Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrina Armstrong.
Katrina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
How I got started… well, I was born and raised in South Carolina… Charleston for the first eight years, then to Hardeeville. I came to Savannah for college then ventured off to a few different states and countries while in the Navy. I vowed to never live in the Lowcountry again… but love brought me back and I am enjoying every minute of it.
I will jump right into my passion. Since a little girl, I have always cared about my clothes and overall appearance. My mom started this love by shopping at the “one of one” boutique for me as a little girl. I have always tried the things that other people were afraid to wear. Even when I was in the military my uniform was always outstanding! So, for the past couple of years, I have been working in an office setting that allows me to get cute 3 days a week. I take lots of photos, mainly to document what I wore and when. (This also helps to figure out what you have if you are like me and can’t remember all your clothing… lol!). I decided to start sharing those pictures on social media.
People were always asking where I got certain things from and admiring the way I put them together. So, I then started to tag different stores and boutiques I shopped to highlight those places. This led to someone introducing me to the Liketoknow.it platform. This is basically where shoppers are paid to create digital content and share where they got their items from (clothing and home). I applied to the program and was denied initially. Later, I received an email from Express to apply to become a style editor. I applied and after a month or so, was accepted. With that said, I now have an Express Storefront where I share styling tips and fashion ideas with my viewers.
After the Express win, I decided to reapply for Liketoknow.it and they accepted me! I highlight different items on both platforms that I like and that I think others would like, just as I was doing before, BUT now, I am being paid to do so. These are some major accomplishments that I have worked towards in something that I absolutely love and that is FASHION! I have a few different hats that I wear and have done lots of different things.
I am a boy mom and wife, I operate a business in SC with my husband, I create graphic designs, I have hosted paint and sip classes in both SC and Savannah, I have designed websites for local entrepreneurs, I have designed and sold t-shirts, I’ve sold jewelry… and the list goes on. I would say, of all the things that I am doing and have done my latest accomplishments have been the most rewarding to me personally.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Hmm. Nope. I can say that I have done some pretty difficult things in life. I served six years on active duty, I obtain two Master’s degrees and I have one Doctoral course under my belt, BUT Entrepreneurship and being “Creative” in the community has been by far the most difficult. I think the biggest challenge is this popularity over quality stigma. In addition to that, I am somewhat an introvert.
I have been working these last couple of years on networking, meeting, and interacting with new people. That alone has truly opened some doors for me and is continuing to help me grow personally and professionally. Struggles do not deter me though, I am a go-getter and almost always get exactly what I go after.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
On a professional level, I am a contractor for the US Army working with separating and retiring Servicemembers to help them find internships and programs that will lead to employment upon completion of their military contract. This is a very rewarding role.
I am KNOWN for and specialize in being a FASHIONISTA. I am a social media influencer with now two major collaborations under my belt. This is the epitome of monetizing your passion.
I also assist my husband with his business in SC, Black Dream Restaurant, and Lounge. When I met him he already had things up and running, but once we became a TEAM, that is when things truly started to flourish and we have recently been serving mostly as a venue for lots of memorable occasions for people in the surrounding areas.
I am most proud of the influence that I am making in the world of fashion and can not wait to break more barriers and make my mark on this world!!!
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Oh, this is easy… what makes me happy is FASHION and TRAVEL! What makes me the happiest is my husband and my boys!
Contact Info:
- Email: misstrina84@gmail.com
- Website: https://instabio.cc/Katrinachanettra
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katrinachanettra/tagged/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/174503133/
- Other: https://editor.express.com/katrinachanettra?ref=share
