With less than a dozen videos posted on Youtube, content producer and vlogger Tara M has started to amass considerable following on the platform. One of the reasons why viewers gravitate towards the Youtube influencer is definitely her laid-back personality and her tendency for sharing her milestone moments with viewers like they’re old friends. In one episode, the influencer takes her fans into her apartment, allowing them a tour of every nook and cranny. This type of intimacy is prevalent on Youtube, but Tara M makes you feel like you’re not an intruder she’s obligingly letting in, but treats you with the hospitality you’d expect from a lifelong friend. One of the traits that distinguish her from her counterparts on Youtube is her Haitian and Filipina heritage. More about that some other time. Meanwhile…Let’s get started meanwhile…

Kreyolicious: Did you know that there is a plant in Peru called Tara?
Tara M: I did not know there was a plant in Peru called Tara. That’s pretty awesome! My name is not very common, so it’s always cool to see my name out there! Fun fact: my mom got my name from the romantic classic movie called Gone With The Wind.

Kreyolicious: It’s capable of growing up to 15 feet. Speaking of vegetation…What do you feel has been some of the biggest factors to your growth as a person.
Tara M: I think the biggest factor that helped me grow as a person is having my mother around. We are really close so she has always been very active in my life. When she sees I’m having a difficult time she would always guide me out of it. She also constantly prays for me so I know that God has a close watch on me. She has helped me develop my own faith in God as well.

Kreyolicious: What made you become a Youtuber?
Tara M: It all started 6 years ago. I started watching girls on Youtube creating fashion videos. The idea of talking into a camera, posting a video on Youtube, and reaching a wide audience seemed like a really strange concept at the time but it still intrigued me. I started posting videos of my own channel and I realized how much I enjoyed having an outlet to express my creativity. Six years ago girls were just posting Youtube videos as a hobby. It really wasn’t a career option yet. As years [have] gone by, I started seeing my Youtube/Instagram as outlets where I can create my own brand.

Kreyolicious: Why do you think your channel is successful?
Tara M: I believe my channel is successful because so far I put out content that catches people attention. I noticed people like to binge certain videos on Youtube. I tend to film popular videos with my own spin to it.

Kreyolicious: What sparks the ideas for your videos?
Tara M: My ideas come from videos I like to watch on my own time. It is just more fun for me to film a video that I’ve enjoyed watching as well.

Kreyolicious: You have to have gumption to be a Youtuber. After all, it’s like a world stage. How did you develop your sense of bravery?
Tara M: Whenever someone puts themselves out there, it’s a risk. With every positive comment out there, you also have to realize that there could be just one negative comment that can really bring you down. I think I developed my sense of bravery the older I got. I do get negative comments, but I think for some people as they get older things just don’t sway their confidence as easily as when we are younger. You become more sure of yourself.

CLICK HERE to visit Millennial lifestyle blogger and Youtuber influencer Tara M’s channel on Youtube.

CLICK HERE to read interviews with other Youtuber influencers of Haitian descent.

Bloomfield college graduate and broadcast journalism professional Yvana Romelus is a star on Youtube. She deserves the status. Her videos chronicling her dating life, her fashion sense, and life as a twenty-something in New Jersey has earned her Thee Mademoiselle Youtuber channel more than 400,000 views. Youtuber Thee Mademoiselle talked about the genesis of her channel in Part I of our interview. In Part II that you will read below will discuss her education, and the future of her channel.

Kreyolicious: ​What​ ​are​ ​your​ ​top​ ​three​ ​fave​ ​videos​ ​from​ ​your​ ​channel?
Thee Mademoiselle: I love making my Haitian-related videos. Most of those are my favorite. Other than that I have a few I LOVE! Best Haitian Songs of All Time, Part 1 and Part 2, and Part 3. My story time on African hair salons. The reasons I’m single videos, Part 1 and Part 2.

Kreyolicious: ​Do​ ​you​ ​ever​ ​feel​ ​that​ ​you’ll​ ​run​ ​out​ ​of​ ​ideas?
Thee Mademoiselle: Sometimes, but usually only storytimes, other than that there is always something to talk s_ about. [Laughter]

Kreyolicious: Your​ ​parents​ ​know​ ​about​ ​your​ ​channel?
Yea, they don’t watch me, but they know I do “Cinema” as they call it. [Laughter]

Kreyolicious: Of the classes you’ve taken in school, which was the most helpful in helping you launch your business?
Thee Mademoiselle: I graduated college with an undergraduate degree in Communications and a concentration in Broadcast Journalism, so basically everything I did in school helped me with my channel from writing, shooting videos and branding. I made sure I went to school for something I would use and want to do for the rest of my life. I think it is important to tie your hobbies and your career/business together so you don’t end up working an endless job or career you are not passionate about. Living life just working a regular job, helping others make money while you are miserable is no way to live, and I made sure I set myself up to overcome that hurdle!

Kreyolicious: What​ ​advice​ ​would​ ​you​ ​give​ ​to​ ​a​ ​newbie?
Thee Mademoiselle: Stop thinking, stop wishing, stop worrying. Do your research, pick a genre, establish some goals and start. The more you dwell, the more time you will waste. If you are not going to be consistent, don’t start at all, be consistent or do not bother. Buy nothing until you know it is something you truly want to do. Do not look at other people and compare yourself to them, it will break you. Establish your own lane and win your own race!

Kreyolicious: ​You’ve​ ​been​ ​to​ ​Haiti?
Thee Mademoiselle: Yes when I was 6. I think I may take another trip next summer!

Kreyolicious: ​Where​ ​do​ ​you​ ​envision​ ​yourself​ ​three​ ​years​ ​from​ ​now?
Thee Mademoiselle: Still doing Youtube, hopefully doing more entrepreneurship and owning a media related business of some sort.

[Main Photo Credit: Jessica Demianicz]

CLICK HERE if you missed PART I of the interview with Youtuber Thee Mademoiselle.

CLICK HERE to read about other Youtubers of Haitian descent.