Today we’d like to introduce you to Savannah Stout.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In the fall of 2015, I was entering my junior year of college at Oklahoma State University. Just two years prior, I left home (with everything I owned fitting into the back of truck) and headed off for the 4 hour drive to my first year of college. I was terrified and had so many thoughts about “who I wanted to become” in my 4 years at OSU. I went through sorority recruitment and fell in love with the women of Zeta Tau Alpha and the next two years I was transformed and inspired by my sorority sisters. Fast forward to the fall of 2015, I was living in a 5 bedroom house with my 5 very best friends and sisters. I was very involved at the university and in my sorority and had the opportunity to always be around new experiences and new people because of my involvement. This is what led to the beginning of my blogging experience. I am sure you’re probably wondering how being in a sorority and going to college led me to blogging when I had no previous interest in the PR world, but I didn’t fall in love with the writing or the photography or the collaborations as much as I fell in love with the people. I LOVE to love people. And I won’t lie, the fashion part is really fun too. 😉 People would ask me where I got my outfits or shoes, or how I managed to style a thrift store find in a “trendy” way and my blog was born. I knew that I wanted to connect to other people (mostly young women) through fashion and lifestyle. I also wanted to bring affordable fashion to women because I was on a serious budget in college, but still managed to roll with the trends!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’ve answered and erased my answer 3 times now because I don’t know the right words to explain that my answer is so 50/50 here. I appreciate challenges, I love challenges, I am thankful for challenges. Have there been learning curves along the way? Yes. Have I struggled with the comparison game? Yes. Have I cried over blog posts deleting themselves or videos erasing as I’m uploading them after hours of filming and editing? Yes. But, all of these things seem so minor when I step back. All of these “challenges” are NOTHING compared to the reward of chatting with my readers or landing a dream collaboration. I think if everything came easy with this 3 year process, I wouldn’t have the same appreciation as I do for my little internet baby.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Trendy Gal Blog – what should we know?
The Trendy Gal is a place where everyone can feel welcomed. Where women can come to chat about their favorite new coffee shop, the best place for mimosas, their most prized skin care item or a new lip shade that just released in a collection. It’s a place where I share my style AND my heart with the internet. I wear many hats over at TTGB. I am the writer, photographer (thank goodness for my tripod and my lack of embarrassment in public!!!!), editor, publisher, time-manager, DM responder (haha), content creator and many more things. I am most proud of my commitment to my blog. When I started blogging, I heard that the majority of bloggers quit their blog after 6 months. I’m 3 years in, learning something new all of the time and loving it more than I ever have. I think one of the major pieces that sets me apart from others is that I share mostly affordable items that are relatable to my audience. I also share my heart on my Instagram stories and really try to give my readers and followers a good sense of who I am as their friend.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Are you sitting? Do you have some wine? Because the list is endless. My entire family has been so supportive and every single one of them have shot photos and helped me with tough decisions along the way. My sorority sisters have also played a huge role in my continuation of my blog. Molly is my personal graphic designer and has helped me with the layout of my website. Katie Taylor is my go-to girl for creating content and has encouraged me for YEARS. The future MOH in my wedding, Bryn decides between at least 2 photos every day for my Instagram when I can’t choose haha. My boyfriend and his parents have always been cheerleaders for me and they help me think through collaborations/business decisions in a logical manner while reminding me to have fun in my youth and to not get too carried away with the minor details. I am an elementary school teacher and my admin and co-workers support me and pick my brain about blogging all the time. I am so blessed by the people who have encouraged me daily in this journey!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://thetrendygalblog.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @thetrendygalblog
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetrendygalblog/
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
