The Interview —

Emily Herren, Founder of Champagne and Chanel

I started Champagne & Chanel my senior year of college as a creative outlet. I have always loved putting outfits together and finding the best beauty products, so I thought I’d share those aspects of my life on Instagram. I had no clue that later it would turn into a successful business and my full time job! 

One of the biggest challenges I faced was learning my self worth and developing negotiation skills. I was fresh out of college when I started landing brand deals and I was not good at negotiating campaigns. It took some time for me to learn the business aspect of influencer marketing, but once I gained more experience and confidence my business grew exponentially. 

I start my day by looking at my content calendar and determining what campaigns need to be accomplished. I read over content briefs and contracts to ensure all obligations are fulfilled properly. A big part of my day is filming Instagram stories, which is anything from a try-on session to a makeup tutorial. Either mid morning or late afternoon, I attend an Orangetheory Fitness class, which is crucial for my physical and mental health. I spend the remainder of my day shooting/filming campaigns, answering questions via DM, and attending any meetings I have for that day. After work is done, I love spending time with my fiancé and my two pups! 

If I could only shop at one store for the rest of my life, it would have to be Nordstrom. They carry all of my favorite brands (Free People, Madewell, WAYF, ect.), have an amazing shoe selection, and carry the best beauty brands. It truly is a one-stop-shop! 

A good white bodysuit that can be paired with anything, my favorite distressed denim jacket (good for every season), and a comfortable pair of nude heels (the Sam Edelman Odila’s are the BEST). 

Give us your holy grails. The Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer (seriously the best concealer I’ve ever used), Bobbi Brown Liquid Lip Crush (is very hydrating & looks good over any lipstick), and Olaplex no.3 hair mask to keep my hair strong and healthy. 

Working out at Orangetheory is by far the best thing I do for my body and mind. It’s such a great stress reliever and builds confidence. In the words of Elle Woods, “Exercise gives endorphins. Endorphins make you happy!”. 

I would start with brunch at Josephine House because they have a great patio, farm-to-table food, and delicious cocktails. Then I would go paddle boarding at Ladybird Lake (an Austin staple). If paddle boarding isn’t your thing, go to Zilker Park and enjoy the beautiful views of Austin (and lots of dogs!!). Lastly, grab a spicy margarita and dinner at ATX Cocina downtown! 

First off, I know there are a ton of influencers in the space, but there is truly room for everyone. If you are super passionate about something (could be fashion, fitness, home decor, etc.), and you are willing to put in the work, you can succeed. Post consistently, be authentic, and build trust with your audience. 

I’m so excited to announce that a collection I designed with my best friend, Dede Raad, is launching with WAYF at Nordstrom on September 15th! This has been something that Dede and I have been working on for almost a year so I can’t wait for it to hit the stores.