How Lisa Wei Turned Her Passion for Travelling To Paid Campaigns Around The World
Jan. 20 2024, Published 5:11 p.m. ET
Content creators around the world are turning their passion towards travelling into paid vacation and Lisa Wei is no different.
Lisa converted her Instagram from a personal account in 2017 and set the intention to grow the account as a content creator. Initially, her dream was to travel the world and she even named her username “getawei” as a play on words to her last name, Wei.
She used the opportunity in 2017 as a student on exchange in Milan, Italy as she travelled all throughout Europe in 6 months.
Initially wanting for it to be a travel Instagram, Lisa quickly realized this dream wasn’t sustainable as reality hit and she had to enter the corporate world post graduation to pay for her student loans.
Her dream was not forgotten, as she continued to pursue her work on Instagram and YouTube after her 9-5 job. She called it her “5-9 job”. Eventually, in 2021, she quit her job in the largest telecommunications company in Canada to pursue a full-time career as a content creator. When asked what made her do it, she said it took months of saving and earning, and eventually when her earnings from her “side-hustle” overpowered her corporate job, she knew it was time.
Fast forward 2024, Lisa was able to fulfill her initial dreams of becoming a travel and fashion influencer as she has worked with many big brands such as Air Transat, who sent her to one of their most luxurious resorts in Playa Del Carmen at the Grand Velas Riviera Maya Resort.
There she was able to experience world renowned amenities, including the SE Spa which has earned a 5-Star accolade from the Forbes Travel Guide. It is1 of 6 in Mexico to achieve this.
Air Transat has since hired Lisa again for their European travel promotions in Europe in May and June. As someone who has always travelled with Air Transat, this has been a dream come true to work with such a renowned Canadian travel brand.
Today, we often hear about how certain rare individuals leave their careers behind and succeed as content creators. The idea appeals to many trapped in unfulfilling careers or simply dreaming about stepping out and sharing their unique ideas and talents. However, only some people have the courage, persistence, and skills to make this dream a reality. Lisa Wei is one of those rare people who has done just that.
Growing up with parents who wanted her to enter corporate life, Lisa completed one year of Ryerson's fashion program in one summer and then enrolled in a business program. After graduating, this Asian-Canadian realized her parents' dream and took a job in the corporate world at one of the largest telecommunications firms in Canada. She worked there for two years and seemed well on her way to a successful career.
Today, she is one of the most successful influencers in the fashion industry. She has worked on a paid basis for companies such as Meta, Ray-Ban, Burberry, Mejuri, Blue Jays, Perrier, Amazon Prime, Dove, Crest, Olay, Tresemme, Herbal Essences, and Bobbi brown. Her sales guides drove six-digit revenues for major brands during Black Friday. She was flown to Miami to represent META and Ray-Ban at Art Basel, and she was the keynote speaker for Mejuri influencers, where she coached her audience on affiliate marketing.
While the appeal of her content is broad, her primary target audience is East Asians or individuals with mono-lids or low-nose bridges. These physical traits produce a particular eye shape unique to this group. This shape requires different techniques for applying makeup, and Lisa's makeup routines on YouTube and TikTok have made her one of the go-to people for mono-lid makeup for East Asians.
Having emerged as a leading influencer today, Lisa hopes to start her podcast again, continue building confidence in women, and achieve even greater success.