Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Stokes.
Hi Hannah, I’m so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hi, I’m Hannah Stokes, a lifestyle blogger from Knoxville! After graduating from the University of Tennessee’s architecture program, I started blogging in 2018 while living in Nashville, TN. Knoxville was my high school hometown, and while I was excited to move to a larger city, knowing only my husband (my fiance at the time) made me fearful. Starting my blog was a huge “what if” moment in dreams of meeting girls my age and connecting more with the city through events and new business openings. I put a hard countdown of one year to see if this endeavor was worth all my free time or if it was just an unachievable dream. While working full-time at my first architecture job, I began attending events and slowly making some new friends while getting to know the city better. 2018 ended successfully for me, where I worked overtime at my job, proliferating on Instagram (20,000 followers by the end of 2019) and working with unique brands. I landed my first paid partnership in November of $50, and all my hard work was really paying off! Fast forward to 2020, my husband was graduating from PT school, and we were eager to move back to Knoxville (where we met and my family is located). We decided to build our first home, and that began my journey of incorporating my passion for home building and design into the fashion and fitness blog I originally started. I shared every aspect of our home design and how our family grew from a one-dog life to two doodle pups! After moving into our home, I expanded on my DIY skills, sharing easy builder home upgrades on Instagram and TikTok. I’m thankful that my original 2018 audience has seen my husband and I marry in 2023. They have been my friends through countless wedding decisions and DIYs, which is why I’m still enjoying my side hustle. My favorite reason for sharing my life (good and bad) on social media is to give back to my audience, who have become friends.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all! I’ve contemplated stopping my side biz several times through countless struggles, including the constant game of Instagram selection and being too busy at my full-time job. I keep going because I am genuinely fueled when I meet my audience in person, and I have gained so many friends through my social media. I am also creative and love sharing new things with my audience as I grow and evolve; my latest love is sourdough bread making!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a lifestyle creator! Over the last year, I’ve shared just about everything in my life, the biggest being my health struggles. 2023 was my best and worst year because I was married to my best friend but also at my heaviest weight. I was going through so many health struggles and finally was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (the root cause of my weight gain) and have been able to share my now 70lb weight loss journey with my audience. So many of my social media friends have been around for years, knowing me before this health issue and now after, so I find it amazing that my audience loves seeing my genuine struggles and success in life! I’m very thankful to have a platform that allows my everyday life to impact others positively.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
I currently collaborate with large and local businesses on Instagram and TikTok!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hannahshappythoughts.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahelizabethstokes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063621421752
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@hannahelizabethstokes
Image Credits
Cushla Beasley @cushlabeasley (wedding photos)
