She started as a food blogger, but soon found her calling in fashion. Though even today she does a mix of food, travel, and lifestyle, fashion is her forte. Meet Nicole, a fashion blogger and let us see what she has to share
Tell us about your journey, how did blogging come into the picture? Are you a full-time blogger?
A – While being the big fish in the corporates, my favorite pass time was watching lifestyle & travel YouTuber’s and capturing moments for my Instagram. Also Instagram feed of people who inspired me. My hobbies were traveling, food and experimenting with my looks. I would always get compliments from my pears about my dressing style, edgy hairstyles, and makeup. My long weekends were always outside Delhi exploring a new place. I loved creating and I knew I was a creative person from my childhood. But unfortunately, couldn’t have a career around that in the first place.
But you cannot suppress creativity. So, finally, I left everything behind and started my career from scratch in Blogging. Now, I am a full-time blogger.
Tell us more about your life story. What did you do before you set up your blog?
A – Nilakshi Bharali, but known to friends and my fraternity as Nicole.
Born in Guwahati in a middle-class family. I was a curious child. My childhood and adolescence are filled with great memories. I was kind of an all-rounder (my papa says it very proudly as I am a daddy’s girl ). I was good at sports, studies, an artist, use to perform state-level stage drama, a dancer, passionate about cooking and traveling. To sum it up.. I was a Jack Of All Trades. Hahaha 😀
I started with my career in Delhi. Few years of internships here and there to gain experience and later 6 years in a corporate job where I can proudly say I was doing excellent. Was in the U.K. and successfully completed various projects. I would say I am fortunate as I am loved and adored by my friends and colleagues. I was always a creative person no matter where I worked.
How did you decide on a niche for your blog?
A – Deciding a niche came easily to me as I was already a traveler and loved food and lifestyle. Grew watching TLC and TravelXP. Loved dressing up and experimented with different styles. My blog is me and what I love. It’s simple yet trendy just like me 🙂
What challenges have you faced with your blog?
A – First and foremost challenge is to understand what you exactly want to do (which is kind of a joke these days) and are you ready to take that risk? Are you passionate enough to create something new every day. And have the patience till you reach your goal. Do you want to get up from that comfortable, well paid white collar job and think beyond that monthly salary? Do you want to think about being so-called settled in life or have the guts to do something different? The biggest challenge is to be self-motivated and positive. And also understand your skill sets, what you are good at. Mainly what niche you really wanna work towards. I myself went through all these issues. I questioned myself a thousand times if I am ready to bring that change in my lifestyle and be strong enough to reshuffle my life completely. It took me a year to finally decide. Once I decided then the real challenge started. Technical issues were the worst. Till date, I am struggling with that.
Being a Fashion and Lifestyle blogger is not easy. Its pretty expensive and you need to deliver high-quality content.
What advice would you give to other people who want to start their own blogs?
A – 1. Liking something and working towards something every single day is totally different. Ex- Your hobby is painting but will you be able to create amazing art piece every single day?? I hope you got my point.
2. Choose one or two niches for yourself. The best you are at and do a thorough research on them. Don’t complicate in getting into too many stuff and later degrading your content quality.
3. Have a basic knowledge of creating a Website, a correct platform to start your blog page without investing much, basic technical terms, how social media works, how you can grow your blog and most important keep your website clean and professional.
4. Create good, high quality and relevant content.
5. Start taking pleasure in small achievements like your first ten followers or an experienced blogger appreciating your work. Or simply your friends and family who loved your work. And get extra prepared for that ultimate goal.
6. I would like to say to all the upcoming bloggers out there…. don’t get lost in the materialism of the world and rather find your inner skills and what you are really good at. Have a solid planning and keep yourself motivated throughout. You may face defeat a lot of times but never ever give up. Don’t get lost in thinking about the end results rather enjoy the journey throughout. I am myself on the same journey and I am loving every bit of it.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
A – 5 years ?? Oh, God!! That’s too much time, nobody knows what’s gonna happen tomorrow.
I think of creating new stuff every day and how I can do better each day.
Bringing out the best in me is important to me. I get super motivated by the bloggers around me and their content. Few of them has created so much still they are working towards the next level. I guess this field is limitless and you can be as creative as you want. 5 years is a lot to be the best version of yourself.
Skills or Qualities required for becoming a Fashion Blogger
A – 1. Creativity
2. Patience
3. Willing to take the risk
4. Creating their own brand
5. Having a business plan if you really wanna do it full time.
6. Have thorough knowledge about the niche you want to work towards.
7. Keep yourself updated and use your social media wisely.
8. Be good and appreciate others work. Get inspired not jealous.
Was becoming a fashion blogger something you always wanted to do?
A – As mentioned earlier, I was always appreciated for my dressing & styles I created, whether its office wear or hanging out with friends. I love experimenting with my looks. Following a particular style is boring for me.
I always felt drawn to Insta profiles of a few bloggers and wished I had a life like them. But like many others, I also gave the common excuse and blamed time and fate. I went up the corporate ladder but I knew inside I knew I wanted to do something more and something creative. I was ready to take a risk and begin something which I loved. 2014 I made the big decision and quit my job. In 2016, I started with Insta blogging and later that year created my own website.
Describe your personal fashion style for our readers.
A – When it comes to style I am unpredictable. I love everything. I am a big believer in dressing according to the occasion but with a twist.
As much as I love to dress classy and chic, on the other hand, I love funky and gothic looks. So my personal style changes from time to time.
Which technology has impressed you the most so far?/ Which aspect of lifestyle is closest to your heart, that you enjoy writing most about?
A – Instagram and creating videos in different ways has always inspired me. I love challenging content. I go crazy experimenting with various apps you find these days. Also, love writing about styling and lookbooks.
Travel Photography is also my favorite.
What according to you is the future of fashion/ blogging in India?
A – The future is superb. I remember a few years back when I was planning to start blogging, hardly people were aware of that in India. There were very few of them. Today, in a span of three years I can see 30,000 new bloggers (maybe more) from different niche. It’s growing really fast. Even brands are more comfortable collaborating with bloggers to market their stuff. People trust the honest feedback or reviews given by bloggers. Bloggers are now the new age celebrities who people look up to and seek advice and suggestions from. Its a huge social responsibility on us now as bloggers.
I would say India has excepted bloggers with open arms and the future is awesome. But yes! Content is important. One shouldn’t get carried away and work hard to create amazing content.
Tell us 3 other blogs you religiously follow and absolutely love.
A – Just three is tough… There are many Fashion & Lifestyle bloggers whose work inspire me a lot and I absolutely go nuts about them. To mention three
1. Lydia Elise Millen
2. Sorelle Amore
3. ThatBohoGirl
Santoshi Shetty, Larissa Dsa, Sejal Kumar, Ashley Graham to name a few more.
