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[MUSIC PLAYING]
I'm here in DC, and I have the opportunity
to interview one of my Instagram rock stars.
And I wanted to share with you all Natalie's story
so that you can learn from her experience
and, hopefully, have the same type of success.
So, Natalie, I'm so glad that you're here and taking time out
of your busy day as a student.
Why don't you tell everybody who you are
and how you discovered Instagram.
Sure.
I'm a senior at the George Washington University.
I'm majoring in systems engineering.
And I used my creativity, passion for fashion,
and love of designer goods to create The Retail Rebellion.
So I'd like to hear, how did you discover
Instagram for your business?
Well, I went to Tory Johnson Spark and Hustle
in Washington, DC, where I heard you speak.
And you really inspired me with Instagram.
And I thought that it would be a great platform
to use to reach out to my audience
because eBay wasn't really reaching the girls
that I really wanted to reach.
And I thought Instagram would be great for that.
So, explain exactly what type of business
that you have on Instagram?
What is the Retail Rebellion?
Well, the Retail Rebellion is rebelling against retail prices
for designer goods and the stuff that girls really
want, like all those great name brands, Tory Burch and J.Crew,
things like that.
And so, this resale shop is for designer goods
that are lightly used.
And girls can snag that sort of thing
without that hefty price tag that they usually come with.
So, Natalie I'd love you talk to me about some strategies
that you've used to help grow your community
beyond your hashtag strategy.
Well, I found that everyone at Instagram
is willing to help each other.
And they really love featuring other stores,
featuring other pictures.
If you see something you love-- maybe it's not your size--
you'll feature it and hope that someone else buys it.
And so it's really awesome the community that's on Instagram.
You are able to share photos with other shops that
do the same thing that you do.
And then their followers kind of network with you.
And this kind of is a web because maybe they
have a shop or two that you didn't have before.
And they can feature you, and it just
keeps going and going and going.
Let's end with, how do you feel?
How does being on Instagram make you feel, now
that you're somewhat popular, with a business that's
thriving, that you only started just five months ago,
and you're making money doing what you love?
It's amazing.
I feel awesome because it's not something
that I'm forced to do.
I don't think, [SIGH] I have to go to work,
or anything like that.
I get to do what I love, in my spare time,
and it's really fun.
And I have new friends.
I have new purses, new designer goods.
And it's just really fantastic.
And I really encourage you to follow your dream
if that's something that sounds interesting to you.