In an exclusive interview with Astitva Tripathi, Cassandra McClure shares her journey from a young model to a renowned brand strategist and event producer, offering deep insights into her experiences in blending entrepreneurship with influencing.
When asked about the inspiration behind combining entrepreneurship with influencing, McClure said, “Combining entrepreneurship with influencing felt like a natural progression for me. It wasn’t just about growing a following—it was about creating a community that shares my passion for cleaner living and empowering women-led businesses. The pivotal moment came when I realized that my voice could be a powerful tool not just for promoting beauty products or makeup artistry but for educating and inspiring others. As a brand strategist and event producer, I wanted to lead by example, showing that you can build a business rooted in values that resonate deeply with people. My podcast *Clean Beauty* gave me a literal voice and cultivated a community that I didn’t intentionally mean to create, but it became a cornerstone of my mission to support and uplift female-led emerging brands.”
On the topic of her entrepreneurial beginnings, McClure reflected, “My entrepreneurial journey began at 14 in Seattle, where I started modeling and organizing my own photoshoots and sharing them on MySpace (Instagram and Facebook didn’t exist yet!). This early experience led me to Los Angeles, where I expanded my creative horizons by acting, modeling, and working on the sets of music videos for artists like Tyga, Kreayshawn, and Five Iron Frenzy. These experiences in LA deeply inspired me, showing me the power of storytelling and the impact of visual media. As I transitioned into a brand strategist and event producer, sharing my journey online became a way to connect with others who were inspired by the same creative energy and to demonstrate that you can build a career that blends different passions and talents into something uniquely yours—something that not only promotes but also empowers and supports female-led emerging companies.”
Discussing her first business venture, McClure shared, “My first real business venture was as a makeup artist, where I created a mobile styling business in L.A. called ‘The Bella Look.’ This was way before mobile makeup services were common. I was so passionate about it that I was willing to pay to work, which is how I knew it was more than just a job—it was a real passion. The name ‘Bella’ means beautiful, and it embodied everything I wanted to create for my clients. This venture led me to work on the sets of music videos, weddings, and model shoots. It taught me that true entrepreneurship is about creating something from nothing, learning as you go, and pouring your heart into your work. As a brand strategist today, I draw on those early experiences to guide and support emerging female-led brands, helping them navigate their own paths with the same passion and dedication.”
When asked to share a defining moment in her career, McClure revealed, “A defining moment in my career was when I was signed with a model agency in Dubai. It was a pivotal time where I wasn’t just seen as a model but also recognized as a makeup artist with a unique vision. One of the first shoots I did was for Bvlgari, and I was paid close to $1000, which was a significant amount 10 years ago. This experience made me feel like I was finally being taken seriously and that I could make a living doing what I love. I also became a key artist to Rym Ghazali, a famous Arabic actress from Algeria, on the show *Jet Set*. This experience solidified my belief that I could combine different creative talents to set myself apart from others. It impacted my path by giving me the confidence to take on larger, more complex projects like producing my own events where I could fully express my vision and influence. As a brand strategist and event producer, this moment marked the beginning of my journey into creating spaces where female-led brands could thrive and make their mark.”
Addressing the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship and influence, McClure said, “The biggest challenge has been balancing the demands of event production with maintaining a consistent online presence. Events require so much behind-the-scenes work that it can be hard to find time to engage with my audience. It’s a delicate balance, especially when you’re involved in every aspect of the event production process as I am, from the strategy to the execution. I overcame this by integrating my online content with my events—live streaming, sharing behind-the-scenes footage, and involving my audience in the event planning process with the help of my assistant and team. This way, my online presence and event production efforts complement each other rather than compete. By doing this, I’ve been able to build a cohesive brand that thrives both online and offline, ensuring that the brands I work with receive the exposure and support they need to succeed.”
One of McClure’s proudest achievements in her entrepreneurial journey is evolving from organizing photoshoots to producing large-scale events. She expressed, “One of my proudest achievements is evolving from those early days of organizing photoshoots as a teenager to producing large-scale events like my first event for the Clean Beauty community, which was featured in *Forbes*. I was so happy to receive that kind of recognition—I cried tears of joy. These events have since transformed into the Clean Living Founder Collective, which has become a hallmark of my brand. This evolution has significantly boosted my online presence with monthly online and in-person events as well as my famous Bay Area styled shoots with Nat Visualz. These efforts allow our team to create and share content that’s not only visually compelling but also deeply meaningful and impactful for emerging brands. This achievement has reinforced my reputation as a leader in the clean living space, helped me build a dedicated community around my brand, and empowered other women to grow their own businesses along the way.”
McClure maintains her personal brand by ensuring alignment with her values. She emphasized, “I maintain my brand by ensuring that every event I produce and every company I work with is a true reflection of my values—clean living, empowerment, and community. For example, you won’t see me working with a company that uses plastic water bottles because it doesn’t align with my commitment to sustainability and health, which is how I’ve had featured on Fox News and CBS. What also differentiates me is the immersive and transformative nature of the events I host. I make it a point not to cheapen myself or the brands I work with by sharing discount codes and affiliate links. I’m not selling anything—if you hear me talk about a product, it’s because I genuinely love it, not because I’m getting paid to promote it. I’m not just organizing gatherings; I’m creating experiences that leave a lasting impact on everyone involved. This focus on creating meaningful connections and experiences is what sets me apart in the industry, especially as a brand strategist dedicated to elevating female-led emerging companies.”
On the subject of content authenticity, McClure highlighted, “Authenticity is key, especially when it comes to events. I ensure my content is authentic by sharing real stories and testimonials from event participants, highlighting the genuine connections and learning experiences that happen. I also make sure that the brands and products featured at my events align with my values, so when I promote them online, it’s a natural extension of what I’m passionate about. As a brand strategist, I involve my audience in the creative process, sharing not just the polished end result but also the journey of bringing it to life. This transparency helps keep my content real and relatable, allowing my audience to feel connected to both the process and the purpose behind each event.”
When discussing how she monetizes her influence while staying true to her entrepreneurial values, McClure stated, “Monetization for me often comes through event sponsorships and partnerships. I’ve had the privilege of partnering with some of my favorite brands for almost a decade—companies like Innersense Organic Beauty, Codex Labs Corp, and Juice Beauty—because they align with my commitment to sustainability, whether it’s through being local, USA-made, or vegan. I’m very selective about who I work with, ensuring that any brand involved in my events shares my commitment to clean living and ethical practices. As a brand strategist, it’s crucial for me to maintain the integrity of my brand and the trust I’ve built with my community, which is why I only collaborate with brands that align with these values. This way, I can monetize my influence while creating value and staying true to my core beliefs.”
Finally, when talking about criteria she uses to decide on brand partnerships or collaborations, especially when they intersect with her business, she said, “When it comes to brand partnerships for events, my criteria are strict, as I approach everything from the perspective of a brand strategist and my work always receives a ton of media attention. I work directly with founders and their teams to ensure clear communication and alignment on goals. The brand must align with my clean living values, offer high-quality and high-performing products, be ethically made, and be committed to sustainability. I also consider how the brand and/or founder will contribute to the overall experience of the event—will it add real value to the attendees and community? If the answer is yes, then it’s a partnership worth pursuing. This approach ensures that every collaboration is meaningful and enhances the overall impact of the events I produce, ultimately supporting and elevating female-led emerging companies.”
Cassandra McClure’s success story is quite inspiring and a clear testament that passion, combined with perseverance and determination, is indeed the key to success. Her capability to blend entrepreneurship with influence shows that apart from creating a niche for her, she has also cleared the way for others as well. Carrying on helping and inspiring people in beauty industry, she is an example of the fact that every dream can come true if you aim high and work hard.
