Find out how these social-media-influencing OC moms are using their platforms to give back.
Tina Sadri
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Family: Husband, Ehsan; Sofia, 9, Siena, 5
City: Newport Beach
Handle: @tinasadri on Instagram and TikTok
Website: tinasadri.com
Follower Count: 195K on Instagram
What is the focus of your social media influencing?
“The overall theme of my social media is living a well-balanced life. I often have clients as a licensed marriage and family therapist who are extremely successful in one or two areas, but are lacking overall happiness. I find that paying equal attention to different compartments of life is the key.”
How did your social media life begin and how has it evolved?
“It started after I experienced severe depression due to physical complications after the birth of my second daughter. It was a very dark road for me and I wasn’t sure I would ever heal. When I was experiencing depression, I promised myself that if I was to ever get better, I would be a spokesperson of depression and mental health. I also promised myself that I would never let fear and judgement get in the way of my happiness and that I would live my best life.”
How does your influencing work?
“I post a video every Tuesday — called Therapy Tuesdays — where I speak on different topics related to mental health. I have been doing this since the pandemic started and this has brought me more mental health clients [than] I ever imagined.”
How has the pandemic impacted your influencing?
“The great pandemic, although has been very hard on a lot of businesses, ironically has facilitated the massive growth of the mental-wellness industry, mine included. I wish it wasn’t through such an ordeal that mental health would become important, but I am happy that it has become of value to people all over the world. Due to the challenges and otherwise usual business restrictions, the pandemic forced a lot of interpersonal issues to the forefront. It also meant that people were forced to stay home and go focus more inwards. For me, it meant to use the downtime to start a new website and really focus more on my values and mission statement.”
How do you give back?
“I try to divide the way I give back in two different methods: services and resources. I serve in the CHOC Hospital Fundraising Board, which is a non-profit hospital. Our focus is on providing physical and mental health for all the children that may need it, regardless of their insurance or ability to pay for the care. In addition, I give my services through complimentary cases. I find that giving people the right tools to use to live a happy and healthy life is the most rewarding feeling. Financially, I give as much as I personally can and have been involved in many different fundraising events, and I am so thankful to be surrounded by individuals who are always there to support a great cause.”
How do you juggle parenting with influencing, oh and in a pandemic?
“It’s not easy. At times I feel like I’m being pulled in so many different directions at once, but I absolutely love it. I love being able to juggle different roles at once because it keeps me motivated and energized. It’s really all about priorities for me. I used to socialize during the week with the ladies, now I keep most of the socializing for the weekends. I exercise in the mornings and get all my work done before my kids’ pick-up time. After pick-up, my time is usually dedicated to the the girls. That’s when I take them to their after-school activities, help them with anything they may need, cook dinner and just spend time with them and my husband. I try to shoot my content in batches — different looks in one shoot, I film all my Therapy Tuesdays once a month, and etc. After the girls go to bed is when I reply to my emails, check the DMs and keep in touch with my friends and clients.”
Advice for moms or others who want to become influencers?
“Yes, just start and be consistent. It takes hard work and dedication but if it’s your dream, then it’s all worth it. Also, don’t worry about any negative judgment. Regardless of what you do, half the people will love it and half will hate it, so just go for what your heart desires. As long as the intention is good, the rest will follow.”
Katelynn Ansari
Rockstar Energy Model Coordinator
Family: Husband, Travis; Cash, 6, Oliver, 1
City: Irvine
Handles: @KatelynnAnsari on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Pinterest; @AnsariKatelynn on Facebook
Follower Count: 181.5K across all channels
Website: katelynnansari.com
What is the theme of your social media influencing? “Real-life living! I want my community to see my highs, my lows, and everything in between. Social media can be so lonely — especially [when] false perfection is everywhere.”
How did your social media life begin and how has it evolved?
“I started in social media as a spokesmodel for various action sports brands. After I had my first son, I realized I was more than a ‘body and a face.’ I started sharing my passions, my journey, daily living, motherhood, etc. I soon realized that my platform was powerful and that I could inspire people from all across the world. I started an ongoing campaign of #LoveCuresAllHate, which promotes doing random acts of kindness to complete strangers. It might be something as simple as returning someone’s cart in the grocery store parking lot, leaving a new laundry soap for use at a laundromat, or buying the person’s coffee behind you in line. The campaign focuses on focusing outside of our own realm and realizing the daily trials of others around us. They aren’t just bodies and strangers, they are people who have unique journeys too.”
How has the pandemic impacted your influencing?
“It was a total shift when the pandemic hit. Luckily I have my full-time job to keep those paychecks coming. I had zero creative juice most of the pandemic, so I didn’t post much and spent more time with my family off social media. It was great. Now I just take it day by day, post when I want and check the apps when I want, but it’s not all-consuming like it used to be. I feel like I have a healthy relationship with social media now.”
How do you give back?
“I have become a huge advocate for human trafficking [causes] and realized that my platform isn’t worth anything if it’s not being a voice for the voiceless. Spreading awareness through my channel has been a godsend. Sometimes I have to take a step back due to the emotional tolls of the topic.”
How does your family get involved with your influencing and philanthropy?
“My husband is very supportive of anything I want to do and I’m so grateful for that. I am cautiously teaching my oldest about bodily autonomy, feeling safe and trusting his gut. Cash loves chiming in on all my influencer posts and story shares. If you turn the volume up, he’s likely chiming in and copying mama.”
How do you juggle parenting with influencing, oh and in a pandemic?
“Yikes. Fully transparency: It’s been rough. I had Oliver right when the pandemic hit, so I was juggling a full-time job, homeschooling Cash, breastfeeding/raising a newborn, and just trying to survive. It was a lot. I learned about halfway through that time-blocking was the answer. I set strict boundaries for work and made sure to set my phone down and spend quality time with my family individually and together. I gave myself the grace to cook until I burnt out and then brought in Home Chef to help with the rest. I did a lot of meal-prepping too. I really focused on my family and their well-being to shield them from the pandemic while not putting unnecessary stress on myself to show up on social or do things I couldn’t handle.”
What is the ultimate goal?
“I’m living it! I have two beautiful boys, a loving husband, a dream job, and much more. Don’t get me wrong, I have my struggles just like the rest — which I always share on my social media — but I think sometimes we get so consumed in goal-setting that we forget to live in the moment and bask in the goals we’ve already achieved.”
Any advice for moms or others who want to become influencers?
“Take the time to learn everything yourself: graphic design, copywriting and basic photography. Don’t be afraid to be authentically you and use your own voice. The influencer space is so saturated with perfection and filters, but what it’s currently missing is what you bring to the table — which is your story, your voice and your journey. Don’t be afraid to be you and don’t feel like you need to fit in with the rest of the influencers.”
Suzy Leanos
Freelance Digital Marketer
Family: Husband, Victor; Emilio, 16, Olivia, 11
City: San Juan Capistrano
Handle: @suzysvista on all social media channels
Follower Count: 48K
Website: suzysvista.com
What is the theme of your social media influencing? “The focus of my social media is about my lifestyle, family, food, entertainment and causes that I care about. I am like your know-it-all-first friends, but on Instagram because I share about the newest foods, movies or toys before they come out and tell you all about it.”
How did your social media life begin and how has it evolved?
“Several years ago I wanted to get a job in social media and companies were asking for writing samples or personal blogs and I didn’t have one. I started a blog with an Instagram account to share my life as a military family and the fun stuff we did. I shared brands that I was using every day and companies started to reach out to give me free stuff in exchange for a social media post. My influencing has evolved and grown because I have joined influencer networks, attended conferences and networked.”
How has the pandemic impacted your influencing?
“It halted influencer work and a couple of my influencer campaigns were cancelled. There were also no campaigns being offered during the summer of the pandemic because everything was unknown. The biggest thing that was impacted for me during the pandemic was events because attending events is a big part of my influencing. Events like conferences, brand parties, restaurant invites, expos, grand openings, etc. were all cancelled because of the pandemic. At events is where I get to meet people that represent the brand or company and get to know them in real life.”
How do you give back?
“My inspiration for philanthropy has been all the non-profits I have volunteered with or gotten services from. I believe that sharing your personal story attached to a philanthropy cause can help someone else in their journey and the non-profits are the organizations that offer the help you can’t. I have posted for American Cancer Society because they helped me when I went through my thyroid cancer. I have posted about Blue Star Families because they always conducted military family events we attended while my husband served and gave us holiday gifts. I have posted about Feeding America because as a child we received food from a food bank. I give back to charities that I have a personal connection with because I want to be authentic with my influencing. I also received a huge inspiration from working at United Way for four years and got to work with many non-profit organizations.”
How does your family get involved with your influencing and philanthropy?
“My kids actually take a lot of my photos for me. They are very involved in my influencing because I take them to events and they get to test food or products I receive. They have been involved in philanthropy since they were little when I worked for United Way and took them to the local food distribution to volunteer.”
You served in the military as well?
“I joined the Marine Corps right after high school and served for four years. My inspiration for joining the military was the idea of serving our country and being part of something bigger than myself. I wanted to give back and serve our country because it seemed like the right thing to do as a child of immigrant parents.”
How do you juggle parenting with influencing, oh and in a pandemic?
“I juggle influencing and parenting by including them as much as possible when I create content. I bring my kids along when I have to pick up some food from a restaurant and go to the beach to take photos. I make the influencer work like a little outing or experience for them, especially now during the pandemic, because they have been spending all their time in the house.”
Did you ever imagine you’d become an influencing philanthropist?
“I never imagined that I could be a philanthropist and a social influencer because I didn’t think people cared about causes like I did, but I found out that they do. People are super passionate about philanthropy and especially if it is a current social issue that is affecting society. I also got creative and thought about how I could use my voice on social media to amplify a non-profit’s message and social media influencing was the right choice.”
Bonnie Stone
Full-Time Influencer
Family: Husband, Jacob; step-son, Oliver, 8, Charlie, 3, Crew, 7 months
City: Huntington Beach
Handle: @haveakidtheysaid
Follower Count: 41K on Instagram
Philanthropy Group: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California
Website: haveakidtheysaid.com
What is the theme of your social media influencing? “Motherhood/parenting + DIY projects + affordable style finds for kids.”
How did your social media life begin and how has it evolved?
“I was two months postpartum with my first child, Charlie, and on maternity leave. I desperately wanted to find a way to replace my income working at True Food Kitchen and be able to be a full-time stay-at-home [mom]. I had been following another local influencer mama, @whatdoesnotexist, whom I’d never met but admired and just thought to myself — ‘If she can do it, I can do it.’ So I thought of a witty and relatable handle that resonated with my personality and our life, created a blog and just started taking curated photos of our daily life. I had no idea what I was doing, like nooooo idea at all, so I spent hours watching how others were doing it and kinda just jumped on the bandwagon and, believe it or not, it took off. Aside from my raw, real and very transparent sharing of all things motherhood, it helped having a child that literally provided those ‘have a kid they said … it will be fun they said’ moments daily. I’ve found that people like relatable situations and circumstances, especially in motherhood. It truly makes you feel less alone in a very lonely and emotional world.”
How has the pandemic impacted your influencing?
“While on the positive side, the pandemic has allowed me to cultivate incredible relationships just by sharing the truths behind being a stay-at-home mom during lockdown, navigating virtual learning with a third-grader all while pregnant or taking care of a newborn and toddler. I’ve also been able to focus more on sharing DIYs, rental home decor updates and really spend time focusing on what matters in life, and how I can use my platform to make the biggest impact in the lives of others. Conversely, the pandemic has slowed a lot of jobs for me and has really caused so much extra stress. Being a stay-at-home mom of three is a lot to begin with, let alone during a pandemic, then add in negotiating with brands, creating content and spending countless hours engaging with others.”
How do you give back?
“My biggest way of giving back is by cultivating relationships and friendships in my community and bringing everyone together. I used to host monthly mom meet-ups, which were the best form of motherhood support anyone could ask for, but when the pandemic hit, those had to stop. I was at a turning point and felt very lost. I didn’t know how to use my platform to create an impact in others’ lives on a larger scale. It wasn’t until I realized the power of virtual fundraising for causes near and dear to so many families’ lives that I found my new path and purpose.”
How do you juggle parenting with influencing, oh and in a pandemic?
“Let’s just say it’s brutal. I take a lot of showers, you know the only room that has a lock on the door kind of a thing, and pray for patience and guidance. I have been doing this for three years and I am still figuring out the perfect balance. Overall, this job has allowed be to provide so many incredible opportunities for my children that I otherwise would not be able to. Let’s not forget to add in juggling being a wife on top of all of this. I am thankful I have the most supportive husband ever who puts up with all my crazy ideas and even helps me execute them.
What is the ultimate goal?
“To positively impact as many parents’ lives as possible and normalize the day-to-day hardships of parenting that many are ashamed to share on social media.”
Any advice for moms or others who want to become influencers?
“It takes thick skin but if you are passionate and open to sharing your life with the world, I say do it and don’t wait. My biggest piece of advice would be to be persistent, authentic and have integrity — in doing so you will find success.”
Shraddha Patel
Senior Recruiter at University of California, Irvine
Family: Husband, Hitesh; Jai, 9, Shailen, 7
City: Irvine
Handles: @thechaimommas @thechaigirls on Instagram
Follower Count: 11K for @thechaimommas and 3K for @thechaigirls
Website: chaimommas.com
What is the focus of your social media influencing?
“We are a team of women and mothers who aim to provide a daily dose of inspiration to our community by sharing our honest experiences, stories and more in a safe, compassion-filled and fun space. Chai Mommas is focused on more motherhood topics and stories. Chai Girls is for all women. And while we focus a lot on South Asian women, mothers, brands and companies, we are here for everyone and everyone is welcome!”
How did your social media life begin and how has it evolved?
“What began as four women connected by one person in common, turned into a deep friendship, which turned into real sisterhood. We created this blog back in 2011 as a place to let our creative side flow and as an outlet to being first-time moms. We had each other and knew we could get through anything because of our support and love for one another, but we could have never imagined that our stories and shares would end up being the warm hug, the loving embrace and the positivity to make another woman not feel so alone in her journey. We never knew it could evolve into what it is now, a true and fast growing community of over 10,000 engaged women who share in honesty and without fear of judgement.”
How has the pandemic impacted your influencing?
“The pandemic really brought our core team together and even resulted in growth for us. We expanded so much from a merge with the Happy Her Foundation to bringing on an associate editor and parenting vertical lead to also creating and managing a team of over 50 content contributors. We really feel that the pandemic gave us an opportunity to really take a deeper dive into the company, our long- and short-term goals and make a plan-of-action. While it’s still a work-in-progress, we feel like we have really made a lot of major things happen in 2020 and continue with that momentum, that passion into 2021!”
How do you give back?
“Our Chai Mommas’ motto includes lifting others in need. Embedded in our core values and a huge part of our why and mission is to give back. Every event, every product and in every way, we are connected to charity. It is engrained in us. In our history, we have campaigned and raised monies for many non-profits, some of which are the Just Like My Child Foundation, Unity SME, Mission Save Her, CHOC Children’s, Rady Children’s Hospital, EmbraceRace, Desai Foundation, the Gandhi Ashram and Manav Sadhna.”
How does your family get involved with your influencing and philanthropy?
“From being toted around to events like the Unity SME winter charity events to actually packing Rakhis for our Raksha Bandhan projects over the years, our kids understand the value of helping those around us to truly make for a better world.”
How do you juggle parenting with influencing, oh and in a pandemic?
“The juggle is real! We recently posted a reel on this on Instagram that did really well and it just honed in on the idea that we have to take it day by day. Almost minute by minute in the juggle of balancing it all. Deep breaths, meditation, dance parties and lots of chai.”
What is the ultimate goal?
“Our ultimate goal is continue as many stories of women to help them heal, grow and shine in the process to as many people as we can. We also are working on several projects, including coordinating a women’s wellness retreat and writing our first book. We are just so excited to continue these projects, keeping giving back to others at the heart center of it all.”
Any advice for moms or others who want to become influencing philanthropists?
“My advice would be to find your cause. It has to be something you really believe in. Lean into the things that have shaped you and affected your life. Really had impact. Figure out your why. And then set goals. Be consistent. Don’t give up if you truly believe in it, because it’s hard, but remember: Even if you are able to help or impact one person, it still is making a difference.”
By Jessica Peralta
