with a design set out in my mind of what would come next.
I had my life planned out. I was going to finish my University Degree, get a good job and work my way up in the corporate world. I was quite happy with this plan and I was doing just that in a marketing assistant role.
Joseph Campbell said “We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us,” I was forced to do this one day when an opportunity came my way that I never dreamt was possible. A lady whom I aspire to and look up to gifted me a business. That business was the product of a successful social media business. No strings were attached only a true belief in me and my writing. That business is now Melbourne Social Media and is one of the things I am most grateful for in my life.
I was told, “I wish that somebody had given me an opportunity like this when I was younger”. I was scared, nervous and excited at the same time but I knew that if I didn’t take it on I would not be living to my fullest potential. And so a piece of advice to all of you young budding dreamers out there, when someone believes in you hold onto that with all of you might because it is one of the greatest things of you will ever experience.
Everyone has a few rare pivotal points in their life. I lived through my two that have made me the person I am today and I can undoubtedly becoming a GirlBoss was the third.
I now work in marketing, alongside growing my new business every waking hour. Who knows what the future holds, but you never find out what the possibilities are unless you step into new spaces!
For more information about Melbourne Social Media visit www.melbsocialmedia.com or email Renae at office@melbsocialmedia.com.
