Exploring Life & Business with Elizabeth O’Connor of GloryX & Beaux Mode Media

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth O’Connor.

Hi Elizabeth, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
In my teens, I had severe social anxiety and depression, making it difficult for me to speak up for myself and feel valuable. This made social situations challenging which often led to panic attacks. Due to my mental health struggles and anxiety, it made school, particularly high school, very challenging. By sophomore year I had to start homeschooling.

Homeschooling was necessary for me at the time, but I knew I was avoiding rather than confronting my problems. I felt ashamed of hiding away and disliked myself. As a child, daydreaming was my safe space where I could be strong, bold, and confident, but that was not who I was at the time. It was hard for me to believe I could ever become that person.

Despite growing up in a small town where people tend to stay, I aspired to do something powerful and become someone great. Although I was grateful for the care and love provided by my family, during that period of my life, our household struggled with addiction and mental health issues. I do not blame them for any of it, but being surrounded by such an environment made it challenging for me to become the person I envisioned.

During my time homeschooling, I experienced a turning point. It was the catalyst for my personal growth. One of the most prominent things that got me out of the hole I was in was also one of the worst experiences of my life. My sister opened up to me about a traumatic experience she endured that no woman should have to. At 17, I publicly shared details of it to prevent it from happening again. About 30 girls reached out to me, sharing their own experiences or those of someone they knew. The girls’ bravery to speak up and support each other taught me that voices are powerful and unity is strong. This experience surrounded me with powerful women and pushed me towards becoming one myself. This fueled me to do something in my life that strongly empowered women.

At this age, I began to understand the power of association. In my senior year of high school, I returned to school and forced myself to go out and meet people. I wanted to be more, so I needed to surround myself with more. Despite my friends thinking it was silly, in social events, I would approach someone and ask, “What are your aspirations in life?” I realized that you are who you surround yourself with, and I wanted to be around people with the drive and mentality I desired.

After I graduated, I was at a social event when a small group of people my age approached me. I asked them the same question I ask everyone: “what are your aspirations in life?” Their mindset completely blew me. At 18 years old, I started my journey in entrepreneurship by working with one of the individuals I had met. They introduced me to high-quality people and mentors. This person, who understood my experience with social anxiety, helped me make connections and even accompanied me to public places to talk to people. I attribute much of my social growth to this person’s genuine desire to see me improve. Through this group, I gained experience in leadership, public speaking, social media, personal development, and financial literacy. Additionally, I began my modeling experience by working with a photographer associated with this group.

During this time, I experienced a severe acne and eczema breakout which made me feel like hiding again. However, being around a supportive group of people who encouraged and empowered me during my time of insecurity, I was able to empower myself. Despite my initial inclination to hide, I pushed myself to share my skin on social media, exposing something that I initially felt ashamed of. This experience taught me the power of vulnerability and the support that can come from sharing our struggles with others.

I pursued modeling, working freelance with a photographer who boosted my confidence. However, due to my “flawed skin,” I struggled with seeing myself as modelesque and found myself shooting less when my skin was broken out.

In the beginning of 2022, I went to my first modeling event despite my eczema breakout all over my face. I was hesitant to go but pushed myself to walk my first runway and speak on stage about my skin journey, which led to me getting signed to MMG.

After 2 1/2 years of working with my initial business partners, I realized that what I was doing didn’t align with my long-term vision. This gave me the confidence to pursue my own business, and thus GloryX was born.

At an entrepreneur event, I met a woman who would soon become my business partner. We connected instantly and soon after the event, she helped me construct and launch GloryX. She initially intended to assist me under her digital marketing agency, but we quickly decided to co-found it together. I spent a few months interning for her, and now I am a partner of her agency. The founder of Beaux Monde Media, Caitlyn Lopez, is one of the most intelligent, well-spoken, and driven women I have ever met.

At 21 and 22, we founded GloryX, a clothing line For the Women Who Demand More. We’ve been fortunate to collaborate with powerful women and individuals who share our vision. Additionally, we’re expanding and scaling Beaux Monde Media by working with new clients and growing different aspects of the company.

Collaborating with someone who has also learned many valuable lessons in their past makes building our future together all the more exciting. I truly believe that what we are creating now will become something much greater than ourselves.

At the start of my entrepreneurship journey, I began studying Bob Proctor, a philosopher whose ideas have greatly influenced my mindset. One quote of his that resonated with me was “We are only limited by weakness of attention & poverty of imagination”. Focusing on what you want and giving it your undivided attention. Using your imagination to create a vivid picture of your future. I strongly align with this in every phase of my life. As a child who constantly daydreamed and now watching those dreams slowly come to fruition, it’s truly amazing.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
While I faced challenges related to my mental health, social anxiety, my associations, my skin, lack of confidence, and self-doubt, I believe that every obstacle I overcame presented an opportunity for growth. So, while my journey may not have been entirely smooth, it has ultimately led me to where I am today.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I work with my business partner Caitlyn Lopez. We co-found GloryX (@ShopGloryX on Instagram). GloryX is a clothing line driven to empower others. Our brand slogans are ‘For the Woman Who Demands More’ & ‘Selfless but Selfish’. While we are more angled in women empowerment, we also plan to pursue empowering a wider variety group of people. One thing that sets us apart is our relationship with the people we’ve worked with. We also bring in creative concepts when marketing our clothes. This allows us plenty of opportunity to collaborate with others in multiple genres of work. We are a brand build by many. The way I see it, Caitlyn & I are creating the foundation that will be built by others sharing their own talent, voice, & individuality. I’m proud of what we’ve done so far & we are excited to bring everyone who sees & has helped us build our vision come up with us!

Beaux Monde Media, our digital marketing agency offers a variety of services. Our team of 4 collaboratively offers services like social media management, website design, brand strategizing, UGC & influencer marketing services, business services, and artist & celebrity services. Each member if the team is specialized in a focused category. By working with us, you have to ability to build, brand, & market yourself/ business. While most of the time, people have to go find these services separately, we offer about everything you need for your business to thrive. We are proud to offer highly professional & luxury service.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory was when my family & I stayed in a cabin for a weekend. We went snowmobiling. I remember being filled with so much joy & my family being able to have so much fun together. I remember more vividly the smiles on my parent’s faces, especially my dad’s, being he got to ride the closest thing to a motorcycle, being my mother has still not allowed him to get one.

Contact Info:

• Website: Beauxmondemedia.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/elizabethevelynnn?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Other: ShopGloryX.com 

Image Credits
Chris Borja @chrisandrewb_