Amanda Steele on Growing Up Online, Staying Authentic, Building STEELE, Motherhood & Reinvention

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to grow up on the internet—and still stay true to yourself? How do you balance virality, brand deals, and public opinion with purpose, artistry, and an actual life? In this episode of From Vision to Creation, Alexander sits down with Amanda Steele—one of YouTube’s earliest beauty pioneers turned model, actor, and founder of the fashion label STEELE—for a candid conversation about creative identity, longevity, and reinventing yourself without losing your soul. Amanda shares how starting YouTube at 10 gave her a voice when she didn’t fit in offline, why she chose homeschooling at 14, and how she navigated early brand deals, analytics pressure, and the temptation to “play the template.” She opens up about acting (and why she refuses to “act” as herself), reclaiming creative control of STEELE, the euphoric highs and quiet lows of the creator journey, and how becoming a mother reframed everything—from ambition to authenticity. If you’re a creator, artist, founder, or anyone trying to build a life that actually feels like you, this conversation will meet you right where you are. In this interview, you’ll learn: How Amanda went from sixth-grade makeup tutorials to a career in fashion, acting, and entrepreneurship The mental health cost of hustle culture—and a healthier creative framework that lasts Why saying “no” (to trends, templates, and misfit opportunities) protects your voice What it really takes to build a fashion brand—and why she took STEELE back in-house The difference between acting in character vs. “acting” as yourself for brands How to navigate hate, algorithms, and the highs/lows of going viral The mindset shift motherhood sparked around purpose, patience, and pace Practical advice for new creators starting today (spoiler: it’s not too late) 🎙️ Hosted by Alexander Schmieding In this interview, we discuss: 0:00 Intro 1:15 Huntington Beach childhood, cheer & softball, early creative sparks 4:00 Not fitting in → finding community online 9:11 Homeschooling at 14: bullying, boundaries, and momentum 23:15 First brand deal at 13 & learning the business 23:59 Analytics, pressure, and panic—when “framework” replaces fun 34:25 Starting STEELE: partners, lessons, and reclaiming control 41:43 Acting vs. “acting as yourself” for brands 50:23 The euphoric high of projects—and the post-project low 54:34 Creativity without burnout: pacing, presence, and trust 1:03:09 Advice to new creators (it’s not too late) 1:04:23  Motherhood: purpose, priorities, and creative risk 1:06:27 The mystical side: astrology, metaphysics, spirituality 1:07:04 Where to find Amanda online 1:07:25 A message to her 10-year-old self Subscribe for more inspiring conversations with visionaries who turned their ideas into reality. Episode Resources: https://www.instagram.com/amandasteele https://www.tiktok.com/@amanda.steele24?lang=en https://www.youtube.com/@amandasteele https://www.youtube.com/@FromVisionToCreationPodcast https://www.steeleofficial.com https://www.instagram.com/fromvisiontocreation https://www.tiktok.com/@fromvisiontocreation https://www.instagram.com/alexschmieding This podcast is brought to you by Proper Placement – a full-service marketing agency helping businesses grow through social media, paid advertising, PR, email, and more. Learn more at www.properplacement.com Produced and edited by Proper Placement – https://www.properplacement.com #AmandaSteele #FromVisionToCreation #CreatorEconomy #YouTube #Beauty #Fashion #Acting #STEELExAmanda #Authenticity #PodcastInterview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices