In 2022, everyday people are their own kind of celebrity. With the rise and gradual integration of social media in our everyday lives, it’s no surprise that those who stand out most would influence or inspire their followers in some way. That’s certainly the case for Camille Elena, a lifestyle writer and entrepreneur based in Grand Prairie, Texas, right outside of Dallas. For Camille, using her platform and sharing her life came naturally as she finished college and embarked on motherhood. The added perks, like the fun merch and growing recognition, are just a bonus.
On her website and socials, Camille posts about everything from trendy holiday looks to tips on how to value yourself in the workplace to more intimate videos addressing topics like her divorce. With every post though, whether an energetic reel or a #GRWM, she maintains a clear vision of the type of person she wants to be and present: one who keeps authenticity and positivity at the forefront – despite it all. And unlike some more traditional celebrities, it’s that unprecedented access and openness that allows her to connect with her followers in a genuine way.
On Instagram, Camille has more than 30,000 followers. On TikTok, she reaches more than 27,000. It’s her personal mission of staying true to self that’s allowed her to leverage her following into multiple brand deals, a separate business and the ability to be a working content creator full-time.
When asked how she does it all, she credits the power of technology and the accessibility made possible through Metro by T-Mobile with helping her rule the day, while juggling multiple responsibilities.
“This partnership has been such a blessing for me,” she says. “I remember needing a new phone, and they gifted me the newest iPhone. It was such a great feeling like they were investing in me, and now I can capture better content. I can take clearer pictures, and I can do all my work on it.”
For Camille, the best professional relationships are the ones that allow her the freedom to really grow with the brand. The opportunity to explore on the job and make the product her own is the ultimate win. Her recent collab with Metro by T-Mobile does both.
“I love ongoing partnerships,” she says. “I get to build a relationship, and it’s not just this one project. I get to go on a journey. I get to create. And when it comes to video creation, it’s just so sharp.”
Her journey has come quite a way since her early days of working retail at a boutique shop. She was a brand new mom and post-grad who was able to engage her interest in fashion and social media at the same time. It was there, while working to build and promote the boutique’s social media presence, that she found her talent and got the idea to do the same thing for herself. However, she admitted to constantly being plugged into her phone on the clock, and it was that habit that eventually cut her time short at the boutique. What a blessing in disguise that turned out to be.
Soon after, Camille launched her blog CamilleElena.com. She started taking photos of her daily adventures, time with her growing daughter Zara and her favorite places to visit in her beloved Dallas.
“I was just documenting things,” she remembers. “I loved going around Dallas to restaurants and coffee shops that were aesthetically pleasing. Businesses would notice me. I was growing my community base.”
Gradually, she became more and more known in the city, and she got serious about the limitless possibilities of digital content creation. With a degree in business management from the University of Texas at Arlington, she’d already had the business acumen. It was simply a matter of taking things up a notch, and to that, she attributes tapping into a hustler’s mindset and creating a vision.
Camille is inspired to rule her day every day for a simple reason: creating a beautiful, loving life for her family.
“I’ve really taken it upon myself to make that my goal in life,” she says proudly. “It drives me because I want them to have that beautiful, secure, loving environment. I will do whatever it is I need to do to accomplish that.”
It’s true that Camille has created an atmosphere that focuses on the positive for both her immediate family and for her thousands of followers, but she admits the trolls have gotten to her before.
When asked about the not-so-shared side of influencing, she says the haters are abundant. She’s been harassed online, pestered with DMs and has even had to seek legal counsel because of it.
Still, all roads lead back to her core beliefs and the sense of community she’s cultivated.
“The kindness and love I received was really heartwarming,” she says as she remembers an outpouring of support while going through her divorce. “These people are here for me. Just like I’m here for them. I keep that bond.”
With a clear mission at hand, Camille’s not planning to slow down any time soon.
“As social media evolves, I would like to evolve with it,” she states. “TikTok is the hot thing right now, and brands are starting to take that more seriously. I’ve been focusing on more video and finding my audience. There’s a different dynamic there.”
For Camille, her pivot into TikTok affords an opportunity to be a little more open and raw. It’s less pressure to be perfect, which she appreciates as she pushes forward with her camera and quality lighting by her side.
Camille’s excited to continue sharing more of her Dallas adventures, growing with Zara, her most important muse, and engaging with her followers in a way that’s as natural as breathing for her.
“I treat everyone like a sister, like a friend,” she says. “Whatever you need, I got you. I’m not going to sit here and keep secrets. You want to know what I put in my hair? Let’s talk about it.”
