Millionaire Lessons From Shay Mitchell
/In my “Millionaire Lessons From Shay Mitchell” case study, I did a deep dive into how Mitchell grew her personal brand of over 4 million followers on Youtube and launched her Bèis Travel luggage brand. Shay has perfected the art of monetizing your passion projects. From pursuing multiple projects simultaneously to trying something new even if you’re colleagues ridicule you, you’ll learn how to apply Shay Mitchell’s money moves to your own life. Continue reading to learn how to apply Shay Mitchell’s money moves to your own life.
Lesson One: Pursue multiple projects simultaneously
Shay Mitchell identifies as a multi-hyphenate. She is an actress, model, producer, content creator and so much more. Even while doing the Pretty Little Liars series, she was juggling multiple creative projects. One of the core Money & Mimosas beliefs is that you need to have multiple income streams in order to create your own economy. Shay is a beautiful example of doing just that.
Lesson Two: Create projects based on passions
In her interviews, Shay is often asked where she finds the energy to do all that she does. The secret, she states, is to do what you love. When you love what you do, it never feels like work, and your life force is activated to support you. On the other hand, pursuing projects that you are not passionate about will drain your energy. For Shay, her passions are travel, beauty, and fashion. Write down your passions and use your list to inspire your next project.
Lesson Three: Forge your own path
Shay Mitchell’s Youtube channel boasts over 4 million followers. While it is hip now to have a Youtube channel, Shay started hers well before Will Smith, J.Lo, and other celebrity actors. In fact, when she launched her channel, Shay was low-key mocked by the Hollywood community. There was a perception that being on Youtube was a downgrade and a sign that Shay’s career was soon to be over. However, Shay followed her heart and intuitive business acumen. She knew that online programming was the future and she knew that her fans wanted a more personal connection. Take a lesson from Shay’s book and be willing to forge your own path even if you are ridiculed by others. It will only be a matter of time before they come knocking on your door for advice.
Lesson Four: Practice relentless positivity
Shay Mitchell is one of the most positive people I ever watched in interviews. She is the embodiment of the essence of the glass is always half-full. While I do believe that always living in the land of rainbows and butterflies is not healthy, it appears that Shay balances her positive outlook with grounded awareness. In her interview on the Build Yahoo Series, she shared that she was raised in a family that instilled the belief that it’s not what happens to you, it’s how you react to it. She carries this belief with her and operates from a place of hope and possibility. This approach to life elevates her money aura and attracts opportunities.
Lesson Five: Involve your customers in the creative process
One of the main reasons Shay Mitchell launched her Youtube channel was to foster a deeper connection with her fans. Her videos showcase the behind the scenes of her Beis luggage brand, the behind the scenes of her pregnancy, and various aspects of her life. This connection fosters a deep trust and authentic relationship with the very people who will buy her products. As you grow your brand, consider sharing the behind the scenes of your business or aspects of your life to connect with your customers.
Lesson Six: Understand all aspects of business
When Shay launched Béis Travel, she went all in. In her words, she isn’t only involved in the “sexy stuff” like branding and marketing. She is also involved with learning about inventory, tariffs, operations, and the financials. If you truly want to be successful as an entrepreneur, then you will need to be willing to learn about all areas of business including the financials and economic principles.
Lesson Seven: Write a book
Shay teamed up with her BFF, Michaela, to write a book entitled Bliss in 2015. The sexy and entertaining novel is about two women in their early twenties navigating life while indulging in the blissful jetsetter life. Publishing a book led to several large press opportunities to promote the novel. These opportunities expanded Shay’s audience and reach. While writing a book rarely leads to life-long wealth, it is a fantastic way to expand your following and, ultimately, your customer base.
Lesson Eight: Practice cultural consciousness
In a lesson in not what to do, I do believe that Shay’s brand lacks depth. In comparison to Rihanna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Alba’s millionaire lessons, all of these women have a compelling mission that fuels their personal brands and businesses. Shay’s personal brand needs to include a component related to something bigger than herself. Merely showcasing various cultures is not enough. Are you challenging your followers to practice travel sustainability? Does Beis travel luggage ethically source its materials? Are you taking a stand for black and brown people- especially now that you are the mom of one? Moving forward, Shay’s brand and businesses will need to add depth and authenticity in order to have a genuinely positive impact on the world.
Lesson Nine: Be real
During her interview with Ashley Graham on Pretty Big Deal, Shay gets super duper real about what it’s like to be pregnant and a new mom. They went in depth about pre-partum (depression during the pregnancy) , wearing diapers while you are pregnant because your bladder is uncontrollable, hard nipples and the pain of breastfeeding. This candid realness about the unglamorous side of motherhood is so refreshing and further humanizes Shay Mitchell.
Lesson Ten: Evolve your brand with your life’s path
From TV to film to Youtube, Shay’s brand has evolved as her life has evolved. Her first lifestyle brands was a blog entitled Amore and Vita and later an activewear line entitled Fit to Wander in partnership with Nordstroms. Now, she has a Youtube channel showcasing her love for travel and life as a new mom. Her newest lifestyle brand, Beis travel, just released a diaper bag. Perfect timing as she just gave birth to her first child. As you continue to grow with your brand, allow your business to reflect the changes in your life. It will make the journey that much more fun and magical.
