Regina Helton is the face of the Life & Style blog, The Every Day Mix. Regina is a former boutique owner with a love for the business side of style and fashion. She has spent the past several years involved in the areas of fashion, style, small business marketing, and pre-loved resale, including vintage and luxury items. Read our interview with the lovely Regina below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
I decided I wanted to create a life & style blog because I wanted to combine my desire to share a variety of areas of my life and style experiences along with my business passions. I also feel as though we live in a time where information is freely available and we are always taking information from other creators. I wanted to give back information by expressing real life, quality content, and transparency in each post. Creating the blog was the perfect opportunity to combine my love of style, fashion, vintage, and business into one unique and personal area.
Tell us about your business.
The Every Day Mix is a Midwest mix of Life & Style, based on my love of mixing practical, luxury, and vintage pieces. I created the blog as both a creative and business outlet. I label the blog a Life & Style blog because I’m sharing much more than my lifestyle. I have a deep desire to share my personal style, faith, and life experiences with hope someone will find something, which inspires them. My desire is to change the world of blogging with one real post at a time. What do I mean by real posts? Content readers can relate to, quality and real products, opinions, and transparency in each post. I feel fashion and style are much more than a brand. Style is an expression of our inspirations, love, personality, and mood. The Every Day Mix is a space where I can create and express what moves me as an individual.
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.
I have several life accomplishments I’m very proud of. Some are personal, spiritual, educational, and professional. I hold an MA in Organizational Leadership. I’ve overcome some large life obstacles that could have shaped me negatively but through faith and love I’ve overcome. I successfully opened a boutique with no previous knowledge. Though I closed the location, I gained tons of valuable experience that has continued to benefit me as I grow professionally and creatively through the blog. Without those first steps, I would not have launched the blog.
Where is your business based?
The Every Day Mix is located in beautiful Bloomington, Indiana. Bloomington is a wonderfully creative city that allows you to be yourself.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
My very first step was to quit dreaming and take action. I jumped in head first! After I opened and closed the boutique, I continued exploring online sales and resale of pre-loved, vintage, and luxury items. My love for small and local business continued to grow and evolve. Finally, I went bold, and launched the blog!
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
Be consistent, use social channels to express content that is unique to you and who you are as an individual, brand, and business. Be positive. I have a rule in my life and it revolves around having a positive mindset. Don’t put negative junk into your mind and expect to create, grow, learn, or see results.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Practicing what I believe in and overcoming self-doubt. I’m overall a confident person and I have a positive mindset but of course, I sometimes struggle with self-doubt, burnout, and creative slumps. I think as creators we all do at some point! I’m also an extremely private person, being in front of the camera was hard for me at first. I can make others feel comfortable, create content with them, and have a blast, but when it was my turn to be on display I struggled to feel comfortable.
How did you overcome these challenges?
Being consistent and pushing forward. I didn’t quit! For me, continuing the blog has pushed me personally out of some of my comfort zones in a good way.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
I remind myself of the goals for myself, my blog, and my future. I also remind myself that no matter what stage we are at in our professional growth we are not alone. There will always be a beautiful mix of beginner, intermediate, and expert. Let’s all jump in and swim together! Also, join a collective or blog society, connecting with other bloggers is the perfect way to grow and expand your connection opportunities (such as The Style Collective and The Blog Societies).
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
I strive to post real content that is obtainable, relatable, and represents my real life and style as an individual. This includes my personal style, thoughts, faith, success, and failures. I think staying true to yourself and not mimicking what has given success to someone else is the best way to standout.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
My dad told me – “You can’t control the wind but you can control you sails”. I don’t sail, but I get his point and I keep it tucked in my heart.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Be you, don’t stress, enjoy the ride, don’t copy others, and don’t compare your journey to someone else’s journey. Write and post as though the whole world is reading regardless of how many followers, subscribers, or viewers, you have. Lastly, you are never too young or old to start something creative.
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
I have several resources that are great! I use Canva to help generate unique blog post layouts, PicMonkey for minor edits, White Oak Creative for branding advice, and of course YouTube for tutorials.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @everydaymix
Twitter @everyday_mix
Facebook www.facebook.com/everydaymix
Website www.everydaymix.com
Email Regina@theeverydaymix
Hashtags #everydaymix
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
Reading makes me so happy. I’m constantly reading. I stay motivated through scripture, prayer, and through reading other blogs (such as Poor Little It Girl for great blog tips and White Oak Creative for branding advice).
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
I’m currently working on SEO and content engagement in my blog. I’m also working to expand into YouTube videos on life, style and, beauty. There is so much more to blogging than people think.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
My goals are to continue expanding my social reach and enhance my content layout on the blog. I also want to connect with other bloggers in my area so I’m considering forming a local group.