As her father began a long story about the rising cost of lumber, Anna felt her phone buzz in her pocket. It was a notification for a $500 tip and a request for a custom "girl-next-door" video. She looked around the table—at the floral wallpaper, the chipped china, and her parents’ oblivious, loving faces.
Anna set down her fork. She had prepared for this. She had a whole PowerPoint in her head about financial independence, digital entrepreneurship, and the legitimate, tax-paying business she had built. But looking at her mother’s tight lips, she realized no bullet point would land.
As a child, Anna was always fascinated by the world of social media. She spent hours scrolling through her parents' phones, watching YouTube videos, and exploring the vast expanse of the internet. Her parents, though initially hesitant, eventually gave in to her curiosity, setting up their own social media accounts and encouraging Anna to do the same.
"I would come home from a shoot and show my family the content I created," Anna recalled. "They would give me feedback, and we would talk about what worked and what didn't. It was a really supportive environment, and I think that's what helped me grow as a creator."
Anna takes a break from cooking to talk to us about her day. "I love family dinner nights," she says. "It's a great way to unwind and spend quality time with the people I care about most." She's clearly passionate about her family and makes it a priority to spend time with them, even on busy days.