Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Vargas
Hi Vanessa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Vanessa Vargas, and I’m an LA native, born and raised in Paramount, a city in the greater Los Angeles area. I just turned 30 this August. I’m a new mom to a 7-month-old baby girl, and I’m a stay-at-home mom and wife. I’m married to my long-distance boyfriend, who lived in Seoul, South Korea, while I was in Los Angeles. We dated for about two years before getting married. We are a Mexican-Korean American family living in the Southeast area of Los Angeles. This year, I finally started pursuing a longtime dream of mine, content creation.
Looking back on my journey to where I am today, I’m the youngest of three siblings—I have an older sister and a brother who is the eldest. I grew up in a typical middle-class Mexican family in LA. Both of my parents are from Mexico—my mom is from Sinaloa, and my dad is from Michoacán. They immigrated to the United States at a young age. Growing up, both of my parents worked, so my maternal grandmother took care of me and my siblings. She had a special nickname for me, “La Vani.” Whenever she asked my mom about me, she would say, “Y la Vani?” I loved that nickname, and it inspired my social media handle, @allthingsvani.
After high school, I knew college was my next step. My parents always encouraged us to pursue higher education, and my counselors discussed it as well. However, I wasn’t passionate about a specific career. I enrolled as an English major, hoping to find my calling, but I changed my major three times. I attended college on and off before eventually dropping out two years later to work full-time. At that time, I was young and preferred the “hustle” or “grind,” as people call it. Working allowed me to buy a car, go out with friends, travel, and become more independent. Growing up Latina/Mexican, I was surrounded by cultural beliefs that emphasized hard work, which influenced my mindset.
Ten years later, in 2024, I found myself at another crossroads—leaving my job of five years to become a stay-at-home mom and devote all my time to my daughter, who was born in February 2024. She is now the most important person in my life, and I would do anything for her. During my five years at the company, I worked my way up from an entry-level position to a corporate role. When I decided to quit, I didn’t hesitate because I knew where my heart was and what my priorities were. After returning to my 9-to-5 job following maternity leave, which in California is only four months, I realized that leaving my daughter for over nine hours a day, Monday through Friday, was heartbreaking. No one ever talks about that difficult moment we have to go through as mothers. After a month of being back at work, I decided to put in my two-week notice and leave my job.
Five months ago, in March, while still on maternity leave, I began creating fashion and baby product reels on Instagram. It started as a hobby since I was home all day, and I also wanted to share my postpartum experience with other moms. I was looking for other women going through the same joys and struggles I was experiencing as a new mom—from hair loss to weight gain and everything in between. Now, after five months of creating content, I’ve learned that social media helps unite women by encouraging us to share our experiences and learn from each other. We empower ourselves with information we’re passionate about, whether it’s something we learned from a book, online research, or our own experiences. Whether it’s fashion, lifestyle, beauty, or cooking content, we’re all sharing what we love and hoping to help or bring joy to others through our photos or videos.
Where did my love for fashion, beauty, and content creation come from? It goes back to my teenage years when I, like many others, started experimenting with fashion and makeup. I remember watching TV shows like TMZ, Access Hollywood, and El Gordo y La Flaca, and I loved seeing what celebrities were wearing. I would also steal my older sister’s fashion magazines and cut out photos of outfits I liked—Nylon Magazine was my favorite. When social media came along, I enjoyed posting photos to my accounts. Aside from Myspace, Facebook, and Instagram, I spent a lot of time on YouTube, which is funny because now I have my own YouTube channel where I share content. I loved watching makeup videos from YouTubers like NikkieTutorials, MannyMUA, PatrickStar, and more. I also enjoyed fashion and vlog content, and to this day, my favorite creators who inspire me are @styledbyale and @karelytips—I just love their content!
Why am I taking a chance on content creation? Well, why not, right? Haha, all jokes aside, I’m doing this because it’s my opportunity to start my own business from scratch, doing something I love and am passionate about for the first time. I was never passionate about school, and my 9-to-5 jobs were just that—a job. When you start working towards your dreams, you realize that there’s no one to stop you but yourself. You are your own boss, and you have to stay disciplined, create a schedule, film, edit, research, and show up for yourself every day because only you can keep yourself accountable. Content creation allows me to do what I love while being home with my baby.
What do I want to achieve with my content? I want to build a community where I can help other women rediscover themselves, especially after having a baby, and make them feel confident and learn how to practice self-care. Moms still deserve their time to go out for coffee, shop, do their hair, and dress up without feeling guilty. Even if we’re busy being moms, we can accomplish whatever we put our minds to. I may have needed to go through this life-changing moment of becoming a mom to finally make the decision I was always scared to make—to leave all my doubts and fears behind and begin this journey. Content creation not only allows me to do what I love but also to be home full-time with my baby.
I’m enjoying every second of this new journey, learning new things every day. I recently learned how to edit a YouTube video and managed to edit and upload it all in one day. I love facing daily challenges and learning from them while creating content. I’m on the road to 1K followers on Instagram—currently at 696—and I have 22 subscribers on YouTube. I post twice a day, six days a week on Instagram, and share weekly Spanish vlogs on YouTube. I focus on fashion, lifestyle, makeup, skincare, mom tips, and relatable content on Instagram. For YouTube, I decided to do Spanish content because I’m fluent in Spanish and want my kids to learn the language. Plus, it’s a fun language to speak! I’ve also had the opportunity to collaborate with jewelry and skincare brands, which has been an exciting and educational experience. I love keeping my content dynamic and centered around everything I’m passionate about.
I am grateful for my family, especially my husband, who supports me 100% on this new journey. I’m also extremely thankful for the community of women I’ve met on Instagram along the way. I’m excited about this chapter of my life and thrilled to share it with you all.
Support this Latina woman who has finally left all her fears and doubts behind and is betting on herself to achieve her dreams.
You can find me on Instagram and YouTube as @allthingsvani.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. One of the biggest struggles I’ve faced was transitioning from a stable 9-to-5 job to becoming a full-time content creator while also being a new mom. Working a stable job was what I had been used to my whole life, and it provided a sense of security, especially living in a major city like Los Angeles, where the cost of living is high. The decision to leave that behind wasn’t easy; I had to weigh the risks of stepping into the unknown against the comfort of a steady paycheck.
There was also the fear of what might happen if I had to return to the corporate world. The job market is incredibly competitive, and the thought of re-entering it, especially after stepping away, was daunting. My job had been a significant part of my routine since I was 19 years old—most of my adult life—so making this shift was a huge adjustment. But ultimately, I knew that following my passion and being there for my daughter was worth the risk.
Balancing content creation with motherhood has also been a significant challenge. As any new mom knows, caring for a baby is a full-time job in itself. Finding time to create content, film, edit, and manage my social media presence while also being present for my daughter has required a lot of careful time management. There are days when it feels overwhelming, and the guilt of trying to do it all can weigh heavy.
Building confidence in my abilities as a content creator has been another hurdle. In a space as competitive as social media, it’s easy to compare yourself to others and question whether you’re good enough. Overcoming those doubts and believing in myself has been a continuous process.
Lastly, there’s the learning curve. Content creation is more than just taking photos or making videos; it’s about understanding social media algorithms, learning how to edit videos, creating engaging content, and staying consistent. These are all skills I had to learn on the go, and there have been plenty of frustrating moments along the way.
Despite these struggles, I’ve learned that persistence, passion, and a willingness to adapt are key. Every bump in the road has taught me something valuable, and I’m grateful for the journey, challenges, and all. On a more personal level, dealing with postpartum mental and physical health has been an ongoing challenge. Postpartum recovery can take months or even years, and even then, we may never feel the same as before becoming a mom. Physically, I’ve had to work on feeling confident in my own skin again and adjusting to the new life motherhood has brought me. Balancing these aspects with my passion for content creation has been a delicate dance, but one that has made me stronger and more resilient.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a content creator specializing in lifestyle, fashion, and beauty, with a strong focus on motherhood. My work is centered around sharing my experiences as a new mom, fashion enthusiast, and beauty lover, all while embracing my unique cultural background as part of a Mexican-Korean American family. Through my Instagram account and my YouTube channel, @allthingsvani, I create relatable and engaging content that resonates with other moms, women, and those interested in fashion and beauty.
What I’m most proud of is the community I’ve started to build. My content has helped connect me with other moms and women who are going through similar life experiences. I’ve received messages from women who tell me that my posts have made them feel seen, understood, and empowered, which is incredibly rewarding. Being able to offer support and share insights on balancing motherhood with self-care and personal style is something I cherish deeply.
What sets me apart is the blend of my cultural heritage and my life experiences. As a Latina with a Korean husband, I bring a unique perspective to the content I create. I love incorporating elements from both cultures into my work, whether it’s through fashion choices, beauty products, or family traditions. My content is also very relatable—I strive to keep it real by sharing the highs and lows of my journey, from postpartum struggles to the joy of watching my daughter grow.
Additionally, I think my approach to content creation as a full-time mom sets me apart. I’m not just sharing outfits or beauty tips; I’m also showing how to manage life as a new mom, reminding other women that it’s okay to prioritize self-care and fashion even when you’re busy with motherhood. My goal is to inspire other moms to feel confident, stylish, and empowered, no matter what stage of life they’re in.
Lastly, what truly sets me apart is my passion for what I do. Content creation isn’t just a hobby or a job for me; it’s a dream I’m actively pursuing with dedication and love. I’m constantly learning, evolving, and pushing myself to create content that not only reflects who I am but also resonates with and supports my audience.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Of Course here are of my favorites, that I would like to share:
Apps:
Canva: Canva is a lifesaver when it comes to creating visually appealing content. I use it for everything from Instagram story graphics to YouTube thumbnails. It’s user-friendly and offers a wide range of templates that streamline my design process.
CapCut: CapCut is an excellent tool for video editing. It’s packed with features that allow you to create high-quality videos with ease, whether you’re editing a quick Instagram reel or a more detailed YouTube video.
iMovie: iMovie is a fantastic app for editing videos on Apple devices. It’s straightforward, yet powerful enough to help you create professional, quality content.
Google Apps (Sheets & Calendar): Google Sheets and Google Calendar are essential for my content planning and organization. Sheets helps me keep track of my content calendar and brainstorm ideas, while Calendar ensures I stay on top of deadlines and schedules.
Monday.com: If you’re willing to invest in a subscription, Monday.com is a robust project management tool. It helps me manage ongoing projects, collaborate with others, and stay organized in a more detailed and customizable way.
Books:
Building a StoryBrand: This book by Donald Miller is a game-changer for anyone looking to clarify their message and connect with their audience. It’s all about simplifying your brand’s message so that people understand it quickly and feel compelled to engage.
Atomic Habits: Written by James Clear, this book provides actionable strategies for forming good habits, breaking bad ones, and mastering the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. It’s an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve their personal and professional life.
Podcasts:
The Goal Digger Podcast: Hosted by Jenna Kutcher, this podcast is perfect for creative entrepreneurs. It covers topics like social media, marketing, and business strategies, all aimed at helping you achieve your goals.
The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast: Hosted by Lauryn Evarts Bosstick and Michael Bosstick, this podcast covers everything from business and wellness to social media and content creation. It features insights from top experts and influencers, making it a valuable resource for anyone in the content creation space.
YouTube Channels:
Vanessa Lau: Vanessa Lau’s YouTube channel is a go-to for aspiring content creators and entrepreneurs. She provides valuable insights on social media growth, brand building, and online business strategies.
Austen Tosone: Austen Tosone’s YouTube channel and her podcast ‘Create and Consume’ offer valuable content creation advice. She shares tips on everything from editing and branding to growing your online presence, making her content essential for creators at any stage.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allthingsvani
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@allthingsvani
- Other: https://beacons.ai/allthingsvani
