As a renowned fashion blogger and youtuber, Monroe Steele has been sharing her fashion, travel, beauty, and lifestyle advice with her community for over 10 years. Leaving her 9 to 5 role to become a full-time content creator was “extremely scary” especially since the industry was so new at the time, but deep down Steele knew it was the right move. She hasn’t looked back.

Now, taking risks is par for the course and Steele continues to forge her own path into unchartered waters by launching her own independent digital and print magazine, Steele Magazine and co-designing her first clothing capsule collection with Sonjia Williams of Something By Sonjia.

Read on to learn how she’s writing her own playbook and encouraging more Black women to take up space in the fashion content creation industry, too. 

How did you make your first dollar and what did that job teach you that still applies today?
When I was a pre-teen I got an allowance for doing weekly chores. I was the dishwasher of the house. I had the pleasure of washing the dishes every single night for several years. It definitely taught me discipline and it’s something I still do often to relax and to think out things. 

Take us back to the beginning—what was the lightbulb moment for your business/career and what inspired you to pursue this path?

I’ve always been a writer for as long as I knew how to write. I remember writing books in elementary and middle school and compelling my friends to read them. My love for writing is what got me into blogging. It was a way I could be creative and get more eyes on my work.

Entrepreneurship is all about taking calculated risks—What’s the most pivotal risk you’ve taken, and how did it change your path? 

The biggest risk I’ve taken is leaving my regular 9 to 5 jobs to be a full-time content creator. I had been blogging for 10+ years while working a full-time job and it wasn’t until I left that job that this whole world of opportunity opened up for me. It was extremely scary. I had a little savings and I just decided to give it a go. I haven't looked back since. 

What career mistake has given you the biggest lesson? 

I’ve made a ton of mistakes but the biggest one is trying to do everything myself. I had to learn how to delegate and to get people on my team who were more talented in the areas where I was weak. 

2020 presented everybody around the globe with new, unprecedented challenges. How did you #FindNewRoads + switch gears towards your new version of success? Lockdown really helped me hone in on what I’m good at when it comes to content creation. I learned I didn’t need to do all of these elaborate fashion street style shoots to get engagement. I just have to be myself, tell my story and show my fashion sense in a new way. It benefited me a lot to know that I can be more well rounded with my content.

How are you making a difference and pushing your industry forward?
I’m mentoring more Black content creators and that is one way I’m hoping to push the industry forward. I definitely want to see more people, specifically more Black women taking up space in the fashion content creation industry. 

Going after what you deserve in life takes confidence and guts. Does confidence come naturally to you or did you have to learn it? What advice can you share for women on cultivating confidence and going after their dreams?
I’ve always been a very confident person but that was also instilled in me at an early age from family members. If I didn’t have that I think it would be difficult to believe in myself. I also think confidence just comes with age. The older you get the more you don’t care about what people say or think about you. 

How have you remained true and authentic to who you are and what advice can you share for women who are struggling with that? 

It’s too hard trying to be someone else or trying to follow someone elses playbook for success. You are the only you and that’s really all you need to be. There is an audience for everyone. There will always be someone that will resonate and see themselves in you—so go for it.

For those who haven’t started a business (or are about to) what advice do you have? Just start even if everythings not perfect. Things will never be perfect and the lesson is in making the mistakes and learning. I’ve been in the business of content creation for 10 years and I’m still learning new things every single day. Also, never stop researching, and learning, and reading, and staying ahead of the curve. 

What is your number one piece of financial advice for any new entrepreneur and why?
Save 65% of what you make and invest at least 20% back into your business. When you’re an entrepreneur you never know when you’ll have a bad month. Saving can take the pressure off having to accept any job that comes your way and gives you some security. You should always put money back into your business. It takes money to make money. 

What's the one productivity tip or work hack that truly changed your life?
Have a daily, weekly and monthly to-do list and stick to it. The worst entrepreneurs are those that lack organizing and it can be to the detriment of your business. If you’re not a naturally productive person there are several phone apps that you can download to keep you on task as well. 

What is the #1 book you always recommend and why?
Not a book but a YouTube Video: The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale. Every entrepreneur should listen to this. 

Fill in the blanks:

When I feel fear…
I don’t claim fear. I know it’s a very pertinent emotion but I let myself feel it and I let it pass. Fear is usually what propels people to make decisions. I choose not to let it have that kind of power over my life. 

The best career advice I always give is…
Just start where you are. 

To be successful, you need to be…
Pursuing a goal.

I turn bad days around by…
Claiming that they will be good days.

If there were more hours in the day, I would…
Probably be working more hours.