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Who is TaKeira Simon

My name is TaKeira Simon and I am a Fashion and Lifestyle Influencer and Content Creator, Brand Strategist, Personal Stylist, Social Worker...okay, I'll stop there. If you can't tell, I'm multi-hyphenated, but those are my main areas of expertise. However, to sum them up as one, I am a Personal Brand & Social Media Consultant. My ultimate goal is to help others learn how to cultivate a unique presence online WITH CONFIDENCE in order to reach their personal and professional goals. 

I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2014 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology and from Temple University in 2016 with a Master's Degree in Social Work. I have always had the desire to be of service to others. Hence, working in positions in child welfare, behavioral health, juvenile justice, and education. However, after a few years, I was burned out! God told me that it was time to resign from my job in October 2021. I had no back up plan, a newborn baby, just purchased a house, and very little funds saved. The only thing I had was incomplete ideas written down that I didn't see how they were going to be possible to make happen. Crazy, right?! He (as in God) told me that I would be a full time Content Creator, which I was already doing for my personal brand, but BELIEVE ME, it was not enough to pay the bills. I didn't know what God had in store for me, but I continued to trust Him through the depression, anxiety, sleepless nights, overdrafts, past due payments, and all. After almost a year of being out of work, I received a job offer to become a Creator for VaynerMedia, a media and creative agency, where I created social media content for Fortune 500 brands. In my two years there, I had learned so much about marketing and advertising that my degrees could not teach me. I participated in weekly creative, strategy, and media meetings, created for brands including Zappos, Headspace, EchoPark, Goodnites, Connections Academy by Pearson, etc. One of my favorite projects I contributed to is Lil Baby's Merch Madness Video in partnership with Fanatics. I still can't get over the fact that I was able to have a job like that; I didn't even know it was a thing. However, I was obedient to God and created content when I didn't even know what that fully looked like. Creating content and building my personal brand on social media helped me secure a job that people went to school for or could only dream about.  

 

 

 

 


For a part of my life, I didn’t think I mattered. If you were to ask people how I was growing up, they would probably say “quiet” and “shy”. I didn’t necessarily want to be shy, but I was too afraid to be myself. I felt unseen; Like nobody knew I existed. “Look I joined the choir!” “Look I joined the praise dance team!” “Look, I’m a straight A student!” “Look, I’m graduating summa cum laude!” I felt that I had to perform to get others to notice me and despite constantly involving myself in so much, I still didn’t receive the acceptance that I had desired. I attributed my feelings of rejection to me being a "fat" girl. So, I started dressing myself with the intent to be “best dressed” so that I could mask my insecurities. Although it was faux confidence, dressing up made me feel amazing, boosting my dopamine levels. So, I continued to get STYLED TO A TEE, becoming bolder and more unique with my style. I wanted to control my narrative by the way I presented myself to the world. Getting dressed up became my coping mechanism. It allowed me to receive the praise that I desired on the surface level.

Although I learned how to make my exterior look fabulous, clearly, I had a lot of inner work to do to actually be as confident as I portrayed. When I say work, I mean taking care of my mental health by addressing unhealthy mindsets and habits, dysfunctional behaviors, and trauma and replacing them with healthy thoughts, habits, and actions. WHEW CHILE. The more I shared my story, the more I learned that I wasn't the only one who went through unfavorable life experiences, which made me feel less isolated. In fact, sharing my story connected me to others who could relate which has helped me to foster a community amongst my social media peers. They have become more like family and have rocked with me no matter what content I put out. Not because I'm perfect, but because I have decided to show up authentically, honestly, and consistently. I'd like to think that I add some value, too. 😝 

Though I am no longer working at VaynerMedia, I am forever grateful for that opportunity. It taught me the value of leveraging a brand on social media and not just Fortune 500 brands, but personal brands. I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge that working for one of the greatest personal brands of our time, Gary Vee, was eye-opening. Watching him successfully operate multiple businesses, while being a business himself was an incredible sight! I was only a minor component in helping big brands reach their goals, but I know that I could have a major impact on helping personal brands reach theirs. I am my first case study. You can find me across most social media platforms. To date, I have secured multiple short-term and long-term partnerships with brands including Aerie, Stitch Fix, WHYY, Torrid, Good American, Nuuly, and Dick's Sporting Goods, to name a few. I receive multiple PR packages on a weekly basis and am an affiliate to platforms including Amazon, ULTA Beauty, TikTok Shop, Lowe's, etc. I have also launched an online plus-sized clothing and accessory boutique called Siddity Blvd in April 2024. If this were the part where I could toot my own horn, I would, but I am honestly humbled. All praises to God for continually blessing me. 

 

I have been investing in my personal brand for years by sharing my story, developing my own sense of style, becoming an expert in my field, and understanding how I could be of value to others. I want to help others confidently cultivate their personal brands, as well whether they are Entrepreneurs/Mompreneurs, Business Owners,  Influencers, Content Creators, or have a vision, but don't know where to start.

So, What's Your Why?

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