humble beginnings
So, who am I? I’m a born and raised Kentucky native and spent most of my childhood wandering around my backyard barefoot (against my mother’s many pleas for me to wear shoes), picking up slugs and snails, and making “witchy stews.” So, it’s a no-brainer that nature and earthy vibes are some of my favorite things, which is why I included them in my branding! I grew up in a household with a single mom who worked multiple jobs to feed my two siblings and me, along with my grandmother, who would babysit us and let us spend countless nights at her house. So, to say that I had two notable and strong female figures in my life at such a young age would be quite an understatement. My hard work and drive behind my business come from my momma, and my giving and kind-hearted nature come from watching my grandmother help people throughout the years despite not having much to give.
Of course, I can’t forget to include the strong male presence throughout my childhood and my current life - so let’s talk about the two amazing men that helped change my life in ways I never thought possible! Growing up, my biological father wasn’t in the picture, but my mom met my amazing stepdad just in the nick of time for the last “daddy-daughter dance” at my elementary school. He came through in ways that I never thought a step-parent would and stuck with our family through thick and thin right from the beginning, and I’m so proud to call him my dad!
Learn more about Simply Serena & her business journey
The other fantastic man in my life is my fiance, Robby! We met in high school and started dating a month or two after he graduated. I don’t know about you guys, but my freshman and sophomore years of high school were NOT fun - but thanks to Robby, I made it through my last two years of high school with countless unforgettable memories! After being together for four years, I wondered if he was ever going to pop the big question, and in December 2020, he asked me to marry him! In the midst of what should have been the beginning of our wedding planning, I began my business. In April of this year, he even started his very own Heating and Air business - so the wedding itself may be a little far off in the distance, but for now, we’re going to grow and support each other as we build up our businesses!
Although I didn’t have the easiest childhood, I always had my mom and grandmother by my side throughout it all and wouldn’t have made it without them. As someone who dealt with mental illness growing up, I want all my amazing clients and anyone who comes into contact with my business to know this is a safe place to return to, and I’m always here for anyone in my audience to reach out to. No matter how many people want to display it as such, being a business owner is not an easy feat. My ADHD is my worst nemesis when it comes to my business, and I have struggled with burnout and feeling that no one could possibly understand what I was going through - but I want you to know that is not the case!! I’m here for you and will be right by your side throughout our journey together to help you fight those feelings and become even stronger in the end!
How I got to where I am today
Growing up, there were countless things I wanted to be - a singer, an actress, a model, and even a nurse, to name a few, but those didn’t seem too realistic to me. At one point, I thought about going into culinary arts after watching and helping my grandmother in the kitchen growing up (I can bake a pretty mean Apple Walnut cake if I do say so myself).
But eventually, I set my sights on becoming a psychiatrist. In my freshman year of high school, I was finally diagnosed with depression and anxiety, and all of the crazy things I felt growing up finally made sense! I couldn’t stop thinking about how much better my quality of life could have been if the medical professionals I had seen up until that point had dug deeper. I wanted to be that helping hand and guiding light to other children going through the same thing. So, I entered my university with my sights set on a degree in psychiatry - then I ran face first into the harsh reality of medical school.
I read so many stories about people who entered medical school with bright eyes and hope for a better future for all those they helped and then came out on the other side burnt out with only a fragment of those hopes and dreams that they had entered with. As I mentioned earlier, I have always wanted to help others in any way possible. However, I felt that if I went through medical school and got a degree in psychiatry, I would no longer feel the drive and joy behind helping people better themselves. So, my plans changed from becoming a psychiatrist to a psychologist.
Now that you know a little more about me let’s talk about what led me to this point in my life and business!
next
I’m sure anyone who went through the same quarantined college experience can say it drastically changed their view on their education and life in general. To say I had multiple epiphany moments throughout that year and a half of college isolation would be another massive understatement. Finally, in February of last year, during a zoom lecture on cognitive psychology, that’s when the final breakdown and breakthrough hit. Has anyone else just randomly started crying during a zoom lecture?
🙋🏼♀️ No? Just me?
WELL, this was when reality really set in for me. I had been doing some soul searching throughout my virtual college life and realized that although I want to better the lives of those around me, I’m way too empathic to help others as a psychologist. I make it my personal mission to help people solve their problems, and always feel all the emotions of those around me. And after thinking about it, I realized that as a psychologist, you can’t always solve the problems of the people you meet, which led me to the conclusion that that would take too great of a toll on my own mental health to stay passionate and hopeful throughout that career journey. Not long after, I stumbled upon the magical world of Virtual Assistants.
Since I was stuck in virtual classes, I figured I should try to find a virtual job as well - but being a call center representative wasn’t really resonating with me and my goals in life. Then, I came across a Tik Tok about the life of a virtual assistant and got hooked! I had never felt so drawn to something (except psychology) and was ready to take on this new challenge!
All of the pieces of what I wanted to do with my life and career fit perfectly in my mind when it came to being a Virtual Assistant! In my business, I get to choose my fabulous clients and work with people who I know will bring up the vibes and are passionate about what they do, AND I can help others solve their problems entirely without suffering from that huge mental toll along the way! Now, how did I end up working with boudoir and wedding photographers?
Then, *dun dun dun* the pandemic hit, and all of my classes went virtual.
next
I had already thought about the possibility of working with wedding photographers, but I had no clue what boudoir was. After hitting it off with one of the sweetest and most amazing clients, I realized the art, dedication, and vision behind boudoir AND wedding photography. I continued to have my breath taken away every time I saw the product of all these fantastic women behind the lens!
I also quickly learned how insanely busy the life of a photographer can be and became more passionate about helping these remarkable women focus solely on their clients and what they love. At the same time, I take over all of the soul and time-sucking copy that most dread.
Although wedding photography is fantastic and extraordinary in its own way, I realized and appreciate just how life-changing a boudoir experience can be for so many people. And I now know that a boudoir session basically couples as a therapy session AND photoshoot all in one, so I want my clients to be able to entirely focus their energy on the incredible women they’re working with - which leads us to now! :)
When I was starting out, another Virtual Assistant I had given some advice to sent a boudoir and wedding photographer my way.
book call with serena
next
Although I don’t directly use my degree in my career, I graduated from Western Kentucky University Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s in Science, majoring with a double concentration in cognitive and clinical psychology! And like I said, even though I don’t use it directly, four years packed with psychology education can come in handy when it comes to marketing and sales psychology!
My first actual “date” with my fiance was technically under the stars. We met up in a field across the street from my house (after I snuck out of my window 🤦🏼♀️) and just laid down talking about life! Then my mom found out I had snuck out, and I had to sprint back home 🙈
My mom worked three jobs when I was growing up and would bring quarters for us after cashing out her tips as a waitress so we could buy little toys and things from gumball machines!
Although my grandmother never got to teach me how to play the piano (I am determined to learn it someday), she taught herself how to play the organ before teaching herself how to play the piano.
I’m the only left-handed and blue-eyed person in my family! I got my blue eyes from my grandmother and am left-handed because I was homeschooled in kindergarten by my grandmother, and she was also left-handed - so that’s how I learned to write!
I LOVE music and fully believe in its healing power (seriously, look up studies on music therapy with Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients, it’s crazy!!) If you ever join me on a car ride, I will have my music on full blast and be singing at the top of my lungs.
Random fact - Mantis Shrimp can see TWELVE color channels (they can even see UV LIGHT and Cancer!!) while humans can only see THREE; so they can see things we can't even imagine!
Also, their spring-loaded arms can punch SO HARD that it creates a shockwave with 1,500 Newtons of force per punch, easily breaking human bones or glass if attempted.
I learned how to ride a bike in wedged heels when I was six or seven! (they were my FAVORITE heels and the heel itself was in the shape/design of a butterfly wing 😌🦋)
I always missed out on the daddy-daughter dances that my elementary school threw in the winter every year, and I didn’t think I would ever get to go. But, my mom met my stepdad in my fifth-grade year, and he took me to my first and last daddy-daughter dance. 🥰
My two nicknames given to me by my grandmother and mom while growing up were Katydid and Bambina - Katydid because my middle name is Kaitlin and Bambina, which means little child or baby.
Keep your eyes peeled for my mailing list coming soon!! 👀
You won’t want to miss out since you’ll get early insider access to:
- Freebies & Beta programs
- Tips and tricks on how to improve your copy skills
- Special deals and discounts I offer throughout the year for first time clients!
Made W/ Love by Rothwein Design
Let's Hang on My Socials
Instagram
facebook
You won’t want to miss out on various tips about how you can improve the expression of your brand voice, create engaging email copy with offers & other tactics that’ll reel your audiences in, and SO much more!
tiktok