Today we’d like to introduce you to Gaonou Lo
Hi Gaonou, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
From a young age, I’ve always been drawn to fashion as a form of self-expression—using it to make bold statements and tell unique stories. I remember the first time I styled an outfit at just 5 years old: I paired an oversized navy blue knitted sweater with my denim overalls, and that moment marked the beginning of my journey to express who I am through what I wear. Alongside my love for fashion, I’ve always been a social butterfly and enjoyed being in front of the camera. Whether it was performing in school talent shows, auditioning for plays, or making home videos, I loved capturing moments and telling stories. So, when platforms like Instagram and YouTube became part of our everyday lives, creating content felt like a natural fit for me.
I started my first Instagram account to document my study abroad experience in London. Sharing my journey was both fulfilling and inspiring—it sparked a passion for storytelling and connecting with others. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Media Studies and Business Management, I took my first career step in HR, mainly because I wanted a high salary and a comfortable lifestyle. But soon, I realized I needed a career that would ignite my passion, even on the challenging days. After two years in HR, while also building my content creation side hustle, I decided to take a leap of faith. I went back to school to earn my master’s degree in Strategic Marketing because I knew that social media was where my heart, head, and soul belonged. Despite the industry still being in its early stages, I saw the immense potential it held, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it.
During my master’s program, I gained hands-on experience interning at an all-female marketing agency in New Jersey and working part-time as a Social Media Manager for a tech start-up. After graduating, I transitioned from freelance social media work to becoming a Social Media Manager at a marketing agency in Arkansas, where Walmart was one of their biggest clients. Moving from Wisconsin to Arkansas was a bold decision, but I was determined to challenge myself. Working in the fast-paced agency environment helped me gain experience managing multiple clients and juggling various roles. Though it wasn’t always the healthiest work environment, it honed my skills and helped me discover what I truly enjoyed about social media. After a year, I decided to revisit a career opportunity in higher education and was offered a Social Media Strategist role at a technical college in Wisconsin. This position allowed me to work with a unique student population, including 35% who were student parents. It really shifted my perspective on higher education, especially in how technical colleges can provide the same level of expertise and experiences as four-year universities. Within two years, I was promoted to Senior Social Media Strategist, where I revamped the social media strategy, shifting from a student-centered approach to a more institutional-focused one. Today, I’m the Director of Social Media at a Big Ten university, and I’m gearing up for a major, life-changing campaign that I’m thrilled to be a part of.
Throughout my journey, I’ve learned three key things that have helped propel my career: First, always make your work visible to leadership and show the impact it’s having. Second, advocate for your own career growth. I make it a point to bring new ideas to the table, and after successfully completing a project, I create a case study to demonstrate why a promotion or raise is deserved. Third, be well-connected. Building relationships with colleagues and mentors can create opportunities and advocacy when it’s time for growth.
In addition to my professional career, I’ve had incredible opportunities in the social media space, like being featured twice on a Times Square billboard, participating in a Wisconsin statewide commercial, appearing in a national TV ad, and going on a brand trip with one of the largest retailers. I’ve also worked with major brands such as Mall of America, Neutrogena, VRAI, and BearPaw. A huge part of my success can be credited to my dad, who always encouraged me to dream big and taught me that with heart and determination, anything is possible.
I’ve always been eager to learn and grow, and that mindset has helped me absorb and apply new knowledge throughout my career. My advice to others is to surround yourself with people who can teach you, but don’t stop at learning—apply what you learn and see what works and what doesn’t. That’s when you start figuring out your path. A big part of my success has been actively seeking opportunities and putting myself out there. I firmly believe in the power of asking for what you want—you’ll never know if it’s meant for you unless you try.
Looking ahead, my focus is on turning content creation into my full-time career while continuing to give back through my expertise. I recently joined a scholarship foundation to help with their social media efforts. I’ve always believed in manifestation, and having a clear vision of what I want and a plan to achieve it has been essential. One of my dreams was to honeymoon in Bora Bora, and I made it a reality in 2023.
As I approach my 30s, I’m excited to continue evolving with more confidence, focus, love, calmness, creativity, and determination. I’m committed to living a purposeful, fulfilling life, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road hasn’t always been smooth, but for the most part, I feel like the luckiest person. Opportunities, decisions, and life moments have a way of working out in my favor, even when I’m not actively seeking them. That being said, I’ve faced my fair share of challenges along the way.
One struggle was finding a healthy work-life balance, especially with my passion for content creation. I’ve learned to use a time-blocking strategy, which helps me focus on one task at a time during specific periods, ensuring efficiency and clear focus. Another challenge was navigating relationships and friendships that didn’t bring positive energy, especially during times when I needed grace and support. Over time, I’ve learned to block out the negativity, trust my intuition, and share only with those who truly want the best for me. Lastly, I’ve struggled with trying to do it all at once, which led to burnout and frustration because I wasn’t delivering my best work. Now, I focus on 1-3 key things that I want to succeed in and find smarter ways to connect them. If I can’t make it all work at once, I’ve learned to give myself grace and space to rest, figuring things out at a pace that feels healthy for me in the moment.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m currently the Director of Social Media for Michigan State University’s University Advancement unit by day and a fashion/lifestyle content creator by night. My expertise lies in social media strategy, content creation, community management, and storytelling, all while maintaining a brand’s unique voice and leaving room for trends and pop culture references. I’m known for linking creative ideas to a brand’s mission and finding ways to OUT CARE our competitors in meaningful ways.
I’m a strong advocate for incorporating the human element into every social media post, ensuring it feels authentic and true to the brand’s identity. By putting people first, I believe great stories emerge—stories that show how the brand adds value to its audience. I’m most proud of living a life that brings me joy while doing work that aligns with my passions.
I’ve catapulted my social media career as a self-taught professional, and I’m incredibly proud of my drive to make things happen. Much of my success comes from my desire to create a positive impact and give back to a world that’s been good to me. What sets me apart is my combination of creativity, empathy, and passion. I love making people feel good while telling stories that visually convey why something matters—no matter how big or small.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
As someone who is goal-oriented and values results, I’m a meticulous planner. Those close to me know I’m Type A and love staying organized, but what they don’t always see is the level of organization I maintain behind the scenes. For example, even though I just got married a year ago and don’t plan on having kids anytime soon, I’m already planning my dream baby shower, focusing on the little details that matter most to me. Because I’m so meticulous, I do everything with great care and love, especially for the people who mean the most to me. I’ve set clear goals for each decade of my life, with actionable steps to achieve them. Right now, my biggest life goal is to be financially free by 40, and I’m taking small, strategic steps every day to make that a reality. I’m deeply focused on making things happen, which allows me to quickly strategize and create a roadmap for my future. So far, this approach has been working in my favor.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaonou.lo
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaonou-lo-b7b754b0/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GaonouLo
