Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vanessa Owens. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Vanessa , so great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. So, let’s jump into something that stops so many people from going after their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. We’d love to hear about how you dealt with that and persisted on your path.
There are good days and bad days but I’m not doing this hobby for myself. It’s not all about me and that’s what gets me through it. I’m on a healing journey to unlearn internalize fat phobia and help others going through the same thing. Other people’s opinions and negative outlooks have no physical control over our lives and what makes us happy. Sometimes my feelings do get hurt but I hold on to the fact that what they’re projecting at me has actually nothing to do with me. There can be a lot of heavy emotions with this platform but I also have a huge supportive and loving community, with them everything is possible.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’ve always had a hard time considering myself an influencer or brand lol. Maybe those feelings come from imposter syndrome or having to constantly fight society standards of who or what I should be. If I have any influence I’m hopeful that people see it’s okay to be yourself. You can have a hobby or career like this while doing whatever you are mentally and physically capable of. I’m not looking for an audience or fan base where I can’t be myself. I’m here for a community I can learn and grow from and be an example to others. The world is hard enough to live in but when we have representation and honesty we connect in a deeper way. People deserve that, we all deserve and should feel connected.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I don’t really feel like I’m qualified or have any major skills to do anything lol…. But I love who I’m becoming and who I’m going to be if that makes any sense. I’ve always wanted people to feel loved and supported. I think my platform resonates with so many people because we’re basically on the same journey just helping each other out. My core focuses for my platform are Self love, Body Positivity, Community, awareness. I like to show what I’m wearing where I’m going to eat and how I’m feeling, basically everyday things. I’m learning as I go and I hope it makes a difference.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I will always be looking to collaborate with a community of creatives business owners and companies that really just want to spread good. Locally my goal is to be supportive in whatever way I can. When I connect and get to meet people that live and work where I do it makes my heart so happy. Spokane WA is an amazing place and I’m so grateful to live here.
Globally it’s pretty much the same thing lol but the focus is more representation for plus size bodies especially with the larger companies! where nowhere near what we should be and that’s not good for anyone.
I’m really just taking it one opportunity and collaboration at a time. I’m trying to make the world a better place and people feel supported, seen,loved. My Instagram is where I’m starting pumpkinveelovesyou, but looking forward to bigger things in the future.
Maybe one day I’ll walk a fashion runway in Milan or New York not wearing shapewear or makeup. Maybe I could be a plus-sized action hero or love interest maybe one day I’ll actually be representation that I’ve always wanted to see. Just putting those vibes out there lol.
At the end of the day I feel so very blessed and I’m so very grateful for any partnership or collaboration that goes in those directions.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: pumpkinveelovesyou
Image Credits
My Husband Josh takes all my photos.
