Happy Monday! I have been thinking that it would be SO much fun to do a Q&A where I let you all ask me burning questions, but do so anonymously. I was sure there are lots of things you’ve always wanted to know but were either too scared to ask or didn’t want to give away anything about yourself in the process.
I get it!
So, I decided to put up a form on my story and here are the questions I got. Some of them are…CRAZY!
Here we goo…
Do you have another job besides your insta? I actually do (and not everyone knows it)! I own/operate a social media marketing agency where I manage social media for brands and run influencer marketing programs. I have one employee and a few interns that work on that side of my business. It doesn’t have a website and has all been word of mouth. Some of my clients are HUGE, really well known brands and I feel very proud of that. This business has been something that I’ve put a ton more energy in during 2018 (although the agency opened up in 2016).
Have you ever had any work done? I have and I’m very proud of it!! When I was 21 years old (11 years ago) I had my nose done (it was hanging so low I could eat it, lol). A year later I got really small implants put in because my boobs were so small relative to the rest of my body, lol. Since then, I haven’t done anything super invasive. Botox two times and some intense facials (like Vivace and lasers).
Worst sexual experience? My Mom reads this, so I’m probably not going to go to deep. I will say that I was dating this guy once that I REALLY liked and I ended up sleeping over and getting so so sick one night in the middle of the night. It was like uncontrollable and I had to have my friend come pick me up. When he woke up in the morning, he saw I was gone and had no idea. He wondered why the Clorox was on the bathroom floor….lol. At least I cleaned!
What would you name a second child? If it’s a boy, we have NO idea. Like not even a guess. For a girl…we really like Layla, but aren’t sure what else besides that.
Why did you not change your last name? I didn’t change my last name for two reasons. One, my business is under my name and I like operating under that name. Second, I am Jewish and my husband’s last name is O’Brien which to me just doesn’t feel very religious.. Believe it or not, he is actually Jewish too (his mom is) and his mom never changed her last name either. It just feels very Irish and I don’t identify as that at all. He doesn’t care since no one in his family changed their name (all his aunts kept theirs too).
How do you handle when a friend is rude to you? How do you handle dismissive people or those who were once loving and now are not? When a friend is rude to me, I first give them the benefit of the doubt. I don’t have a ton of friends, so I really like to think that if they are snippy with me, it’s just a bad day. If the behavior doesn’t change, I will address it head on because I believe in transparency with friends. If someone is dismissive or doesn’t want me, I don’t chase it. I used to and I realize now, that it’s a big waste of time. When you have incredible people in your life that want you, don’t waste time chasing those who don’t…
It seems you live a pretty extravagant lifestyle. Does Dan work too? Ball park around how much does a social influencer make? I think extravagant is such a subjective word. To me, the Kardashian’s are extravagant. I feel like some months things are great and other months, aren’t so great. My husband does work (he is an owner in a real estate company) and also does some work for me and my agency as well. An influencer income can vary. I have friends who make nothing (and do this for fun) and I have friends who make a half a million dollars a year doing this.
If you have another baby, are you longing for a boy or a girl or don’t you care the gender? I don’t care at ALL. Like I have zero preference.
How did you get started as an influencer? What were you doing before? Before this I worked as the Director of Operations for a luxury real estate firm in Chicago (this was back in 2013). I had just moved to Chicago and was SO excited about all the delicious food this city had to offer. I started my blog/instagram as a fun side hobby and it naturally just sort of transitioned. I was early to the game so it wasn’t like I had planned to be an “influencer”. It wasn’t even a thing then!
Ever thought of doing meet ups anywhere else? Like Oklahoma? No cool bloggers here lol! I would LOVE to do meet-ups else where. I did one in NYC this year. I don’t know if I have enough followers in other cities to make it happen! But…maybe!!!
Do you ever feel really sad/unfulfilled at moments? & then have super high happy moments? I feel like as a new mom it is so common for me to feel that way. What do you do/how do you deal if so? Even if it’s not mom related. OMG YES. Every day. Even as I’m writing this post I’m having happy moments thinking back on my success and sad moments reading how horrible someone thinks I am. As a Mom, there are days where I feel like super woman and then there are days I’m so busy, I barely see my daughter. I think it’s all normal. To cope, I just try to focus on the positive and remember the negative feelings are fleeting. I also understand you need to feel the lows to understand the highs!
Do you have a friend that is “too high maintenance” and you feel like it’s somewhat of a task to be their friend? If so, how do you deal? I really don’t anymore. If a friend is too high maintenance, they don’t last long with me (and usually opt out themselves). I’m actually a really low maintenance friend. I’m always there when you really need me, but I’m not someone who needs to be with you or talking to you 24/7. If that is the type of person you need, you wouldn’t like me!!
Who did you fan girl most at Kelly Rizzo’s wedding? Kelly…100%. She looked STUNNING.
When you tried to get followers in the beginning… did you add people and then remove them a day or two later?! I noticed you and Brett both did that to me and I was so excited to get your follow only to realize a few days later it was gone 🙁 still love you though. Also are you two still friends?! I feel like she’s never in your posts. Probably and I’m SO sorry. There was like a two week period a few years ago where organic growth had slowed down and I was trying a new tactic that someone had shared with me. I ended up getting similar feedback like you mentioned and I stopped doing it. Growth is still slow, but I now focus on engaging who is here vs trying to grow a new audience. Also, Brett and I are still friends! We are both busy busy Moms so we don’t have as much free time to hang!
OBrien —did Dan convert to Judaism? Are Dan & his family true Irishman from Boston area? Just curious. Hahaha, Dan’s Dad is Irish and his mom is European Jewish. He did not convert!
Do you ever think it’s weird or creepy if we DM you saying how much we admire you ?? OMG NO. I need it. I don’t think you understand how much it means to me. It keeps me going.
How often do you hangout with your daughter? How do you make money from being a blogger? I’m with my daughter more than most working moms (when I’m in town)! I usually hang with her from like 7-9am, again around lunch time and then from 6pm on if I’m not at an event. On the weekends, we have no nanny so it’s family time all weekend. I really cherish that time with her so I don’t post about her much. My phone isn’t even in the room with me most of the time!
Have you ever had a bad follower experience? If so, how you combat that? Sometimes I get worried if I share too much someone will use that to take advantage of me or the people I love. I really haven’t or at least not that I know of. As much as I do share a lot, I’m pretty strategic and don’t give away too much or anything that could harm me or my family.
Also would you ever consider coaching/mentoring new bloggers? Something a little more formal that Ericrew Corner? YES! I just don’t have the time right now and when I commit to something, I like to do it 100%. If I commit to mentoring someone, the truth is, I wouldn’t be able to give them the time I need to right now. I’m running two businesses, raising a daughter and trying to be a wife. Some day though, I will do it!
Who are you the biggest fan of? Hmmm…good question! I love women who hustle hard and are brilliant. If you don’t follow Erin from @312food, you’re missing out. She doesn’t share much about herself personally, but knowing her, I’m a huge fan. In terms of celebrity, I love Sarah Hyland. She deals with A LOT of personal health issues and still manages to appear happy and make us all laugh week after week on Modern Family. I know that can’t be easy.
This was SO much fun. I hope you all learned a lot about me today and got a deeper dive into my world. I will totally do this again soon 🙂
Love always,
Erica
You didn’t post mine