Interview with Miha Balan: personal and close with one of our Fashion Potluck creators

At the heart of Fashion Potluck is community. It’s our content creators that give life to the platform and continue to grow it into something amazing – an inclusive platform and voice for every member to share and discuss women related topics. It’s important to us that Fashion Potluck makes a positive influence, both on society and the environment – forming positive body images and sustainable fashion play important roles. 

So, we sat down with one of our lovely content creators, Miha Balan, to hear her tips on successful blogging and creating content that’s true to you.

FP: Why and how did you get into Blogging?

Miha: Well, I started blogging 3 years ago, but I had a full time job- I used to work in a retail chain, a big one- so I couldn’t really commit to the website. But last year in September, I turned 30 and I decided to quit my job and pursue a career that I Feel passionate about. So I slowly started writing…I write these motivational articles, I don’t only do style. So first I started with motivational articles, which caught up really well, I think for a beginner. Then slowly I started out with the outfits, so 5 months later and here I am! 

FP: So you really started this as a passion project?

Miha: Yes, my passion began with starting to write, because I really love to write. And, I also dreamed to have my own blog, my own brand. You know, I want a career out of it. Although I quit 3 years ago, because of my old job, I always thought it was such a bad idea to quit. 

FP: You’re writing, you’re shooting a lot of pictures, who is it you want to impact?

Miha: Well, through the motivational articles, I want to impact readers of all ages…to build a positive lifestyle. I’m trying to help them pursue a career that they feel passionate about, or to always be themselves. And through outfits- the ones I normally post on Fashion Potluck- I’m trying to impact the ladies who are looking for tips on how to style for different occasions, what to wear…basically to help find their personal style. That’s also what I’m trying to do myself. 

FP: Nice! And what are your blogging goals?

Miha: I want to help women, but also men of course, to embrace the idea of being very comfortable in their own skin. That’s the motto for my blog- ‘be you, very well’. And, I want to reach as many as possible with this message. I also want to help ladies find their own personal style, the same time as me. 

FP: We try to make sure that everyone on our platform has a voice and is included. Your advice for other content creators would be what?

Miha: Go for it! Write about the things you really, really like and work really, really hard at it. And be patient. Don’t be afraid t be picky! For example, I don’t wear clothes from H&M, for me, they are a little bit cheap. I’m sorry, that’s just my opinion… so I don’t wear it. I don’t like the labor or the environmental aspect of it. It’s actually very common here in Denmark to manufacture clothes that don’t hurt the environment. A brand that I like for sustainable fashion is Cos Store. I believe in wearing something that is a good brand, one that I am proud to represent… that’s what I’m trying to do.

FP: What is the most important aspect of blogging to get right?

Miha: Can I say a small thing that I’ve noticed? Instagram. Instagram hasn’t always helped grow my audience, but it has helped me get noticed by brands and bloggers – Instagram is the way to do it. So, I think it’s really important to create a good strong image on there, but it does take a lot of work! There’s a whole strategy specifically for Instagram: what do you post, how do post, how you promote, how you use hashtags, timing, how you tag… Everything! With Instagram, it’s not just about the content, but the way the content is put out there. But once you get there, get something viral, you’re talking thousands of views. 

FP: When you’re not creating content, what are you doing?

Miha: I try to get inspired for like, outfits- what to buy, I try to take pictures, this is usually at the weekend and very early in the morning, so there are not that many people looking at me ha. I read a lot because these articles I write, I like to have some sort of inspiration for them and try to improve my writing. 

FP: Let me ask you some other questions- so, for traveling, what do you prefer?

Miha: Definitely hot ones! I love Los Angeles, Miami…yes; also very tropical…I’m soon going to Bali! I mean I come from an eastern European country; I don’t come from Denmark originally, so summers there are very very very hot! I’ve been living in Scandinavia for so many years, I really, really miss that heat, you know- the sun. So for traveling, I always go for very hot- the hottest possible. (*giggles). My dream is to live in San Francisco. That’s my goal, because it has a little bit of everything. It has better weather than (Copenhagen), here is extremely windy all the time… and cold! Haha, weather is important! San Francisco is good for jobs, too. It’s good for raising a family; I like the style of the buildings, it’s pretty. The city itself, it has a little bit of old, a little bit of new. I know it’s my dream city…but I’ve never been there! 

We sign off with a laugh and remind her, and indeed all our Fashion Potluck content creators, that our door is always open. So, if you’re ever in Amsterdam, our Fashion Potluck base, don’t hesitate to drop by our office for a coffee! 

If you have any thoughts or feedback to this interview, drop us an email, we’re all ears. 

Keep on inspiring others and being inspired!