4 minute read
Lindsey Heppner
The Influencer
Game changer
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Lindsey
Heppner
Digital multi-entrepreneur Lindsey Heppner and founder of the influencer agency VAMPPED, talks about the many hats that she wears.
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Interview By Amina Touray
ou wear many hats in the digital world as an entrepreneur. By just browsing through your Instagram page, we can see that every day seems so unique; we can find you behind the camera, in front of it, behind the microphone for your podcast, and so forth. Tell us more about everything that you do? I think it has something to do with my zodiac sign, haha. I am a Pisces/Aries/Libre - so I am super imaginative, driven, and impulsive about my decisions.
I have always loved having my fingers dipped into multiple things. My parents always told me to trust the process of believing in yourself that you can achieve anything you want….so I have done just that. I don’t limit myself to things; I feel many people think that if they don’t know how to do something, they are incapable. I am the complete opposite; I love the challenge of learning something new. As of right now, I am a marketing specialist, creative director, producer, talent manager, artist, motivational speaker, influencer, podcaster, and I’m learning how to write a book.
Photo by Jethro Alaba
On your Instagram page, in your bio, it reads - “God is directing my life creatively”. I think it’s important to have a strong foundation in your beliefs, especially when living in a big city like LA, which can pull you in so many different directions. I’d like to learn more about how your faith is impacting the things that you do?
God heals me in all aspects. I have a strong faith in him, and he has given me so many blessings in my life. My entire business is based on a strong code of conduct. I truly believe that is why we have been so successful and hitting almost a decade of being in business. I started this business because of him. He has given me a second chance at life to help others. Marketing is just the surface of the deeper meaning and movement of Vampped. We are trying to be the heartbeat to new developing businesses, assisting influencers in finding a better way to progress in their careers, and we are trying to better people’s lives with how we do in business. Business shouldn’t be depressing, challenging, frustrating, and evil.
You’re the founder of the agency VAMPPED, tell us more about it, and how you have managed to change how influencers are being perceived? When I first started in the space, talent agencies and brands, in general, didn’t take them seriously. It was proving ground for our agency to show the world that influencers were the next big thing. I remember when we did our first tour in 2015, people were like, “what is happening??” And people then saw where the industry was going; there was a new type of influential persona. The trust of celebrities was a thing of the past.
“Influencer” is a fairly new term and profession. How has the influencer industry changed and developed over time, and where do you see it going? I think we still are very new to the space. The pandemic showcased this because it forced many businesses who had not made online social media sales to step up and either disappear or figure out how to be present in where the world was going.
You founded the podcast ReVampped in 2020. What was your main goal and vision behind it?
My main goal for the podcast was to give the people I loved and respected throughout the years to have an opportunity to speak how they feel about specific conversations that may have needed to be expressed. I love having a deep connection with people, so I think it was a space for me to amplify myself and the people around me.
Is there a certain pressure that comes with staying put with the constant new trends? 100%. It is hard to keep consistency being an innovator in the space and staying a girl boss at all times. My brain goes a mile a minute, and I can’t stop the train, which is good for the space I am in. I love being creative and thinking of challenging ways to make noise. I think I have built a reputation for our brand with “ What will Vampped do next..”
If you had a microphone for 30 seconds, and the whole world was listening to you. What message would you tell people? Stop letting them see a version of you that’s not you. Remember, it’s okay to be unique and being your true self. Trust that you will find others like yourself who will align with who you are and your values. Boundaries are essential on all levels of friendship + business. Don’t focus on others because they don’t pay your bills, nor should they decide your destined path.
