Becoming an influencer these days is a competitive game. With over a billion Instagram monthly active users on the social media platform, it would certainly take a great deal to stand out these days. But Monica Landen from @WithRoxy made it.
As for Finnish-born Monica Landén, the opportunity of growing on Instagram came to her somewhat effortlessly. Monica’s creative work is becoming increasingly ubiquitous in both the lifestyle and pet influencer space, having amassed almost 200,000 engaging fans on the account @withroxy—one shared with her dog, Roxy.
She has interestingly combined various topics as an influencer from travel, lifestyle, fashion, and even having a pet into a beautiful storyboard. According to Monica, her greatest inspirations is her sweet dog, Roxy – a gorgeous Husky-German Shepherd mix—whom she’s done an excellent job capturing on their shared Instagram feed.
When Monica went to Los Angeles four years ago, she met her boyfriend, Gabriel M Padilla, who is also in the social media influencer field—owning the account @GabrielMPadilla. Together they settled in LA after over a year traveling the world, and shortly after that, got a dog together, Roxy.
The Roots of @WithRoxy
Any pet owner knows that when you have a pet, you simply cannot resist but to adore every waking moment of your pet. That is exactly what happened to Monica! Getting Roxy is considered one of the happiest days in Monica’s life. All she wanted to do was spend time with her pup and document every adorable moment—and it’s plain to see that this endeavor has turned into a massive success!
To Monica’s pleasant surprise, thousands of people enjoyed the content she posted on their Instagram @WithRoxy! The photographs were not only stunning but very creative as well. Fans would even seek out to Monica to ask for advice on raising a puppy, share their own dog photos and say how inspired they feel looking at @WithRoxy’s photos. After all, it’s not every day you see a gorgeous world-traveling dog all over Instagram!
The best part about Monica’s approach to @WithRoxy is scheduling photoshoots dependent on Roxy’s mood. Because Roxy’s wellbeing has always been Monica’s main priority, she would always make sure Roxy is spoiled with all her favorite toys and treats during any photoshoot, and also simply would not force taking photos if Roxy isn’t feeling up for it at the time. Monica does everything on Roxy’s terms to make sure every moment is enjoyable for her even if Roxy doesn’t understand why they’re doing it. This way, Monica ensures that their photos are glowing with positive energy which is plain to see!
Monica’s Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Monica Landén’s passion for photography has enabled the outstanding quality of the photos she posts. She tries to practice photography every day, turning a passionate hobby into a profession.
She shares the same advice to young entrepreneurs that she applies to herself. According to Monica, it’s best to start on a small scale, and slowly increase your pace over time. Similar to her habits, taking photos on a daily basis can help improve your photography skills. She also advises to watch plenty of YouTube tutorials, so that one can learn from others that are already successful. The most important tip according to Monica, is to maintain your own personal style and aesthetic while taking key points from those who inspire you.
This makes it clear how Monica was able to set herself apart from the many existing pet influencers. Besides @WithRoxy’s incredibly unique aesthetic, the page is more than just exquisite or comedic photos of Roxy. Rather, Monica has pursued an exceptional angle by portraying the special bond between her and Roxy. Their Instagram page @WithRoxy tells a beautiful story of a family and their travel adventures together. It is not only relatable to many pet owners out there, but also incredibly inspirational!
With all of the tips she shared, no one has an excuse not to pursue their dreams of making it on Instagram!
To follow their journey, check their inspirational Instagram accounts:
