08.02.2023
Episode 236: Ndeye Peinda, Digital Beauty Creator
Summary
Ndeye Peinda didn’t start her career journey with “digital creator” in mind. In fact, after majoring in political science, she got a teaching job in the South Bronx. Hearing her reminisce about her time teaching, it’s easy to see how she easily bridged the gap between teaching and Influencing. Knowing that each of her students were unique individuals with differing opinions and emotions, Ndeye welcomed hard conversations in the classroom.
We can see why she is able to make such a connection with her audience—she even still personally responds to her DMs! Ndeye was actually still teaching when she received her first big brand offer from The Lip Bar—she literally dropped her phone when she got the news!
Nowadays, Ndeye has more than a few offers to sift through and more than a few thoughts on where the fashion and beauty industry can still improve—namely, accessibility and tokenism.
To hear Ndeye speak on how the industry has progressed, but still has work to do, listen up wherever you get your podcasts!
There's beauty in the middle, there's beauty in the balance.
Ndeye Peinda
Transcript
| Announcer | Welcome to WHERE BRAINS MEET BEAUTY™ hosted by Jodi Katz, Founder and Creative Director of Base Beauty Creative Agency. |
| Aleni Mackarey | Hi, Jodi. How are you? |
| Jodi Katz | I am good. Nice to see you. |
| Aleni Mackarey | Nice to see you, too. I thought we could start today with a little recap. I'm still on a high from the event I just attended this week. It was at Ad Age for Small Agencies Conference and Award Show. And it was amazing. I think I transcribed the whole conference and took so many notes. It was awesome. |
| Jodi Katz | Oh my God, I can't wait to hear all about it. |
| Aleni Mackarey | Yeah, it was great. It was so nice. Being on the agency side of things. I think you and I deal with clients all day. And being around other people on the agency side of things was so interesting to hear how people navigate their different clients situations and staff situations. And it was just really cool to remember that there are other people in the space like us. |
| Jodi Katz | You know, empathy is such a big part of how we work with our clients and help our clients. Did you hear any conversation around that at the conference? |
| Aleni Mackarey | I heard so many conversations about empathy, which made me so happy because it's a word we say a lot about beauty. And it sounds like people are really understanding that, especially as an agency. It's a people, business people, our clients are entering these relationships with us because they want to work with us, you know, like the work will get done better if you can be empathetic to your clients workload and vice versa, and really have a great working relationship. That's where the magic seems to happen for a lot of these agencies. |
| Jodi Katz | I'm pretty sure we've seen that time and time again, when we focus on the people aspects and making sure that we're helping our clients look like superstars in their organization and help our clients. You know, it makes their job easier every day. In a sense, that's when we win, right? Because there's a lot of talent out there. But it doesn't mean that the talent always resonates to being helpful to a large global strategic organization. |
| Aleni Mackarey | Yeah, absolutely. So how was your week? What do we have on the show this week? |
| Jodi Katz | My week was great. Base Beauty brag. We're getting new clients. So we'll share more with our fans on our Base Beauty channels, but it's always so fun to watch the agency grow and see the team succeed. But from a podcast perspective, I want to talk about Ndeye Peinda. So Alejandra, who leads our Influencer Marketing Program, she introduced us today. And this is such an incredible interview, she was a teacher in the Bronx, and also loved beauty. And literally is that dream story of somebody who's just like passionate about something, turns to social media to learn more, shares her learning with her growing audience, and now is a major force. And she's a fascinating person in such a great interview. |
| Aleni Mackarey | I am so excited for this conversation. I love to hear those really unique jumping-off points for people's big breaks, I guess you can call them for their careers, and Ndeye’s content is so positive. She’s, she's really inspiring to her audience and feeling their best and looking their best every day. So I can't wait to hear this one. |
| Jodi Katz | Yeah, and we to talk about the hard stuff to know. This is beauty and she also does some fashion. There are industries that have progressed and move forward, but not as much as we would hope. Sometimes in fashion notably takes a few steps back, we hear about in the news quite a bit. So that we have a very candid conversation there. But it's great interview. Ndeye’s fascinating and gorgeous and glowy and amazing. |
| Aleni Mackarey | That's amazing. I'm so excited brands have so many more options for skin tone matching and extended clothing sizes. And it really is a great space for more progress and diversity and inclusivity in the industry overall. So that'll be great to hear. |
| Jodi Katz | And at the end, you know of our show. So people have to really watch our show on Instagram because we have Instagram exclusive content, where we do games and fans ask questions. So if you go back to our Instagram, you'll hear Ndeye’s recommendations for her favorite brand of jeans and as somebody who like literally just has sworn off jeans, because like, forget it. They never fit right. She’s tested it out. She's done the hard work, so if you're looking for her top picks for curvy jean brands, you have to tune in. |
| Aleni Mackarey | Okay, I know that's going to be a really good tip. I will definitely listen. Here is Ndeye Peinda, Episode 236. |
| Jodi Katz | Welcome to WHERE BRAINS MEET BEAUTY™. We are career journey podcast talking about what it's like to define success and reach for it in the beauty and wellness industries. Today we start our Artistry and Influencing theme with Ndeye Peinda, a digital beauty creator and influencer. She covers everything from beauty, plus size fashion, and lifestyle in her blog and Instagram. This style star will inspire you to embrace your curves and look your best every day. I'm excited to dive into the conversation about her career journey from political science to fashion blogging on Episode 236. Hey, welcome to WHERE BRAINS MEET BEAUTY™. |
| Ndeye Peinda | Hi. Thank you for having me. |
| Jodi Katz | Oh, thank you for being here. I'm so glad that we could make this happen. me so. So let's start in the beginning like way, way, way, way, way. a bad night, you're 11 years old, what do you want to be when you grew up? |
| Ndeye Peinda | When I was a loving? I definitely used to tell everyone I wanted to be a lawyer. Like I used to love arguing I had three siblings, I was the eldest, I have to always feel like I had to make my case. Like when I was speaking to my parents, and so everybody's just like, you love arguing so much. You might as well be a lawyer. And I was like, I'm gonna be a lawyer. |
| Jodi Katz | And, and I'm not gonna make it to law school. So there's that. Well, what about undergrad? Was political science, something that you pursued at that point? |
| Ndeye Peinda | Yes. So political science was the major that I declared from my freshman year. So I did political science, I actually did political science and law that was like the conjunction of the actual degree. And I finished it all four years. |
| Jodi Katz | Well, I also was a law undergrad major, my, the title of mine was government and law, but I'm sure it's pretty similar. And I too, didn't go into the law. |
| Ndeye Peinda | Well, everything happens for a reason, because our paths were able to cross because neither of us went into law. Finally. |
| Jodi Katz | So you know, you go to school for this, and your ambitions were to pursue law, what changed? |
| Ndeye Peinda | I think the passion like when I was younger, identifying myself as someone who wanted to be a lawyer really had a lot to do with like, the fact that I was able to like, make my point whenever I had arguments and like think through things. And of course, at the time, like there were all of these law shows, Criminal Minds, and all of these things. I think there's like a glamorous side of like what being a lawyer appears to be, whereas the actual nitty gritty is like a lot of reading a lot of knowledge, a lot of information. And so I think once I got to college, and I got a taste for what law could possibly be with my political science major, I was just like, I don't think I'm passionate about this. And like, because I wasn't so passionate about it. The next step just wasn't law school for me. |
| Jodi Katz | So what was that next step? |
| Ndeye Peinda | So at that time, I just honestly truly wanted to have a paying job out of college. Like that was just my number one focus is, okay, well, if I'm not going to continue education as a lawyer, like, what could I do right now, but I think I'll be good at and I had a lot of time volunteering with children to a youth program at my undergraduate also volunteer like maximum security prison facilities through my undergraduate career. So I was like, I like working with kids or like younger teenagers. And so naturally, being in education was like the next step for me. So I actually applied to something called City Air. And I started teaching literally the month I graduated. Oh, and how old are the kids that you were teaching my first six months teaching throughout the year, I was dealing with third graders. So they were like, eight, nine years old, pretty young. And then after that, I started teaching out like a regular high school. So I worked with 14 year olds in a high school in the South Bronx. |
| Jodi Katz | So this is really interesting, because you're a creator now, and a lot of your fans are probably high school age, right? |
| Ndeye Peinda | I would actually say a lot of my supporters are in their 20s 30s. Like they're my age. I always make the joke. Like when I first started, because I worked in high school, a lot of my first followers were high school age, because some of my first supporters were my students. But after like, that, I think a lot of my main audience did between the ages of like, 20 to like, 35-40. |
| Jodi Katz | So you're saying like, as a creator, it's almost like your fans are growing up with you. Right? A little bit? |
| Ndeye Peinda | Yeah, I would say we're all growing through transitions together, like I'm seeing everyone either do like career changes, or getting married or having babies like we're all just going through life together is what I would say. |
| Jodi Katz | So I'm curious, you've had jobs in education, you've had jobs in customer service, which is harder? |
| Ndeye Peinda | I would say education only because even as a teacher, you're still technically working in customer service. The customer is just your student, right? Like, I am a I was a huge believer, as a teacher that like my students weren't just people who had to follow everything that I said, I didn't believe in that at all. I felt like they were humans. And so in my classrooms, I always welcomed like conversations and welcomed their feelings and welcomed them being able to say, Hey, I actually don't think this is okay. Like, I value their opinions a lot. And so I feel like, if anything is much harder, because when I was working in customer service, you're dealing with a client once one, when you're in a classroom, you're dealing with 35 Different people 35 different emotions, 35 different personalities, with one objective of teaching one thing so it's way more nuanced, I think, than anything else I've done. |
| Jodi Katz | Yeah, when you put it in those terms, it's you know, one on one versus one on 35. That's very daunting. Yeah. It was what's one thing that you learned teaching that you still use every day in your current life? |
| Ndeye Peinda | Don't say sorry, just do the right thing. That was like whatever we had like issues in the classroom and it's like, Oh, my God, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I missed I was like, Don't say sorry, just do the right thing. Because sorry, is like it's nice to hear. But What's better is the actions that follow you being sorry, showing me that you're sorry. And so I feel like in my day to day life, I'm gonna make mistakes whether as a partner, a sibling, a creator, mistakes are going to happen. And I think it's more so about correcting those mistakes and corrective measures to just make sure that I get back on the right track and make sure that I'm communicating effectively. So I think Don't say sorry, just do the right thing is like my model. |
| Jodi Katz | I love this. And that has to be our quote, for night, when we promote this episode. It's so meaningful. I'm like, getting inspired. And I want to share this with my team. Because what it shows is, yeah, like, I, I understand what I messed up, but I'm actually going to take an action now I'm not just going to sit in that spot of, okay, it was wrong. Now I'm going to move on, right. And I think it's really, really hard for people to say I was wrong, right? Like there are automatic defenses go up, right, and the armament goes up. But it's wonderful to be wrong. It's incredible to make mistakes. That's how we learn and evolve. And a lot of learning happens in well, what do you do next? Right. That's awesome. I love that. Thank you for sharing. Thank you. So let's skip ahead to life as a creator and a partner. What was that first gig, you got that first job you got, that you got paid for as a creator? And you're like, you know, it's almost like when restaurants put that first dollar bill on the wall? |
| Ndeye Peinda | Yeah, it was actually with a black owned brand called the Lip Bar. I was still teaching. And I remember when I got the email that they wanted to partner with me. And the amount that they were paying me at that time was the biggest amount that I had been offered. And I remember two of my students were like, sitting in the classroom, when I dropped the phone, I was like, Oh my gosh, and they were like, what has happened, and I just looked at them. And I'm like, oh, like, I just got a new opportunity. And it was like really, really, really, really heartwarming. And it felt so good, especially being that it was a black owned brand. And that was the first brand that paid me my worth at the time. So it's all really good. Like, that's, it's what stands out to me. |
| Jodi Katz | That's a major brand too. That's incredible. Yeah. What is it like now when your inbox is probably pretty full of requests? Or proposals? What is your process in curating what the right partnerships are for you? Now? |
| Ndeye Peinda | I think the first question I always ask is to like, what I actually use this brand, because sometimes there are partnerships when there are brands that are new, there are brands that haven't tried before. And so I feel like I always just ask myself, Is this the actual product that if I have to purchase it, I would have use for? Is it something that I feel comfortable sharing? Is it something that I think people who follow me would actually care to see like, what my audience be interested in this at all? And once I covered those questions, okay, it's, it's something I would actually use. Then we go into, okay, well, how does it actually work? And then from there, my management takes over as far as just negotiating contracts and rates and all those things. But I think the first question I always ask is what I actually use this and then after that is, Do I like this product? |
| Jodi Katz | So let's go back to 2017. Because that's when you started on YouTube. What happened in your life where you're like, I'm gonna do this. |
| Ndeye Peinda | Yes. So it actually I feel like I started posting content in 2017. But my interest in beauty, really like was spearheaded in 2015. Like I specifically remember being a senior in college, my sister had just came in as a freshman. And I remember my sister's friends who were like three years younger than me, all of their makeups was done beautifully, like they know how to put on their own eyelashes. And also walking around with like, baby pink powder, lipstick with no liner, like no foundation, and I was just like, How does my sister and her friends know how to do makeup more than me, like, I need to learn how to do my makeup. So I went on YouTube, and I became obsessed, and I fell in love with YouTube, specifically at the time like Jackie Aina, Destiny Godley, were some of the first people that like I really really fell in love with. And from watching them I remember thinking like, a lot of the times when I'm seeing products being used by other people who I'm watching on YouTube, they don't look anything like me. So I have to guess what my shade would be I have to guess the technique that I would use as far as applying the product like there was a lot of guesswork to it. And so around 2017 I was just like, You know what, there's no one really like my complexion that I see doing this or there were a few but like no one of course is going to be you everyone is going to be different and their delivery and their style and their look and so I started in 2017 just posting and my first video was actually kind of dedicated to Jackie I'm actually I just did a collaboration with two faiths for the Born This Way Foundation so that was my first YouTube video is like trying to Two Faced Born This Way Foundation and it felt like a full circle moment because she was the reason why I even found YouTube and got interested in YouTube and my first video was connected to that so. |
| Jodi Katz | And have you met Jackie in person? |
| Ndeye Peinda | I've met her I believe it was at Sense of Fairness in New York, if I'm not mistaken. So I have met her once or twice, yeah. |
| Jodi Katz | And you’re, she's ventured off into creating FORVR Mood, really to full fragrance brands sold at Sephora, her partner and CEO, Denis has been on our show. He actually won our Listen Again Award, which is really exciting. So you know, when you see what Jackie's done, does that inspire you to take this even farther and build brands beyond content? |
| Ndeye Peinda | Of course, like, I feel like there's a few creators in general in the economy that I feel like, you know, they deserve their flowers, because they've created a blueprint for others, like myself to like, kind of follow and to be able to be inspired by so I feel like she's an inspiration I just because of her branching off creating her own brand, but also just this idea of a creator of constantly having to pivot. You know, being able to pivot whenever you need to in this industry is really crucial. And so I feel like she's definitely a blueprint for me, and very much so inspired. |
| Jodi Katz | Let's talk about pivoting. You just helped me segue to my next question, thank you. |
| Ndeye Peinda | No problem. |
| Jodi Katz | There's always something, there's always a new platform or feature to connect with audiences, right? So we have threads from a minute ago, right? Like if we go back every six months, or you know something new. As a marketer, I'm kind of exhausted I have to say. So I'm curious, as I create, or what is your approach when something new pops up? Are you like, I want to be first and jump on it? Because this is like just a fun, fun way to play? Or do you step back and [say] wait, tell me a little bit about your thinking when there's something new to play with. |
| Ndeye Peinda | So I would say as a Korean I'm exhausted to always being a new thing, because you have to then create content or most of the day you have to create content that caters to that and I think a lot of creators who didn't hop on when Tik Tok was really trending. So a lot of creators who didn't hop on when TikTok was first being used more. Now in 2023, we we kind of regret it just a bit like, I wish I did tick tock in 2020, because it was much easier than for growth much easier for engagement. And so I feel like for me, I tried to have discernment, because lemony also came out. And I feel like for a week or two, everyone, all of the marketing news we saw was about how many was the next big thing. Same thing happened with clubhouse same thing is now happening with threads. So I feel like my strategy now is just to do what feels right. If I'm creating video content on Instagram, it's easy to just adapt it to tiktok and kind of, you know, apply it and try to do something a little bit different there with threads, I love to write, but I'm also somewhat private. So it's a bit more difficult for me to like, like, I just feel like people constantly knowing your thoughts. It's something that I don't wanna say I struggle with, but it's just like, I also think like, what I want to say, and then I've had to, like, be honest with myself and say, maybe this just isn't the platform meet for me. And that's okay. Like, every platform is not for every creator. And I think in this economy, it's really important to just do what you're strong and do what you're good at. So if you know that you like speaking, and you like recording videos, Tiktok, and Instagram reels are going to be perfect for you. If you don't like speaking as much and getting nervous behind the video, maybe you want to stick to photos, and Instagram will be the best platform for you. Maybe you love long form content. And so you want to be on YouTube. So I think the biggest thing any creator could do, especially with apps consistently coming out, is one, be open to try new things, of course, but also to find what you're really, really good at, hone in on that and adapt it to whatever platform you're on. |
| Jodi Katz | Now that you're giving yourself permission and also there for other creators who look up to you permission to say it's not for me, like it's not you know, it's good might be great for somebody else. But it might not be good for me. Because I think there is this compulsion, and it's the same with brands and marketing, like, let me be there, let me be there, I have to be there. But you don't always have to be there. Like it's okay that others are there and you're not there if it's not right for you. Right. But that's very, very hard. I feel like we're also hungry or thirsty to be like the first Assam thing. But that takes a lot of energy, right? And then it's going to take energy away from the stuff that you're really good at in the audience's that you've already cultivated. |
| Ndeye Peinda | Right. And I think it's okay to change your mind, like what you might want to do. Maybe tomorrow, I'll be like, Oh, I really want to write this. So this is what I'm feeling. And I want to share like it's okay to just do what you're comfortable with. Still challenge yourself and never be too comfortable. Because we do have to adapt that is reality, especially when this is your career. But it's okay to like pace yourself. And to be more intentional with the things that you do versus just hopping on something to hop on it. Because I feel like that can lead to burnout as well. |
| Jodi Katz | I want to talk about two topics and maybe we're gonna go pretty deep here. One is privacy. Right? So you mentioned your private person, there's been an almost an expectation that creators open up their whole lives to their fans, but that doesn't have to be true. So what is your philosophy around you know, what what you bring to your audience versus what you keep private? |
| Ndeye Peinda | I think for me, it's, again, just all about what feels right to me in the moment and what I'm comfortable with. So there's some things that for others, they will feel like it's not something that they want to share. But for me like I'm okay with Assuming that so I think my biggest thing that I'm typically private about are just things where it involves people that aren't mean. So like family members, close friends, my partner like things of that sort, like, I feel like, I'm okay with being perceived because I signed up to be on social media, I created the account, I built an audience around myself. And so I'm okay with like posting certain things, where I know me that people will perceive me. But when it comes to other people in my life, I'm not always 100% comfortable with sharing everything, I might share small things, just not everything. But I think overall, for me, privacy is just about what I feel good about sharing versus what I feel like I just want to keep for myself. And I think also kind of for me with like religion as well, because there's certain things that we're just told, within my religion that you should guard, essentially, it's so fast. |
| Jodi Katz | It's such a fascinating world that we live in, because it's so easy to get obsessed with the metrics, right and chase the numbers. And for sure, like if you shared your wedding and your wedding photos are then like babies and baby photos like that become something that can get you more attention, more video views, more profile views, like rate, it can actually drive up KPIs. So how is it that you're able to just say to yourself, Well, no, it's not about the numbers. It's just about, you know, protecting my privacy? Because it I would imagine, sometimes it's hard for people to say no to all that new attention. |
| Ndeye Peinda | Yeah, I think it's just up to each like individual because I'm sure like, I know that my photos are hosted when I got married and probably performed best on my entire page, which is fine. But I feel like for me, the metrics matter less than my peace, and like my joy and my happiness, and like my peace of mind, I would rather have peace of mind and be able to know that like, whatever does well for me is as a result of just directly me, right, because what I wouldn't want to do also is introduced different verticals, that I don't plan on maintaining, like, if I don't plan on, you know, consistently sharing my marriage, or when I have kids or my relationship with my siblings, then posting it one time or a few times, it can boost engagement, but it's not something that I can maintain consistently, what I can maintain is showing you how to do your makeup, showing you how I like to get dressed and like being transparent about that. But other things that I feel like, I'm not always going to want to share. I'd rather just keep it close to me. And I think there's beauty in that as well. |
| Jodi Katz | I think I have a similar philosophy. I mean, not I'm not a public figure like you. But number one for me in my work is serenity. I don't get it every day, but I strive for it. Right? So sometimes taking on that new client isn't worth it. Because you know, I know that it's going to impact like, you know, my peace of mind or my team's peace of mind. Right? So there's trade offs. And what's number one important to me is like my headspace. Okay, so, um, let's talk about the beauty industry, right? We're still an industry have biases, even though you know, we hope that we're making headway here. What are some of the obstacles you've come across? And how have you and your audience help sort of break through them? |
| Ndeye Peinda | I think first and foremost, of course, especially when I first started, like, the biggest obstacle was just representation, we kind of see where there's been improvements. But then there's also a certain aspects to the progression. There's definitely been improvements when it comes to the beauty industry. But I feel like the fashion industry is starting to progress a bit. So I'm seeing like the verticals and both happening at the same time. So when it comes to beauty, like I just did a video a few days ago of how to make a product that's too dark work on your skin tone. And so many of the comments, or so many of the most like comments were about, you know, wow, like the fact that we can even say as dark skinned people like something is too dark is something that we were not able to say a few years ago. So I feel like showing representation and showing up on these platforms, I think was the first obstacle as letting brands know that we here were a market that you have not tapped into. And like we want products to we also want to do our makeup and I think from people just showing up online and consumers demanding more, we saw more actually happening whereas I feel like with fashion, the biggest obstacle right now is just accessibility. Like there are so many things that people take for granted, like being able to shop in stores, being able to try on items and know that your size is going to be there or even just the perception from sales associates when you walk into a store. So I feel like in general, the obstacles between beauty and fashion are a bit different from beauty is just that inclusivity that representation which we've been seeing. Maybe one of the things now is just tokenism, which I feel like could still be an issue and with fashion I think it's just a regression of the improvement that they did start to make accessibility. |
| Jodi Katz | I was in Vegas this past week for Cosmo prof which is b2b trade show and you know there's all these malls every hotel has, you know, like malls or fancy stores and literally like some of the clothes in the window of the stores. They look like doll size clothes like so insane And, you know, I know I mean, I don't follow fashion the way you do. But I've noticed that there's been a lot of conversation about like, what happened with actually like, you know, the humans in these clothes looking like humans, right and not children. So I'm sorry to hear that that progress isn't has been stalled. But it's really important that you keep using your voice right, and that your fans keep using their voice here. Yeah. Okay. So let's go to my last few questions in the interview part of the show one, which is do read your comments and DMs, or is someone do that for you? |
| Ndeye Peinda | So most times I do that myself, however, I feel like, the bigger you get, or the more comments you get sometimes, like for me, I just want to respond to everybody. Like that's my issue is that even when I first started, I prided myself consistently on being someone that answered every DM in every comment, that was my thing. And I felt like once it got to a point where I couldn't do that as much, I felt so terrible. And I would like outsource it to like people on my team like, hey, like he respond to a few comments for me, because what people don't realize is that, like, I got carpal tunnel from just always being on the phone and like, responding to everything. So it's a mix of both. Just depends on the day and on the volume. If it's something that I can manage, I respond to everything myself. And so it's something that I can't manage. I'll have someone respond to my comments with DMs are always me. |
| Jodi Katz | Oh, okay, that's really good. So DMs are always you? That's probably a lot of one's always mean. |
| Ndeye Peinda | Yes. DMs are always me comments, I would say 75% of the time, or me 25% of the time, it's someone on my team. |
| Jodi Katz | And why do you split it up that way? |
| Ndeye Peinda | DMs I feel like it's just so much more personal. Like, if I'm answering a DM we're talking we're here like I want to like, understand what you're asking. I want to be able to respond personally. And with comments. It's just because sometimes the comment might just be a heart emoji. And honestly, even with my comments when someone responds to something asking about an item, or they respond to something in a more personal matter, like I'll answer those myself. Those will be the ones where we have it flagged in the team like those are for me to respond to. So I think comments are just sometimes more general, DMs are more personal. So I like to personally answer every DM. |
| Jodi Katz | I love that. Okay, what are you doing with your time when you're not working? And I know it's hard to not work in your role. But yeah, it sounds like you probably do make an effort to have some boundaries. So what do you like to do when you're not creating? |
| Ndeye Peinda | Yeah, so I just created that boundary, from the time that I quit teaching and worked in marketing. So August 2020, up until this year, June 2023, I did not take like a single, just like long vacation, extended vacation to go anywhere to travel. Like I was just work, work, work, work, work, work work. And I was severely burnt out like lost so much of my creative like juices like I just felt like I was in a space where I didn't even know who I was as a creator anymore. And so I intentionally took the entire month of June off. And like during that time, I just challenged myself to just do random things. So I went and did candlemaking I went to like a cupcake class. I went like just outside one day and just kind of like hot from different events like and so I feel like now what I like to do outside of my free time is definitely spending that time with family with friends with my husband. Like even right now I'm not like I'm traveling right now I'm not home. So I feel like I've found a good balance. And I just want to maintain that of doing hobbies outside of creating content. And for me a lot of those hobbies include like hands on fun, creative things that I don't necessarily need to like share all the time gonna just like for me like painting like I can do that by myself and not necessarily have to share the process or share that. |
| Jodi Katz | What did you learn about yourself in June when you took a break? |
| Ndeye Peinda | I learned that sometimes like I'm all in all out in this beauty imbalance, right? Because when I was all in I was just work, work, work, work, work, not taking any real breaks, not maintaining or of keeping friendships just like focus on my end goal. And then in June, I was like super relaxed, like just all my friends like, Hey, when are y'all gonna go out? Like What are y'all wanted to. And even though that was fun, I also got burned out. I went from that too, because I'm an introvert. So I like my time to like recharge. So I tried to do a lot really quickly. And so I think the biggest thing I learned is that too extreme is never good. There's beauty in the middle. There's beauty in the balance. So like after work today, going out to dinner with my sister, my husband, that to me is balanced as I spent the day working the first half. And the last time I'm going to spend going out to eat so I think that there's beauty of that. |
| Jodi Katz | I love this. Oh my god, this has been so fun. So now I want to say thank you for the wisdom. And this wraps up our interview segment. And I know our fans loved your really honest answer. So thank you so much for that. |
| Ndeye Peinda | Thank you for having me. |
| Jodi Katz | Okay, last part of our show. We have about five minutes left for fan questions. Okay, there's so many questions here. Let's okay, this is a fashion one. But Maria is asking, what is your favorite curvy jeans brand? |
| Ndeye Peinda | Favorite jeans brand. So I would say, I have three. And I'll tell you, I'll explain why for each one so that you can figure out which one would be best for you. I look we are found consistently updates their site with different gene options. And they're typically watching for like the trends and they recreate some of the trends. So I feel like I luckily, I know, at any point in time who have like a gene that will fit really nicely to I would definitely say Abercrombie, which surprised me, Abercrombie and Fitch, they have extended their jean sizes, and a lot of them do fit really, really well. And the quality of the jean is really good. And then third is one that I recently discovered, and they're not the most sustainable. However, the jeans fit beautifully. And they're always on trend, and that will be fashionable for the jeans. But for sure, it's hot too. I would say Eloquii and Abercrombie and Fitch. |
| Jodi Katz | Great. So fancy faces by Lynda is asking a really interesting question. Was there a big break moment? Or was it gradual growth for you in your career as a creator? |
| Ndeye Peinda | Overall, I would say it's been gradual is the overwhelming thing that I feel is that as time has gone on, I've gotten better as a creator, when it comes to the content I produce. And the partnerships have come consistently. But I wouldn't be remiss if I didn't say that, you know, the Black Lives Matter movement being so much in the media in June of 2020, I think greatly contributed to every black creator. Because before that, I think we could all consistently say that brands were not tapping into black creators consistently. And if they were tapping into black creators, it was the same black creators. But I think after so many brands have to share the diversity numbers of people that they have worked with at the company, and like had to own up to the fact that they weren't working with a lot of black creators. That was definitely a huge industry shifts. |
| Jodi Katz | Alright, I think we have time for maybe one or two more questions. Let's do oh, here's one. What are your summer vacation plans? |
| Ndeye Peinda | Well, I am out of the country for the rest of summer. So I am just going to be enjoying my time with family and friends, and hopefully get like a travel destination like outside of North America completely within this time between now and September. |
| Jodi Katz | Great. So now let's talk about boundaries. Will you share about your vacation with your fans? Or is this just private and off limits? |
| Ndeye Peinda | I haven't decided yet. |
| Jodi Katz | Okay. But I love that you're you're giving yourself a minute to think about it. You don't have to just assume that you are assuming that you're not. I probably will. |
| Ndeye Peinda | But I just haven't decided how or why. It's just what feels good in the moment. |
| Jodi Katz | I love that. Okay, let's give one lady one more question. Okay, this is a good one. What was the best advice you are given by another creator in your career? |
| Ndeye Peinda | So I'll be honest, I think that for me, most times, I am afraid to ask for help or free to ask for advice. I think overall, when it comes to just like friendships that I've built with other creators, I think one of the biggest things that we just consistently totally try that and that has helped me is just just post your content. Like, don't overthink it. Don't hold back, just post and go. And I think that has been the most helpful because I think it's so easy sometimes to just get caught up in metrics, or to get caught up in you know, feeling like no one cares. And I think just having the mindset or the advice of just post can pull you out of that rut to know like it's okay just posted like you never know. |
| Jodi Katz | I love that advice. Well, they thank you so much. This has been incredible. I love spending time with you. Of course. Thank you so much for having me. And thank you for everyone who's listening and joining us. If you'd liked this episode, please rate and review. As always, make sure you're following us on your favorite podcast platform and Instagram to stay up to date on upcoming episodes and all the fun we have along the way. Thanks for joining us. Thank you. Bye day. Have a good day. Enjoy your vacation. |
| Ndeye Peinda | Thank you. Bye bye. |
| Announcer | Thanks for listening to WHERE BRAINS MEET BEAUTY™ with Jodi Katz. Tune in again for more authentic conversations with beauty leaders. |
Want to sponsor the pod?
Available On:
