Meet Shagun Patel | South Asian Content Creator & Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shagun Patel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shagun, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Courage. Trust. Vulnerability. I believe risk taking cannot happen without these three things. Risk has recently become a huge factor in my life. When the pandemic hit, I decided to start posting and fashion blogging on my Instagram as an escape from the reality I was experiencing. I had always been interested in content creation and modeling, but I never felt like I had the time or the courage to pursue them. After work and on weekends, I would play dress up with nowhere to go and take pictures in my backyard. I very quickly realized that being in front of the camera, the entire creative process, and putting together outfits was indescribably exciting but also therapeutic. At first, I remember being in my head and constantly questioning myself – “What will people think?” “Do I look good enough to post this?” “What if people think I’m trying to be an influencer?” “Will people I know unfollow me?” The more I posted, the more creatively inspired, confident and comfortable I got. So, I began to share it.

For the longest time, I used to avoid taking risks because of the fear I had: fear of judgment and even worse, failure. I grew up in the Bay Area where the culture is extremely competitive. Being of South Asian descent also made it challenging because I was constantly surrounded by a culture that places a strong emphasis on accomplishments and pursuing traditional careers such as medicine, engineering, and law. “You’re either a doctor, engineer, lawyer or failure.” What school you got into, what you majored in, what extracurriculars you did, and ultimately what job and salary you landed post-graduation determined success. Throughout college and life after graduation, I felt lost, unhappy and unfulfilled. I didn’t feel passionate or valued for the work I was doing at the time no matter how glamorized my job title or the company was. In my core, I always knew I was meant to do something creative and that corporate life just wasn’t for me. This was really hard to accept as a South Asian individual because there are so many stereotypes within the creative industry that can make it difficult for us to break into the field and succeed. Also, I didn’t know how I was going to tell my family and friends. Ultimately, on April 15th 2022, I acted on my gut feeling and left my tech job. I mustered up the courage to tell my parents and thankfully they were wholeheartedly supportive of my decision. Now, I know what you must be thinking…“Shagun, why would you quit without having another job lined up?” “What’s your plan now?” “How are you going to support yourself?” Truth is, I had absolutely no idea. I didn’t have an answer to those questions and I remember feeling an overwhelming amount of uncertainty and fear, but also a sense of relief and freedom.

Soon after that I opened up my Instagram and began following content creators that inspired me creatively or that did social media full-time. That’s when I unexpectedly came across an account that changed the direction of my life/career. With less than 300 followers at the time, South Asian New York Fashion Week (@sanyfw) was looking to build a team with a mission of hosting the first ever South Asian New York Fashion Week (SANYFW) in history. The mission alone ignited something in me and I applied to join the team in any way I could. A few weeks later, I heard back from the CMO who interviewed me and about a month later I was brought on as a Social Media Manager. There was no guarantee or certainty about whether this experience would open any sort of doors for me. All I knew was that I was wholeheartedly passionate about the purpose and had to go for it, so I did.
Fast forward 8 months, I walked the runway during NYFW creating history for the South Asian Community. I helped grow the SANYFW Instagram page from 300 followers to almost 14,000 followers. I posted a reel where I shared my vulnerability of the career ups and downs which went viral on Instagram with over 1.1 Million views. I went from having a few thousand followers to now 13,500 followers and growing. I landed collaborations/partnerships with renowned brands I used to dream of working with.

And lastly, I’m happy to finally be doing something that fuels, inspires, energizes, and gives me purpose. I share these wins as a testament to the fact that results and growth only happen when you decide to take the plunge. “High risk, high reward” never made sense till now. I took risks along the way even if I didn’t know I would make it. I still don’t even know if this path I’m currently on as a model and content creator will pan out but I know I put my everything into it. Having the courage to trust the process is key but what I’ve learned is that being vulnerable enough to share your truth/story is even more powerful. I’ve faced my fair share of challenges and setbacks, but I’ve never regretted my decision to pursue my passions. I’m happier and more fulfilled than I’ve ever been, and I’m excited to see where my journey will take me next. TAKE THE LEAP!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I started content creating for fun, I never imagined that it would turn into something more. As I continued to create fashion and lifestyle content on Instagram and Tiktok, I realized that I had a unique perspective and voice as a South Asian creator. I saw an opportunity to use my Instagram and Tiktok as platforms to promote South Asian representation in the fashion, beauty, and modeling space, while also inspiring confidence in my fellow brown girls. I decided to focus my personal brand on these topics and start sharing my content with a wider audience. I spent a lot of time thinking about the type of content I wanted to create and the message I wanted to convey through my brand. I also spent a lot of time learning about the different strategies and tactics that successful content creators use to grow their brands.

At the end of the day, I pursued a career in the creative space because it is my true passion. It brings me a sense of fulfillment and purpose that I could not find in a more traditional career. I am drawn to the creative process and the opportunity to express myself through my content. I was willing to take risks and face challenges in order to follow my passion and build a successful social media platform, even if it meant sacrificing financial stability. I am really proud of my decision to step away from the status quo and pursue a creative career because I believe I was meant to be here. Even though I still have a long way to go, I am proud of the brand that I have built so far and I continue to push myself to grow and evolve in order to reach new heights.

Although my journey hasn’t been easy, there are a few lessons I’ve learned along the way that have been extremely influential in my personal and professional growth. Being confident, being authentic, and taking the leap of faith are key factors that have led to where I am today (for both myself and my personal brand). Being confident in my abilities and in the value that I bring to the table as a South Asian creative has allowed me to stand out from others in this space. Also, to pursue opportunities that might have otherwise seemed taboo in the community or out of reach. Being authentic and true to myself has helped me build a strong personal brand and to connect with others in a genuine way – people value authenticity because it makes a person more relatable. Finally, taking the leap of faith and taking risks, even when it has been scary, has helped me grow and achieve things that I never thought were possible.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting the Bay Area, here is a little itinerary of some of my favorite spots that I would take them to! I am based in San Jose, California so San Pedro Square is a popular spot in the heart of downtown. My favorite thing about San Pedro Square is that it really has it all – vibey coffee shops, vibrant nightlife, live music, delicious food, and live music!

I would start off at the San Pedro Square Market, which has a collection of food vendors and stalls from a variety of cuisines! After that, we could grab coffee at Voyager Coffee and walk around the square to check out some of the local shops. Later, we could grab a drink at one of the many bars and pubs in the area, such as Paper Plane, The Farmers Union, or 55 South. For happy hour/dinner, some of my favorite spots include Olla Cocina, The Farmers Union, and San Pedro Square Market Bar and Grill. After dinner, we could catch a show at San Jose Improv Comedy Club or head out for dancing at one of the many bars/clubs in downtown San Jose.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my first shoutout to my incredible family – my mom, dad, sister, and brother. I would not be here sharing my story today if it weren’t for their support, mentorship, love, and encouragement. You four have been invaluable to me, and have allowed me to grow into the person I am and achieve so many of my dreams. Second, I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my beautiful and inspiring friends (both my inner circle and @sanyfw fam – you know who you are). Your support and guidance have made a tremendous difference in my life, and I am so grateful to have you in my corner. I hope to continue to make you proud and celebrate all the wins in this life with you by my side. Finally, I would like to dedicate my shoutout to all 41.3K followers of mine across both Instagram and Tiktok. I cannot express how much your support and kindness have meant to me. Thank you for choosing to follow my journey since I started this and for being such an amazing community. I would not be here without these people.

Instagram: @shagun_patel (https://www.instagram.com/shagun_patel)

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shagun-patel

Other: Tiktok: @shagunpatel_ (https://www.tiktok.com/@shagunpatel_)

Image Credits
Albert Kennedy Alex Matt Swapnil Junjare