Today we’d like to introduce you to Camille Cardwell
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Ironically, I got into this industry while in my last year of undergrad as a social work intern and a cheerleading coach, which I had been doing since I got out of high school. I realized that I did not enjoy the field that I was in and I had no passion for continuing it and although I could have taken the advice that everyone was giving me to just stay in it and that “that’s just part of life” I realized I didn’t want that to be my career or my future. So, when I brought up the idea of wanting to start the influencer journey and possibly going into social media marketing, I had many people in my life tell me that I could never make it as an influencer, that I wasn’t “creative enough” or “hot enough”, and that I should “just stick to what I know”.
So after being told that, I basically decided that I was going to pursue social media marketing and creating a name for myself on social media just in spite to show them that I could and to prove them wrong.
Even though I went in with the wrong intentions, shortly after pursuing content creation, I realized that 1) I really like this industry, 2) I am very creative and talented in this field, and 3) I’m actually passionate about this and I want to pursue social media because there’s real money to be made here and real jobs to be had in this industry. I took the next year, as I danced for the San Antonio Spurs and had that consistent paycheck, to really invest my time in studying different strategies, researching platforms, having trial and error, and practically growing my TikTok and Instagram and any other social media platforms in the way that I needed to to be noticed by brands, clients in the area and nationwide, and do what I needed to do to make this job full time. Although I gained some really amazing partnerships with some dream brands, such as Fabletics, Virgin Voyages, Lululemon, Yves Saint Laurent (YSL), and multiple brands in the industry that I wasn’t even able to afford their products myself, I wasn’t able to take social media full time until September of 2023.
In September of that year, TikTok shop officially launched, which I was actually working with a company behind the scenes that was a founder of TikTok Shop partner agencies before TikTok shop even hit the market. Due to that, I was able to have insight that really allowed me to understand the algorithm and the methods needed as a creator to be able to go viral and sell products online.
Within the two years of me being a content creator and trying all these different strategies, I never was able to find success in affiliate marketing, such as Amazon or lLTK or anything that was specific to a brand; but since I had this background knowledge of TikTok shop, when it was time to apply that knowledge, I was able to see success in a day. That is when my life changed. Within 24 hours, I had made more on social media (from TikTok Shop) than I had ever made in a month, let alone, maybe five months altogether.
Once I was able to see the success that could come from TikTok shop and the partnerships that then came with that success, I was able to take social media a full time, become one of the biggest TikTok shop creators in 2023, and within the next year, not only made social media my full time job, but was able to help brands generate over $200,000 in sales.
Following this shift, I was able to work with name brand makeup companies, huge high end fashion products, get invited to major creator events, have the funds to travel and live my dream life within the year of 2024. Now after spending a little over three years of growing my platforms and succeeding as an influencer and content creator, I have now decided that I’m ready to take the next step as an entrepreneur and as an individual in the social media marketing space, as I build my own social media marketing agency that works with nationwide companies as well as those local to us, specializing in the fashion, bridal, and real estate industry. I am looking forward to this new endeavor as I’ve seen it work many times and have tested it as well within the last year, so I am confident that this is the year to once again, “go big or go home.”
On my personal accounts, I plan to continue to show that process with everyone else as it’s become very important to me to use my platforms to inspire others, show others that you don’t have to match the status quo or be a corporate 9-5 to be successful, but that there are other alternatives and there’s ways that you can provide yourself financial freedom while also increasing your creativity and flourishing in the workspace, as well as show them that an everyday girl from a small town can still live the big city dream life while staying true to herself, and helping businesses and others creators in the same space.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course not, there is no consistency and no security. As we speak, I’m going through a shift because my TikTok, which was my main platform for creating income and benefiting brands the most was hacked and I no longer have access, which means I’m having to completely restart and also re-strategize to figure out my next step when it comes to being an influencer and a creator in this industry. You also have the factor of the haters online that hide behind a screen. No matter how long you’ve been in the industry, if you’re into social media marketing or if you just have a platform that you like to post on, there is always going to be some video, maybe 10, maybe 100 that will blow up because there are so many hate comments. Depending on how you’re doing as an individual outside of the workspace and outside of social media, if you’re not in the correct headspace or you’re not doing well, then it’s very hard to combat those comments and those opinions of others in your head.
I think that’s why I have also gotten very open about my journey on my platforms, whether it’s opening up about my eating disorder journey as a professional dancer, handling wayward brands that take advantage of you, and advocating for women in this space and also in the dance industry because the truth is, when you look on somebody’s platform, it usually always looks like it is sunshine and rainbows, and they’re not getting to see what the other person is battling on the other end of the screen.
However, that is why I advocate for wellness and realistic lifestyle by showing how I take care of myself, whether it’s having my morning wellness routine or going for a walk with my dogs or working out regularly or practicing meditation . There’s always an importance of taking care of yourself so that when you do come up across those barriers, whether it’s not getting a partnership or the income being inconsistent and you having to figure out how you’re gonna pay for your bills or it is battling somebody’s opinion or hate comments on and off the screen , it can be a lot easier when you’re confident in yourself and you’re built on a foundation that is strong.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Lone Star Social is my latest venture, combining my passion for creativity with years of experience as an influencer. We’re a Texas-based social media agency specializing in organic growth and authentic content that truly connects. What sets us apart is our tailored approach—we adapt to each brand like a chameleon to help them shine in a crowded digital space. We run our services like influencer partnerships which helps give us an organic edge that connects to a wider audience.
I’m most proud of how we blend creativity with results, delivering impactful content while staying true to our clients’ unique voices. Lone Star Social offers services like monthly post-able content packages, influencer marketing coordination, event coverage, digital strategy coaching, and more. My goal is to make social media marketing simple and accessible for brands of all sizes.
For anyone ready to elevate their online presence, I’d love to connect and bring ‘The Chameleon Effect’ to their brand!
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I would have to say this past year has been the most transformative and supportive year I’ve had when it comes to mentors, clients, and supporters. My biggest supporter and teammate has been the client I have had the longest, Bridal Galleria of Texas. I feel like we have walked through the growth of our businesses side by side and every idea and endeavor I have had, she has cheered me on completely.
Secondly would be the individuals I had the privilege of working with and under this past year. My former choreographer, Dana Alexa has came to be one of my most influential people this last year, from being a shoulder to lean on to a spiritual guide and she continues to inspire me with her new business endeavors. Working with 333 Media and Eat Drink Local Texas also gave me insight and experience into the other end of social media marketing and increased my passion for the business side of this industry. I am so grateful for the time getting to shadow and support them and I hope to be able to partner with them, rather than compete, on client projects in the near future.
Lastly, my partner, best friends, and family deserve so much credit for being by my side the whole way. From my dance career, to going back to get my Masters, to investing in my business full time; I couldn’t have done it, or continue to pursue, without them. Thank y’all so much.
Pricing:
- Customizable packages to fit everyone’s budget.
- UGC Partnerships- Contact for info.
- Influencer Partnerships- Contact for info.
- LSS Services- Contact for info.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/camilletheceo
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camilletheceo
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@creationwithcamille
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@yogurlcamille
