Orange County's social media stars are taking over your Instagram feed— and are here to inspire their followers one positive post at a time.
Katie Dunlop PHOTO COURTESY OF LOVE SWEAT FITNESS
Katie Dunlop @lovesweatfitness
“After struggling with weight, body image and self-confidence for years, I wanted to create a space where women could not only get incredible resources to take control of their own health and fitness, but connect with other women to share their experiences as well as get support and accountability,” says Katie Dunlop, the founder and CEO of Love Sweat Fitness (lovesweatfitness.com). A certified personal trainer and sports nutrition specialist, Dunlop draws upon her own 45-pound weight loss journey and passion for wellness to help others via her social media accounts and the Love Sweat Fitness mobile app. “I want to create a world where all women feel inspired, empowered and motivated to build strength inside and out so that they can own their bodies, live confidently and be unapologetically themselves,” she shares. After partnering with Tillys to sell her own line of at-home workout products, Dunlop hopes to hit a bull’s-eye in the future with her dream collaborator: Target.
CONTENT SPECIALTY: HEALTH, FITNESS, LIFESTYLE
1.45 MILLION FOLLOWERS
3 K AVERAGE AMOUNT OF LIKES
5 SOCIAL PLATFORMS
Christine Kong PHOTO BY VINCENT ELEJORDE
Christine Kong, @dailykongfidence
An oh-so-stylish wife and mom to three little ones, Christine Kong (dailykongfidence.com) gives her devoted followers a peek into her daily life, from collaborating with designer brands at South Coast Plaza to sharing recipes and beauty products she’s passionate about. “Through Instagram and other social media outlets, I have been able to influence people all over the world via fashion, travel and lifestyle,” says Kong, who looks to Olivia Palermo and Victoria Beckham for style inspiration. “I’ve met so many wonderful people through this journey, and I am immensely grateful for the personal and professional growth I’ve experienced.”
CONTENT SPECIALTY: FASHION, BEAUTY, TRAVEL, FOOD
122K INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS
2,255 INSTAGRAM POSTS
236K MONTHLY PINTEREST VIEWS
Leyla Milani Khoshbin PHOTO BY IRMA LOMIDZE
Leyla Milani Khoshbin, @leylamilani
“I hope I inspire my followers to be kind and dream big,” says Leyla Milani Khoshbin, a philanthropist and entrepreneur who’s built two multimilliondollar haircare and wellness brands, Leyla Milani Hair (leylamilanihair.com) and HAIRtamin (hairtamin.com). “To me, an influencer is someone who has the power and important responsibility to be authentic and truly engage with and inspire her audience.” A wife and mother of two—who also serves as an angel investor for women-owned brands she believes in—Milani Khoshbin does just that by giving her fans a glimpse at everything from family life to beauty secrets to ultraluxury celebrations with her equally stylish girlfriends.
CONTENT SPECIALTY: BEAUTY, FASHION, LIFESTYLE
2 MILLION FOLLOWERS
100K AVERAGE AMOUNT OF LIKES
Manny Khoshbin PHOTO COURTESY OF MANNY KHOSHBIN
Manny Khoshbin, @mannykhoshbin
If you follow Leyla Milani Khoshbin, you’ll surely also see her husband, Manny Khoshbin (mannykhoshbin.com), a self-made real estate mogul who’s built a cult following with his affinity for exotic rides and his mission to encourage others to never give up. “If I can do it, anyone can. I came to the United States at 14, didn’t speak a word of English, had no money, didn’t know my way around and didn’t know anyone else,” he reveals. These days, he loves to share his driving experiences—he’s designed three cars with Hermès and collaborated with Bugatti, Pagani and, most recently, McLaren—plus plenty of real estate hacks. Up next, he’s designing his own car and launching a new tech company in the commercial real estate space.
CONTENT SPECIALTY: MOTIVATION
4 MILLION FOLLOWERS
100K AVERAGE AMOUNT OF LIKES
4 SOCIAL PLATFORMS
Meg McGuire PHOTO COURTESY OF MEG MCGUIRE
Meg McGuire, @magicallymegmcguire
After receiving treatment for an eating disorder and addiction issues, Meg McGuire (magicallymegmcguire.com) found herself wanting to bring fun back to her life. “I had always been a fan of Disney, and with Disneyland in my backyard, I decided to get an annual pass. I started going two to three times per week; I was having a blast and getting all of this great content!” recalls McGuire, who launched her Disney-meets-designer duds Instagram account in February 2019. Since then, she’s organically grown her following and worked with BaubleBar, Stoney Clover Lane, Goldsheep, Ciaté London and more to share their Minnie Mouse-approved goods. “I hope my followers take away happiness, positivity and authenticity,” she shares. “I also hope that they’re inspired by some of my fashion choices and see how touches of Disney can be incorporated in a chic and elegant way.” Think an Hermès Birkin bag with a darling Disney charm and Gucci slides or a Miu Miu top sporting the iconic mice. While she’s focused on finishing her MA in clinical psychology at Pepperdine University this summer, through which she’s studying to become a marriage and family therapist, she’s also pitching a TV show with a fellow Disney lover she met—you guessed it—through Instagram.
CONTENT SPECIALTY: LUXE FASHION WITH DISNEY TOUCHES
25K INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS
1.2K AVERAGE AMOUNT OF LIKES
Heather Rae Young PHOTO BY ANDREA DOMJAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Heather Rae Young, @heatherraeyoung
You may recognize Heather Rae Young from the Netflix smash Selling Sunset, through which she navigates the real estate market with The Oppenheim Group, or as the bride-to-be of Flip or Flop star Tarek El Moussa. Either way, one thing is for sure: The O.C. resident’s star is surely rising. “I’m a true girl’s girl, and I love that I’ve built my platforms to be a welcoming place for all women to come and feel inspired,” she shares. “As someone who has gone through many changes in life, I am a big believer in setting goals, creating a vision and knowing that it’s never too late to change your career, find your soul mate or improve your life. Life gives us so many different chapters, and, for me, I’m writing the best one now in my 30s.” Fans can catch the go-getter out and about in Newport Beach (she and El Moussa are readying to move into a new house on the Peninsula in the coming months) and on the upcoming fourth and fifth seasons of Selling Sunset. The future is bright, indeed.
CONTENT SPECIALTY: FASHION, REAL ESTATE, HOME, WELLNESS
2 MILLION FOLLOWERS
50K AVERAGE AMOUNT OF LIKES
4 SOCIAL PLATFORMS
Photography by:
