Katie Traxton, founder of Good Vibes Only Talent, picks out ten Essex influencers who are hot right now
@helenscottuk
17k followers
Presenter known for her evening show on BBC Essex, Helen Scott tackles topics aimed at a younger audience from celebrity news and social media trends to burning cultural issues like Black Lives Matter and her own personal journey as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. This vibrant influencer is an active committee member of LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity @aktcharity with a colourful, honest Instagram full of inspiration and positive energy. She describes herself as ‘your big gay sister/best friend in one!’
@essexrockstar
21.9k followers
A mix of art, beauty and business, @essexrockstar offers lifestyle insights and the best of modest fashion, specialising in make-up, henna and hijab matches. With looks for every occasion from bright bold tones, through natural shades to eye-popping sparkles, this Dagenham-based influencer shares photos, reels and step-by-step video tutorials that show you how to recreate each mood plus links to where to find the original products used.
@drleahtotton
29k followers
Founder of award-winning Dr Leah Skin Clinics (@drleahclinics), this Northern Irish entrepreneur won The Apprentice in 2013 before launching her Essex clinic in Loughton in partnership with Lord Alan Sugar. Recognised for her work to improve regulation and standards in the cosmetic industry, Leah’s Instagram offers a few beauty tips and tricks, but mainly focuses on her lifestyle with sneak peeks into her behind-the-scenes work and private life. The mix of business, fitness and friends makes her warm channel both interesting and inspiring to follow.
@shaynelovesfood
81.2k followers
Content creator, entrepreneur and foodie Shayne Williams will leave your mouth watering with his recommendations. Mixing full English breakfasts with healthy keto lunches, there’s something for everyone and always a guide to where to source the treats he shares. Portion control isn’t an obstacle in the colourful culinary world of this food-lover, and you’ll struggle to ration yourself on his content too. The mesmerising quality about his bright grid of sumptuous treats only scratches the surface, because Williams also posts honest, motivating vlogs about his personal relationship with food and keeping fit.
@the_mumbling_photographer
38.9k followers
If a picture can tell a tale of a thousand words, each of @the_mumbling_photographer’s images takes you on a full blown adventure. Essex resident Oliver Adkins provides a whirlwind tour of the globe and more, sharing hidden treasures and cultural clues from the 75 countries he’s travelled to. This explorer-photographer will have you yearning for your first foray abroad after lockdown within seconds of scrolling. Under water, in the air, shooting the seven wonders of the world or the big five in their natural environment, this channel has something for everyone and you get the sense there’s only more to come.
@allfromfern
45.2k followers
Fern Andrews hails from Buckhurst Hill and is founder of her own fashion label, All From Fern. Based on her personal style, she models the original handmade outfits she designs across her channel. Her pieces are customised, eye-catching and uniquely Fern. Her can-do outlook shines through and is contagious, encouraging her community to believe in themselves and pursue their passions like Fern has. A role model for any aspiring young entrepreneur, Andrews started creating her own clothes at only 16 years of age and has gone from strength-to-strength since.
@thisgirlcanorganise
166k followers
Nicola Lewis, or TGCO, offers a professional home organising service (don’t I need that!), top tips on how to win at life and more. This bubbly, fun-filled, motivational feed brought to you by the author of Mind Over Clutter can brighten your mood in a flash and keep your life in order at the same time. Seemingly with a permanent smile, Lewis isn’t stuck in an Instagram version of reality. She shares life’s up and downs, but tackles both with optimism and a customarily sunny disposition. What more could you ask for?
@jammi.dodger
181k followers
Jamie Raines has over 800k subscribers on YouTube as well as a growing Instagram community who he openly talks about gender identity and his personal gender transition with. This psychologist and LGBTQ+ activist lets us share in special life moments with his partner Shaaba, aka @sherbertlemon007, and Alfie the (adorable) puppy and his cute if uncooperative cat. Now is the perfect time to follow Jamie, since with his and Shaaba’s wedding postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic, you’ll be just in time to see the best of their big day later this summer!
@ladynadiaessex
204k followers
Love coach, best-selling author and mum to Ezekiel, Nadia Essex is no filter in only the best of ways. She shows us all aspects of her life, offers dating tips and generally keeps us coming back for more with her channel’s feel-good vibe. While Essex may be the source of wise words for us all, she gives a strong sense that whatever your troubles, you’re in it together with advice and positivity for every occasion. She’s real, relatable and seems to have an endless supply of exceptionally cute baby pics.
@dontjealousme
359k followers
‘Husband, father, actor, author, artist,’ it seems like Tolu Ogunmefun, who’s also a keen and successful sportsman and comedian, can do it all. With Dont Jealous Me starting as an online comedy series in 2008, Ogunmefun’s YouTube channel now has over 177k subscribers. His Instagram shows more of the family guy off camera, giving a peek into the lifestyle of the man behind the laughs and what’s important to him, including moments of reflection that draw attention to important cultural issues from mental health to gender and racial equality.
Katie Traxton is the founder of Good Vibes Only Talent. See more @goodvibesonlytalent or by visiting goodvibesonlytalent.com
