Nov
18th

I am very excited to publish the first entry to my “What Motivates You” series, which will profile hard-working and inspirational individuals in all disciplines. The question is simple: What Motivates You? These will all be written by the featured guest and submitted in any format they wish.

Today, the spotlight goes to Erica Lam, who runs a popular blog, TheStyleSpy.com; one of Canada’s leading fashion lifestyle websites. I’ve been following Erica before The Style Spy was even The Style Spy— when she was still an aspiring blogger, blogging at Xanga and now look where she is today! It’s amazing to watch someone grow and achieve their dreams.

Erica Lam - Social Media Planner at Dare, Editor-in-Chief of TheStyleSpy.com, Contributor to The Vancouver Sun

Working at the digital agency Dare, Erica has worked with clients including Sony Ericsson, Baileys and McDonald’s Canada on their social media strategies and campaigns. She also founded TheStyleSpy.com, one of Canada’s leading fashion online publications. She runs the site with a team of 10 contributors across Canada. In addition, Erica also contributes to Vancouver’s largest daily newspaper the Vancouver Sun where she most recently interviewed Vera Wang and Leighton Meester.

Sooo… what motivates you?

I believe my drive and motivation started with my solid upbringing. My parents immigrated to Canada and had to work hard to provide opportunities for myself and my brother. I follow the same work ethic that my parents showcased.

As a social media planner, I get brought in for pretty cool clients and projects, I also work with a brilliant team. When you have that kind of combination, it’s hard not to want to work hard or excel in your own work. You want to show to your peers that you know your stuff and can add value to the project. It’s also nice when you get props from your boss or an email from your client telling you – you were a pleasure to work with and you delivered good work.

The Style Spy: Erica's popular fashion website.

At TheStyleSpy.com, it’s all the little things that motivate me. It can be something very simple, like a reader coming up to me in a store and telling me they love the site, read it everyday and bought something we recommended. Recently, I was at a club and two girls came up to me and asked me if I was The Style Spy and asked for a picture. Sweetest thing ever, but things like that really make it worthwhile. I started the site over 5 years ago – back in the day – companies didn’t really get ‘blogging’ and didn’t necessarily consider it a legitimate media source. This past year, I got flown out to New York to interview Vera Wang and Leighton Meester and LA to meet David Beckham. When opportunities like this arise, it reminds me why I work so hard and gives me that extra push to keep going. It is a long-term commitment to see your dreams come to fruition. There’s rarely a free pass card.

My secret combo to achievement is working hard – always go above and beyond. You’ll be surprised how many people don’t. I’m genuinely nice to people, why waste energy being mean? People will also be more likely to help you out if you’re nice to them. Good karma. Surround yourself with good people. Nobody toxic, nobody dramatic. Just good, smart, solid people. You are who you associate with. If all that good stuff is in place, you’ll notice things will start to go your way. Which ultimately leads you to a more positive place, and greater motivation to keep goin’ at it and trying to reach your goals & dreams.

Follow Erica on Twitter at @TheStyleSpy and read TheStyleSpy.com at www.thestylespy.com.

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