Quick Q&A with Shelby Eden

Micro influencer Shelby Eden is the founder of the lifestyle blog The Eden Edition. The website is a personal creative outlet for Shelby who also works full time as a television and digital writer/producer. One thing that sets her site apart from other like minded sites is how Eden not only promotes the traditional subjects of beauty, fashion and travel, but the work of other content creators she has discovered online.

Here Shelby reveals why she loves New York City so much, the impact her close knit family has on her and why she would like to have dinner with an old tree.

How did you first get interested in fashion?
To me, fashion and family go hand in hand. My sense of style comes from my strikingly cool mother and exquisitely dressed late grandmother.  As a child, I followed my mom to antique shops, vintage boutiques, flea markets and massive department stores, experiencing each adventure with wide eyes and a sense of wonder.  I was born with my own unique sense of style.  At just 5 years old, I remember feeling devastated when a pair of brown suede moccasins outfitted with fringe details and intricate beading were not made for my tiny sized feet.

What made you finally decide to launch out on your own? 
As I entered the workforce after college, I felt the need to establish a creative outlet that was 100% my own. This is how and why The Eden Edition was born.  I developed my blog while simultaneously building a career in television and digital media production.

The Eden Edition homepage.

What was your big break?
Defining a single moment as my big break is a near impossible task.  I launched The Eden Edition simply for myself. Over time, the blog organically gained readers and my Instagram following increased.

Shelby Eden and her husband (@TheEdenEdition)

Who inspires you?
Inspiration comes in many different shapes and forms.  My parents, both entrepreneurs, inspire me daily to pursue my own endeavors.  My husband is a source of frequent inspiration. When I want to throw in the towel, he’s the first one to remind me that success doesn’t happen overnight, and to keep following my dreams.  I aspire to be more like my brother, the most fearless person I know when it comes to tackling business.  As a storyteller and filmmaker, I have worked with different types of survivors and veterans of all ages.  Their ability and drive to prosper under horrific circumstances not only inspires me, but also motivates me to bring awareness to societal struggles.  They have provided me with a greater drive to achieve my own personal and professional goals.  While some of my work can be intense, I have been able to apply lessons from all the people I meet to my passions for fashion, lifestyle and travel, The Eden Edition’s main focus.

My favorite trip was one I took with my family to Israel.  We traveled throughout the country with a private guide, giving us unbelievable insight into the history of a nation whose territory is so brutally fought over.  Touching the Western Wall, renewing my vows atop the ruins of an ancient temple, and visiting Yad Vashem are experiences that will be with me for a lifetime.  Also, the fashion district in Tel Aviv is quite impressive!

When are you happiest?
Living in New York City allows me easy access to culture in the form of Broadway shows and different types of performance art.  I am at my happiest at the very end of a performance, when the crowd jumps to their feet, cheering, clapping, and whistling for the cast.  I am often made fun of when I begin to wipe tears of joy from my face.  As human beings, we all have problems that consume us.  But for those few solitary moments when actors take their bows and audience members applaud with jubilation, I become overwhelmed by the happiness invading every inch of the theater. 

Shelby Eden in New York (@edenedition)

What is the biggest challenge you are currently facing?
My biggest challenge at the moment is figuring out how to best divide my time between The Eden Edition, my career in the visual arts, and time with family and friends.  Learning to prioritize is something I am presently trying to master.  Any tips are welcome!

What is your secret talent?

I spend a lot of time writing poetry and music.  I don’t often share this part of myself with the world as it is very personal.  Allowing people direct access to your inner  most thoughts is a challenging feat, but it is one that I am working on overcoming!

What is your motto or the best piece of advice you ever got?
My grandmother always said, “wherever you go, you take yourself with you.”  You can’t run away from your problems. If you don’t face them, they will follow in your shadow forever.

What emoji do you use the most?
While I like to diversify my emoji usage, I am most apt to use the monkey covering its eyes   . I try not to take things too seriously, and often make fun of myself, so that emoji usually serves as my final punctuation on a text.

What is the latest Instagram feed you decided to follow?
The latest Instagram feed I followed was “The Way We Met.” I’m a sucker for a good love story!

Jessica Michault

Jessica Michault is the Senior Vice President of industry relations at GPS Radar by Launchmetrics. She is also the editor-at-large for ODDA magazine and contributes to publications like the New York Times, the Business of Fashion, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Mixte magazine.