Content Creator Nicole Vasquez (@nicolevas) Doubles her Income Since Signing with an Agency.

Photos Courtesy of @nicolevas

In this exclusive feature for Roe Magazine, influencer & social media manager Nicole Vasquez takes us through her everyday makeup routine while sharing the ins and outs of her content creation journey. From landing her first brand deal to signing with an agency, she opens up about the financial realities of being an influencer, staying authentic in a crowded digital space, and why she chooses to balance content creation with a full-time job.

Breaking into Content Creation and Monetization

Like many creators, Nicole’s journey into content began during the pandemic. "I first started my content journey in 2020, which I feel like is a very common theme with everybody," she says. At the time, she had no idea that making money through content creation was even possible, assuming only YouTubers were profiting from their platforms.

Her first experience with monetization came unexpectedly through a brand deal with a laundry detergent company. "It was so random and definitely not on brand for me at the time, but I believe I made like a hundred dollars." From there, she slowly started charging for her content, initially accepting rates as low as $50 to $100 per video.

Over time, she began to realize her value. “I started hearing through the grapevine that people were getting paid a lot more,” she recalls. This knowledge, combined with her professional experience interning as a social media coordinator, helped her refine her approach to brand partnerships. "I saw how much other creators were making, and that’s when I started taking it more seriously," she explains.

By 2023, Nicole had committed to her content more intentionally, and in 2024, she managed to double her earnings from the previous year.

Signing with an Agency and Scaling Up

Entering 2025, Nicole took a major step in her influencer career—signing with Dawson Marie Agency, a boutique talent agency. But finding the right representation wasn’t easy.

“I had so many interviews with different agencies, but the trust just wasn’t there,” she admits. After careful consideration, she finally found an agency that aligned with her vision. “I’m very excited to start 2025 with an agency this year,” she says, reflecting on how far she has come since posting outfit videos in her parents' house in 2020.

Despite her growth, Nicole has always known that she didn’t want to be a full-time influencer. “I’ve always had career goals,” she explains. After graduating from San Diego State University, she chose to balance her content creation with a traditional job—a decision that provides financial stability in an industry known for inconsistent income.

The Financial Realities of Influencer Life

One of the biggest challenges for influencers is the unpredictable nature of payments. “You do not get paid right away,” Nicole warns aspiring creators. “Some contracts will say you’ll get paid in 30 days, 90 days… for example, it’s currently January, and I just now got paid for a partnership that I got an email about in October.”

Because of this, she has structured her finances strategically. "Having a normal job is the perfect sweet spot for me. I have my income from my 9-to-5 job, and my influencer money becomes fun money, savings, or an extra surprise when it pops into my bank account." Interestingly, Nicole credits TikTok for helping her land her full-time role as a content creator and social media manager for a clothing brand. "Really, I get to do what I love for fun and for my job, and honestly, that’s just a blessing in itself.”

Analytics, Authenticity, and Navigating the Social Media Landscape

For many influencers, engagement numbers can be both a blessing and a source of stress. Nicole admits that she once had an unhealthy relationship with analytics. "If my numbers weren’t doing good, I would go into a full panic," she shares. But over time, she learned to shift her mindset.

“Analytics do not define how good your content is,” she says. “If you don’t post, you’re not even going to get anywhere. Once you get in the groove, you’ll start to understand what works, what doesn’t, and what feels authentic to you.”

Staying true to herself has always been a priority in both her organic content and brand partnerships. “Even though the paycheck can be very nice, I don’t see myself working with brands that don’t fit my niche or what my viewers want to see," she explains. "For example, I love fashion and I’m exploring beauty—but if I suddenly started posting about cooking, that wouldn’t make sense for my audience.”

To maintain authenticity, Nicole emphasizes the importance of avoiding comparison. "You can get lost in what everybody else is doing," she says. Her solution? “Put your phone down, stop looking at what everyone else is wearing, and ask yourself: ‘What do I have? What would I wear?’ That mindset creates your personal brand and makes you stand out.”

Overcoming Challenges and Pushing Past Self-Doubt

One of the unexpected struggles Nicole faced was dealing with the judgment of others. "Feeling like people you know are making fun of you, or judging you for putting yourself out there—it’s tough," she admits.

Even during the pandemic, when in-person interactions were limited, she found herself worrying about what others would think. But looking back, she’s proud that she pushed through. "Now, I think it’s more acceptable to try to be an influencer because people see what this industry is really about."

Her advice to anyone hesitating? "You have a phone, an interest, and a social media app—so why not post what you like? You never know who will relate to you."

Just Start Posting

As she sets her makeup with a travel-sized setting spray, Nicole leaves aspiring influencers with a final word of encouragement: "If you’re thinking about creating content, just start posting. I promise you, you’re going to fall in love with it, and you’ll love the fact that you even started. You never know where it could lead you."

For Nicole, what began as a creative outlet has transformed into a thriving side career, allowing her to balance financial stability with her passion. And as she steps into 2025, she’s ready to take her journey even further—with authenticity, strategic growth, and a clear sense of purpose.

🎥 Watch Nicole's full GRWM and influencer journey on Roe Magazine’s YouTube

Where to find Nicole Vasquez: Instagam

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