
Photo Courtesy of @matildadjerf
In a world where social media has democratized fame, influencers have risen to prominence by sharing their passions with the world. But for a select few, what started as a simple hobby has evolved into thriving businesses and global empires. These influencers didn’t just create content—they built brands that generate revenue, influence trends, and reshape industries.
At Roe Magazine, we celebrate these trailblazers who have turned their passion into profit. Today, we’re sharing stories of influencers who’ve harnessed the power of their platforms to build successful businesses, offering a glimpse into their journeys, challenges, and the pivotal moments that transformed their influence into lasting empires.
1. Negin Mirsalehi: From Fashion Blogging to a Global Beauty Brand
The Journey: Negin Mirsalehi began her career as a fashion blogger, sharing her love for style and beauty with her audience. Her genuine connection with her followers and consistent content creation helped her amass millions of followers on Instagram. But she wasn’t content with just being a content creator. Negin saw an opportunity to turn her platform into a business, inspired by her family’s history in beekeeping and her passion for hair care.
The Turning Point: In 2015, Negin launched her own beauty brand, Gisou, a line of hair products infused with honey from her family’s bee farm. By leveraging her existing audience and staying authentic to her personal brand, Negin was able to grow Gisou into a global beauty sensation.
Scaling the Business: Negin used her influencer status not just to promote Gisou but to build a brand identity that resonated with her audience. Her transparency about her entrepreneurial journey, combined with high-quality products, led to rapid growth. Gisou is now sold worldwide and has become a multimillion-dollar business, cementing Negin’s status as both an influencer and an entrepreneur.
2. Matilda Djerf: Redefining Fashion with a Timeless, Sustainable Brand
The Journey: Matilda Djerf started out as a Swedish fashion influencer known for her signature effortlessly chic, vintage-inspired style. Her deep understanding of her personal aesthetic and connection with her audience allowed her to grow a loyal following on Instagram. However, Matilda’s vision extended beyond just sharing her style—she wanted to build something more sustainable and timeless.
The Turning Point: In 2019, Matilda launched Djerf Avenue, a fashion brand that reflects her personal values of sustainability, ethical production, and classic, seasonless pieces. Unlike traditional fast fashion, Djerf Avenue focuses on creating high-quality garments that transcend trends, aligning with Matilda’s long-term vision for a more responsible fashion industry.
Scaling the Business: What started as a small, curated collection has now turned into a multimillion-dollar business. Matilda’s commitment to sustainability, transparency, and her unique personal brand has allowed Djerf Avenue to flourish. Her ability to merge her influence with an authentic, purpose-driven business model has set her apart as both an influencer and a successful entrepreneur in the competitive world of fashion.
3. Huda Kattan: The Billion-Dollar Beauty Mogul
The Journey: Before becoming a household name, Huda Kattan was a makeup artist who loved sharing beauty tips with her audience. What started as a beauty blog quickly grew into a massive following on Instagram and YouTube, where Huda shared makeup tutorials and product reviews. Her passion for makeup and deep understanding of her audience set the foundation for her eventual empire.
The Turning Point: In 2013, Huda took a leap of faith and launched her own beauty line, Huda Beauty, starting with false eyelashes. The product was an instant hit, and Huda quickly realized the potential to scale her brand beyond her social media presence.
Scaling the Business: Huda Beauty expanded from eyelashes to a full range of cosmetics, including foundations, eyeshadows, and lipsticks. What sets Huda apart is her ability to tap into the needs and desires of her audience, creating products that reflect current beauty trends. Today, Huda Beauty is valued at over a billion dollars, and Huda herself has become one of the most influential voices in the beauty industry.
4. Chiara Ferragni: The Queen of Digital Influence
The Journey: Chiara Ferragni, known for her blog The Blonde Salad, was one of the first influencers to transform blogging into a multimillion-dollar business. What started as a personal style diary in 2009 soon grew into a global phenomenon, with Chiara becoming a fashion icon and digital entrepreneur.
The Turning Point: While many bloggers remained focused on content creation, Chiara diversified her efforts early on. She used her influence to collaborate with major fashion brands, design her own collections, and ultimately launch The Chiara Ferragni Collection, a line of clothing and accessories.
Scaling the Business: Chiara’s savvy business acumen allowed her to expand her personal brand into multiple revenue streams, including collaborations, her own product lines, and even investments in other businesses. Today, she’s not only a fashion icon but also a successful CEO, proving that influencers can build empires that transcend their online personas.
5. Lilly Singh: From YouTube Star to Late-Night TV Host
The Journey: Lilly Singh, also known as Superwoman, started her YouTube channel as a creative outlet while she was struggling with depression. Her humorous takes on everyday situations, cultural identity, and relationships quickly gained traction, and Lilly became one of the most popular creators on the platform.
The Turning Point: After years of creating viral content and amassing millions of subscribers, Lilly decided to expand beyond YouTube. She wrote a best-selling book, launched her own production company, and became the first woman of Indian descent to host a late-night talk show on a major U.S. network.
Scaling the Business: Lilly’s ability to pivot from digital content creation to mainstream entertainment shows the power of personal branding. By diversifying her career and maintaining her authenticity, she has built a multi-platform empire, proving that digital creators can seamlessly transition into traditional media and beyond.
6. James Charles: A Makeup Artist Who Redefined Influencer Marketing
The Journey: James Charles burst onto the scene as a teenage beauty influencer with a unique approach to makeup. His artistic talent, combined with his confident personality, helped him stand out in the crowded beauty space. As his following grew, James became known for his innovative tutorials and collaborations with top beauty brands.
The Turning Point: In 2016, James made headlines as the first male ambassador for CoverGirl, a historic move that marked a turning point in both his career and the beauty industry’s approach to inclusivity. This partnership catapulted James to new levels of fame and solidified his status as a beauty icon.
Scaling the Business: James has since launched his own beauty products and collaborations, expanding his reach beyond social media. He leveraged his platform to build a business empire, including launching The Sisters Apparel, and continues to work with major beauty brands. His influence now extends far beyond makeup, as he is a key player in shaping the future of beauty marketing.
Key Takeaways: How to Build Your Own Empire
Each of these influencers started with a passion, but what set them apart was their ability to turn that passion into profit by building authentic personal brands, seizing key opportunities, and reinvesting in their growth.
Here are some actionable steps to follow in their footsteps:
Authenticity is Key: Your audience connects with you because of who you are, not just what you create. Stay true to your values and let that guide your content.
Identify Key Opportunities: Whether it’s launching your own product line or partnering with brands that align with your vision, look for opportunities to scale your influence.
Diversify Revenue Streams: Don’t rely solely on brand partnerships or ad revenue. Consider creating your own products, offering services, or expanding into other media formats.
Invest in Your Growth: Reinvest your earnings into tools, team members, and professional development to stay ahead of the curve.
These influencers prove that it’s possible to turn a passion into a profitable business. With hard work, strategic decisions, and a commitment to authenticity, you too can build your own empire.
At Roe Magazine, we’re passionate about sharing the stories of influencers who have successfully transformed their passion into sustainable businesses. Stay tuned as we bring you in-depth interviews and features with the very creators who are shaping the future of digital influence.