Today we’d like to introduce you to Hailey.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always loved fashion and expressing myself in the way that I dress. Before I got serious about social media, I was still posting my outfits on my personal accounts. However, in 2020, I really saw a need for plus size representation in media and began posting on Tik Tok. I posted hauls, outfit inspiration, confidence videos, and much more. I had one video go viral overnight which really catapulted my account. I began getting messages from women across the world telling me how I inspired them to wear the things they loved. What started out as something I just liked doing for fun turned into a bigger conversation about body positivity and confidence for other women and that meant more to me than anything else.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t all been smooth. I unexpectedly lost my mom in 2022. Consumed with grief, I not only lost myself but I had no interest in doing much of anything let alone getting online to talk about clothes. I would post every now and then but I went awhile without posting anything at all. For a long time, I was waiting to “feel like myself again” or “go back to the person I was.” I think I eventually understood that there was no going back to the person I was before she passed. I came to a point where I really missed my creative outlet and I was able to post again slowly. The algorithm often punishes those who don’t post for periods of time, so, it was discouraging at first feeling like no one was seeing my content and feeling like I had to build myself up all over again.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I work as a negotiator in my 9-5 life, but my content creation is what I’m more known for. I specialize in plus size fashion, lifestyle, and just every day life videos. I’ve been fortunate to be given modeling opportunities to be included in photoshoots, campaigns, and walk in fashion shows. I was also a guest speaker at the Illinois Home and Education Association in 2022 where I spoke about confidence. I think what I’m most proud of is being a safe space for women of all sizes to embrace their own whimsical side and let go of the pressures to look a certain way. I was always the chubby kid growing up, and I always think about how I never saw people who looked like me in physical media or online. I hope I can be that representation for others.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
While I’m not a Nashville native, I visit Nashville all of the time. There is truly no other place like it. I have loved country music since I was a kid. Some of my favorite memories with my mom are when she’d put on the CMT music count downs and we’d dance around to Taylor Swift and Tim McGraw. While Nashville isn’t only country music, it always brings me back to those memories when I visit the Grand Ol Opry or Country Music Hall of Fame. Spoken like a true tourist (and fashion connoisseur, exploring Broadway Street in a sequin outfit and cowgirl boots is always a highlight. No matter where I am in the city, I’m always met with kindness by locals. The people there are so special.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: haileyonthedailypodcast
- Youtube: haileyshauls
- Other: Tik tok @haileyshauls
