Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Gamrod.
Hi Victoria, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I graduated from St. John Fisher University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and began my career in the business world, but I always found myself drawn to the creative side of marketing. Outside of my full-time career, I started creating videos around thrifting and working with small, local businesses in Rochester and Syracuse, New York. I also had the opportunity to do marketing for my dad’s small business, which I’m incredibly grateful for. Those experiences gave me the chance to learn how to tell a brand’s story, connect with people, and help small businesses get their name out there. Looking back, I think that’s where my love for what I do really started.
I had lived in New York my entire life, so moving to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2022 was a huge leap. I actually moved here on a one-way flight because I knew I needed a fresh start and wanted to build a life that felt more like my own. At the time, it was scary and there was a lot of uncertainty, but looking back, it was one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.
Moving to Charlotte gave me the opportunity to start over, explore my interests, and really immerse myself in the community. I started connecting with more Charlotte-based brands and small businesses while continuing to grow Trendy New You and create content around the things I genuinely love.
Over time, I realized that the things I had always considered hobbies or something I did “just for fun” were actually a huge part of what gave me purpose. I love creating, storytelling, building relationships, and helping people discover brands and businesses they may not have otherwise found.
Today, I get to combine my marketing background with my platform to support small businesses, collaborate with brands I genuinely believe in, and shine a light on the people and businesses that make Charlotte so special. My journey has been anything but linear, but I think that’s what makes it meaningful. What started with a love of marketing, thrifting, and helping small businesses has grown into a career that brings together my creativity, my passions, and the community I’ve chosen to call home.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to turn something I genuinely enjoy into a sustainable career, especially when there isn’t a traditional roadmap for it.
Moving from New York to Charlotte was also a huge transition. I was starting over in a city where I didn’t know many people, and I had to build my community and relationships from scratch. I remember going to events completely alone, not knowing a single person in the room, and having to force myself to walk in, introduce myself, and put myself out there. That was really hard for me, but I knew that if I wanted to build something here, I couldn’t stay in my comfort zone.
I’ve had plenty of moments of self-doubt and uncertainty along the way, especially when you’re putting your work online and trying to build a career that doesn’t have a clear formula. I’ve had to learn to create my own opportunities, keep going when things don’t work out, and trust that growth takes time.
The funny thing is, some of the things that were the most uncomfortable at the time have ended up being the most rewarding. By forcing myself to show up alone and make those connections, I’ve met so many incredible creators, local businesses, and people in the Charlotte community. I’ve grown so much personally and professionally because of it.
Looking back, I’m really grateful for those challenges. They pushed me to take risks, get out of my comfort zone, and become much more confident in myself and what I’m building.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a content creator and marketer, and a big part of what I do is helping brands, especially small and local businesses, tell their stories in a way that feels genuine and connects with people. My content focuses on fashion, beauty, lifestyle, travel, wellness, and discovering the people and businesses that make a community special.
Something I’m really intentional about is only working with brands that I genuinely like, believe in, or feel excited to share with my audience. I’ve never wanted to promote something just because it’s an opportunity. If I’m recommending a brand, I want it to be something I would actually use, visit, buy, or tell a friend about. I think that makes the content more authentic and allows my audience to trust that when I share something, I really mean it.
One thing I’m most proud of is that I’ve never wanted my online presence to feel separate from who I am in real life. A few years ago, someone told me, “You’re exactly the same person online as you are in person.” At first, I remember thinking that was such an odd compliment. I almost wondered if they meant it as a good thing! But over time, I realized it’s actually one of my biggest strengths.
I don’t have to create a different version of myself for my content, when I’m meeting with a brand, networking, or walking into a local business. I can just be myself. I think that authenticity has helped me build genuine relationships and create content that feels natural rather than overly produced or transactional.
What sets me apart is that combination of marketing experience, creativity, and genuine connection. I understand the strategy behind what makes content work, but I also care deeply about the people and businesses behind the brands I work with. I want people to feel like they’re getting a recommendation from a friend, not just seeing another advertisement.
I’m most proud that I’ve been able to build something that feels true to who I am while using my marketing background and creativity to help businesses grow. For me, success isn’t just about working with the biggest brands. It’s about building relationships, supporting businesses I believe in, and creating work that I’m genuinely excited to put my name behind.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If there’s one thing I’d want readers to take away from my story, it’s that you don’t always have to have your path figured out. I never imagined that moving from New York to Charlotte would lead me to where I am today, or that the things I considered hobbies would become such a meaningful part of my career.
I’ve learned that sometimes you just have to follow what genuinely makes you happy, put yourself out there, and be open to where it takes you. For me, that has meant embracing creativity, building relationships, supporting small businesses, and most importantly, truly being myself along the way.
I’m really grateful for the community I’ve found in Charlotte and excited to keep growing, creating, and seeing where this next chapter takes me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trendynewyou_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trendynewyou
Image Credits
brightwellstudio.co – Madalyn Ramsey
Dawn Marie Photos
