Hannah Kenerly spends her weekdays as a typical Florida State University freshman, attending classes, studying, reading her favorite books, and celebrating football victories. But her weekends often look markedly different, filled with professional photoshoots, brand collaboration meetings, and flights to NYC or LA. This shy college student, with thousands of followers across social media, has built a digital presence that began with a simple cheer photo and has matured into a full-fledged career.

Her journey into the digital spotlight began through elite sports. “I was a flyer in all-star cheer,” Hannah explains. I got put on a really popular Worlds-level all-star cheer team as a flyer, and I decided to post about it. “

This competitive background provided more than just a pathway to followers; it instilled the mental fortitude that would become essential to her digital career. “All-star cheerleading is really intense, and being a flyer is super competitive, so it gave Hannah a lot to post about. From long practices with people twice her age to elite-level flexibility skills, it was crazy difficult, but very rewarding.

Her initial social media growth came organically. “I’d post pictures flying with my teammates or just stretching and showing my flexibility, and people started following me,” she says. “Eventually, a cheer/dance photographer reached out and said, ‘Hey, want to take some pictures?’ I was like, ‘Sure, why not?'” 

Overcoming Challenges in the Public Eye

Perhaps the most difficult hurdle in Hannah’s journey has been the criticism, after that first photoshoot, particularly during her formative high school years. “I wasn’t prepared for the backlash and just horrible, mean people,” she says. “Being a shy teenager, I was already insecure. I was tiny and had already dealt with some serious health problems that made me a target in elementary school. Having people make fun of me in high school just for taking photos and posting about something I loved on social media was very hard on me mentally.

The experience initially made her question her path. “At times, it made me think, do I even want to do this?” she admits. “Maybe I should just shut everything down and stay quiet.” But rather than surrendering to negativity, Hannah transformed criticism into motivation. “I let those voices motivate me,” she says. “I thought, I do not even know these people, and they certainly do not know me. I love what I am doing, so I am going to persevere and focus on the positive voices.”

The real turning point came unexpectedly. “I really hit a big point when I got invited to my first New York Fashion Week,” Hannah shares. “I was 15 and that was a huge deal. I definitely gained a lot of traction because I got asked to walk in New York Fashion Week, but more than that, the invitation to New York Fashion Week became a powerful sense of validation.” 

“Getting invited to walk in New York Fashion Week was a breakthrough,” she says. “I’d been mocked, made fun of, laughed at, and bullied, and then as I walked that runway for the very first time at Sony Hall, I thought ‘Oh wow, this was worth it.’ It was a critical moment. I’m walking in the New York Fashion Week at 15. I am going to be okay.”

This resilience remains essential in the creator economy. “You need resilience because some people will judge you and say you won’t make it, but your focus must be on staying true to yourself and your dreams and goals,” Hannah explains.

Content Strategy and Creative Process

Hannah’s approach to content creation has changed noticeably from her early days. Initially focused on perfection, she’s discovered that being more genuine resonates more with her audience. “For a while, I thought everything had to be perfect, but honestly, people just like seeing a random selfie or what you’re doing,” she explains. “It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just posting a couple times a week keeps them engaged.”

Her content planning process is collaborative, particularly when it comes to brand partnerships. “Usually, we’ll get an email with the concept,” Hannah explains. “I’ll go on Pinterest, look at stuff I’m liking, pick out clothes that fit, and then call my mom, who is my manager, and figure out location and time.”

This creative exploration is one of the aspects she enjoys most. “It’s fun to live out your Pinterest board dreams,” she says.

On the other side, Hannah must balance her academic responsibilities with her professional commitments. “It’s honestly going really well. I was nervous because I don’t like being away from home,” she says. “But the change has helped me grow. I never thought I’d be able to hold my own and take care of myself.”

The Business Development

Hannah’s approach to the business side of content creation has transformed from a mother-daughter collaboration to a professional operation with additional outside management support. Initially, she was cautious about monetization. “We didn’t want to start monetization until I turned 18,” she explains.

Her first revenue streams came from selling additional content from photoshoots. “We’d take hundreds of photos just to find five good ones,” Hannah shares. “We thought, ‘Why not sell the 95 we didn’t use?'”

As her following grew, brand partnerships became a major source of revenue. Her first major collaboration holds special meaning. “One of the most memorable was Florence by Mills,” Hannah recalls. “Millie Bobby Brown’s brand reached out when I first started getting followers. I freaked out. I love ‘Stranger Things.’”

Other partnerships have included Simon Malls, Bella Barnett, and numerous fashion brands. She’s also attended Fenty Beauty events and been featured on Teen Vogue’s best-dressed list at the 2024 Teen Summit – an unexpected honor that validated her style choices. 

The growth of her platform eventually necessitated professional management. Last year, Hannah signed with Arsenic, a management agency that has transformed her workflow. “After that call,  my manager and I knew this was the team to sign with,” she explains. “In this industry, you need help from a team that is well-versed in the industry. You can’t do it all yourself.”

This business decision has allowed her to focus more on creative aspects while the Arsenic team handles logistics. “It’s taken a lot of stress off myself and my manager,” she says. “I have a full team of badass women helping me. It’s freed up time to be more creative because I don’t have to focus on logistics.”

For creators wondering when to make a similar move, Hannah offers practical advice: “When your follower count grows, so does the stress. When it stops being fun and feels stressful, that’s when you should consider signing with an agency. They help take the stress away, and you can love your job again.”

Brand Partnership Philosophy

Hannah employs a thoughtful approach to selecting and executing brand partnerships. “The only reason I’d turn down a brand deal is if it didn’t fit my style,” she says. “Some brands have reached out, and I’m like, ‘No, you are great, but that doesn’t align with my image, and I am more passionate when I am authentic.

Her vetting process is thorough. “I always check their social media, who they follow, who follows them, and who comments,” Hannah says. “That gives me an idea if a collaboration is a good fit for both of us.”

Once she commits to a partnership, Hannah values creative freedom. “It’s more authentic when I get creative freedom because I’m creative at heart,” she says. “These are my authentic ideas, and I’m bringing them to the brand.”

She also believes creators must advocate for fair compensation. “Don’t sell yourself short. They reached out because you’re worthy of representing them. Negotiate a fair price that represents you.”

Insights into the Creator Economy

Hannah has observed major shifts in how brands and creators interact, with influencers gaining more power in shaping consumer behavior. “It’s shifting because influencers are relatable,” she says. “Take Alix Earle; she talks about acne, long-distance relationships, stuff people connect with.”

This relatability translates to marketing influence. “Brands want creators who sell their product and feel relatable,” Hannah explains. “‘People think if my favorite creator uses this, I need to use it too.'”

She has also witnessed a shift in perceptions about content creation as a legitimate career. Some people used to think it was not a real job.  Hannah has seen a shift as the dedicated people are making content creation their full-time job. Building a brand is incredibly challenging, and it’s a 24/7 job, but it’s also very rewarding, and the compensation is excellent. What was once considered silly is now a six-figure income. 

“It’s hard work and it takes time. I’ve been doing this for seven years, but for me it has been worth it. I have been able to do things I only dreamed about doing, from walking in Miami Swim Week to being in Elle Italia during NYFW.”

From Social Media to Silver Screen

While content creation has opened many doors, Hannah has a clear vision for her future that extends beyond social media. “The next big milestone I’m chasing is getting signed with a talent agency for acting,” she reveals. “That’s my main passion. I’ll keep creating content, but I also want to be an actress. That’s been my dream since I was a little girl.”

She views her social media success as a potential launchpad. “Having a platform helps,” she says. “I want to act because I love the art of it and I’m passionate about it.”

Hannah is already taking steps toward this goal. “I’ve been training with an acting coach twice a week and attended multiple camps,” she says. “I’ve grown a lot, learned so much, and deepened my passion.”

These experiences include practical exposure to the industry. “I did some background work on a movie with my friend who’s on ‘The Young and the Restless,’ and that was awesome,” Hannah says. “Being on a set, you learn a lot.”

Staying Grounded Amid Success

Despite her accomplishments at a young age, Hannah maintains perspective through her faith and her family. “My faith and my family keep me grounded,” she shares. “Sometimes you want things to happen faster, but I stay grounded in my faith, and my family is my biggest support system, and my mom is a voice of reason. Not every deal is for me, and not everyone is meant to be my friend, and that is okay. I can still be kind and treat others with respect, because I can’t control others, but I can control how I respond, and that matters to me.  “

This foundation helps her handle the ups and downs of the creator economy. “I love the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11: ‘For I know the plans I have for you.’ I stay grounded knowing God has a plan for me.”  

Looking back on her journey, Hannah offers advice that reflects her growth: “I stay true to who I am and  I keep following my dreams. 

For those embarking on similar paths, she emphasizes the importance of perseverance and perspective. “Definitely mental toughness and the right perspective she advises. “The people who know and love you are the only ones that matter. The rest is just noise.”

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