What’s in the Telescope?
This week’s guest, Ebony Renee Baker, is a fashion editor at Refinery29 UK. A Toronto native, she began her career in journalism, interning at Vice Canada before transitioning to roles in social media editing at Flair magazine. Eventually, she went over to the UK, working with Asos before joining Refinery29 in February. Her journey reflects resilience and adaptability as she navigated various editorial roles and developed skills in social media, especially in creating content for platforms like TikTok. Ebony shared her experiences dealing with imposter syndrome, managing fast-paced editorial work, and balancing creative integrity with brand partnerships. Throughout the interview, she emphasized the importance of networking and staying agile in the ever-evolving media landscape.
How Do the Stars Align?
Ebony’s experiences with imposter syndrome resonate with me, as I’ve had moments of self-doubt while navigating the Toronto fashion and film scene. Attending events like TIFF, I often wonder if I truly belong among the professionals and creatives in these spaces, even when I’ve put in the work to be there. Her admission of feeling uncertain about stepping into her role as an editor reminded me that it’s natural to face imposter syndrome, but it shouldn’t hold me back from taking on big opportunities.
Ebony’s emphasis on the importance of networking also struck a chord with me, especially as I’ve been building connections in the Toronto scene. Like her, I’ve found that networking can open doors in unexpected ways, whether through social media or attending industry events. Her approach to reaching out to people on platforms like Instagram is something I’ve been doing, but her success motivates me to take even more initiative. Ebony’s story reinforces the power of forging connections and staying active in these communities, even when self-doubt creeps in.
My Guiding Star:
Ebony’s journey offered several guiding stars I will carry forward. First, her resilience in facing rejections and turning them into opportunities is something I plan to adopt more consciously. Hearing how she didn’t initially land her dream job at Refinery29 but eventually secured it taught me that perseverance is key. Her proactive approach to networking by reaching out on social media and using TikTok to show potential employers her skills also inspired me to embrace digital networking more fully. I’ll be more intentional about reaching out to others in the media industry, recognizing how these connections can be invaluable for both personal growth and career advancement.
Second, Ebony’s ability to pivot and adapt to new digital trends, like integrating TikTok into her work, emphasized the importance of staying current with digital tools. She turned unexpected situations, like a dress mishap at Fashion Week, into opportunities for engagement, which highlighted the need for creativity and flexibility. Moving forward, I will focus on building my online presence through platforms like Instagram and TikTok to showcase my skills in media and astrology. I will dedicate more time to mastering content creation for emerging platforms and experiment with what works best for my brand, embracing every challenge as a chance to grow.