Lucie Fink: From Viral Content Creator to Media Mogul
Exclusive Interview with Lucie Fink:
Lucie Fink, the epitome of a modern Renaissance woman, has carved a remarkable path in the media industry, captivating audiences with her infectious energy and unwavering determination. As a multifaceted lifestyle host, self-made media mogul, producer, and devoted mother, Lucie's journey to success is an inspiring testament to her unparalleled work ethic and creative prowess.
From Viral Videos to Industry Recognition
Lucie's ascent to stardom began with the explosive popularity of her groundbreaking series, "Try Living with Lucie" and "Lucie for Hire," featured on Refinery29's YouTube channel. Through these captivating showcases, she fearlessly plunged into new experiences and embraced diverse roles for five-day stints, captivating millions of viewers and thrusting herself into the limelight. Her exceptional talent for engaging and entertaining content earned her prestigious accolades, including multiple Telly Awards for "Best Webseries & Best Lifestyle Content," and a coveted Webby Award nomination for "Best Web Host and Personality" in 2018.
Beyond the Screen: Empowering Through Public Speaking
Not content with just captivating audiences on screen, Lucie ventured into public speaking, delivering compelling TEDxTalks that have inspired countless individuals to pursue their passions fearlessly and authentically. Her ability to connect with audiences on a profound level has solidified her status as not only a media sensation but also a beacon of empowerment and motivation.
Pioneering the Future of Media
Breaking free from the confines of corporate media, Lucie fearlessly founded her own media company, Lucie Fink Media, Inc., assuming the roles of president and CEO. Through her visionary leadership, she continues to push boundaries and redefine industry standards, collaborating with esteemed brands to curate high-quality, original content that resonates with audiences on a profound level.
Balancing Success and Motherhood
Despite her meteoric rise to success, Lucie remains steadfast in her commitment to balancing a thriving career with the joys of motherhood. She showcases the endless possibilities that arise when passion and dedication converge. Her unwavering dedication to her professional endeavors and her family is a testament to her remarkable ability to inspire and empower individuals to pursue their dreams without compromise.
In our exclusive interview with Lucie Fink, she shares her insights on navigating the ever-evolving media landscape, the importance of authenticity in content creation, and the profound impact of balancing a thriving career with the joys of motherhood. Join us as we delve into the extraordinary world of Lucie Fink, a true visionary and trailblazer in the media industry.
Beauti:
How has your beauty regimen evolved over the years? "Beauty trends and personal preferences evolve. Can you walk us through the
transformation of your beauty regimen from your teenage years to now? What are the
timeless beauty tips you've learned and still abide by?"
Over the years, my routine has been pared down massively. I used to have a 9- to 11-step
skincare routine and would constantly rotate in new products. Over time, I’ve learned that
simplicity is key for me. Sticking to a consistent routine with the products I know work
for me has been the best for my skin. I still try new products here and there, but I’ve found
what complements my skin, and using those products consistently gets me the best results.
COCKTAILS
Are you more inclined towards mocktails or cocktails? If you could have an exclusive
one-on-one cocktail and girltalk session with any person, living or deceased, who would
it be? What drink would you enjoy? Where would you go for this rendezvous? And what
two thought-provoking questions would you ask them?
I’m more of a mocktail person. This is partially because I’m currently pregnant, so I’m not
drinking alcohol right now, but ever since I was young, I’ve never been super into drinking
alcohol. I am very sensitive to it, so I don’t love how it makes my body feel, and I don’t
particularly love the taste of most alcohol. In place of a mocktail, I would prefer a coffee date
with someone because coffee is, by far, my favorite beverage! I would love to chat over coffee
with my paternal grandmother, Beatrice. We never had the chance to meet because she passed away before I was born, but I’ve heard so many stories about her. My parents gave me the middle
name Beatrice after her, so it would be really special to get to speak with her.
Celebrating Best Friends Forever (BFF) Influence:
"Lucie, we often draw strength from our closest relationships. Could you tell us about your BFF
and how they have inspired and supported you in pursuing your dreams and becoming the best
version of yourself?”
My answer to this question is undoubtedly my twin sister, Allie, who has been my best friend since the
womb. We did everything together as little girls and even went to the same
college. We’ve remained close into adulthood; she always has and always will
be my best friend. Being a twin has always been such a huge part of our identity, and I felt like, as fraternal twins who had very different interests, we always had our own “things” and many
friends. At the end of the day, though, we were always a package deal. We had very different
interests growing up, and I was always a performer and was on stage doing plays with the drama club.
I have these memories of being up on stage in multiple shows throughout my middle and
high school experiences. My twin sister, who had no interest in being in the plays and didn't
want to be performing, always sat in the front row, cheering me on. She’s always been
my biggest fan. Even as I’ve progressed into my career in media and she is in a less public-
facing role in the financial services industry, she’s continued to be my biggest cheerleader and
best friend.
GIRLTALK
Crafting Dreams and Defining Success
Lucie, your journey epitomizes embracing change and turning passion into a profession. Could
you share with us the pivotal moment that led you from the path of medicine to the world of
media and how it defined your mantra of limitless creativity?
The pivotal moment for me was becoming a student at Johns Hopkins University and joining
the pre-med neuroscience undergraduate track (where I was hoping to become a doctor) while
simultaneously taking on extracurricular activities that were incredibly media-driven. I had a
"light bulb moment" where I realized that my extracurricular activities were my happy place and
where I wanted to spend all my time, not in the classroom. I think a lot of people have this notion
that extracurriculars are just for fun and the classroom is where your job needs to stem from. ButI realized that there are careers in media and entertainment that are aligned with these
extracurricular passions I had.
The Essence of Ambition
As a woman who has successfully carved out a niche in the digital space, what does ambition
mean to you, and how do you encourage other women to stay ambitious in the ever-evolving
the landscape of content creation?
To me, “ambition” means consistency and continuing to show up and create even when you
feel like your actions aren’t working or nobody cares about what you’re making.
Particularly for artists and content creators. It can be disheartening to continue creating when you
feel that way, but you won't get anywhere if you stop there. The most successful people
are those who have just continued. The landscape in this digital media space is always
changing, and it's important to stay nimble and adapt your content creation style. A
personal example of this is how I changed formats from creating exclusively stop motion videos
to lifestyle content because it was the type of content people wanted to see at that moment in
time. Another good example of this is being open to getting on new platforms as they pop up.
Even if you don't need to be everywhere, trying and experimenting with new platforms is important. I think anyone will back me up that getting on TikTok many people, even though they may have been initially resistant to it, was a very good decision for their brand and business.
Celebrating Milestones
Reflecting on your achievements, which milestone do you consider your 'crowning moment.'
and how has this success shaped your vision for Lucie Fink Media, Inc.?
Two pivotal moments in my career stand out to me. One was joining Refinery29
and the other was leaving Refinery29. Joining Refinery29 was the start of my on-camera media
career. They allowed me to produce whatever I wanted and show who I
am to the world. Being on-camera for those videos greatly helped me build up my
channels. Leaping to leave Refinery29 was another huge moment where all of a sudden,
I was starting my own media company and working for myself. I signed with a talent agency and
I was doing the damn thing.
Embracing the Role Model Mantle
Many women in our Beauti Cocktails & Girltalk community see you as a role model. What
responsibility comes with being an influential female leader, and how do you hope to inspire the
next generation of women creators?
A: First, I am so honored to hear that people in your community see me that way! I have
always loved empowering women and serving as a role model. Even when I was young, I loved
being a camp counselor and liaison for younger girls. I even used to beg my parents for a
little sister (but I never got one). I do feel like the Internet has become that for me
because, in many ways, I feel like a big sister to my followers. I feel a sense of responsibility to
set a positive example for other women and girls and be a model of a successful woman who
runs her own business, has a family, and takes good care of herself. Our society pushes women
to pick one lane and either dive into motherhood and let that consume you or run your
business…it feels impossible to “do it all.” I'm not suggesting that people need to be
superheroes, but it is possible to run your own business, be your family's main breadwinner,
and still take good care of yourself and be a very present parent. I'm just trying my best to do that
and show others that it’s possible.
The Chronicles of Growth
Personal growth is a continuous journey. Can you share an instance where you faced a
significant challenge and how you transformed that into an opportunity for growth and learning?
At the end of last year, I went through the process of trying to get a book published. I wrote a
proposal, got to the final interview stages with publishers, and at the very last second, I ended up
having both publishing houses bidding for the rights pull out of the auction. It was a
very sad moment for me as an aspiring author (especially because I’ve always dreamed of
writing a book). I graduated as a creative writing major at Johns Hopkins University, and I
became wrapped up in the identity of becoming an author one day. I quickly realized
that the book I had been working on wasn’t right for me. I had been trying to
do too much at once without a properly formulated business vision. That experience led me to
sign on with a new management team and find a team that could help me shape a future
vision for my business. I went into 2024, launching a podcast instead, which is a great
medium for achieving my goals. While the experience of losing out on that book opportunity was
challenging, it proved to me that everything happens for a reason.
The Symphony of Creativity
Your brand resonates with creativity and innovation. How do you maintain this creative flow,
and what advice would you give to women seeking to unleash their creative potential?
I love practicing something called “conscious content consumption.” As a content creator, I
believe consuming content is an important part of the job. Ask yourself what type of content
you like watching because that often is the content you’ll wind up being inspired to create.
However, when people consume content mindlessly, it sucks out their creativity and can be
overwhelming and paralyzing. Consuming content consciously instead (where you're giving
yourself time to pause, reflect, and get inspired by what you're seeing) is a great way to start
creating your content from a place of joy and inspiration.
Networking and Relationships
In the spirit of 'Girltalk,' how vital has networking and building relationships been in your
career, and what strategies would you suggest for cultivating a supportive community?
To me, networking has been everything. It’s important to not only “network” and
meet new people but open up and tell them what you want and actively vocalize your dreams.
Whenever I've gotten an awesome opportunity, it's come about because I’ve verbally planted the
seed to someone else about something I wanted to accomplish. Then, later in their journey, they
heard about someone seeking that exact type of role, thought of me, and reached back out to me.
I owe my success to many supportive people in my community, and I’ve offered that same
support to them. Collaboration over competition is key in this industry.
The Balancing Act
Balancing personal and professional life can be a tightrope walk. How do you manage this
balance, and what practices can you recommend to our readers striving to achieve the same
equilibrium?
Finding balance is always tricky. In my experience, when one area of my life excels,
another feels like it's falling short. If things are going great in my business, I'm often not as present as a mom or a wife. If my family life is super dialed in, it usually
means that work is quieter. I think I’ve started to recognize that there are seasons for everything.
Sometimes, one area of your life takes over, but then the pendulum will always swing back in the other direction. I try not to be too hard on myself and to prioritize
asking for and accepting help, both personally and professionally.
Unearthing New Opportunities
Your career is a testament to seizing opportunities and not being afraid to step into the
unknown. What is your process for evaluating new opportunities, and how do you decide which
ones are worth leaping for?
The unknown lights me up and excites me about this career path. I love that I
wake up every morning, and I don't know what will be in my inbox or what opportunity will greet me that day. Here’s the thing: whenever a new opportunity comes in (whether it's
a unique brand deal or a new business venture), there will always be some sense of fear and
discomfort that comes with trying something new. My process for figuring out if an
opportunity is worthwhile is by first trying to get a sense of how excited I am by the prospect of
it. I ask myself: would I be more upset if I didn't try this at all or if I tried it and failed? Most of
the time my answer to that question is, I'd be more upset if I never even gave it a try. I’ve learned
from past failures that I never feel upset when I fail at something. I quickly gather
myself together and keep moving forward.
The Message to Aspiring Women
Finally, what is the one message or piece of advice you would like to share with the women
reading this interview who may be on the brink of pursuing their dreams but are held back by
fears or uncertainties?
My biggest piece of advice that my mom always taught me is don’t close a door in your
face – if a door is going to close for you, let somebody else be the person to close that door for
you. In other words, shoot for every opportunity. The worst thing that can happen is someone
says “no,” at the end of the day; as someone who's experienced a lot of nos in my life, you
realize it's not that bad. A lot of times, a “no” means “not right now.” Don’t let your
hesitations lead you to think that a “no” means “never.”
Keep up with Lucie
Photo Credits: Bronson Farr