Gabriel Salcedo: You have a very unique story that you shared with me about how you moved here with only a few dollars in your pocket. For those who may not be familiar with your journey, could you share that story and the challenges you faced along the way?

Kornelija Slunjski: I was always drawn to life in the USA, specifically New York. I assume TV glamorized it for me, so I came to the USA when I was 22 as part of an exchange program while studying journalism. I literally came here from Croatia with $1,000 and two suitcases. The visa I obtained only allowed work in the hospitality space, so I worked in restaurants as a waitress, bartender, hostess, etc. I was never afraid of hard work—I was just happy to have the opportunity, and I thrived in the city. I’m grateful for my restaurant jobs because they really prepared me for “real-life problems”—dealing with different personalities, complaints, working long hours, and so on.

At the same time, I was always passionate about the beauty world. I did some modeling back home, and that’s where I began learning about fashion, beauty, and backstage life. I was drawn to makeup artistry and did everything I could to immerse myself in that world. I walked around talent agencies, offering to assist well-known makeup artists, and eventually, I got my foot in the door. I became a full-on beauty blogger and makeup artist for 3-4 years before the pandemic hit. With the world shutting down, I had a lot of time to reflect. Around the same time, I was getting booked for jobs in Miami (since NYC was very shut down), so I flew down frequently and eventually decided to start over at 29 by moving to Miami. My life completely changed here—I started taking care of myself, my mental health, and viewing the world through a new lens. This also led to me shifting my content from beauty to dating, lifestyle, and mindset.

Gabriel Salcedo: Your content emphasizes women’s empowerment and raising personal standards. How do you balance this message of empowerment with maintaining authenticity, especially in a world where social media often promotes unrealistic ideals?

Kornelija Slunjski: The only way I know how to be is authentic. My entire life, people have told me I could never be a poker player because you can see everything I’m thinking and feeling right on my face. One of the most important aspects of empowering women is encouraging them to be their authentic selves, step into their power, and build their confidence. Confidence is a choice, like everything else in life. It’s a skill you need to work on and develop every day by taking action. Nobody was brought into this world to just “not bother others too much”—we’ve just been shamed into thinking that way, and shamed into having high standards.

It’s not easy to get in touch with your true self, especially with all the distractions and comparisons on social media. You might feel pressured to follow everyone else’s timeline and want the same things as others—like getting married and having kids by a certain age. Through my content, I aim to inspire women to pursue their dreams, despite the naysayers and obstacles along the way. As long as your intentions are positive and you believe you can handle whatever comes your way, you’re already halfway there.

Gabriel Salcedo: With your podcast and social media platforms, you’ve built a strong and supportive community. What do you believe is the key to fostering genuine connections with your audience, especially in such a digital age?

Kornelija Slunjski: If you want to build a strong and engaged audience, you really need to care about the people who follow you. I truly care about mine, and I respond to as many DMs and comments as I can. They send me screenshots of text conversations, and I help them figure out how to reply. When I first started consuming social media, I remember how special it felt when someone I followed responded to my DMs. That’s what I aim to do with my audience. You have to give back if you want them to stick around—social media isn’t just about taking and enjoying the benefits.

Sure, there are a lot of “cold creators” who just post for views or brand deals, but that doesn’t last long. You can always feel when someone genuinely cares about their audience. Every Tuesday for the past three years, I’ve been answering “What Would Koko Do?” questions on my IG story, which has become one of the best days on my socials. It’s almost like a huge group chat where I help my girls figure out tricky situations.

Gabriel Salcedo: You’ve spoken about the challenges of entrepreneurship and the importance of taking time for self-care. What are some specific practices you use to manage the pressures of running your own business while also taking care of your mental and physical well-being?

Kornelija Slunjski: When you’re living and breathing your business, it’s hard to always maintain that work-life balance. I feel like I’m still in the building phase of my life, and I want to give my all to my business—kind of like that saying, "strike while the iron is hot." I usually wake up around 6:30, go through my self-care rituals, and start working around 10 a.m. after my workout, shower, and breakfast. My self-care non-negotiables are my workouts, whether it’s a HIIT class, long walks, or hitting the gym in my building. Weekends are my recharge time, and I rarely make plans because I like to spend them at home with my partner and our puppy. He’s also an entrepreneur, which really helps because he understands that sometimes I just need to unplug and recharge. On weekends, we even do “No Phone Days” occasionally. I’m also trying to cut down on events and social outings, which is a big change for me, as I used to be a social butterfly. But to have the energy for my business, I have to be very mindful of how I spend my time. I have to be honest, I’ve fallen off my meditation game, but I try to do it at least once a week now. I used to do it daily, but with self-care, if it starts feeling like a chore or something to just check off a list, it’s not really working for you. There’s always room to change and reevaluate, but it's a tool that’s available to you whenever you need it. I’m very into skincare, massages, and facials, so I try to fit them in as often as possible. Also, I’m very strict about not using my phone or talking about work before 9 a.m.—since most of my work is on my phone, that time is off-limits for me.

Gabriel Salcedo: As someone who resonates deeply with the idea of empowerment and self-expression, how do you feel when you wear pieces from Gabriel Salcedo? In what ways do you see yourself aligning with the brand’s vision, and how does the clothing reflect your personal journey?

Kornelija Slunjski: I used to struggle with fashion a lot. I tried following trends, wearing crazy patterns, flowy florals, and what all the other girls were wearing, but it never felt authentic. I feel the most like myself in pieces that don’t try too hard. When I wear Gabriel Salcedo, I feel put together without overthinking it. The designs are clean, strong, and fit any situation, which is exactly how I like to present myself. I love a structured piece, and I really connect with how the brand combines structure with ease. It fits my vibe of wanting to feel confident and capable without the need for flashy pieces. The attention to detail is immaculate and was one of the first things I noticed when visiting the showroom for the first time. Every piece has a story and a reason for being there.Another huge component for me is quality over quantity. As I get older, I just want pieces in my closet that speak to me and represent where I am in life.

Gabriel Salcedo: As you reflect on your career and the influence you’ve had, what is the legacy you hope to leave behind? How do you envision impacting future generations, and in what ways do you want your work to continue resonating with people after you’re gone?

Kornelija Slunjski: When I think about the legacy I want to leave behind, it’s really about empowering people, especially women, to embrace their true selves and live authentically. I want to show that it’s okay to go against the grain, to stop following trends or living up to others' expectations, and instead, to define success and happiness on your own terms. If my work can inspire someone to raise their standards, take ownership of their life, and feel confident in their choices, then I’ve done my job. 

I hope that future generations see my journey as a reminder that it’s okay to start over, take risks, and keep evolving. My story isn’t just about lifestyle or content creation—it’s about self-expression, personal growth, and resilience. I want my work to continue resonating with people because it’s rooted in real experiences, real struggles, and real triumphs. I hope that in the future, people feel motivated to pursue their own paths and trust that they are enough as they are. We all need to believe in ourselves a little bit more. 

Discover more about Kornelija Slunjski by following her journey on instagram @kokoBeaute and visiting her website at https://boujeebestie.com