Today we’d like to introduce you to Emmanuela Wonganya.
Hi Emmanuela, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hi! I am Emmanuela. I am a digital creator from Houston, TX. I am originally from Cameroon, born and raised in a city called Kumba. Cameroon is a country located in central Africa and shares boundaries with Nigeria. I completed my primary and secondary school education back home in Cameroon before moving to the United States to join my family and further my education. Growing up, I was a shy and reserved girl who did not utter a word in public. I was always afraid to talk or share my opinions with others. It led me into isolation and choosing to escape the public eye to be comfortable in my comfort zone. All that took a turn when I started wanting to be more than just the person I was in my comfort zone. I knew I had a voice and was not willing to let it die; that is when I dived into the world of creative arts and content creation.
We all have wild dreams, and one of my wildest dreams was to become a content creator one day. Being the child of an African parent means you either become a Doctor, Lawyer, or Engineer, so diving into the creative arts field was something I was scared of openly having a conversation with my family. Still, to my surprise, I received lots of support and encouragement from them when I finally showed interest and shared my plans with them. The beginning of 2020 was hard for me, and it was hard for everyone due to the pandemic. I had been laid off from my job in February and could not immediately secure another job because of the decline in the economy, which was affecting almost every business. That’s when I dived into my full potential and started working towards the things I love and had as a goal. I’ve always loved watching vlogs and lifestyle videos on YouTube. I spent most of my time watching my favorite vloggers and creators during the pandemic. I vividly recall the day I shared my interest in becoming a creator with a close friend. I had always wanted to do YouTube because I love vlogs and would be good at them. She encouraged me to go for it and opted to teach me how to edit, and that is how it all started with one thought, encouragement and support from my close friend and family, and most importantly, approval from God. I prayed about it, got confirmation, and used some of my savings to purchase my first camera.
Growing up, I’ve always loved to share the things I love with others, teach others, or be creative with what I do so they can serve my community. Being a shy and reserved girl has always kept me from doing what I desire or showing up in public spaces. 2020 turned around as I took a leap of faith, pushed myself out of my comfort zone, and started YouTube in August 2020. It has been one of the best decisions of my life and career. The passion and love I have for what I do became my drive. My brand and Youtube channel, “Emma Wong” centers around digital content creation. I create lifestyle videos, weekly vlogs, and travel vlogs. Being a psychology major in college, I also plan on incorporating sit-down videos where I get to dive deep into conversations about life and the things happening around us with a focus on the social aspects. Although I recently put a pause to stabilize my school requirements, I am ready to jump right back in with the coming new year. I am where I am today because of God, the love and support I receive from my family members and friends, and my determination. Sometimes I’ve felt low or not well-equipped to step up and do the job, but I’ve always been reminded that all things are possible with God. Losing a job redirected me right where I needed to be and allowed me to dig deep and share my ideas, craft, and gift with the world. I’ve been happiest since I created my brand and started doing the things I love.
I plan to become a clinical psychologist soon, estimating the next 3-5 years. I am passionate about helping others navigate life while staying healthy mentally or helping them overcome mental challenges and disorders. With psychology, I’ve learned a lot about people, their behaviors, and how the environment affects their behaviors. It comes in handy when dealing with a business and creative platform like mine where human interaction occurs. While pursuing my dream of becoming a clinical psychologist, I am also actively working extra hours to grow my brand in digital creation. I am excited about what God has for my brand, education, and social platforms.
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?
It wasn’t a smooth road getting to where I’m at right now, but for the most part, God has made the struggles easy to bear. During my first year in content creation, I dealt with cyberbullying, which affected me mentally. Being a black woman in the United States and deciding to have me on social platforms was very scary. I had encounters where I was bullied for having a different accent, which affected my self-esteem. As time went by, I’ve grown to learn and understand that I have to show up as my true self no matter what others say, and I am now comfortable being who I am despite the comments about my accent. I’ve also struggled to balance school and content creation, especially when I started. It led to more mental stress, and I sometimes lost sleep and missed meals to catch up on my education and create digital videos. The act of comparison, which I think almost everyone goes through, was also something I struggled with, leading to depression. I’m glad that I’ve overcome these struggles and am currently showing up as my best self.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a content and digital creator. I create and edit video/picture content for multi-platform use and distribution, including online and social media channels like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. I also manage, supervise and handle all inquiries, collaborations, and daily posts; produce and develop a content strategy across all brands and all channels. I build and engage online audiences for my platforms by developing engaging content that promotes my brand. My brand specializes in lifestyle entertainment and advice for people of all groups and ages. Every content I put out comes from a Christian, positive, faith-based aspect or mentality. My goal is to share parts of my social life with others, to serve my community, empower and positively transform the lives of the people who engage with my content and craft. I also aim to inspire my community to live a healthy lifestyle and share fashion, beauty, and daily lifestyle trends and tips. I am most proud of my authenticity and growth. I’m proud of how unique I’ve been throughout every step in building my brand and making improvements to be better. In the creative field, getting carried away and trying to be like others is easy, but I’m proud of how authentic I’ve kept my work and public image. I’m also proud of my determination to get work done, give my best in everything I do, and share with the world. What sets me apart from others is my passion for my craft and staying unique: being myself and showing up as my true self always.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I’ve learned that growth does not come overnight, and you must keep going. Whether you see no one watching or supporting you, you must keep going and trust yourself, your work, and your progress. Alongside this, I’ve also learned that there is room for everyone to thrive and excel in the same field.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmaxowong/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prettyella.labelle.7
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Emmaxowong
