Work It Wednesday - Torri Webster
Welcome back, peeps!
We've featured a variety of entrepreneurs, chefs, shop owners and the like. Today we have a special post featuring the youngest of our Work It Wednesday features. We present to you: Torri Webster!
You may have seen on her "Life with Boys" or taking over the social media world. This downright fantastic young woman not only attends university full-time, she also manages her brand/website as a known influencer. After signing with rock-it promotions 'Fourth Floor Management', she has only continued to grow!
1. For those just learning about you, give us the 411 on your life!
My name is Torri Webster and I am a twenty-year-old creative living in downtown Toronto. I am heading into my fourth year of my undergrad at Ryerson University where I major in the Creative Industries program. My creative roots started in my childhood where I spent most of my time performing on stage and studying musical theatre. In my early teens I started working in film and television. Nowadays, I am most well-known from my leading role on the YTV/Nickelodeon series called "Life With Boys." I have always been extremely outgoing (a natural extrovert, as my friends and family like to say).
Aside from my performing background, I like to spend a lot of my time writing, practicing yoga, traveling and of course creating fun content for my social media platforms! Creating a ‘brand’ and ‘persona’ on social media came very naturally throughout my career. I didn’t start posting on social media with the intention of turning it into a lucrative job, but the experiences I have been able to have due to my presence on social media have been so rewarding. I do think there is a misconception in the industry that ‘influencers’ just post photos on social media and get compensated for it - that seems like a crazy oversimplification. I put in a lot of time, effort, creative thought, and strategy when working with brands and fellow creators. Much like working in the film and television industry - not everything is as g-l-a-m-o-r-o-u-s as it looks!
2. What is the most important thing you’ve learned managing your own brand?
The most important lesson I learned about managing my own brand is that no one cares more about your success than YOU. I know this seems like it would be an obvious lesson, but I have learned over the years that no one is truly looking out of your best interest except for you. In recent times I have really began to trust my intuition, and follow my own rules. You can’t wait around for opportunities to fall into your lap - you have to be proactive, personable, and constantly networking in order to be remembered.
I spend a lot of my time out at events creating relationships with other creators and brands within the industry. At the end of the day one of the most important things for me is human connection, but one on one bonds can be really hard to create over social media platforms. I like to have real conversations with people in the industry and create long-lasting relationships. Fundamentally, when the dust settles and Instagram is no longer the IT platform, the connections I’ve made with people in the industry are going to be essential in order to propel my career forward.
3. How do you manage being a student and everything else you have going on?
I like to say that I am a student first and foremost. I take pride in my university career because I find it quite rare nowadays to meet other creators my age who are also in school or studying. Most content creators turn it into a full-time job. This is not to say that there is anything wrong with this, it is just not the path I personally wanted to take. I have always been very intrigued by the business side of the creative industries, and marketing and communication were always topics of interest to me. Attending Ryerson University was a natural transition for me. I actually prefer being busy, it comes naturally to me to be all over the place. It really comes down to time management. People will ask me how I go to school, create content for brands, spend time with my boyfriend, friends, and family, and still make time for auditions. I can’t say I have any real secrets or tricks but I think it really comes down to prioritizing your time, and finding a balance. I really believe I do better both academically and professionally when I am also taking time for myself. When everything feels overwhelming that is when I try to go to yoga, and enjoy that glass of wine at the end of the day. After all, life is short and I am definitely a workaholic, but I don’t want to miss out on the small pleasures.
4. Is there anything you’d change?
I like to think things happen for a reason, and the universe will push me in the right direction. I don’t like to wish on change because I think we run into hardships and lessons that challenge us on purpose. These are usually the times when I persevere to become the best version of myself. I feel so lucky to be studying in the industry I have already spent so many years working in professionally. I have the most supportive, entrepreneurial parents who have taught me everything I know and I have an incredibly creative boyfriend who inspires me to think and dream bigger everyday. This is not to say things are perfect, of course life gets overwhelming, but I wouldn’t change a thing. We live and we learn and some days are just better than others.
5. Favourite inspirational quote and why?
Work smarter, not harder.
I think there is this misconception that if you work really hard, and put everything else on hold you will be successful. I on the other hand believe the exact opposite. I don’t believe in forcing success. I think if you are setting goals, and sharing a positive energy with people around you it will be a lot easier to make an impact in your life. I try to invest equal amounts of time into my personal relationships that I do into my work and career. Although it is not always balanced it makes the highs feels so much higher when I get to share my successes with the ones I love.
6. Go-to meal (we won’t judge!)
This is such a hard question because I am such a foodie... but if I had to choose my top three meals would be salmon sushi, a bowl of bolognese, or a veggie pizza!
7. Hot or cold?
Definitely cold, I way prefer my food being cold. Cold pizza, cold Chinese food - I’ve always been that way!
8. Twitter or Instagram?
100% Instagram. I love taking pictures so building an audience on IG was a natural fit. I love that you can also share videos, create stories, and engage with other creators and fans. The platform is amazing, and enables me to share a little bit of my life with my fans! I also don’t think I am witty enough to take full advantage of what Twitter can offer.
9. Any tips or advice for anyone who wants to pursue the same career as you?
Don’t get lost in the opinions, social media numbers, and trends. Try to set yourself apart by just being your most authentic self. I think people relate to me as an actress and a creative because I am not trying to be someone I am not. If you saw my Instagram and then met me in person my bright bubbly personality is still right there in front of you. I always like to say my social media feed is just a highlight reel. Set goals, and share a positive energy with people around you. In the creative world you will get a LOT of rejection, learning how to manage those feelings from the beginning will set you apart from the negativity and egos that tend to get in people's way of success.
10. How do you #workit on a daily basis?
I like to think I #WorkIt on a daily basis by putting myself first! I take care of my mind, and body and then take on the rest of the world from there. In the brilliant words of Ru Paul, “If you don't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?”
We are truly inspired by this young woman and hope you are too! We can't wait to see what the next couple of years has in store for you, Torri. Best of luck!
- Work It Social Team