Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

Nic Gonlas

4/14/2021

Nic Gonlas - Georgia
Nomination by Quenton Delaney
Photography by GSUstore
Issue 45 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Nic, 19 is wrapping up his freshman year at Georgia Southern University majoring in Business with a minor in Theater! At the end of 2020 fall semester, Nic earned a spot on the Dean's List with his 3.7 GPA. Nic has made a name for himself as an influencer through his viral dance videos on TikTok but outside of social media he is focusing on his career as a model and actor. Nic loves social media, dancing and hanging out with his friends and family. Nic likes to surround himself around positive vibes, good people! Nic is currently signed to DJQ Artist Management and he's an inspiring teen and role model for all models and influencers.

Photography by Caleb

What would you most like to be interviewed about?
I would love to talk about my journey as a Social Media Influencer, how it all got started, and how it has opened doors for me and led me into my greatest passion which is modeling and acting.

Tell us all about this.
I started out with Musical.ly. I really enjoy dancing. It is probably one of my favorite things to do. I started making videos in my backyard. Once TikTok took over, I just continued on that platform. I spend a lot of my time working on creative and entertaining vids for my followers. Through a lot of hard work, I have built a fan base just slightly less than one million. I also merged over to the Instagram platform and currently have a following of 113K on Instagram. I am working on starting a YouTube platform soon.

What doors has it opened?
As my social media influence expanded, I began to be contacted by management teams wanting to help further develop my career. I was able to sign with a manager who has really helped me find great opportunities to expand my horizons and getting in to acting and modeling.

How do you get to combine modeling and acting with being a SMI?
It is a very busy life for sure. This is my first year of college so trying to balance college with staying socially active and driving to a lot of auditions for modeling and acting gigs can be quite the juggling act. I believe getting an education is very important so I have had times that I had to make the tough decisions to focus on school, but I think my family, my manager, and I all do a great job of making sure I have a healthy balance.

What are a few first steps to share with others who may want to get into the SMI business?
I always tell people to just be themselves. We are all unique in our own way and find those qualities that make you unique, believe in yourself, and just be confident in putting yourself out there.

How has covid affected your roles both as an SMI and with modeling and acting?
We were all greatly affected by Covid. It has been a long journey that challenged me in many ways. I always try to focus on the positive in things, so I took the opportunity while spending so much time at home to really focus on my social media and pay attention to what my fans wanted to see from me. It actually allowed me to have the time and energy to really expand my following and I tried really hard to put a smile on people's faces that viewed my videos and pictures because I know it has been a difficult time for all. The comments from fans that mean the most to me are when they tell me I put a smile on their face or made their day brighter. Covid did put a temporary slowdown on the modeling and acting gigs as so many things have had to shut down. As things have slowly begun to open back up, I have recently been able to have more opportunities to work on my modeling and acting passions.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I am the fifth child of nine. I grew up in a very challenging environment with limited material things and resources, but I have been able to overcome these challenges and I am the first in my family to go to college. I try to give it my best in whatever I do and always look for the positives in every person and every situation. I have looked at the obstacles in my life as life lessons and it has given me the determination and strength to stay focused on the goals I want to accomplish in life. I am very blessed to have a very supportive intimate group around me that are mentors, friends and family.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be on and why?
I think I would talk about my family. I grew up in a very large household. We were very poor and had many struggles. I lost a sister at a very young age and there were many hard times. I was very blessed though because I was able to have an extended family and others who took me under their wing and made me part of their family too. By staying focused and positive and determined to show my family you can overcome all the things life throws at you, I am hoping it will inspire not only my siblings but other teens going through difficult times to believe in themselves and know they can overcome anything.

Photography by skilled_life

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
I grew up in a tough environment, so I had to grow up really fast and figure out how to take care of myself. I am the first in my family to finish high school and I just believe determination to bring myself out of that environment gave me the drive and inspiration to overcome.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Stay focused and positive and determined and you can overcome all odds.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
I would like to have my college degree in Business Management and hope to either be running my own company or being a successful SMI.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I love to play the keyboard. I also enjoy swimming, going to the beach, and traveling.
Do you have a hidden talent? What is it? I can crack most any of my bones at any time to the point that it grosses people out.

3 Things on your bucket list:
I would love to walk in New York Fashion Week. I am also focused and determined to be the first in my family to get a college degree. I also hope to visit California one day.

Who do you find inspiring?
I would say my uncle. He was very supportive of me growing up. He always worked to keep our family together. I lost him very tragically this past fall shortly after I went off to college, but I know he watches over me.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I hope it is because of my positivity. I reached a very low point in my life at an early age and have had a lot of difficulties and tragedies in my life. I got through it but staying positive and believing the best was yet to come. I want to always portray that message to others. Stay positive and good things will gravitate towards that energy. I hope to always bring a smile to people and hope they find joy in my social content.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
I want to tell people to never give up on your dreams and if you are having a bad moment in life, remember tomorrow is just around the corner. Embrace your life and make it the best for you.

Look for Nic in issue 45 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 45

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Christian Davis

3/19/2021

Christian Davis - Georgia
Nomination by Franshon Hollis
Photography by Everything Media, LLC
Issue 44 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Christian is a gifted multimedia designer, videographer, and social media influencer. He specializes in extracting thoughts and creatively bringing them to life. Having realized his purpose, he's positioned to continue to grow and nurture the gifts God has blessed him with. You know when he's on the scene because not only does he always have a camera in his hand, he's also wearing the latest in men's fashion.

Photography by Everything Media, LLC

What do you love about videography? What do you like to film/create the most?
What I love most about videography is bringing the crazy visuals in my head to life! I honestly like to film and create my own content the most, for example I push out content every week for my social media platforms as an influencer. The type of content I create for myself is fashion videos (YouTube videos, Reels, TikToks, IGTV Post) and of course pictures.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I have a multimedia business creating graphics, videography, and photography. I love men’s fashion!

Tell us about your Graphics business. What got you interested, how did you get started, and what do you love working on most?
I started my Graphics business last year in the middle of the pandemic, and it unexpectedly took off. At a very young age you could catch me looking out the window or wondering looking at a poster of some kind, the different styles, fonts, and mixture of colors is what caught my attention. My favorite type of Graphics to work on is Birthday Graphics.

What interests you about men's fashion? What would you say your style is?
The different styles and colors in men’s fashion is what grabbed my attention. My style is Casual/Streetwear. I don’t go too deep in casual; I don’t go too deep in streetwear. Take the two and mix them together then you have my style!

What will it entail for you to be a n upcoming social media influencer? How did you get involved and what about this endeavor excites you?
A Consistency of new and fresh content is mainly what it takes to become an influencer. I was thinking to myself one day, here are my exact words “You spend all this money on clothes and shoes and you’re not getting anything back from it”. Then I started thinking deeper, I could become an influencer then soon after growing my base monetize my social media platforms to gain profit from it. Not knowing what will happen as far as growth, viral videos, and new opportunities is what excites me the most.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be on and why?
I could talk about being successful and wealthy in life FOREVER. Me and my friends have long talks about our future now. I love it, having these talks with my friends opens my eyes up and makes me realize it’s really possible!

Look for Christian in issue 44 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 44

Click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Kaylin Rains

9/3/2020

Kaylin Rains – Arkansas
Interview by Diamond Orin
Nomination and Photography by Sierra Sugg Photography
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Kaylin Rains is inspiring because of her desire to serve the Lord and use her TikTok platform to create fun, Christian content. At the time of writing this, she and her sister, who share a joint account (rainssisters), have garnered almost 30K followers on TikTok by posting content such as Bible verses, funny Jesus-related lip-syncs, and dances to Christian music. On a platform filled with profane music, lewd dancing, and other harmful behaviors, she’s chosen to ignore what the world has told her she should post and instead be a light.

Photography by Sierra Sugg Photography

What do you want people to know about your story and why you do what you do?
A few years ago, I was going down a path without God in my life. It was because I didn’t truly know Him. I went to church and did the “right things” but I wasn’t happy. I saw how happy others were and was jealous of it. I eventually discovered that there is a big difference between religion and having an actual relationship with God and love for Jesus. Now every day, I try to show people how important it is to have that relationship because I couldn’t see myself not having it, and I wouldn’t want to.

What inspired you to start your TikTok instead of following all the other trends on there?
I didn’t want to gain followers or be known for showing off my body, cussing, or following the social norm. I wanted to be known as the girl who loves Jesus and spread that love to others.

Why do you think it’s important to be confident?
I think it is important to be confident to show people who you truly are, how you feel, and what you believe in. That way there is no question. Being confident and having self-worth promotes a sense of self- happiness. Also, I think confidence is an attractive quality and helps you connect with others.

How do you build your confidence?
Personally, I build my self-confidence by surrounding myself with others who love Jesus and avoid drama. I think I build my confidence by being social and participating in activities. I also think that doing things I like and am good at builds my confidence, but I feel it is also important for me to try new things to discover other things I may like or be good at. Lastly, but possibly most importantly, I feel that reading the Bible helps build my confidence.

Photography by Sierra Sugg Photography

In today’s society it can be difficult to be open about your faith. How can you encourage people to be open about their faith?
I think the best way is by being an example. I feel that a lot of the time people are too nervous to be honest with how they truly feel or what they believe in because they fear what others may think of them. However, I find that a lot of the time others feel and believe the same way I do, they are just too afraid to take the first step. That is one reason I wanted to create a positive Christian presence on TikTok

What is the hardest thing you’ve ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
The hardest thing I have ever done is getting out of the lukewarm part of being a Christian. It is hard and uncomfortable at first, but once you do, its amazing.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Find Jesus, he is the center of my life. If you have already found Him, make Him the center of yours. Don’t surround yourself with temptation. 2 Corinthians 4:18

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans for the future?
I want to do something in the ministry. Now what that will be, I am not sure. I am waiting for God to answer that question.

Photography by Melissa Rains

What is your favorite activity or pastime that wasn’t in your nomination?
I love painting.
I have been in dance or cheer since the age of two, and I competed most of those years. I am currently captain of my high school's varsity cheer team. I am on both the sideline team and the competitive team. I have suffered numerous injuries during my years of cheerleading, but I was always determined to come back even stronger.
I have made in All American for cheer every year that I was eligible to try out. As an All-American cheerleader, I performed in the Liberty Bowl halftime show and participated in the 2020 London New Year’s Day Parade. I love helping others in my sport as well. I love hosting the Kiddie Camp and working with young future cheerleaders. I find that I love working with younger children because they look up to you and they are less drama.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I can cross one eye and keep one straight.

If you could publicly present any topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
It would be anything about Jesus and being confident.

3 Things on your bucket list
-Skydiving
-Go visit the Ark
-Go to Salvation Mountain in California

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I think my love for Jesus inspires others to want the same thing and to be confident in your beliefs and faith.

Anything else you’d like to tell us?
Fight for what you believe in.
I am currently doing very well in school, but that was not always the case. In elementary and middle school, I struggled. I was diagnosed with vision processing disabilities and dyslexia in 7th grade. I received vision therapy for several months and am still receiving dyslexia therapy.

Kaylin will be featured in issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Click here for more information on issue 37

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

My YouTube Experience - an interview with Madi Westbrooke

6/9/2018

5 Comments

Interview by Olivia Bush

When did you start your YouTube channel & how many subscribers do you have now?
I Started my YouTube channel five years ago in 2012 & the last time I looked I had a little over 118,000.

What editing software do you use?
I used to use imovie, but three years ago I updated to Final Cut Pro.

What inspired you to start YouTube?
It really happened progressively. On the first day of school my mom would always film me and what I was doing and wearing so I was really used to being in front of the camera. One year my mom got me one of those small flip screen video cameras that were really popular. Me and my friends would film videos on that and I would pretend I had a YouTube channel but I never uploaded any of those videos. Then one day when I got home from school I decided to upload one and it really just took off after that.

What is your favorite thing about doing YouTube and why?
It exposes you to different kinds of people. You get to meet new friends and get exposed to companies. You are surrounded with this community of people that you look up to, that will be there to help you. Kind of like a family.

How do you manage YouTube and college?
I thought it definitely would be harder than high school, but it wasn’t as hard as I thought. In the second semester I scheduled my classes to have Tuesdays and Thursdays off. Those days are dedicated to business and work days. I mostly vlog during the day so I do most of my editing at night.

Is YouTube something that you see yourself doing after college/ for a living?
I do major creative media, so yes, I am hoping YouTube will still be big and I hope that it could possibly expose to big companies and for me to get a job with them.

How did you get over that nervous feeling of vlogging in public?
It’s a little weird still and a little uncomfortable. If I’m out with friends I will vlog and not feel awkward because I am with someone. I also live in a college town so when I’m vlogging by myself people know and look at me and they know what I’m doing but it is still a little awkward.

What is one thing that YouTube has taught you/ what have you learned from YouTube?
Definitely not care what everyone thinks and that there will always be haters. My mom would always tell me to delete the negative comments and overtime I have learned not to care what people think and I have realized that I am doing YouTube for myself, not for others.

What is your favorite video you have uploaded and why?
My favorites are definitely travel diaries. These videos are about three minutes maximum and they are montages of your trip. They have so many memories and flow really well with the music and just looks cool.

What video have you been most proud of that you have uploaded and why?
My college week in my life I have been most proud of. This is because it was very different. I wasn’t uploading all week and I have never done that. It was a very interesting experience and rewarding because people really liked that video.

What other YouTubers do you look up to?
The first YouTuber I watched was Bethany Mota but I don’t watch her that much anymore because she doesn’t upload as much. Some of my other favorites are Alisha Marie and Remi Ashton because they are so relatable. Also, Danielle Carolan because she is currently in college at a big school like me is going through some of the same things I am currently going through.

Favorite brands you have partnered with/ what’s it like working with brands?
I worked with Sketchers a year or two ago. They were so easy to communicate with because some brands don’t respond until four days later, but they were not like that. They sent shoes to me and put me on their social media and the way they had me incorporate the shoes into the video was very cool. I also worked with Its Sugar Candy. I had actually bought some of their products and had a store near me, so I was actually able to go to the store and look at the candies myself.

What advice would you give to others who want to start a YouTube channel?
My biggest piece of advice is to be yourself. People can tell when you fake your personality, and also people know you can get paid by doing YouTube so don’t just do it for that because in my opinion your content won’t be as good. Finally, just be original, don’t copy other people’s video ideas come up with your own original content to put on your channel that showcases who you are.

Click here to vote for Madi Wesbrooke for Influencer of the Year!

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5 Comments

Nic Gonlas

Nic Gonlas - Georgia
Nomination by Quenton Delaney
Photography by GSUstore
Issue 45 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Christian Davis

Christian Davis - Georgia
Nomination by Franshon Hollis
Photography by Everything Media, LLC
Issue 44 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Kaylin Rains

Kaylin Rains – Arkansas
Interview by Diamond Orin
Nomination and Photography by Sierra Sugg Photography
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

My YouTube Experience - an interview with Madi Westbrooke

Interview by Olivia Bush

Featured

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Nic Gonlas

Nic Gonlas - GeorgiaNomination by Quenton DelaneyPhotography by GSUstoreIssue 45 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Christian Davis

Christian Davis - GeorgiaNomination by Franshon HollisPhotography by Everything Media, LLCIssue 44 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Kaylin Rains

Kaylin Rains – ArkansasInterview by Diamond OrinNomination and Photography by Sierra Sugg PhotographyIssue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

My YouTube Experience - an interview with Madi Westbrooke

Interview by Olivia Bush

Featured

Archives

Categories

Nic Gonlas - Georgia
Nomination by Quenton Delaney
Photography by GSUstore
Issue 45 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Christian Davis - Georgia
Nomination by Franshon Hollis
Photography by Everything Media, LLC
Issue 44 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Kaylin Rains – Arkansas
Interview by Diamond Orin
Nomination and Photography by Sierra Sugg Photography
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine