Achieng Agutu, or perhaps known as the “confidence queen”, is a model and digital content creator who has created a positive platform across social media channels. Spreading words of motivation, daily affirmations, self-love, and fearlessness, she has garnered a loyal fanbase of followers who see themselves in her.
Born and raised in Kenya, Achieng moved to Indiana at the age of 16, living with a host family to complete high school. While studying at Goshen College, and later at Hult International Business School, she found herself unrepresented in classrooms as the only Black student in many of her courses. Out of a necessity, she started doing little things in the mornings to hype herself up — and began documenting the process online. As people began resonating with her content, she embraced her influence and became a symbol of inclusivity, positivity, and self-confidence.
Now in New York City, Agutu continues to showcase the inclusivity of Black, plus-size women in the luxury fashion and beauty industries. Taking her digital platform into physical events, she is planning a confidence tour where like-minded guests will join her in conquering the world.
We had the pleasure of speaking with Achieng Agutu about her early influences, the development of her platform, and what’s next.
Read the interview…
Who and what influences you?
Black women! I am inspired every single day by the softness, the creative nature, the power and the very essence that is black women.
How did you first discover your talent for Digital content?
I wouldn’t say discover; it sorts of just fell into my path. I started sharing my affinity for life on social media in 2017 and was just doing it for fun. And when the pandemic happened in 2020, I was looking for more community and was wanting to share my journey of self-love and self-confidence with more than just my therapist and myself so I took to posting on my Instagram. It happened to resonate with people and their journeys and that’s how it took off!
How was the experience of moving from Kenya to Indiana, US to live with a host family?
Shocking…you know anything that is different from your norms and everyday life can be hard to adjust to. I missed my family, my friends, the food, the sun, the warmth of culture, everything was just different. But it was needed, I needed to be in a space to really flourish and explore my potential and my voice and even though the move was hard at first I am so grateful that I took the leap of faith and took the 26hr flight from Nairobi Kenya to Indianapolis, Indiana.
Do you think it had an impact on your decisions with your career?
Absolutely! The connections I have made because of being here, the resources and opportunity I have gotten would not have happened if I never made that move. I honestly would have not really found my true voice in the way that I have.
How did you first start building a following?
On top of being consistent with posting content, I realized that people wanted to see more than just cute/aesthetic pictures. They wanted to see content that made them feel something. And when I started posting more of myself being more authentic to myself online, that is when I was able to really start building my core audience.
How would you describe what you do to someone who doesn’t understand it?
I am a confidence advocate and a plus size model, with social/digital platforms that I use to empower, inspire and motivate the women of our generation and beyond to not only live their best lives but also love themselves, their bodies and embrace their true selves.
Your content is often about positivity and confidence, why are they factors that you are keen to share your thoughts about?
You know, there is already so much negativity going on in the world and so if I can do something small to make it just a tad bit better then that’s all that matters.
What advice would you give to aspiring young people who want to follow in your footsteps?
Just do it! Just start! Don’t wait for motivation, don’t wait for the sign, don’t wait for the friend! Just do it! There is a higher version of you waiting on the other end of that risk you are too afraid to take. It takes small steps but you will get there.
What have been the highlights of your journey to this point?
Ohhhhh can I say everything?? Because honestly this journey has been phenomenal, from working with my dream brands like Valentino and Lancome, to meeting people who inspire me like Lizzo, to hitting my $1M revenue goal in my first year of full time influencing! The list is endless and I am truly grateful and very blessed.
What projects are you working on at the moment?
My podcast!! Called the Queen’s Archives! I am so very excited for it to get launched and for the world to hear it and experience more of this energy on a different form of media!
What do you want to achieve in your career?
Everything! Like life is too short for me to limit myself to just wanting to achieve one thing. The versatility and ever-changing nature of this industry makes it a little difficult to pinpoint one thing. I want to achieve everything possible!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I definitely want to move beyond the digital walls of Instagram and TikTok and really start creating more in person experiences for my community! Whether that is confidence retreats, or conferences I want to do it!