Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Lopez Gervais.
Hi Courtney, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hard work that began six years ago has brought me an abundance of incredible opportunities that wouldn’t have been accessible to me had I not started down this path. Not only have I gotten to share my love of fashion with thousands of people but I’ve met some really incredible individuals along the way. I’ve worked with photographers across the country and even some internationally. I’ve been invited on all-expense paid trips, enjoyed amazing spa experiences, been on the cover of a magazine, and have had the opportunity to work with brands that I truly admire (I’m very selective about partnerships, as the brand’s mission has to closely align with my own for me to consider working together). And, it’s never just been about what’s in it for me – I’ve always cared about how these things can benefit others’ lives as well. For example, I don’t share spa experiences from the perspective of “look at me and the luxurious things I’m getting to do” – I agree to do these things because I want to encourage others to focus on their self-care, and self-care comes in many different forms – including spa days!
I share a lot of baby content these days because that’s what my life looks like! I waited for what felt like a very long time to have my family and become a mom. I’m proud of this journey and use my platform to share authentic experiences and serve as a positive, uplifting (and eco-conscious) resource to other moms. My goal is to be vulnerable and the messages I share are often deep and heart-felt. To me, being a social media influencer is more than looking pretty and sharing the highs of life. It’s opening up about the hard stuff in hopes that I can help others who can relate.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Blogging and social media influencing come with many obstacles and challenges, in general – I think each person in the industry probably has their own share of struggles. For me, the biggest challenge I’ve faced is not being able to commit to content creation full-time. In the beginning, I worked full-time in the nonprofit world, then transitioned to marketing in the fashion industry. After that, I became a mom (which is more than a full-time job, and I don’t have family or friends in the area that help out – I’m with my baby from sun up to sun down :)), and I still do contract fashion marketing. So, it seems as though I’ve always had to “squeeze it in.” I have so many ideas that I’m not able to materialize because of a lack of time. I think what’s most frustrating about this is that – like a lot of things – the more time you are able to commit, the more successful you’ll be.
However, it’s important to me that I prioritize my family and therefore, I’ve accepted it as a slow game. As long as I keep showing up when I can and being authentic, I believe greater success will come my way. And, I always keep in mind that success doesn’t always look the way we initially envision it.
Another frustration is the ever-changing Instagram algorithm. I’ve put a lot of my time and energy into my content on Instagram and it feels as though every time I get to a good place, the platform switches up some things that make it feel like I’m constantly treading water. Therefore, you’ll be seeing a lot more content and focus on my website in the future as this is the space that I have most control over and an audience that isn’t impacted by algorithm updates.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been a blogger and social media influencer since 2015. I got started in the industry because I was looking for a creative outlet. I’ve always been the creative type but landed myself in a career that was fulfilling yet not so creative. My blog started out solely dedicated to fashion, exploring the southwest, and travel (with a little bit of beauty and fitness sprinkled in), but over time has morphed into a lifestyle brand that is dedicated to motherhood, fashion, food (gluten + dairy-free eating), conscious living, and family adventures.
We LOVE adventuring! We’re not afraid to strap our baby into her backpack and take off on a long hike to somewhere we’ve never even heard of before. Uncovering hidden gems is our specialty. While covid has restricted our travel and limited what we have been able to do since our daughter was born, we’re looking forward to getting back to a more active lifestyle that we can share with others who are interested in exploring Tennessee (we had quite the epic adventures in the Pacific Northwest and look forward to what we will find here in the South).
One of the things I’m most proud of is attending New York Fashion Week in 2017 and 2018. A literal dream come true. My spirit has never felt more alive surrounded by others who have a love for fashion and the creative composition of clothing. I was fascinated with the designs and felt honored to have a first look at lines from cutting-edge creatives.
Today, I’m more focused than ever on creating a conscious wardrobe and this is something I like to influence others to do as well. The majority of social media influencers are encouraging consumers to invest in fast fashion and this simply doesn’t align with my personal mission. While a closet filled with clothing made of natural fibers would be ideal, it’s also pretty costly. There are ways to build a quality wardrobe by being more selective – and hence more minimal – that’s actually fairly accessible to your everyday woman. A closet should be filled with pieces that don’t diminish in quality over time and have multiple purposes in one’s wardrobe.
Our family is aware of the environmental impact we have, so we choose to live a more conscious life (by investing in household products that are clean and safe, clothing that is made from natural fibers, a lifestyle that produces minimal waste, etc.). It’s become a passion of mine to share this way of life with others and encourage them to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle as well. I’ve realized that when it comes to this and navigating food intolerances/sensitivities, there is an undeniable lack of education. I have taken it upon myself to share my knowledge and resources I’ve found to be helpful throughout our journey in hopes of having a positive impact on the lives of others.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in a small farming community in southeast New Mexico. My mom was a single mom and my grandparents filled the role of a father figure in my life. They showered me with an abundance of love, support, and encouragement and these things played a pivotal role in shaping who I’ve become. They always believed in me and made me feel confident that there was no goal or dream too big for me to achieve. Family has and will always be of utmost importance to me.
Growing up, I was very ambitious and focused. I’ve always been very detail-oriented and a perfectionist – sometimes to a fault.
As a young child, I was active in gymnastics and dance (ballet, pointe, jazz, hip-hop and a traveling performing group). One of the highlights of my childhood was getting to perform in The Nutcracker with the Moscow Ballet. When I got to middle school, I had to choose between continuing dance or cheerleading which was a really tough call for me. I ultimately chose cheerleading and became an All Star cheerleader and served as captain for two years in high school. During high school, I was Student Body Secretary, Honor Society Treasurer, and an officer for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Fun fact about me… I’ve never gotten a B in my life (straight A’s all the way through grad school!).
I started loving fashion and taking pictures at a very young age. I was in numerous pageants as a child and also involved in some modeling gigs. I’ll never forget how much I cared about new school clothes and having the *perfect* outfits lined up for the first week of school (and to wear in the evenings at the county fair, ha!) I think I might have been the only person to wear high heels to high school but I’ve always considered myself a blank canvas and getting dressed every day feels like creating my own work of art. I wasn’t influenced to love fashion – nobody cares much about it in a small town – but I always have and it’s been something that I’ve carried with me throughout my life.
Contact Info:
- Email: courtneylopezgervais@gmail.com
- Website: courtneylopezgervais.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneylopezgervais/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneylopezgervais
Image Credits
Amanda Powell – Adrift a Dream Photography (black and white wedding photo) Bridgette Conley – Photos by Bee (mama and baby with flower crown)
