Louise Pentland: How To Find Your Version of Success & Craft A Life That Truly Serves You

Louise Pentland, a successful content creator, shares her experiences navigating the world of social media and motherhood. She recounts her challenging childhood, her decision to leave her marriage, and her career evolution from a blog about home decor to a platform for adult women. Pentland emphasizes the importance of finding your own version of success and creating a life that truly serves you.

Childhood Abuse

• 00:03:14 Pentland's childhood was marked by abuse and neglect. Her mother died when she was seven, and she was raised in a violent household by a woman she describes as 'highly abusive.' She lacked the capacity to consider career aspirations, focusing instead on survival.

Early Career Aspirations

• 00:05:41 Pentland's childhood experiences greatly impacted her early career aspirations. Her only goal was to escape the violence and create a loving family she never had. She rushed into marriage to achieve this, but it ultimately ended in divorce.

Social Media Beginnings

• 00:18:11 Pentland started her career in social media as a receptionist, finding solace in reading blogs and ultimately launching her own blog about home decor. She later created a YouTube channel based on her blog, and her content gained popularity with viewers.

The Brick Crew

• 00:23:01 Pentland became part of a group of UK YouTubers known as 'The Brick Crew,' which included Zoe Sugg, Alfie Deyes, Tanya Burr, Jim Chapman, Joe Sugg, Casper Lee, Marcus Butler, and Naomi Smart. This group gained considerable popularity in the UK in the 2010s, and their success was reflected in their appearances in magazines and at events.

Financial Stability

• 00:28:07 Pentland's social media career became financially successful, allowing her to leave her marriage and provide for herself and her daughter. She realized that while money may not buy happiness, it does provide choices and a sense of freedom.

Shifting Content

• 00:34:25 Pentland recognized that the type of content she was creating was no longer authentic to her, as she was primarily targeting teenagers and focusing on silly and wacky content. She decided to shift her focus towards more mature topics, reflecting her personal life and experience as a woman in her 20s.

Parenting Online

• 00:50:53 Pentland's experience parenting online has been a minefield. She avoids sharing certain aspects of her parenting style and has become more cautious about the content she posts about her children, balancing her desire to connect with her audience with the need to protect her children's privacy and wellbeing.

Tik Tok Success

• 00:59:44 Pentland has recently experienced a resurgence of popularity on Tik Tok. She initially resisted joining the platform, but after consuming Tik Tok content for two years, she began posting videos and gained a large following. She enjoys the freedom and algorithm of Tik Tok, and it has connected her with her old audience.

Defining Success

• 01:07:19 Pentland believes that success is subjective and should be defined by each individual. She has explored various avenues for success, but ultimately she has realized that her own success is defined by her happiness, her family's well-being, and her ability to provide for her children.