Meet Stephanie Gonzalez | Content Creator

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

Hi Stephanie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I started creating content on YouTube back in 2012, content creators had just begun making an income from it. I saw the future and the value in the platform, and that was a huge reason I started my business. I went into it with the understanding that I wanted to turn it into a business. I feel like I’m one of the few that thought this way because many creators will tell you it accidentally became a business. I thought YouTube was a good fit because I could share what I loved and did naturally, at my pace, while building a business. I knew there was going to be a learning curve, and I didn’t know what I didn’t know. That mindset set me up for success because when I encountered a challenge, I thought, “Oh, this is one of the things I will have to do but didn’t know about when I started.” I also had to be ok with failure. The difference between those who are very successful and those who aren’t is that the very successful fail more. The last thing is my grandfather, dad, and husband are all entrepreneurs. I learned early on, if you want to be an entrepreneur you need to be ok with having people misunderstand you for long periods of time.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a content creator on YouTube, focused on Home and Lifestyle. I grew up around the High-End Interior Design Industry. My grandfather started an upholstery business out of his garage; it was handed down to my father. Today, they exclusively do custom work with the world’s top designers, creating anything they dream of while still producing custom drapery and upholstery. Clearly my love for design is apart of my DNA. Being a 3rd generation Floridian, the Palm Beach aesthetic has been a huge influence to my personal style. There weren’t many paths for interior designers, so I went to school for Education. I graduated in 2009, but in 2012 with social media taking off, I saw the opportunity for other ways to enter the interior design field. Thus, my YouTube channel, Basilchic, was born.

I was a newlywed and shared mainly organization. However, helping people create a beautiful home has always been the center of all my content. I have clearly experimented over the last decade. One challenge I had is having too many ideas for content. This got me off on rabbit trails and sometimes chasing the youtube algorithm instead of my passion. I learned to stick with one main idea, and if my idea doesn’t fit into it, I won’t produce it. I selectively work with brands these days. I also learned producing authentic content that I enjoy breeds better results. I have more true fans because of it, which converts way better for my brand.

I have hit some very challenging personal situations which have impacted me professionally. One of the biggest happened back in 2019-2020. My husband closed his business to start his dream business; we had several contracts lined up, but they all fell through while we were pregnant with our first child. Then our daughter was born in the middle of all the pandemic shutdowns. We were completely broke and basically had to rebuild our life from ground zero with a baby. This experience was life-changing in the best way, and we learned several lessons through it. Some lessons included –

1) Pivot and pivot fast – when your vision isn’t working, come up with a new vision.

2) Being debt-free was crucial to our survival.

3) Sometimes, it takes something drastic for you to realize you can pursue what you really wanted all along.

I love interior design, and I have always wanted to create a product. I took my passion for design and combined it with my love for designer textiles. I’m currently in the process of creating a line of designer pillow covers for those who don’t want to go through an interior design firm to acquire bespoke accessories for their home. I am getting really close to launching, which is very exciting! They will be available in limited collections, where each collection will build on the next.

My Youtube channel has also taken a pivot. I’m now sharing our journey of what life looks like as we create the home and life we love after a time of financial hardship. This includes videos of how I’m slowly redesigning our home with a toddler and the journey of designing my pillow covers. I get to build it at my pace while being at home doing what I love the most, being a mom.

My business is growing slowly, but it will always be there; raising my kids won’t be. Know your priorities, and do what God created you for. It’s far more fulfilling and rewarding. I hope you find encouragement from my journey so far, the future is bright, and it’s far from over!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would first take my friends to Palm Beach. We would grab a breakfast smoothie at Celis Produce at the Royal Ponciana, and then do some shopping at Love Shack Fancy, Roller Rabbit, Stoney Clover, and pop into Crémieux to get something for the husbands. The Royal Ponciana also has one of my favorite baby boutiques on the island! Lunch would be Buccan Sandwich shop, and we would eat it across the street in the park. Sant Ambroeus has the best coffee for a little pick me up, and for dinner the options are endless! Palm Beach Grill is one of my favorites. I also have to recommend Hive, it’s the best home store in the county and they have men and woman’s clothing along with a whole area for kids! I get most of Emma’s toys and gifts there. They just opened a bakery/cafe, so you can easily spend the day. If you come during Polo season it’s defiantly worth catching a Polo match on the weekend, but nothing is more relaxing than the beach!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Thank you to my husband Michael Gonzalez for believing in me even when I don’t, and my family for being my biggest cheerleaders.

Website: Basilchic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/basilchic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Basilchic

Image Credits
shea christine photo