If you want to know where the influencer industry is headed and what drives influencers to succeed (or up a wall), you go straight to the source. Here, that source is California-based content creator Kinya Claiborne.

Kinya has worked with ACTIVATE on collaborations and partnerships with top brands from Kate Spade, Dove, and Estée Lauder to Dunkin’ and GoDaddy.

She’s also the founder and editor-in-chief of STYLE AND SOCIETY Magazine, and she boasts 167K+ engaged followers on her personal Instagram, with @styleandsociety reaching another 37.5K+. Her Instagram is a place for all things lifestyle, from fashion and beauty to food and travel.

We recently asked Kinya about her origin story and personal experiences as a content creator to get some insights into what it takes to become (or recruit) a top influencer like her. We also learn about her ultimate dream partnership, the best and worst parts of the job, and her thing for Michelle Obama.

Here’s the interview!

Name: Kinya Claiborne
Instagram: @kinyaclaiborne

Email: kinya@styleandsociety.com

ACTIVATE: What are three words that describe you as an influencer and content creator?

Kinya: Diverse, Creative, Inspirational

ACTIVATE: What goes into your decision-making when you choose which brands to partner with?
Kinya: I take a 360-degree approach when choosing or declining brands, including budget, timeline, campaign scope and how closely the brand aligns with my brand.

ACTIVATE: What is a dream brand you would love to work with?
Kinya: I would love to work with The Met Gala, the most fashionable event of the year! My dream collaboration would be working with Beyonce on her Ivy Park Collection.

ACTIVATE: How many paid partnerships do you aim to have per month/per year, and can you have too many?
Kinya: I don’t have a set goal for how many paid partnerships I have. My focus rather is on quality vs. quantity.

ACTIVATE: What is most important to you in a brand partnership?
Kinya: Exceeding the client’s expectations

ACTIVATE: What are some common misconceptions people have about being an influencer?
Kinya: Most people see the end result (beautiful photo content, red-carpet events, exotic trips, and free swag), but they don’t understand the journey of getting there. I wish people knew how much time it takes to create quality, results-driven, engaging content.

ACTIVATE: What are the best and worst things about being an influencer?
Kinya: The best part is having the opportunity to work with some of my favorite brands. The worst part is that, as a full-time entrepreneur, you have a 24/7 job with no days off.

ACTIVATE: How did you get your start as an influencer, and how did you decide on an industry focus?
Kinya: I started my career in radio, TV, and print publications before taking over corporate communications. Through the years, I’ve made a significant mark in every corner of the media and entertainment industry. Building on more than 15 years of experience in that space, I created STYLE & SOCIETY Magazine in 2013 as a creative passion before organically folding into the influencer space.

ACTIVATE: What and who have been some of your strongest influences?
Kinya: A moment in history that empowered me as a woman of color was when Michelle Obama became First Lady. From the moment Michelle entered the White House, she captured us with her flawless style, inspirational speeches, and commitment in the promotion of healthy nutrition and the right to women’s education. One of the most progressive first ladies of our time, she made her mark coloring outside the lines of past traditional roles of first ladies. She is stylish, intelligent, passionate about her beliefs and taught us: “when they go low, we go high.”

To collaborate with influencers like Kinya or learn more about how ACTIVATE's influencer solution can support your business, book a demo now.