Well, it’s officially been four years since I started my little blog, Style Domination. Actually, Style Domination celebrated its four year anniversary on January 27th, and this post is terribly overdue…but better late than never.
When I started my blog, I had no idea it would become what it is today – an outlet for me to be completely creative, discover new things, meet a ton of new people and provide me with opportunities beyond anything I have ever expected.
I’ll be honest here. I have never felt “really good” at something until I started my blog. I’m married to a guy who is a superstar in all facets of his life. Members of my family are very accomplished with stellar careers…and here I was, kind of bumbling along in life, hoping for the best. I never finished university and my day job never really gave me total satisfaction.
Four years ago, I would write about a new nail polish I bought or fun events I attended around Ottawa. I was full of excitement writing about the grand opening of the first Nordstrom in Canada, mainly because I had so much fun at the party. When I woke up the morning after writing that post and seeing that 500 people had read it made my heart stop.
Then the invitations to store openings and events in other cities started pouring in, and I would come home after work to see a stack of gifts from PR companies. To start working with brands like Tiffany & Co, Ford Motors of Canada, Westin Resorts, Maybelline, Givenchy, Charlotte Tilbury and many more seems surreal.
That day four years ago when I wrote my very first blog post, I thought that only my friends and family would read it. Now, huge bloggers are reading my posts and reaching out to me to say they love my blog. I’m travelling constantly to attend sparkling events and best of all, I have a self-confidence that I didn’t really have before.
The images in this post feature Alyssa Beltempo, a wonderful lady that I met thanks to this blogging journey. She has become a close friend of mine and I was lucky enough to shoot with her during my latest trip to Toronto to visit YouTube (yeah – I was invited to visit YOUTUBE – OH EMM GEE).
These images portray exactly how I feel right now –
On that note, I wanted to thank each and every one of you for reading Style Domination. Thank you for following my antics, sending me questions and kind comments and trusting me to give you good advice on
On her fourth anniversary, I decided to spruce up the look of Style Domination to provide you all with a better reading experience and to incorporate my growing YouTube channel. Let me know how you like the new look! A big thanks to developer extraordinaire, Tim McMillan, for making my blog dreams come to life.
Thank you again for making Style Domination what it is today. I couldn’t be more grateful. *shedding joyous tears*
*Photography courtesy of Boakview Photography
Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.
Dominique, you are so incredibly inspiring! This was such a great post to have a look back at where you came from. I have wanted to stand out as well in something because I felt the same, and not for show and tell but for my own self gratification that I could do something special. I want to blog and find something to excite my creativity and I know I have what it takes. I’ll start small – such as (what I have been doing lately) practicing in my kitchen cooking my favorite meals, styling my hair, giving relationship advice and doing this with practice videos! haha
Thanks to watching you, I will be able to launch in the coming weeks just from watching how you do it so effortlessly. Your inspiration, fashion style, warm heart and beautiful smile and positive outlook comes across always.
I don’t know you personally but from your blogs and videos, you are one of the sweetest women out there. I hope to meet you one day …. XOXO keep going girl and don’t stop!
You just spoke my heart
She has such warmth that it shows in her writing and videos. I just love her.
I will also like to follow your new blog. Best wishes 😚😚😚
Author
Hi Dorcas!
Thank you for your lovely comment! I have the best followers and subscribers. It fills my heart that you are happy with my content and care enough to support me. You’re so great!
Have a wonderful day,
Dom
Same to you. Dom. And, congratulations once again.
You truly have been an inspiration.
Author
Cheryl – thank you for being with me practically from the start. I always get excited when I see one of your comments. I’m thrilled that you are taking the plunge and starting your own blog. I can’t wait to read your posts! I will give you two pieces of advice: start immediately. Don’t wait – just get to starting your blog and photographing and writing. Secondly, narrow down your niche…you’ll do better that way being more focused. So, pick a couple of things to focus on such as beauty and haircare, or relationship advice, or lifestyle and cooking, etc.
Take care and you are going to do great! xoxox
Great advice!! And that is the hard part (lol) but I will take the plunnnnge! Most of all, I enjoy lifestyle health and beauty so I will narrow that niche and go for it. Thanks so much Dom.
To Dorcas, yes, she is so positive and stays on point in every video and with each blog she writes. We need more women like that who care about the well being of others :-).
Enjoy your day ladies!
Smooches,
Cheryl
I love everything about you! Congratulations on your 4th year. Your content and voice continue to inspire me.
xo Debbie | To Thine Own Style Be True
Author
Hi Debbie!
I am SO HONOURED to be able to inspire someone like you who is a blogging leader! Thank yo so much for your kind words. I am so glad we met “virtually”. I really hope we can meet in person one day! Keep being wonderful…
Dom
Oh wow, time flies so fast indeed. Huge congrats on your blogversary dear, and cheers for more blogging years!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Author
Thank you SO MUCH! This has been the best four years. My only regret is that I didn’t start sooner. xoxxo
Happy anniversary dear! Loved to read about your journey with your blog (its super beautiful btw.) I can especially relate to “I’ll be honest here. I have never felt “really good” at something until I started my blog.” I find myself somewhere in between, I look back on a nice time of taking pictures and producing content. However I feel that I need to connect more with the blogger sphere out there and am very excited for all the things yet to come.
lots of love, Miri
http://www.meetmiri.com
Author
Hi Miri!
Thank you so much for your comment. Means a lot that you found me and took the time to read this post! Connecting with other bloggers is a great way to learn and reach a broader audience. That being said, I have had some difficulty finding bloggers to collaborate myself! Sometimes, I feel that collaborating with other bloggers can be like group work in school – you get stuck with someone who sticks you with all of the work then you have to share the credit with them! LOL! Over the years, I have found a handful of really great women to collaborate with and I pretty much stick with them. Now that I have a few years of blogging under my belt, I feel confident in knowing what to look for in a great collaboration.
If you have any blogging questions, don’t hesitate to ask me!
Dom xo