Steph Claire Smith’s top tips to building a social media empire
Jun 2, 2024
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Steph Claire Smith, a fitness star and co-founder of a popular wellness app, shares her secrets to building a social media empire. She discusses her journey from a sporty youth in Melbourne to being on the Young Rich List. Steph reveals the challenges of app development and the importance of authenticity in social media. She emphasizes personal growth through self-help books and the transformative power of mentorship as she plans for international expansion. Get inspired by her insights on overcoming struggles and connecting with your audience!
Steph Claire Smith's childhood experiences of support and exploration fostered her confidence, preparing her for success in her modeling career.
The partnership between Steph and Laura in creating Kick emerged from their shared struggles with body image, focusing on promoting healthy relationships with food and exercise.
The transition to developing a proprietary app for Kick demonstrated the importance of providing a stable user experience while maintaining their core values.
Deep dives
Early Influences and Supportive Family
The guest reflects on her childhood in Melbourne, where her active and creative nature took shape. She was drawn to sports, arts, and drama, often trying various activities to emulate her older brother. Her parents played a crucial role in nurturing her passion, offering emotional support rather than imposing academic pressures. They encouraged her to explore her interests, fostering a sense of confidence and self-expression from a young age.
Navigating the Modeling Industry
The guest entered the modeling industry during high school, signing with an agency that initially did not cater well to her aspirations. Working hard to build her portfolio, she faced the realities of the modeling world, including rejections and the need for constant self-validation. Leading to significant growth in her career, she eventually found a more reputable agency which helped her secure numerous jobs in Australia. This early experience set the foundation for her later endeavors, exposing her to the industry’s competitive nature.
Forming a Business Partnership
Through her modeling career, the guest met Laura Henshaw, with whom she would eventually co-found the Fitness and Wellness App Kick. Their friendship blossomed as they supported each other through the pressures of the modeling industry, both experiencing challenging relationships with body image and health. This shared understanding led to discussions of creating a platform that promotes a healthy relationship with food and exercise. The concept transitioned from an e-book idea to forming a business focused on supporting women facing similar challenges.
Launching Kick and Overcoming Challenges
Kick's launch involved navigating financial and logistical challenges, including a significant risk when deciding to leave their third-party developer to create a proprietary app. Initially successful with their e-book, the duo faced the need for a stable platform to support their growing community. They committed to developing their vision, ensuring a consistent user experience without compromising their values. Their ambitious approach paid off when they successfully transitioned users to the new app, maintaining subscriber growth despite industry competition.
Growth, Community Engagement, and Future Aspirations
The impact of COVID-19 on the online fitness industry presented both growth and challenges for Kick, as users flocked to digital fitness solutions while many returned to pre-pandemic routines. The founders maintained a focus on community engagement by providing free resources during lockdowns to support their audience. Looking forward, they aim to expand internationally by researching and connecting with users in diverse markets. By fostering a culture of openness and collaboration, the duo emphasizes the importance of learning from others and adapting their business models to better serve their community.
