Today we’d like to introduce you to Saumya Gopal.
Saumya, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started dancing when I was 5 in an indian classical dance form called bharatanatyam. I started the violin in 5th grade, loved music, and would shower sing. I joined a dance team where I learned multiple styles of dance including hip hop, bollywood, bhangra and street jazz. When I was 16, my parents said get ready and put me in a car. It ended up being a modeling and acting school audition. Didn’t seem to like modeling much at this point, I felt it was superficial so I passed on it. I was in honors orchestra, eventually a collegiate competitive dance team and only posted social media for fun. I graduated with a degree in business and tech, more specifically, information technology systems, marketing, and sales. I worked in big tech sales and ended up picking up modeling when I moved to LA, my dream city. I modeled for dating apps, clothing brands, bigger makeup brands and professionally danced on the side as a background dancer in artists’ shows, music videos, and projects. I posted my modeling shoots on socials and got just a bit of traction. All of this, but I was depressed. This led me to my instagram page where I wrote poetry and deep messages that I struggled with or were trying to overcome. I moved to dallas because of covid after my job offer got rescinded. I finally found a great stable job in tech again but my content and creative side all became stagnant. I could feel the lack of creative pursuit and felt in my bones that I wanted more and that I was too comfortable. I started watching a rabbit hole of Marshall Mathers aka Eminem who fought his way into who he is now. Every single night I’d watch a dissected Eminem lyrics video and what he went through and it motivated me to actively approach life and my dreams with intent and dedication. I visited new york, the one city I thought I would hate the most. Turned out to be just exactly what I needed. I asked my job to switch offices and moved to new york on a whim. This changed my life. I became friends with hundreds of people pursuing their passion, opportunities, connections and experiences. I posted dancing content, new york life experiences, humor, being desi in america experiences, and some of my life. My videos started going slightly viral and I eventually decided to take content more seriously. I wasn’t consistent but would post sporadically with high performing content. I flew back and forth from LA LA to nyc every month, a bicoastal baddie life. I was signed to 2 talent agencies and acted in a movie, danced on sets, walked new york fashion week and new york swim week, and collaborated with so creators. Eventually after 2 years, I got laid off and felt isolated from my community. I remember my friend at a party you didn’t know me too well said, this is your sign; do this full time. I ended up moving back to dallas temporarily, which turned into 2 years. Posted a bit more consistently, gained more traction and a stronger community, got my first 5 figure brand deal and gained 50k followers on tiktok. I worked as a ugc creator for a while as my job, which was essentially being a full time creator. My videos did well, clients loved my work, and I started helping out others with their strategy. I eventually got a job at a ugc agency start up and this ended up halting my content. I was working till 1 or 2 am every day and just couldn’t give the time. I stopped for a couple months and the people who used to come up on the street and say they recognized me, said “I saw you quit social media”. Which really hit me, because that was never the goal. Every day that passed by it was a kick to the gut that I hadn’t posted, meaningful or just anything at all. I eventually started posted again and traveling became part of my lifestyle again. Japan, South Korea, Spain, Mexico, New York City, etc. I now fly into nyc every 2-3 months for opportunities, friends, a spark of creativity, and stimulation. Instead of keeping “friends” around me that made me feel small, I started building individual friendships that really saw me, poured into me, supported me and didn’t judge me. I now work at this startup, consult for ugc, and create content. My goal is to continue growing my social media to over 100k and more, create beautiful messages, stories, and works of art through storytelling, short films, content, and expression.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
If my road were an ice cream, it’d be called rocky road. My depression and anxiety in high school and few years after that caused infinite tears, hurt, sorrow, friendship and relationship breakups, as well as underperforming at my normal level. Friends I thought you were friends would judge, speak about me behind my back, make me feel small, isolate me and exclude me. Friendships to me are incredibly important and something I pour 120% of my soul into. Constantly pouring into things that don’t serve you, leave you dry and famished. I learned a lot of lessons through navigating mental health, shedding of people, and big changes. I am slowly finding my community, who inspires me, instead of shrinking me. Most importantly, I healed a part of me, by giving myself the love I wanted others to give me. Something I think will get me through this life.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I used to work in tech, but now I work in the creative field as a content reviewer, quality manager, creative strategist, content creator, singer, dancer, and actress.
I work full-time as a creative strategist/content reviewer for an ad agency, am a ugc consultant for brands, and content creator mainly. I am pretty well rounded, but also spread thin. I’m proud of building my own agency/business where I use my expertise to help clients market their products and source/work with creators to get them opportunities. I’m proud of the songs I’ve made/am working on as well as all of my dance and modeling projects such as New York Fashion Week, a movie, and modeling for NYX.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
It’s respected to grow on your own, but undoubtedly it’s easier, more efficient, and a faster journey with a mentor. It took me a while to find the mentors that have helped me and the easiest way is to be in the right rooms and be intentional about who you surround yourself with. If you hang out with people that you don’t look up to or that aren’t motivating you, that in it of itself will hinder you. In addition, if you find people or mentors that are in the same space as you and spend your time with them, you’ll learn things constantly in terms of business, tactics, and also mindset. You are the sum of who you surround yourself with, and while many things are out of your control, this is something that is completely up to you. Changing your circle will change your life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://saumyagopal24.wixsite.com/saumyagopal
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saumyagopal
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Saumya-Gopal-Creator-61569703525309/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saumya-gopal-a15634433/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@tallbrowng1raffe; https://saumyagopal.my.canva.site/
