In a digital landscape where the creator economy is projected to soar to $480 billion by 2027, Micaéla Verrelien stands as a shining example of how creators can leverage their platforms to build brands and businesses. As a fashion and beauty influencer, on-camera host, and the owner of Sweet Fire Cafe & Studio, Verrelien’s journey from working on Wall Street to full-time entrepreneurship is one of passion, perseverance, and purpose.

For Verrelien, stepping into the creator world wasn’t just a happy accident—it was an intentional move rooted in her upbringing. Growing up in a Caribbean household, she was surrounded by beauty and fashion influences. “My mother’s skincare routine to this day is unmatched,” she says. “My sister's vibrant style was and still is out of this world.”

However, while home life was rich in cultural representation, mainstream media told a different story. “When I would watch TV as a kid, I never felt seen or able to resonate with anyone,” Verrelien recalls. Determined to carve out her own space, she began documenting her style in college, a practice that gained traction when she moved to New York.

At the time, she was balancing content creation with a 9-to-5 job on Wall Street. “Once I started to get consistently booked for paid campaigns, I decided I wanted to pursue content creation full-time,” she says. With her background in accounting, she understood the importance of data and audience insights, helping her build an engaged community that later served as the foundation for her business.

The transition from influencer to entrepreneur felt natural for Verrelien, who saw Sweet Fire Cafe & Studio as an extension of her brand. “Having a brand where I could invite my community and build more in-person connections has always been a goal,” she explains.

A key tool in this journey? Linktree. The popular link-in-bio platform helped her streamline her content, making it easier for her audience to access her fashion picks, on-camera work, and event updates at Sweet Fire. “Having one spot where my community can find everything I’m working on has been key in helping me grow both my following and my businesses,” she says.

Despite her success, Verrelien is acutely aware of the barriers faced by BIPOC creators in the industry. Studies have shown a stark racial pay gap, with white influencers landing paid partnerships at a significantly higher rate than their Black and Brown counterparts. When asked what needs to change, her answer is both simple and powerful: “Less racism and more love.”

Navigating content ownership and monetization has been crucial for Verrelien’s success. Tools like Linktree, she says, have been instrumental in managing her multiple income streams. “As a small business owner and creator, I’m constantly juggling work, passions, and personal life,” she explains. “Linktree keeps it all streamlined and easy to find. Plus, being able to customize my page with photos and a bio lets me really showcase my brand.”

For those looking to break into the creator space, Verrelien offers three pieces of advice:

1. Be yourself.
2. Be sure to fail—it is the ladder to success.
3. Be original.

Her approach to content creation is centered on authenticity and consistency. “I stay consistent and original, and only do trends that fit my brand,” she says. This strategy has helped her cultivate a loyal audience that engages with her content in meaningful ways.

As the creator economy continues to expand, Verrelien sees endless opportunities ahead. “I think it is a real career now, and people take it seriously, which is good,” she notes. But beyond the numbers, her ultimate goal remains personal: “My role will always be to inspire more Black women to be beautiful, strong, and know that they can reach their full potential.”

For brands looking to work with diverse creators, she has one message: “Be open, be loving, and know that we are people too—just like everyone else.”

Through her journey as a creator and entrepreneur, Verrelien is not just building a brand—she’s shaping an industry where BIPOC voices are heard, valued, and celebrated.