I used to run a small in-person business called The Rolling Scones, where I sold homemade scones with a fun, music-inspired concept. One of the biggest lessons I learned was the power of branding and targeted marketing. Rather than trying to appeal to everyone, I focused on a specific audience, mainly parents and an older generation familiar with The Rolling Stones. I reached out with flyers and emails and set up a stand at school that reflected the theme of the band, complete with thoughtful decorations and music.

The branding made the experience memorable and engaging, and even those outside our target audience were drawn in by the creativity and the free samples we offered. That experience taught me how important it is to understand your market, build a strong brand identity, and create an environment that connects with people. It confirmed my passion for sales and marketing and showed me how strategic creativity can lead to real results.

My video creation process always starts with inspiration. I regularly draw ideas from other creators, trending content on TikTok and Instagram Reels, and stylistic themes I find on Pinterest. I also use AI tools to brainstorm and refine concepts, often starting with a running list of ideas in my Notes app that I plug into AI platforms to make the content more engaging and relatable.

This summer I’ve been working with the Pink Lemonade Stand Challenge, an organization supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Through that experience I’ve gained hands-on practice identifying trends and applying them to meaningful video content. I created several montage-style videos of fundraising events, like setting up lemonade stands at Kendra Scott stores, which helped me sharpen my skills in both storytelling and trend-based editing.

One piece of content I created that saw unusually high engagement was a promotional video for a thrift sale I hosted with friends. I filmed a playful, lighthearted montage of us showcasing clothing pieces while using a trending Love Island soundtrack, intentionally timed with the finale airing that night. By aligning the content with a pop culture moment, embracing a fun, authentic tone, and posting strategically, the video went viral on TikTok. As a result, we had a significant turnout, and I personally made over $500 from clothing sales. I believe the success came from tapping into a cultural trend, understanding audience behavior, and leaning into authentic, relatable content.