Today we’d like to introduce you to Itzy Canales.
Itzy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Where do I begin? I would say that my content creating journey began when I graduated high school and moved to Santa Barbara to attend UCSB. Note: During this time, I also created my IG page. I was SO excited to be on my own and explore an entire new city, make new friends, begin my professional career and make my parents proud.
I was accepted as a Communication major and was always fascinated by marketing and social media so I quickly began documenting my entire life. (I should also note that I was an avid MySpace user and was always making new friends on there, designing new layouts, uploading photos, etc. So maybe that’s when the entire “content creation actually started lol) But anyway, I was posting pictures of my food, outfits, concerts, you name it! Soon after, I started receive questions about where to shop for the items I was wearing in person and over Instagram. I quickly discovered a love for blogs and was always so inspired by woman defining life on their own standards.
HOWEVER, I saw a lack of representation in both real life at UCSB and online and didn’t really have a Latinx (or nigaraguense woman for that matter) to look up to. Most bloggers were wearing designer things that a first-gen college student could only really dream of. So during my study abroad trip to London, in 2014, after support from my then boyfriend/now fiance, I was inspired to create my own (private) blog and talk about things that mattered to me and stuff that no one else was talking about. However, it remained private for a couple of years until September of 2016, a year after graduating, interning in marketing and dipping my toes into the career world and not feeling 100% fulfilled is when I decided to launch Lebellagypsy –a fashion and beauty blog. Le Bella Gypsy doesn’t have a significant meaning but it was always my user name and I just associated to care-free, traveling, beautiful soul just finding her self.
Fast-forward to today when I’ve changed it to Itzy Canales (my website is in the process as well). I really think the four years of college taught me so much more than I imagined and it almost wasn’t fair not to share it with my then 3K followers on IG. Through it, I found a way to mesh my love for fashion, easy beauty and travel. Moving in with my now fiance brought so much more for me to talk about. Hence, all my current lifestyle and wedding content! As my audience is growing up with me and going through their personal life milestones, my platform naturally grew to show realistic approaches for women going after their dreams while balancing personal obligations, and tips to succeed as entrepreneurs and live their best lives as their authentic selves.
Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely has not. As someone that still works full-time to sustain living in Santa Barbara, it does get difficult and discouraging at times, esp when others in the industry do it full-time and are growing quicker. BUTI had to learn the hard way to be better disciplined and manage my time better and stop playing the comparison game because that will get you nowhere.
I would say my best advice to avoid feeling overwhelmed or burned out like I oftentimes did was to be honest with yourself on how much you were taking on. Be okay with saying no to things that are not a current priority. I can’t tell you how many times I had to say no to a friend or family member because I was working on a blog post or had a collaboration due. Batch shoot. So important! I till this day shoot at least five looks on weekends to plan my content ahead of time and it just works. Although, I wish I could post in real-time. You’ve got to work with what you have and bring your audience along on the journey. Also, make the most of your mornings! I’m still working on this but the earlier you wake up, the more hours in the day you have!! Shocker, right?
Also, if you’re still thinking about starting. JUST START. Now. Today. with what you have. You’re never going to be ready enough and tbh my only regret is not starting sooner. Perfectionism will get. In the way but honestly, if you don’t practice, you won’t get better. I still look at my pictures from when I first started and cringe lol.
Network network network. Another important piece of advice! Make a good impression. You never know how the person your currently meeting may show up later in life. So many of my collaborations have come from past co-workers or people I met in college. Also, collaborate with people in your industry. If you need someone to help, you shoot photos, ask! So many girls are looking to do the same and it’s a great way to make friends and get content at the same time.
Another one that I am currently practicing is to not be so hard on yourself. This journey is not a race and everyone has their own timing for everything so just keep doing what you love and working hard and the rest will follow,
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
About my brand: Le Bella Gypsy is a creative outlet in which I shares my adventures, personal style and easy beauty tips while also aiming to connect with and spark readers in an inspiring yet relatable way through raw, personal posts. With an unfiltered and charismatic voice, Le Bella Gypsy takes you behind the scenes of my personal life and shares how I balance working full time while growing a side-hustle and still finding luxury in everything along the way.
About me: Itzy is a latinx lifestyle blogger and content creator. She works full-time as a marketing coordinator and publicist for a premier cultural center in Southern California. She has an eclectic sense of style which draws influence from a multitude of eras and muses. Re-decorating her home, cooking with her fiancé, attending music festivals and traveling are just a few of her interests outside of blogging. She prides herself on being a creative and passionate individual with keen attention to detail.
I began blogging with the objective of sharing realistic approaches for women, especially women of color chasing their dreams while balancing personal obligations. I am proud that through work at the center and personal blogging, I’m expanding representation and breaking boundaries of societal norms on professional and social platforms. Ultimately, sharing tips and tools for my readers and MCC constituents to succeed as young professionals and live their best lives as their unapologetic selves while creating their own definition of beauty and style.
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
If you’re still thinking about starting. JUST START. Now. Today. with what you have. You’re never going to be ready enough and tbh my only regret is not starting sooner. Perfectionism will get in the way but honestly, if you don’t practice, you won’t get better. I still look at my pictures from when I first started and cringe lol.
Network network network. Another important piece of advice! Make a good impression. You never know how the person your currently meeting may show up later in life. So many of my collaborations have come from past co-workers or people I met in college. Also, collaborate with people in your industry. If you need someone to help you shoot photos, ask! So many girls are looking to do the same and it’s a great way to make friends and get content at the same time.
Another one that I am currently practicing is to not be so hard on yourself and trust your timing. This journey is not a race and everyone has their own timing for everything so just keep doing what you love and working hard and the rest will follow.
Contact Info:
- Website: lebellagypsy.com
- Email: itzy@lebellagypsy.com
- Instagram: @itzycanales
- Facebook: facebook.com/itzycanales
- Twitter: twitter.com/itzycanales
- Other: youtube.com/itzycanales
Image Credit:
Some photography by Stefanie Marie
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