Today we’d like to introduce you to Lily Ye
Hi Lily, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was in touch with my creative side from a young age, taking lessons in piano, singing, ballet, modern dance, and art that all quickly developed my expressive, detail-oriented personality. With the busy-ness of being a college student and diving into the workforce, I quickly fell out of routinely practicing this creativity. It was during covid that the urge to reconnect with this side came about.
Because the room that I lived in at the time had basically no natural light and it was near impossible to film in my room, I started going around USC campus and making “paint-around-campus-with-me” videos. However, this project was on and off and I failed several times throughout quarantine to be consistent.
It was only when I moved into a space that I could personalize and make my very own that I decided to reconstruct the process over, but with filming indoor fashion content. Despite my enthusiasm, I found myself dabbling in it half-heartedly again—balancing a new job and navigating post-grad life meant that content creation could only remain a casual hobby I would revisit whenever I had the time or inclination.
It wasn’t until I was laid off from my job that I finally felt compelled to dedicate myself to the ideas I had been postponing for over a year. Then finally in January of 2023, I reached the conclusion that if I don’t give this a real shot, it will be something that I’ll regret and keep wondering “what if?” for the rest of my life. I wanted to break out of my habit of giving up halfway so badly– no more going back and forth on pursuing this path.
My mindset was just to get it started and continue, no matter the circumstance. And if I was going to do it, I was going all in. My vision was the following: documenting my life in a vulnerable and relatable way, building a network of inspiring, like-minded individuals, and nurturing my creativity to heal my inner child. That’s when I posted that I would make “no more excuses, we’re doing it for real this time.”
The beginning was a tricky time, as with anyone starting off. I went full steam mode, dedicating multiple hours a day to just getting myself familiar with the routine of ideating, filming, scripting, experimenting, editing, etc. I was convinced I had finally achieved the pace I’d long desired, but it soon became apparent that it was not sustainable. The demanding schedule led to burnout quicker than I had anticipated.
With time though, I slowly learned to lighten the pressure I was giving myself, while finding a healthier balance between making videos and other areas of life: work, social, relationship, family. I kept at it for one whole year and posted both on TikTok and Instagram. My style was definitely in the developing stages, as I played around with different editing techniques and storytelling methods– I mainly wanted to avoid tying myself down to one “niche” so that I could have the flexibility to share about a range of subjects that were important to me. I documented my life living in the big city of Los Angeles, sharing my outfit checks, recommendations around the city, daily vlogs, limited time pop-up events, art gallery visits, etc.
And before I knew it, I am now in my 2nd year, going onto my 3rd, of content creation. There were periods where I felt creatively drained, lacked motivation, pulled all-nighters to feel that satisfaction of uploading a video I spent hours and hours on. Yet, it gave me a chance to learn so much about myself in the process. My likes and dislikes, my style of editing, preferences on aesthetics, how hard I’m able to work, my bandwidth and capacity, my motivation. This long but fulfilling journey has led me to where I am today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest struggles was the feeling of being alone on the content creation hustle. In general, most of my friends are not in the creative space— and I had a hard time coming to terms with it because it felt like this was a part of me that I had to somewhat keep under wraps, and yet my videos were out there for everyone to see. That need to find people to share my thoughts and ideas with was what pushed me to start actively looking for those like-minded individuals. I took on opportunities to meet other creators in the space, either through reaching out online to each other on platforms or organically through attending community events for creatives.
After participating in just a handful, I realized that I felt more seen than ever in those spaces. Both influencers that I admire and fellow videomakers I met all talked about the same struggles: being on the constant grind and the process of developing the craft. That mutual understanding between creators of how much goes on behind the scenes, appreciation for each other’s works, the level of commitment needed to chase our passions, the shared energy in the room— it was refreshing. And even though the nature of being creative is lonely in itself, it isn’t equivalent to the feeling of “loneliness”; rather, it was reassuring to know that others out there share my journey and are striving toward their dreams as well.
Another major struggle has been striking a balance between my 9-5 job, nurturing social connections, and making space for self-care. The three-day-a-week commute can be draining, and transitioning from a long workday into “content mode” is a rollercoaster– on some days, stepping away from number-crunching rejuvenates me; on others, it feels like I’m taking on an entire second job. I recall so many evenings where I sat down to film, completely drained but still trying to muster the enthusiasm I wanted to convey. I’ve also had days dedicated to making content, where I have everything prepared for filming, only to find myself too exhausted to actually press record. The constant back-and-forth between fulfilling obligations and creative aspirations can be overwhelming, leaving me to question whether I’m spreading myself too thin.
I also tend to set incredibly high expectations for myself, which often leads to being overly critical of my progress. This perfectionism, driven by the desire to consistently produce and upload quality videos multiple times a week, clashed with my ability to manage everything at once. The limited energy and time I have, coupled with ambitious deadlines, turn my creative journey into a relentless uphill battle. There was also the lack of a clear guideline on whether my progress was going at a steady pace, and the self-imposed pressure made the process even harder.
Overtime, though, I’ve been able to recognize that progress and motivation are not linear and will always fluctuate. This realization has been liberating in many ways. Instead of viewing setbacks as failures, I’ve learned to see them as opportunities for growth and reflection. I’ve been working diligently to practice discipline and assess my workload more realistically, setting boundaries to protect my creative energy. On particularly challenging days, I just have to remind myself what I’m doing this for in the first place– to be able to have a creative outlet to share my thoughts and hopefully reach people with my personal stories.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Regarding my professional life, I studied Business Administration at USC and graduated in Spring of 2021. My career started in finance where I was a bank analyst, which then led me into esports as a sales strategist, and now I’m applying my expertise as a sales data analyst in entertainment. I accumulated experience across various internships, leadership positions, and professional roles to develop a well-rounded understanding of different industries and functions.
I’ve always been fueled by my curiosity to dive deep into new topics and desire to create meaningful, high-quality work– which has directly translated into my approach to content creation. I strive to incorporate fresh perspectives and an authentic voice into everything I produce. Whether I’m exploring new ideas or fine-tuning the nuances of a project, my dedication to content creation revolves around a deep passion for the craft. And oftentimes, that means following spontaneous bursts of inspiration and not being afraid to deviate from my original plan.
Turning back to the creative process, I think it’s a bit difficult to pinpoint exactly what my “niche” is because it ranges across a variety of topics and is still evolving with time. I started off with mainly fashion content, trying to educate others on different styles and how to ultimately find your personal style. That expanded to include day-in-the-life vlogs, because this naturally coincided with my lifestyle of exploring different corners of the city and also being the friend that people went to for any recommendations, know-hows, and events.
I’m incredibly proud of my persistence over nearly 2 full years of exploring content creation and posting consistently. Just a few weeks ago, I was actually reaching a breaking point of wanting to take an extended break and considered letting go of everything I had built. It was at that exact moment when I got the chance to attend a casual videography event at Film Tools hosted by Adrian Per, a creator I look up to greatly. He openly discussed his struggles and revealed that it took him 11 years of hard work to achieve success in just the last two years. His story, along with those of many people I met that day, reignited a flame in me to just keep going. And that’s what I did. Shortly thereafter, I posted my first viral video on Instagram about a “build-your-own-bouquet” picnic. Although I was thrilled to reach this milestone, I reminded myself that it was only possible because of all the videos I had created leading up to it.
The sequence of events felt like a clear sign that I should keep believing in myself and let my passion guide me. In those periods where I nearly gave up, I had also thought about how different life would be without pursuing this passion… it would be empty, and it would feel like missing an opportunity to express my personal value to the world. Now, it feels like I’m finally taking a real chance on myself, trusting that I can forge a path forward with my voice and story. And that’s something that I want to give myself more credit for and take pride in how far I’ve come.
What’s next?
Right now and going into the future, my main goals have been to fine-tune my editing skills and incorporate a stronger creative touch to each video– whether this be digitally designing the taglines or paper cutting and crumbling outfit pieces for a get-ready-with-me video or just anything to push my boundaries of exploring new techniques. Additionally, I’ve been meaning to create more relatable, thought-provoking storytelling pieces that explore navigating life in your 20s and 30s because I feel that many people have similar struggles and struggle to openly share those sentiments with those around them.
Another goal of mine is to work closely with more creatives. Whether this be photographers, videographers, fashion gurus, foodie enthusiasts, I see collaboration as a pathway to limitless creativity. I envision creating captivating visual stories that not only highlight our individual strengths but also weave together our unique perspectives. Not to mention, it’s incredibly energizing to brainstorm ideas and share creative energy with others who are equally passionate. I’ve found that working alongside others brings out the best in me and opens up new avenues for creativity.
For the past year, I’ve also been seriously considering moving back to the east coast (I’m originally from New Jersey). However, my recent trip back home reinforced my belief that Los Angeles is the right fit for me. like missing an opportunity to express my personal value to the world. Since relocating here for college and staying put, I’ve built a strong network and valuable connections. In a city where everyone is hustling and pursuing their dreams, I feel a deep sense of purpose in everything I do in such an environment. Thus, I’ve made the significant decision to stay and leave my mark here for the foreseeable future, rather than exploring the potential of life in another great city.
Aside from that shift in mindset, I don’t have any major changes in plans right now; I want to remain open to any opportunities that come my way and be open-minded to what comes my way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lychyee.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lychyee/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lychyee
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lychyee?lang=en
Image Credits
Edwin Valle
Adrian Alarcon
Jenny Rolap
Kyle Lee
Gonzo
Michelle Wu
