Yazılar

How ‘Bachelor’ Star Mari Pepin Turned Reality TV Fame into a Lucrative Side Gig as an Influencer

/in /tarafından

Mari Pepin, a 28-year-old former contestant on The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise, has successfully transformed her reality TV fame into a profitable influencer career. While The Bachelor may promise love, Pepin discovered business opportunities as well, walking away from the show not only with Kenny Braasch’s final rose but also an Instagram following that skyrocketed from 50,000 to over 300,000. This surge in followers opened the door to lucrative influencer deals, generating a new revenue stream for the newly married couple.

Soon after her appearance on Bachelor in Paradise, Pepin started receiving substantial offers from major brands, including Loreal, Factor meal delivery, Ruffino wine, and Mermaid hair products. She promotes products by testing them out and then posting about her experiences on social media. Her husband, Kenny Braasch, also collaborates with her on promotions and has his own partnerships with companies like Apothic wine and BetUS, further boosting their combined income.

According to a report from Influencer Marketing Hub, brands increasingly rely on influencers for product promotion, either offering them free products or paying a fee for promotional posts. For influencers like Pepin, who earn fees or commissions through affiliate sales, this strategy has proven to be an effective way to build a brand.

For many reality TV stars, becoming an influencer is a popular side hustle, with low entry barriers. A 2023 NeoReach survey of content creators found that influencers can make between $2,500 and $5,000 per month, depending on their follower count and platform. Pepin has made as much as $12,500 for a single post and earned more than $50,000 last year alone. However, she notes that influencer income can fluctuate dramatically, creating financial uncertainty.

Social media expert Casey Lewis points out that larger followings can lead to significant earnings, but many influencers only make supplemental income, with most earning less than $15,000 annually. Despite this, influencing remains a highly desirable career path for younger generations, with 57% of Gen Zers expressing interest in becoming influencers.

Pepin acknowledges the fleeting nature of reality TV fame and stresses the importance of capitalizing on opportunities while they last. Though she has a full-time job as a social media marketing manager, her influencer work has become a profitable side gig. “The influencer stuff is just kind of extra,” Pepin says, recognizing that while it may not be consistent, it offers exciting prospects for additional income.

 

A 34-Year-Old’s Summer Side Hustle as a Private Yacht Chef Earned Her Over $15,000 Last Year

/in /tarafından

Kesi Irvin, a 34-year-old New Jersey native, has transformed her passion for travel into a lucrative summer side hustle as a private chef on yachts, earning over $15,000 last year. Irvin’s unconventional career began after she left her Wall Street job in 2015 to pursue a life of travel. Initially planning a one-year career break, she extended her adventures indefinitely, funding them through her work on yachts and later through her travel blog, “Kesi To and Fro,” which now serves as her primary income source.

Irvin’s yacht chef career started when she applied for a position with Yacht Week, despite having no professional culinary experience. Her application emphasized her skills as a home chef and her ability to learn quickly. Luck was on her side when she was called in to replace a crew member at the last minute. This opportunity led to more jobs as guests recommended her to friends, and fellow crew members introduced her to online job boards for seasonal yacht positions.

Picture background

As a private chef, Irvin spends her summers sailing in Europe, working on five charters this year alone. Each charter typically lasts a week, and Irvin’s daily routine involves preparing meals in tight boat kitchens, often requiring creativity and resourcefulness due to limited space and supplies. Her dishes, such as tuna poke bowls and brunch spreads, have become popular among guests. In addition to her culinary duties, Irvin explores local markets and cities when the yacht docks, enjoying the unique experiences each location offers.

While Irvin’s primary income now comes from her travel blog, which includes group trips, paid writing, and brand collaborations, she values her yacht chef role for its consistency and the opportunity to save money while earning. This side hustle complements her digital nomad lifestyle, providing financial stability in an otherwise unpredictable income stream.

Irvin’s journey showcases the possibilities of combining passion with work, turning what started as a temporary escape from the corporate world into a fulfilling and profitable career. Her story is an inspiration for those looking to break away from conventional career paths and create a life that aligns with their passions.