Meet Natalie “Kitty” Merola of Ginger Me Glam

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie “Kitty” Merola.

Natalie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up with LiveJournal, MySpace, and the early days of AIM away messages with a Sidekick at our hips, I felt savvy with technology and pop culture. (That totally just dated me here, but whatever! Emo forever). 😉 I loved coding, photography, music, marketing, and social engagement. It wasn’t just about getting those inbox notifications and Top 8 fiascos back when. I joined every street team I could and introduced my favorite bands to friends with mix CDs, posters, stickers, and other random swag sent my way.

My favorite label was Fueled by Ramen. I used to go to local shows and see my friend’s bands play with big bands in our hometown. Fueled by Ramen truly paved the way for me. I got into all of my favorite shows, hung out with friends, met new ones, followed up with future hangs, and planned to promote the next show with more of these new acquaintances. I had no idea then that what I was doing would someday be a big part of what I do in my everyday life today. At these shows, especially the Vans Warped Tour, you’d see the famous cupcake crossbones tees adorned on bands like the Gym Class Heroes and Four Years Strong to name a few. I had always wanted a tee, but I wanted to earn it first. I felt a special connection between me and the brand. Fast forward to college. I had no idea what I really wanted to do and I moved from Miami to Tampa.

It was a real bummer trying to please my dad with going to business school. When you start doing things to appease others, you begin to lose yourself. I had that tough love conversation, and I knew I wanted to master the digital production and communication side first before I pursued anything. I broke the news and switched majors. I turned to my roots, when things still didn’t feel quite right: Miami. I transferred and had delayed my graduation further, but I was closer to the lifestyle I love and the people that needed me the most. I’m happier for believing in myself to take that leap of faith. It was an expensive reset, but you can’t put a price on learning important life lessons. You’ve got to go with your gut and thrive from wherever you are whether others like the location or not. I wanted to know more about the video and graphic design, so I applied to a big tech company. I began to flourish with teaching customers software applications, while I’d take classes during the day. Curious about tapping into my own potential and creativity, I designed my first tee.

People loved it, but after two batches, people stopped shopping. I didn’t have a story, so looking back, I now understand- ha! However, it was a great jumpstart into the digital realm and diving deep into the blogging world. I decided to save my t-shirt ideas for another day. Something else pulled me. There was no overhead to blog other than paying for the domain and hosting, but what would be the biggest risk? Getting over myself. The fear of failure. The fear of what others thought about me. The fear of having my own personality and life on display for everyone to view. When I first wanted to get serious about blogging beyond, it was a senior capstone project in college. It sucked- ha! I had no idea what I was doing and it didn’t feel right. I ended up deleting it and hoping no one ever saw it. After graduating, my husband and I moved to Austin, TX for an exciting tech job offer. I left with the goal to cultivate my skills and somehow make my way into the fashion industry. I kept searching craigslist for jobs and was super eager to start.

I found an opportunity to revive a blog, and it set the tone from there on out. I sparked conversation in Austin about inclusion, being present, and introducing joy through my bright and colorful attire. When the time came, I challenged myself to start a blog. I designed the look and feel, and although it has changed, the style evolution and personal growth is a journey I’m forever grateful to endure and embrace. When I started my blog, I told myself that the only way to work through this is to deeply and truly have a conversation with myself about why I am starting a blog. The market is saturated, but it’s ridiculous to say that you aren’t able to thrive. It’s like that corny little phrase about being yourself is your own superpower. We’ve got space to create our own niche and share our personality with our own tribe somewhere out there on the internet. It’s wild!

Our parents told us not to talk to strangers, and I’m here online making some of the best friends and business connections from simply putting the word out there. These are sometimes connections you can only make via Twitter or cold emails. Talk about growth on growth on growth! After I had my son, I had discovered new ways to style my looks and how to love myself more. Self-care can be in the form of creativity and reflection with action. I stumbled upon Gary Vaynerchuk, and this man changed my life with his unlocks. Before observing and applying his mindset, I wasn’t giving myself the permission to be me and just document my everyday activities to showcase my journey so far. I adapted to practicing more self-auditing, and when I got real with my intentions and goals, things changed significantly.

My blog is one big love letter to everyone who is curious about new beauty and style products, events/happenings, and tips. It’s fun sharing things and bringing a smile to their face. You won’t see the words expert or guru on my page or social media, because I haven’t lived long enough like Oprah or Ellen. Does that make sense? However, I do know that it’s important for all of us to be ourselves and speak up with our voices. I didn’t see anyone who looked like me blogging, and I could tell that it was healing others to feel empowered to feel free to wave their freak flag high. After all, how many Filipina-Italian-Irish-American redheads do you know? I confidently exude the whimsical and edgy parts of me within all of my gingerness, and I strongly encourage you to show off what makes you uniquely you, too. 🙂 Red hair don’t care!

When you’ve got a passion for people, art, and pop culture, it’s easy to see how I’ve circled back to connect the dots along the way. While blogging and covering various beauty and style events, I noticed on Instagram that Johnny Cupcakes was looking for Cake Dealers. What’s funny is I saw they posted an inquiry asking if anyone wanted to host a party, and then 6 months later, I ended up working for them! Fun fact: I met Johnny 6 years before I began working for the brand. (I guess you could say that’s my lucky career number? Who knows). I have one of the sweetest and coolest leadership teams above me and a super tight-knit family of Cake Dealers around the country. I’m part of the Johnny Cupcakes entrepreneurship program, where we learn how to finesse the art of event planning, promotion, and how to run your own apparel business at the same time. There’s tons of energy within the events, and I’m always fine tuning as we go. I can’t believe how much I’ve developed throughout the program in less than a year, and it amazes me to see how the company continues to grow.

This innovative and positive work culture has amplified my love for style blogging and finding new ways to spread the cheer. Not only am I collaborating with brands for my blog, but I also get to throw these fun pop-up shops with businesses around town. We even help businesses collaborate and create custom merch. I went from my own tee business flopping to learning how to be a tee slinging with the Johnny Cupcakes brand like a queen in no time. It’s been one of my hardest and most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had. I feel connected to the pulse of creativity and feed my need for professional development. I earned the 2nd Cake Dealer Exclusive tee opportunity to work with the design team. The coolest part? I’m the first female to earn this coveted tee. Girl power! With so many fans at the pop-ups lining up for these exclusive tees we released, it’s amazing how I’ve noticed the blend of new friends occurring in line.

My blogging acquaintances, friends, and business connects mingle with the “cupcakers”, and there are all types of beautiful things happening with that. I see people having fun, sharing what they enjoy, and hanging out with each other outside of the pop-ups. I even get to showcase fans and their styles on my blog! I’m still connecting the dots of my journey, but whenever I get the chance to write or appear on TV, I always want others to know that all of you are better than sprinkles and frosting with a cherry on top. Trust in yourself, never give up, and keep trying new things. I’m on a constant film and shoot schedule for the blog, while I have scheduled pop-ups each month. If you want to do something, you’ll find a way. Make sure whatever you’re doing makes you happy enough to enjoy Mondays again. 🙂

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’ve touched on this in my story, but I think drowning out any fear or self-doubt can kill just about any excuse. If you want to do something, be courageously you and let the world know. People don’t have a crystal ball, which would be nice, but here, in reality, you’ve got to send hundreds of emails to yield a few solid emails. Make tons of phone calls and connect with so many people you never thought possible. It’s not an overnight thing, but when you want to start, do what you can from where you currently sit. I didn’t have all the cute clothes or fancy equipment to start filming. I threw up a green piece of fabric in my bathroom and I shot my first style video with an iPad teleprompter.

It took more takes that I can count, but it was fun. The thrill that I could create for my blog Ginger Me Glam and say that I did it. It can be tough to keep the ball rolling, but I think it’s important to take care of yourself and find the rhythm and platforms that work best with what you’re trying to achieve. Don’t try to take on everything at once and feel upset if something fails. It only means there is more to say and do before uncovering your personal brand success. I’m still failing and succeeding as I go here, and I hope you tune in for my journey. I have some pop-ups sell like hot cakes and others where it’s quiet. It’s all about adapting. It’s exciting to slay your obstacles and defeat challenges with new skills and different strategies to get there.

Blogger/Founder of Ginger Me Glam and Cake Dealer for Johnny Cupcakes – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I enjoy reviewing beauty products I love or trying something out for the first time; styles I’m into layering or remixing into a new look, and finding pieces that make a statement to brighten up my day. Ginger Me Glam allows me to connect with others through color, style, and positive affirmations. Sometimes, it’s in those moments chatting with others that we begin to embrace what makes us different while finding the common thread. Why not fall in love with the process of testing items and looks, while showcasing your own personal brand? What sets me apart is my fiery red hair, girly vibes, and sass, while I’ve got an edgy side with my music taste and style. I’m too busy cracking myself up on insta stories, and then someone DMs me to keep going. It’s good to know my style, humor, and engagement helps people feel connected. I want them to know I cherish every single one of them. Whether it is 1 or many, having their attention is priceless. For that, I am grateful to bring them value and freebies along the way. Treat yourself! 🙂

Style is one platform to bring people together, and through my knowledge of fabrications, fit, and trends, it has me going full throttle with my Johnny Cupcakes Cake Dealer Pop-Up Shops. Everyone eats and has a favorite treat on their mind, right? I’m about that cupcake life and you can find me showing it off everywhere I go. These Johnny Cupcakes items are all food-themed apparel and accessories with pop cultural references in the cutest ways possible. Sprinkles, frosting, cupcakes, and the big kid bring a smile to my face. This is a great opportunity to be part of my favorite brand growing up, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I get to apply everything I’ve learned from my street team days, college, the newsroom, TV station, and beyond! Showing up with a smile and surprising someone with a free gift, while they don’t have to make a purchase switches up everything.

Treating people like human beings with a conversation while shopping versus a hard sell and transaction completely changes the tone and direction. Think about it: you watch TV personalities and shop with certain brands because you value their opinions and/or aesthetics that match with what you’re trying to apply into your own life. Sharing the positivity and being a friend may be a different approach, but it comes back when you don’t expect anything in return. JC’s classic phrase is one of my mantras, “Do more of what makes you happy.” When you do what you love, it doesn’t feel like work. That’s the game changer, and I’m a better person when I get to be me at work. No masks when you’re in front of the camera or in-person meeting new people at events. It gives you a chance to shine and thrive in your own awesomesauce.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success looks different for everyone. For me, success is defined by my ability to wake up on Mondays and not hate my life. Seriously, who wants to wake up and go to spend most of their lives working somewhere they’d rather not be? Forty hours every week for most of our existence here is a huge chunk of time. We work more than we’re at home. Choose wisely with your time. Do you want to live with regret? Success is having no regrets, living mindful, failing over and over, and finding the things that make me feel alive.

Spending time with family, while having the flexibility to create and earn a living has me curious to keep finding new avenues to thrive. I used to think material things and social status defined success, but over time, I’ve felt the shift more towards wanting to feel fulfilled; to leave a legacy behind and to improve this world before we die. I want to see more people unafraid to fail. I long for those to tell their stories and show the world another side. True success is that feeling of fulfillment and gratitude for what we have in the present while sharing all the good things to empower people to cultivate something new; to bring positive change and joy into everyday life with others.

I don’t hold my life’s path to a list of expectations based from others. I wish everyone to find what doesn’t work and to hone in on your strengths to get to where you want to be. We’re all capable, and if we’re passionate enough, there can be a success along the way even in the failures. I’m far from certain goals, but for now, I’ve accomplished so many things I used to wish for, and with that, I must be grateful to be where I am at today.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.gingermeglam.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/gingermeglam
• Facebook: facebook.com/gingermeglam
• Twitter: twitter.com/gingermeglam
• Other: linktr.ee/gingermeglam

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