S3, Ep4 – In conversation with Peony Lim
10 March 2023
In this episode of Life & Smile Dr Reena particularly wanted to focus on the idea of a ‘lifestyle approach’ and it has been so inspiring to hear the often-contrasting day to day routines of how leaders across multiple industries make it work on a day-to-day basis.
In this episode we turn to the luxury industry where there is one name that needs no introduction. As a renowned luxury expert with a Chinese and English background Peony Lim is an instantly recognisable figure and source of inspiration within the global fashion and lifestyle industry and now she joins Dr Reena at 75 Harley Street.
Listen in full where they discuss everything from how it all began, career advice and the changing landscape of the global luxury industry and beyond…
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
Peony opens up the episode by rewinding back to the nostalgia she has rediscovered for her twenties and, of course, where it all began. She first studied Fashion Promotion at the University of the Arts London, later graduating with a First Class Degree in Art History from the Courtauld Institute. It was after being photographed by street style photographers outside her university in 2009 that everything truly began. Before long, Peony was being featured in top publications like The Sunday Times Style, Grazia, ASOS Magazine, Tatler, Lucky, Glamour USA, and The LFW Daily, to name a few. She takes us through those early years of starting out and how her career progressed.
It was the dawn of a new era where creating a personal brand through blogs and the digital landscape was becoming more popular, and Peony genuinely fell into it—without being a reader of other blogs, which was the norm for many early influencers. Her immaculately polished style, set against the backdrop of the grunge aesthetic trending at the time, worked to her advantage with street style photographers. It was the cyclical nature of fashion: when their street style images made it to the pages of tier-1 titles like Vogue, Peony was the one captured in the photographs, which rapidly propelled her industry identity forward.
Peony candidly admits that, at first, there was a feeling of “fake it until you make it,” but she also remained true to herself. Standing out in a crowd was what initially kick-started her career, allowing her to gain confidence in herself and her abilities at this key early stage. This confidence led to major contracts with global clients as her first blogger bookings.
The digital space is one that you have to navigate strategically and work to your advantage. Dr Reena and Peony discuss how Peony was fortunate not to experience much negative online feedback, which is often a part of the industry. Peony shares t hat she has always maintained a highly professional demeanour. If there’s something she doesn’t like, she simply chooses not to engage with it, rather than stating anything negative.
As the blogging industry was still emerging, people often asked Peony questions that she believes wouldn’t have been asked had she been in a more traditional career, such as accounting. She describes how people felt they had a right to ask personal questions, like how much money she made as a blogger or what she earned in her first year.
Peony emphasises how in her space, content creation is paramount—this is what she spends ninety percent of her time doing, so it’s essential to schedule her time properly. She splits her week into three days of work and two days for family, describing herself as a “Mumma of girls,” now primarily based between London and Cornwall.
Don’t worry about being part of a wider trend or viral movement, Peony advises. What’s happening now is not the future. She focuses on bringing something new into focus. The digital space is no longer a small pond but a vast ocean, so discovering and connecting with your dedicated audience is key.
Peony describes herself as very goal-driven and organised, so managing the day-to-day operations of her business comes naturally to her. The luxury and digital industries can take a lot out of you, and it’s easy to be defeated by it, so staying inspired and energised is a priority. She also makes sure to create a clear distinction between her work and personal/family life, where she communicates in a non-commercial way.
When it comes to social media, Peony has a highly controlled approach. She completely eliminates passive scrolling, choosing instead to selectively view content from her network of creators, much like how you would open a magazine—you choose to engage with content, rather than having it constantly pushed at you, which can be mentally draining.
In terms of her lifestyle, escaping to their home in Cornwall offers a welcome sanctuary, allowing Peony to be inspired by and spend time near the sea. However, in the city, she is often found in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and occasionally heading to W1 for work. She adds that the great thing about this city is that everyone can find their own “village” within it, where they feel connected.
Three things that Peony always keeps in her handbag or on her desk when working? First is a metal toothpick—she wears an attached retainer and can’t stand having seeds or other bits stuck in it, so it’s a must. Next is lip balm, which she can’t live without and keeps stashed in every coat pocket. The third is her AirPods, which allow her to tune out the world when she’s out and about and take some time for herself.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
Having children shifts your perspective on earlier stages of life, especially your twenties. You’ll always look back with a different view.
Success doesn’t always feel like success. Growing up, I was academically and creatively successful, but I didn’t always see it that way. It wasn’t until I found an industry that celebrated and nurtured my unique style that I was able to build the self-confidence needed to thrive at the start of my career.
“Fake it till you make it”—Sometimes, confidence and success come from pretending you’ve already achieved it, until you actually do.
Be genuinely authentic. Create your own style, even if it makes you stand out. Don’t be afraid to be different.
You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. Choosing not to engage in that cycle is one of the fastest ways to toughen up in your career and gain confidence.
Advice for beginners: Passion is essential. Chasing money or recognition won’t get you far in blogging—content creation is 90% of the job. If you don’t love it, this isn’t the industry for you.
Find your niche audience. Look for a community that speaks directly to your specific interests and passions.
Self-employment requires natural drive. You need to be incredibly efficient and self-motivated. Success doesn’t come with constant encouragement or hand-holding.
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