Check Out Rian Smith’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rian Smith.

Hi Rian, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m originally from Maryland and have always been guided by curiosity, creativity, and a desire to connect with others through storytelling. I attended St. John’s University, where I earned a degree in Public Relations and International Studies. While at St. John’s, I worked as a Study Abroad Coordinator, helping fellow students secure international internships and study opportunities. That role sparked a lifelong love for global exploration — I’ve now visited over 40 countries, including 15 through St. John’s 15 week Discover the World program.

After college, I continued to build a multifaceted career across public relations, modeling, content creation, and voice acting. I’ve walked in both LA Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week, with my modeling featured on Amazon Prime and The Jennifer Hudson Show. I’ve lent my voice to projects for clients like the Yale School of Medicine, the Department of Education, and even the White House.

With all my travel experience, I also became a certified travel agent, specializing in curating memorable experiences for others — from solo adventures to luxury group travel, covering everything from flights to excursions. I’m proud to be a Gold Tier Sea Academy Registered Agent with Virgin Voyages, expanding my passion for travel into a way to empower others to explore the world.

Recently, I acquired my first property, who’s quite a fixer upper, so i’m a bi-coastal baddie now splitting my time between Maryland and Los Angeles. This new chapter has opened opportunities to expand my content creation into home decor, blending my love for diy’s, design, fashion, and storytelling into a new creative space. I’m also currently learning how to sew and have experience as a tufter, creating custom rugs and textile home decor pieces — always finding ways to evolve as an artist. Additionally, I offer social media management, content creation, and scheduling services to small businesses and individuals, combining my PR background with hands-on digital strategy.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been smooth. Navigating multiple industries — from PR to fashion to travel — while being a Black woman has required resilience, self-advocacy, and adaptability. I’ve faced challenges around visibility, gatekeeping, and balancing a stable career with creative ambitions. Juggling a 9-to-5 career alongside modeling, voice acting, content creation, and now entrepreneurship takes discipline and sacrifice. But every challenge has deepened my commitment to representation and creating accessible, empowering spaces across everything I do.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a multi-hyphenate creative: content creator, model, PR professional, voice actress, travel agent, and designer. I specialize in storytelling across various mediums — from visual content and digital strategy to runway and voiceover work. I’m known for creating authentic, approachable content across fashion, travel, lifestyle, and now home decor, inspiring others to explore and express themselves boldly.

I’m most proud of my ability to bridge professional and creative spaces — from working with high-profile clients like Yale School of Medicine and the Department of Education as a voice actress to building a personal brand that’s relatable and aspirational. I offer curated travel experiences and hands-on social media management, blending strategy and creativity for individuals and small businesses. What sets me apart is my versatility and transparency: I show both the highlight reel and the real moments, creating a genuine connection with my audience and clients.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories is attending a summer culinary arts camp when I was seven years old. It was there that I made my very first lasagna and learned how to make a crêpe from scratch — the first real dishes I ever cooked in a kitchen. That experience sparked my lifelong love for cooking, a skill I continue to nurture today. While I’ve never been formally trained in a restaurant, I’ve spent years honing my skills in my own kitchen. I’m so grateful my parents encouraged me to explore activities I genuinely loved rather than pushing me into traditional sports or paths — I’ve always been drawn to the arts, and that support helped me grow into the creative I am today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.reallyrians.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reallyrians?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rian-smith-6ba374126?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@reallyrians?si=apg_-M0esqAktgUa
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@reallyrians?_t=ZP-8wFJtTBdtfz&_r=1

Image Credits
Edi Roque
Kaitlyn Franklin
Marcus Calhoun
Willy Joseph-Louis
Freddyo