We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sherry Shahriari. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sherry below.
Sherry, we’re thrilled for our community to get to know you and glean insights from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
Well… I think I initially focused on recognizing my strengths, whether they were small or significant achievements. That helped me gradually build a positive self-image. I also believe that constructive feedback during my early days of content creation and blogging business became a valuable tool for self-improvement rather than a source of insecurity.
I think engaging in tasks and activities outside your “comfort zone” will expand your skills beyond belief. Pushing myself to tackle tasks beyond my comfort zone and seeing great results certainly helped me gain more self-confidence in my personal and work life.
For example, when I decided to go ‘all in’ with my blog, I had to educate myself on various social media platforms, as well as the ins and outs of the blogging business. I did extensive research on the best educational courses in WordPress, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and the most effective content creation strategies for Instagram and Pinterest.
I also had to learn and stay updated on the constant algorithm changes on Instagram, Pinterest, and Google, in addition to understanding how Google and Pinterest analytics work. Initially, the process was very overwhelming, but the small steps became significant strides in the learning process that led to a greater understanding of these challenging programs.
Another important element was being involved in a supportive network of blogger friends and mentors who encouraged me during tough times. I also believe that adopting a growth mindset helped me view setbacks as “opportunities” for learning and personal development.
Let’s take a few minutes to delve into your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m the proud mother of two sweet girls and have been happily married to my best friend, Matt, since 2010. Originally from Tehran, Iran, I relocated to the United States in 2002 and currently live in Scottsdale, Arizona.
My academic background includes earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Business Management (BBM). Throughout my life, my passion for fashion, design, and travel has remained the same. After completing my MBA, I fulfilled my dream of establishing a family business—an Italian shoe store, which we owned for almost 13 years.
I launched my blog as a creative outlet to share my enthusiasm for fashion, home décor, and entertainment while working from home and spending quality time with our girls. As a digital content creator, blogger, and writer, my primary focus is on fashion, travel, and home décor content.
You can discover insights into “Living Life in Style” on my blog, Instagram, and Pinterest. I share advice on different topics, like my favorite fashion and beauty finds, home décor ideas, table settings, holiday decorations, and recommendations for top travel destinations worldwide.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Persistence and Consistency: Building an audience takes time, and persistence is key! One of the primary reasons many bloggers and content creators quit after a short period is the time required to build an audience. Establishing a loyal following is a gradual process that doesn’t happen overnight. If you’re new to content creation or blogging, avoid comparing your first step to someone else’s tenth step. Consistency in producing quality content is very important for building trust and credibility with your audience.
SEO Knowledge: Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Understanding SEO is so important for driving traffic to your blog. While it might sound intimidating to new bloggers, it’s not as challenging as it seems. I wasted a significant amount of time in my first year trying to avoid SEO, but there’s no shortcut. Knowledge of keyword research, on-page SEO, and backlink building can significantly impact the visibility of your content on search engines, leading to increased readership. Take the time to learn it; it’s well worth the effort!
Social Media Marketing and Staying Updated with Trends: Being adept at using social media platforms is vital for promoting your content and engaging with your audience. Knowing how to create shareable content, build a social media presence, and leverage different platforms effectively can help expand your reach. Stay updated with trends; the digital landscape is dynamic, and trends change rapidly. Successful bloggers and content creators remain adaptable, continuously updating their knowledge about industry trends, algorithm changes, and emerging technologies to stay relevant. Trust me, I do not like “change” either (LOL)! In fact, I get so disappointed after every new Instagram, Pinterest, and Google update! However, I think you have no choice but to learn and adapt to the new changes.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you? This is a great question! Hahaha! I believe parents can have a significant impact by preparing their children for adulthood, teaching important life skills, and helping them navigate challenges. Personally, I think my parents did an excellent job of setting boundaries and maintaining consistent, healthy discipline for me and my sister!
Children need structure and clear expectations. Establishing appropriate boundaries and enforcing consistent discipline helps them understand limits and develop a sense of responsibility. I also believe that they did an excellent job with encouragement and positive reinforcement, which helped me build self-confidence and motivation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rbitaliablog.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rbitalia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RBItaliaBlog/
Image Credits
Sherry Shahriari.
