Meet Jessica Camerata | Content Creator & Blogger

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Camerata and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my fashion blog back in 2011 before blogs were really a common thing. I was working at Norfolk Southern in the revenue accounting department thinking it was the start of a corporate career I dreamed about my whole life. Little did I know, I’d hate every second of it. I always loved fashion and thought maybe I’d get into journalism instead. After some researching and talking to a counselor at my alma mater, I decided I just needed to start writing. I had no idea how to dive into this but I have a cousin who had a home design blog at the time. She was a generation older than me and simply said, if I can do this, so can you. I’m more tech savvy, younger, enjoy writing, just start a blog! So I did. Without knowing any other blogs or what they really were, I started documenting my outfits at the office. With my old iPhone in hand, I’d take bathroom selfies in the full length mirror and upload them to my blog sharing where it’s from and how I put together the outfit.

One of the things I always wanted to do since day one of launching my blog was to give readers helpful tips to feel more put together. I knew you could easily elevate your outfit, or your everyday routine or home, to make it and yourself, feel more put together. That is something I still aim to do every single day with an indigo day.

Looking back, the thing I learned most from starting this blog, and also quitting the day job that made me so unhappy, is that you just have to start. Nothing is ever going to be perfect from day one, and you also won’t know what to do or how to do it until you start trying. Testing things out, seeing what works, what doesn’t, this to me made it all feel like a fun adventure.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a blogger and content creator and one of my goals is to provide practical tips for my readers to feel more put together. Little things they can do whether it’s feeling better in their outfits, or in their routine at home or in getting ready with their makeup and beauty routine.

My blog evolved over time and I really started it as just a fashion and writing outlet to have for myself. In hopes that it would lead me to a job in that field. But since the options are so limited in Atlanta for this industry, I just kept at it on my blog. Before I knew it, my following was growing and I was starting to work with brands and generate affiliate revenue from sharing my recommendations.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For a weekend with a friend in town, I’d start my day with brunch at Superica. I think it’s one of the most underrated brunches in the city. I’d get the huevos ranchero and the pancake to share. And don’t forget about a black and white, it’s an iced coffee with horchata. It’s insane. I’d then head to Ponce City Market to browse the shops and maybe pick up a sweet treat at King of Pops. I’d walk the Beltline and be sure to pet all of the dogs along the way. It’s one of the best parts of being outside is seeing all the dogs on their walks. I’d pop off the trail at Inman Park once we’re hungry and grab dinner at Del Bar. It’s one of my favorite new restaurants in the city. Order the mushroom hummus and dill labneh. Share any of the meats with rice, you can’t go wrong. And for a cocktail, Saudi Money is a must. For post dinner drinks and vibes, I’d head to Hotel Clermont’s rooftop for views and a great drink. It’s the perfect way to end the day in Atlanta.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I truly believe that my launching a blog and sticking to it was an evolution that came about through various influences. First it was the idea that I could have a job I enjoyed. My first job out of college was as a revenue accountant and I hated it. I can’t recall when I read “Be A Free Range Human” but I know that book helped me learn that you can and should enjoy your job and how to find it. Then it was having a family member tell me that “if I can start a blog, you can do it too”. A counselor at my alma mater, Georgia State, told me not to go back to school for journalism, but instead to just write. Slowly these little things had me starting a blog to just figure it out. Then stumbling onto other bloggers back in the early 2010s when I truly had no idea what a blog was or how it could become anything, that shaped the content I create today. From seeing Kendi Everyday, a notable blogger of the 2010s, share her outfits, I was inspired to share mine. Before I knew it I was sharing my outfits, style tips, beauty and travel too. I think people tend to believe things happen from one simple decision or one major influence, but for me, it took several moments, pivots and connections before I could say I was a full time content creator.

Website: https://anindigoday.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/anindigoday

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicacamerata1/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anindigoday

Other: Substack → https://anindigoday.substack.com/

Image Credits
Hannah Lozano
KVC Photography – all photos minus the headshot at table with phone and laptop