Blogging is a great way of connecting with people and sharing information and insights about things that are of interest to key audiences. Megan Richards, founder of the popular blog The Authentic Girl has tapped into an exciting audience of women who share a love of fashion, beauty and great food.

LoA chatted to founder Megan Richards at a recent Lioness Lean In Breakfast event in Cape Town, South Africa to find out more.

What does your company do?

My lifestyle blog aims to inspire women through 3 lifestyle products namely fashion, beauty, food and wine. The Authentic Girl blog showcases that curvy women can be stylish too and I promote body positivity through my blog. I believe in sharing great content that is honest and relevant to my readers. My content is accompanied with beautiful images of the products I am promoting. I have many requests from bloggers and small to medium business owners asking me to assist them with their social media strategy or how to start a blog. I am now offering consultation with new or aspiring bloggers, offering advice on how to start a blog. I also consult with business owners showing them how a blog can set them apart as an expert in their field.

"My lifestyle blog aims to inspire women through 3 lifestyle products namely fashion, beauty, food and wine."

What inspired you to start your company?

About 2 years ago I started my blog as a platform to share the things I love. At first, I blogged about everything under the sun. But I realised that if I wanted a sustainable product, I needed to find a niche that resonates with me and my readers.

* Now I focus on fashion for curvy women
* Beauty for the women (like myself) who prefer a more natural look
* Restaurant reviews

Why should anyone use your service or product?

Simply put, having a blogger say good things about your product or service sounds better than saying it yourself. If our target market and audience is in alignment, my audience will show a genuine interest in your product. This will drive traffic onto your website, more people will become aware of your products/services you offer and it could lead to more sales. You can promote your business through my blog, in a more authentic and creative manner. If you have a business and you'd like to collaborate with me, feel free to connect with my through the social media links below.

"The Authentic Girl blog showcases that curvy women can be stylish too and I promote body positivity through my blog. I believe in sharing great content that is honest and relevant to my readers."

Tell us a little about your team

I am the team (ha ha ha). I handle the photography of the products, the finances, writing and marketing my blog posts, posting my content on social media, research, attending events, networking and understand my analytics. If I am being photographed, I work with a professional photographer because I am slightly OCD about the images I put on my website and social media platforms (we live in a visual world).

Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?

I never planned on becoming an entrepreneur, it just happened through my blog. My journey has not been easy because I never had any experience or qualifications on being an entrepreneur. Through my entrepreneurial journey, I've learnt more about myself and my abilities. My Psychology degree has nothing on being an entrepreneur. There are days when I am ready to give up but I LOVE what I do. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to do what I love, and that keeps me going!

"Simply put, having a blogger say good things about your product or service sounds better than saying it yourself."

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

I would love to work with more local and international brands. In 2017, I would love to showcase more African products. Lets show the world what we have to offer. I also want to start and design another website where I can show my consulting services.

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

I get the most satisfaction from doing what I love, and being able to express myself, creatively. Having a blog or running a business can be challenging at times, and everyday presents a new challenge but I tackle it head-on and push myself out of my comfort zone.

What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?

Just start! So many times we delay projects for fear of being judged or not having a perfect product. When I started blogging, I didn't have a perfect product but I learnt as I moved along. I am a firm believer in supporting other women entrepreneurs, there's so much power when women collaborate!

Contact or follow Authentic Girl

Why LoA loves it….

At LoA, we have a huge appreciation for talented bloggers who can not only write well, but who have the art of capturing life and lifestyle in all its forms at their fingertips. Megan Richards is one such blogger who is creating quite a following with her popular The Authentic Girl blog, connecting with audiences of women who share similar passions for fashion, food and beauty. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa