In Episode 178 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Shima Katouzian, powerhouse beauty creator (@sheemoma on Instagram, 2.8M followers) and founder of BODO Makeup. To start, we dive into Shima’s remarkable journey from Tesla employee to beloved Instagram influencer who’s fostered a community of nearly 3 million passionate fans. We learn how during the COVID-19 pandemic, Shima discovered her passion for content creation through her desire for authenticity and a deep connection to her Iranian roots. Shima reveals how her decision to create content in her native language of Farsi, despite the challenges it posed for brand recognition, allowed her to build a genuine and tight-knit community. We then hear how Shima manifested her dream brand partnerships through intentionality and positivity. To close the show, Shima underscores the importance of staying true to oneself, building genuine connections, and fostering a collaborative community—three things that have been integral to her success.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why creators who stay true to their native language and culture often drive deeper engagement and better performance.
What many brands get wrong about short-term influencer campaigns, and how to build high-return partnerships that last.
How Shima helped turn followers into loyal brand advocates by inviting her audience into every step of the product development process.

Connect with the Guest:

Shima’s LinkedIn - @shima-katouzian
Shima’s Instagram - @sheemoma

Connect with Brit Starr & CreatorIQ:

Brit’s LinkedIn - @britmccorquodale
CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq

CreatorIQ YouTube - @CreatorIQOfficial
CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq
CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq
CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ

How Venting Went Viral: Shima Katouzian’s Journey to Social Media Stardom