Meet Sumire Gemz

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sumire Gemz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sumire below.

Sumire, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn 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?

I see confidence and self- esteem as seeds we are born with. Depending on how much they are watered or how much sunlight given, determines how vast it grows. I also believe that some of us can have premature growth within our seeds which allows for faster growth than others. I for sure was NOT given one of those seeds. Confidence never came easy for me. Because I never felt physically attractive to the outside world, I always felt like I had to live up to the only gift people saw which was intellect. I was a quiet shy girl who always had their head in a book hoping for the day that I would be seen for more- as more. As time passed, I slowly realized that people will never see something that is not outwardly expressed. People take things at face value. If they don’t see it within the first interaction of you, they will never see you in that light ever. So, I made a conscious decision to project light when I can. Show people that I am unapologetically me- have a voice (which was hard) and speak up for myself. Allow myself to have desires that wasn’t all based on intellect but based what intrigues me. Little by little taking steps into the unknown allowed me to grow confidence in myself. When you can look in the mirror and finally feel content with what you see is when you know that you are making progress to become the person you are most proud of. Then and only then will you notice that you are no longer scared of what boxes people try to put you in. Granted there are days when that feeling waver, but that is only because you are human. How I wish to live life in a vacuum where there is no nuance in how we feel, but that is not living is it? Confidence and self-esteem will always be concepts that we will have to strive for, but having a good foundation will always help you find you sense of peace with yourself and the world.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

HI! I’m Sumire Gemz (mainly called Gemz for short), a 28-year-old black quirky soft girl born and raised in NYC, blending my love for creativity, aesthetics, and community into everything I do. I’m a content creator with a unique approach to helping others shine in the digital space all while sharing quirky fashion and lifestyle with the world. I want people to know that they should live their lives unapologetically- no matter their skin tone, gender, or size. I share my fashion style and life because I want people to feel that they are not alone, that their feelings matter, and most of all: They should be proud of who they are!

Through my brand, Gemz Social, I create engaging branded content and offer digital products that teach creators how to pitch themselves and secure paid opportunities.  

What excites me most about this work is being able to empower other creators to see their value and turn their passions into sustainable careers. I believe that everyone’s story has the potential to connect with an audience, and I’m passionate about helping others craft theirs authentically.  

I’m also working toward launching my own agency to assist creators in navigating the business side of content creation. Beyond that, I have a dream of starting the Creator First Fund, a financial support system for creators who face financial hardships. Currently, I’m running a campaign called Poems for a Purpose to pay off my own debts through poetry writing. This initiative is deeply personal but also a stepping stone to funding this future support system for creators.  

In addition to supporting creators, I provide digital styling guides and consultations for individuals looking to enhance their personal style. Fashion has always been a key part of my identity, and I specialize in blending aesthetics like J-fashion, coquette, cottagecore, princesscore, and fairycore to create unique looks. I’m also the co-owner of my mom’s reselling business, *Posh Blessed Life*, where we share a love for curating unique pieces and giving them a second life.

At the heart of everything I do is a desire to help others—whether it’s building their confidence through fashion, guiding them through their content creation journey, or creating spaces where creativity can thrive. I’m also deeply inspired by spirituality, manifestation, and the dream of traveling the world to explore aesthetic cafes and cultures.  

Keep an eye out for upcoming digital products, more poetry from Poems for a Purpose, and the expansion of Gemz Social! I’m so excited to continue building a community that uplifts and celebrates creators and dreamers alike.  

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?

The three qualities that have been most impactful for me are audacity, working hard, and perseverance.

Having audacity means being bold enough to dream big and take risks, even when the odds feel stacked against me. It’s what pushes me to step outside my comfort zone and chase opportunities that may seem out of reach. If I never had audacity, I would not have gotten to work with some of the brands or have opportunities open up.

Hard work is the backbone of everything I do. Success doesn’t come easy, and I’ve learned that showing up consistently and putting in the effort, even when motivation is low, is what makes all the difference.

Finally, perseverance has been essential in navigating setbacks and challenges. Life often throws curveballs, but my ability to keep going, even when progress feels slow, has allowed me to turn obstacles into stepping stones.

Together, these qualities have shaped my journey, helping me grow both personally and professionally.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

The number one challenge I’m currently facing is getting brands to recognize my worth and pay me accordingly. As a content creator, I pour a lot of effort, creativity, and authenticity into my work, but sometimes it feels like brands undervalue the unique connection I have with my audience. This directly impacts my ability to make full-time content creation a sustainable income.

To overcome this, I’m focusing on showcasing the value I bring through detailed media kits, case studies, and clear data that demonstrate how I’ve successfully engaged my audience in past collaborations. I’m also refining my pitching process to emphasize my niche expertise, unique aesthetics, and ability to authentically connect with my followers. Additionally, I’m investing in building a strong personal brand across platforms to position myself as a standout creator in my space.

At the same time, I’ve started offering digital resources to empower other creators to advocate for their worth, which not only builds my credibility but also strengthens the collective movement toward fair creator compensation. I want everyone to win so we can all take advantage of the social media market together. There is no point of being at the top by yourself.

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