This month, we had the delight of getting to know Simone Phillips on a more personal level. In addition to her blog – 11 Years of Nappies – Simone is a proud mother of 4 and a wife of 13 years to her best friend. She has written content for Sheeba Magazine and has also been features on numerous international blogs. She is all about inspiring, impacting and giving hope to like minded women.
Check out our interview below with Simone to see what made her dive into blogging and growing her unique brand.
What first sparked your interest starting 11 Years of Nappies? How did you know you were able to bring products, services and destinations to women?
Simone: After giving birth to my 4th child in 2012 both my sisters said I should think about becoming a blogger because motherhood and marriage I seem to have mastered. The name explains itself after having 4 kids who are 2 and 3 years apart we consecutively bought nappies for 11 years. LOL. As I started to blog I realized just how many moms/women enjoyed my posts and some reaching out to me about their lives and experiences some asking for advice.
When did you start incorporating blogging / social media, and what was your motivation for getting started? Do you have any tips you’d like to share with those that are looking to follow in similar footsteps? Is there one particular platform you feel you are able to make more of an impact on?
Simone: When I started my blog I incorporated my social media platforms because that is a way of getting my blog as well as my post out for more people to see and engage. The tip I have is post as much content as you can and share it on all your platforms this allows you to get your name, your blog and message out. Post, post and post. I absolutely love Instagram simply because of the engagement rate. Instagram has 4x more engagement than any other social media platform.
Do you see yourself as an influencer, and if so, what does that mean to you? If not, how do you see yourself making an impact in this community (state the community you feel that you are making the most impact in)?
Simone: Yes I do see myself as an Influencer because I have built a brand and a reputation around my brand where other brands have reached out to me in assisting to promote their products and services.
If you were to give someone advice who is thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, influencer and/or blogger, what would it be?
Simone: Go on. Give yourself the opportunity and take the chance. Stay true and authentic to yourself. You have a certain magic which no one else could ever have so Stay in your magic.
Where do you see the world of ‘influencers’ in the next 5-10 years? How do you see this space evolving?
Simone: This is such an Incredible broad space to be apart of and the space is constantly evolving therefore I for one am looking forward to seeing what the next few years will bring.
Do you have any upcoming events or announcements you wish to share?
Simone: Most definitely. In South Africa we celebrate Women’s month in August and I want to host a blogging workshop for new bloggers or ones thinking of becoming bloggers. This is to simply share my experiences and to help others because I truly believe I need to be the person I needed at one point in my life. As well as I want to have a collection of feminine hygiene products during this month and take it to less privileged schools and talk to girls about the importance of feminine hygiene.
What is your ultimate goal for yourself – professional and/or personal?
Simone: For both my brands to be internationally recognized and for me as a mom of 4 to model for Calvin Klein.
Tell me about a time when you really impacted someone’s life with your projects. What was the result?
Simone: 2019 was the building of my foundation for my brand and needed me to constantly work and create content it was tough because some days I would want to give up because I didn’t see the results or didn’t get as much engagement on my posts as I would’ve liked but then I would get an email or a message saying, I need to please continue what I am doing because I Inspire them and give them hope. Those messages helped me pushed through and kept me going. I am always so humbled to hear people say they are Inspired by me or my journey. I believe we go through things in our lives so that we can help the next person who finds themselves in the same place you did.
What is the one piece of advice you can give to empower women?
Simone: Find you and know who you are and NEVER let her go.
Stay true to her and stay in your magic. Don’t ever feel the need to COMPETE because you are COMPLETE.
It was such a pleasure getting to know more about Simone and her journey into blogging and becoming an influencer. We absolutely love hearing stories of women empowerment and Simone is certainly a great example of this. Her devotion towards spreading awareness and helping other young women is South Africa is a wonderful act of kindness and we wish her the best with her endeavors. If you’d like to learn more about Simone Phillips you can check her out on the following social platforms and get in touch with her via email.
Instagram: @momwithtatts
Youtube: 11yearsofnappies The Squad
11 Years of Nappies Website: www.11yearsofnappies.blog
If you’re interested in reaching out to Simone directly her email is: simphill1984@gmail.com
