An Interview With Karen Mangia
Be authentic. My most viral content is usually me being myself, like my satirical morning routine series that blew up.
Be consistent. I post even when I don’t feel like it. That’s how I rebuilt my platform after setbacks.
Tell stories. Whether funny, emotional, or motivational, stories stick.
Engage back. I reply to comments and DMs, and I talk to my followers like they’re friends.
Collaborate with like-minded creators. Partnering with people who share similar energy or values introduces you to new audiences and helps you grow together.
We often use the term “Influencers” to describe people with significant social media followings on platforms like Instagram, Twitter TikTok, Youtube, Linkedin and Facebook. Influencers have become today’s media titans, sought after for everything from product placements to timely trends. What’s the difference between influence and impact? Fans and followers? Sizzle versus staying power? In this interview series, called, “How To Cultivate Community In A Click to Connect World” we are talking to influencers about how they define success and what we all need to discover about the true nature of influence.
As a part of this series I had the pleasure of interviewing Ayumi Moore, Social Media and Content Strategy Manager at BrandBomb PR.
Ayumi Moore is a powerhouse digital strategist, decorated U.S. Army combat veteran, and one of the most versatile content creators in the game today. Born in Tokyo and raised in Las Vegas, Ayumi holds two science degrees and has spent years studying psychology and marketing to gain a deep understanding of what drives people to engage, click, and convert.
With over 1 million followers across various platforms, Ayumi has turned her passion for storytelling into a seven-figure career, collaborating with hundreds of Fortune 500 brands and appearing in national campaigns and TV commercials for notable clients such as Cox Communications, Beaches Resort, and Hallmark. She’s graced red carpets, hosted high-profile Las Vegas events, led panels, and been featured in outlets like WOW Magazine, Vegas Vibe and a podcast spotlighted by Forbes.
A natural-born communicator and mentor, Ayumi has helped fellow creators grow audiences of 100K+ and now brings that same expertise to brands and businesses ready to scale. Whether it’s launching viral campaigns, refining brand voice, day-to-day management or building strategy that converts, Ayumi is on a mission to elevate brands through powerful, personality-driven social media.
Thank you for making time to visit with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. How did you discover your career path and what got you to where you are today?
My career path was actually very intentional. About eight years ago, a friend of mine who has a teenage daughter suggested I should become a content creator or YouTuber. She told me, “If these teenagers can do it, you definitely can,” and that sparked something in me. From that moment, I made content creation my number one goal.
At the same time, I was practical. I went to school, graduated, and became a dental hygienist, so I had a career to fall back on. But deep down, I knew creating was where I belonged. I pursued social media full force, and over time it became not just a passion but my career. That decision to bet on myself is what got me here today.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned along the way that influences how you operate now?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to stay authentic to myself, no matter what. When things aren’t going the way I want whether it’s low views or negative comments it’s tempting to change who you are or hold back on what you really believe. But I’ve learned not to let backlash or numbers scare me into silence. I remind myself that authenticity lasts longer than trends, and if I stay true, the right audience will connect with me.
How are you using your platform to make a positive social impact?
I use my platform to be real about life, not just the highlight reel. I’ve had a lot of obstacles, from getting divorced, being a single mother to living with a learning disability to being neurodivergent. Life has given me ups and downs, but I’ve kept going, and I want my audience to see that resilience. I also remind people that social media is for entertainment, it’s not real life. If sharing my journey helps someone feel less alone or inspires them to keep pushing through, then I know I’m making a positive impact.
What words of advice would you offer to aspiring influencers?
Consistency beats virality. Everyone wants the million-view video, but real influence comes from showing up again and again until people trust you. And above all, you have to be authentic. If you’re true to yourself, you’ll naturally build a community that loves you for you.
How do you define success for yourself now?
Success used to mean numbers of followers, views, income. Now, it means freedom. Freedom to choose how I spend my time, freedom to build businesses that reflect my vision, and freedom to create a wonderful future for my kids. It also means being able to help others along the way. For me, success is about impact and legacy, not just metrics.
What are your strategies to make room for who and what matters most?
Boundaries. I protect my time and energy, and I don’t feel guilty about it. Family time is family time. Business time is business time. I’ve learned that when you say “no” to one thing, you’re really saying “yes” to what matters most.
How do you reduce or mitigate stress?
I walk. I vent. I laugh. Moving my body clears my head, and humor is my natural stress relief. Sometimes I just need to step away from the screen, take a deep breath, and not take everything so seriously.
I’m going to try a few of your tips, and I’m hopeful our readers will, too. Now it’s time for the big reveal — the moment our readers have been anticipating. What are your “five strategies to cultivate a large & engaged social media community?’ Please share a story or example for each.
- Be authentic. My most viral content is usually me being myself, like my satirical morning routine series that blew up.
- Be consistent. I post even when I don’t feel like it. That’s how I rebuilt my platform after setbacks.
- Tell stories. Whether funny, emotional, or motivational, stories stick.
- Engage back. I reply to comments and DMs, and I talk to my followers like they’re friends.
- Collaborate with like-minded creators. Partnering with people who share similar energy or values introduces you to new audiences and helps you grow together.
What do you do to create a greater sense of connection and community among your fans?
I’m transparent with my followers. I don’t just share the highlights, I share the struggles, the transitions, and the real-life challenges too. My goal is to inspire people by showing them that no matter what you’re going through, you can rebuild and start fresh. That honesty is what makes people feel connected, because they see themselves in my story.
If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?
I’d inspire a movement around rebuilding. I’ve had high highs and low lows, and what I know for sure is you can always start over. I’d want people to stop being ashamed of restarting and instead wear it like a badge of strength.
If you could have a private breakfast or lunch with anyone, who would it be and why?
Kris Jenner. She’s the definition of a powerhouse businesswoman. I really admire the way she built her family into a global brand and turned influence into multiple businesses. I’d love to sit down with her and talk about strategy. She’s someone who really understands how to turn attention into an empire.
What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?
You can find me on Instagram at @AyumiOfficial, on TikTok at @Ayumi.more, and on my golf page @BlasianOnTheGreen for my golf journey. I also share tips for creators who want to grow their own platforms. Follow @brandbombpr on Instagram too to see all the fun content and client wins we are pumping out!
Thank you for these thought provoking insights. Here’s to your continued success!
Ayumi Moore Of BrandBomb PR On How To Build A Large, Loyal, & Engaged Social Media Community was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.