Lifestyle creator Rene Daniella (@ownbyfemme) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss her decade-long evolution in the creator industry. In this episode, Rene shares her remarkable journey from studying in Paris to building partnerships with major brands like Google, Disney, and Hulu, including how she pitched a hair brand for her Barbados carnival trip and turned it into ongoing six-figure collaborations. Host Ross Borden explores her strategic approach to content diversification, her financial crisis moment when she had a countdown to bankruptcy, and her unique passions for freediving and Trinidad carnival culture. Rene offers candid insights about the business side of being a creator, from managing irregular income to negotiating multi-year brand deals, and defining success on your own terms. Whether you're a content creator looking to scale or someone fascinated by unconventional career paths, this conversation delivers an honest perspective on building sustainable creative businesses beyond follower counts.

00:00 - Introduction to Rene Daniella

01:27 - How Rene Started as a Content Creator (10-Year Journey)

02:32 - From Paris to Travel Content Creation

03:17 - Working with Passport Heavy and Industry Evolution

04:49 - Getting Into Free Diving

06:06 - Free Diving Certification and Breath Holding

07:15 - Swimming with Humpback Whales in French Polynesia

08:03 - Diversifying Content: From Hair to Home Decor

10:15 - Creating Content-Ready Living Spaces

12:07 - Cold Pitching Google Pixel (Success Story)

15:56 - The Art of Brand Outreach

17:43 - Follower Count vs Income Reality

19:04 - Carnival Culture and Travel Passion

21:32 - Caribbean Carnival vs Brazil Carnival

22:05 - Why Trinidad Carnival is #1

24:12 - The Hard Side: Financial Struggles as a Creator

25:56 - November 2023 Financial Crisis

27:41 - Strategy for Overcoming Slow Periods

29:25 - Home Decor Content Success and Audience Growth

31:15 - Advice for Trying New Content Niches

31:35 - Three Countries Passport Question

33:23 - Where to Find Rene Online

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