A month ago I was approched on Instagram by a photograpic student at the university here in Daegu to do a beauty editorial shoot for her grad project. I always love to help out struggling students as it was not that long ago I found myself in the same boat. After sharing the pictures from the shoot on Instagram. I got approached by the editors of Model Citizen Mag. I did a a cool interview and got to share some of my pictures with them for their website. (The power of social media)
It was the first time I got to do an editorial shoot and an intervew for a online publication. Today I thought I would share my interview with all of you. it was fun to answer some of these questions and really think of my goals and vision for Her Sun-Kissed Soul.
Some of this information may not be new to some of you who know me or have read through my other stuff but here it is hope you enjoy it.
Thalea tell us more about you?
I am Thalea Pretorius currently living in Daegu South Korea but born and breed in Cape Town South Africa. If I could chase the sun for a living that’s what I would be doing full time no arguments about that.
I love travelling, meeting new people, great food, great conversations and shamelessly will admit I love shopping.
I traded in my Marketing/ Office management Job back in 2014 to pursue my love of travel. Teaching English has given me the means to do this, and I am still going strong. Ironically my passion for marketing and creating never left me, and it led me to start my blog. Hersunkissedsoul.com. Building this platform I have learned to do it all, from significant web development, art directing, writing, content creation, social media, and photography. Recently I have stepped out from behind the scenes to in front of the camera too. I am focussed on soulful travel, travelling with a purpose and all things wellness to nourish your body mind and soul. I have also always been interested in fashion and beauty, but it’s more of a personal thing that I feel I can grow and explore more of as I learn and grow and expand my brand.
Being able to live abroad and travel has given me so much freedom, to explore the world but also allowed me to explore myself more intimately a journey I wish for all.
So my goal is to inspire, motivate and learn from all those whom I get to meet, work with and through collaborations. I don’t claim to be an expert in any specific topic, but I think I could add some value based on my trials and errors navigating through womanhood as I strive to live life better. I intend to lead by being a positive example, especially for young women. Being a Woman in this day and age is no easy task and surely something they do not equip us with at school.
Our readers would love to get to know you more Thalea. Tell us about yourself, what is unique about you, your brand or the services you offer?
One thing that I would say is unique about me is my curly hair something I hated for years. In the last two years, I have been transitioning to being a naturally proud curly haired women. I am just the girl with the big hair travelling around the world.
Thalea, what are your passion and aspiration in life? How did you start as a Blogger?
It all started because I was very lost and confused with life. Not knowing what direction I wanted to go in after graduating. Being very shy it held me back from accomplishing my dreams back then. I then stumbled across blogging as it started to grow online. I secretly blogged about everything and anything. It was my way to release my creativity, and I started loving it as a personal creative outlet.
My insecurities, however, held me back from really pursuing this, and it just became a hobby. I then went on a trip to Thailand that completely changed my life in 2013/2014, and by the end of 2014 I had quit my Marketing job to pursue my love of travel, and I relocated to China. By the end of 2015, I embarked on my first ever 3-month solo female backpacking trip that ultimately pushed me out of comfort zone and had a significant impact on who I am now.
Fast forward to 2018. I have lived in South Korea for two years and relaunched and rebranded my blog this year. I am finally taking the online space more seriously as I have grown to discover my true passions and life purpose using social media and my website Hersunkissedsoul.com.
Who is your inspiration in life Thalea? How do you stay inspired as Blogger?
Women, in general, inspire me especially young women who lack self-worth and self-love because it’s something I struggled with for so many years. I genuinely wish to do better every day so that I can be an excellent example for all women battling through life.
Having a real relationship with God has helped me step out f my comfort zone, and it inspires me daily to live life better. Knowing that I am serving others and not just myself is a huge inspiration and motivation for me.
People that inspire me are: First and foremost My mother and her mother my grandma who raised me. Two powerful women who have taught me the best life lessons. Louis Cole from Fun for Louis his the OG of daily travel vlogging and someone who inspired me to travel. His Girlfriend Raya from Raya Was Here; her true loving, compassionate character comes through on screen beautifully. Rochelle Fox her personal story is impressive and inspiring. Watching her turn her weakness into a strength and turning it into a business Mindspo to help others and cultivate an authentic life has motivated me to stop hiding and to turn my weaknesses into strengths too. These are just a few people that have inspired me they stand out for me because they are real, I mean there are so many more inspiring people doing great work that I wish I could mention them all but then you could be stuck here all day.
We all make mistakes Thalea; we wish we could take back. What was the error you made in the past that you want to you can bring back?
The biggest mistake I have made to date is self-doubt and lack of confidence. I know this is something many people struggle with but I wish I didn’t doubt my potential. Especially starting all those years ago when social media was beginning to take off. Working in an innovative marketing and social media sphere I had so many resources at hand. I just lacked confidence in myself being a young 20 something that had no direction. Not being confident enough to grab opportunities that were before Is one of the biggest mistakes I have made.
Thalea, How do you describe yourself regarding working with clients?
I would describe myself as honest; I will not compromise who I am just to get paid. I am diligent and hard working especially if the project is something I feel very passionate about, or I can relate too you will 100% receive my best effort every time we agree to work together. I also enjoy pushing myself to learn and try new things and be innovative. I am not too fond of any drama, so I tend to keep things professionally fun creating a fun work environment for both parties involved.
Please tell us Thalea, how do you prioritise work, social life, friends, and family?
Right now living abroad I don’t see my family and friends from home very often but to cultivate a good relationship with them prioritising video calls are essential. Luckily we chat via texts, and the internet has made our lives more comfortable to stay in contact often, so It feels like I am present even if I am miles away.
I generally keep work scheduled for Mondays to Fridays that being the computer orientated stuff like writing blog posts, planning and recording my social media content for the week and I go to my paying job being an ESL teacher here in Korea. Prioritising it like this gives me the freedom over weekends to live life do fun shoots, travel and be social. Also staying fit and healthy is very important to me to cultivate a healthy mind and body. I go to the gym 3-4 times a week.
Thalea, please give us an example of a time when you were able to persuade someone to see things your way at work successfully?
In my day to day Job, I have not needed to persuade anyone to see things my way. The cultural differences in the working world in Korea is very different from western culture. I get my job done to the best of my ability with the materials they provide me to keep students educated and my bosses happy. The relationship we have established has worked well.
My online job is still in the beginning stages, and at the moment I do everything, so I have not needed to persuade anyone to see things my way.
Thalea, please tell us about your proudest professional accomplishment as a Blogger?
This is a proud personal moment, rebranding my website by myself and doing everything from the name change and setting up my site. It’s taken a few years to bring my vision to life. I have now created something that I am very proud of, and I will continue to learn and evolve and so will Hersunkissedsoul.com.
Thalea, please give us an example of a time you were able to be creative with your work. What was exciting or challenging about it?
Having a vision of what I want Hersunkiissedsoul.com to me is very exciting. I am enjoying the process of learning this online social space and leveraging my talents in different ways is fascinating. Sometimes difficult to have to try and learn new things but I am enjoying the process and learning how to collaborate with so many other creative souls for me is very exciting.
What advice would you give to the people who want to be successful as a Blogger?
The best advice I can give anyone wanting to be successful in life is to start creating or doing whatever makes your soul happy now. Don’t listen to the negative voices in your head and go out there and try instead, live a life of trying rather than regreting it later on. Especially in the creative sphere not everyone will understand your ideas or vision but if you beleive in them with all your heart do not let another persons NO make you abadndon your dream.
Hope you enjoyed seeing this side of me in these pictures and get to know me more. I really enjoyed trying new things and experimenting with my creativity in front of the camera and digging deep with this interview too.
Let me know something new you have tried lateky and how it went?
Peace Love and Happiness
