Fresh off the heels of delving into TikTok’s Accelerator program for Indigenous Creators, Maskwacis-based entrepreneur/influencer/model/actress Jacqueline Buffalo is primed for her next creative chapter.
Buffalo was one of 40 selected from across the country to take part in the program, which is presented by the National Screen Institute.
The training offers guidance from some of TikTok’s leading Indigenous creators including Sherry McKay and Keisha Erwin.
It’s meant to empower Indigenous creators with the skills needed to grow their presence on TikTok, and to also “build a successful digital career while amplifying storytelling traditions to a global community.”
Buffalo said the teaching was certainly worthwhile.
“I have a following, and I feel like I’m creative with my content, but I just wanted a push towards the dos and don’ts, and also how I can become more professional in my creativity and branding, as well as dealing with my business ‘Sacrid Beauty.’
“We had good facilitators who helped me out with a lot of things that I was experiencing and that I didn’t know how to deal with.”
Buffalo noted that one of the challenges in building a successful business is dealing with those who may not be overly encouraging of your efforts.
“When I think about those issues, I have sometimes felt like I’m the only one dealing with them,” she said.
“But in the broader perspective, everyone does deal with those things — all the content creators out there,” she said.
“It’s really hard, and it’s mostly hurtful as some of it can come from your community or even someone who you know personally.”
But ultimately, it’s about keeping focused on what matters, she said.
“You have to move forward with what you need to focus on in your own business and with your creativity and make sure you don’t spend your energy and your time in dealing with all of that negativity.
“You also have to put your energy into growing your business, growing your content, and being a better person.”
In terms of her business, Buffalo said the Accelerator training will also help her to become more professional in her presentations.
“I sell accessories, clothing, and make-up, but I also have the workshops that I do as well.
“It’s more of an internal message to each individual who takes the workshop, to make sure that they are comfortable in their skin, and that if they are willing to take on this opportunity of being in the entertainment or social media industries, they have to make sure they also have a tough skin and that they are very secure with themselves.
“Otherwise, you could just spiral down easily. I’ve seen that happen.”
Buffalo also has a heart for youth in her community, and her vision is all about helping them achieve their own goals as they journey into adulthood.
“We want to make sure our youth are secure with themselves, that they know it’s okay to be yourself, and that it’s okay to put yourself out there and talk about what you are feeling,” she explained.
“I don’t think the youth get a lot of credit when they do put their feelings out there. They aren’t being heard, so I want to make sure that they have their voice. And that if they are going to say something, they should say it loud and they should say it proudly. Their voices matter.”
As for her business, Buffalo took an Indigenous management training course which sparked some fresh ideas for forging her path forward.
“I came out with a business plan, goals, and with this whole set-up for the business. And it just kind of took off from there.”
What was once essentially home-based has now grown into a company with international connections.
“Even though I had a following, I still felt like I needed something to push myself. Everyone kept telling me I needed merch, I needed to do this or that, and that I needed to put myself out there more.
“I was a bit hesitant at first because I was like, I have no idea where to start. I didn’t want to just put anything out there, I wanted to make sure that it was a reflection of who I am.”
She launched the Sacrid Beauty website this past January, and doors started to open in a big way.
Buffalo has since been in touch with folks from as far away as Europe and Africa.
“I have all of these people who are interested in my website. It’s amazing!”
TikTok has been and is a significant part of the broadening of her reach, too.
“It’s like a microphone,” she said. “Being an influencer also means carrying myself in a way that I could be a role model to others.”
Looking into 2024, things are rolling right along.
Besides her growing business, she is already booked for workshops in Ontario.
“My workshops are empowering, and I don’t think that I would have been able to do them without TikTok, and the help they have given me with the Accelerator program.”
In the middle of these busy days, Buffalo also knows the importance of taking time to unwind as well.
“Some people want you to be ‘on’ all of the time and it’s not possible to do that,” she said. “You have to make sure that you have your ‘you’ time.”
Finding that balance brings out the best in both worlds.
“I like to stay home and be with my family a lot, but then you have to flip that switch and push on through,” she said.
“I always like to say that everyone has their good days and their bad days. You take the good, and you turn it into great. You can’t focus on the negative; you have to push forward and make sure you are going towards your goals in life.”
