How a Silly Meme Brought Me the Perfect Studio Manager — And What It Taught Me About Authenticity
How Allie Found Her Way to Chicago Boudoir Photography Through a Simple Meme
Sometimes the right people walk into your life in the most unexpected way, and this year that person was Allie — our amazing studio manager here at Chicago Boudoir Photography — who came to me not through a traditional job application, but through a silly, heartfelt meme she posted on Facebook.
When I first read her story, I was struck. Not just because it was funny or clever (it was), but because behind the humor was a woman who had been through nearly two years of rejection and still showed up in the world with honesty, creativity, and heart.
She’d applied to over 500 jobs. Five hundred. She’d optimized, networked, rewritten her résumé a hundred times, done everything the “experts” say to do — and the silence she got in return wore her down. Anyone who’s ever tried to build a new chapter knows that slow erosion of confidence. The job market right now can feel so cold and so impersonal, and hearing her describe the highs and lows of her search honestly made my heart hurt for her.
But then one day, instead of writing another polished, keyword-perfect cover letter… she made a goofy “hire me” meme. A photo of her next to a giant tomato sculpture. Her astrology signs. A dog picture “for tax.” It was everything the career books tell you not to do — and it was the most human, refreshingly authentic thing I’d seen in ages.
She posted it in a Chicago women’s group, and I happened to see it. And in that moment, her personality jumped off the screen. I saw someone who was witty, warm, emotionally intelligent, and brave enough to show up as herself even after 500 rejections. That spoke louder to me than any résumé ever could. (This is exactly why I created our own VIP Group for Empowered Women where women uplift and support other women! I’d love for you to join me!)
So I reached out. And the moment we talked, I knew. She had the exact heart and energy that belongs inside this studio — someone who understands women, who communicates with empathy, and who genuinely wants people to feel cared for. The boudoir world looks like lingerie on the surface, but at its core it’s about trust, emotion, vulnerability, and showing women parts of themselves they’ve forgotten or ignored. Allie understood that intuitively from day one.
One of the most surreal moments for me was when she told me that Business Insider had interviewed her about her job hunt. Seeing her story — the meme, the struggle, the resilience, and even her journey to joining our little studio — shared on a national platform was such a proud-boss moment. She didn’t just land a job; she turned her experience into something that will help thousands of women feel seen, validated, and inspired. Reading her words and seeing Chicago Boudoir Photography mentioned through her eyes made me feel so honored to be part of her story.
What I love most is that even though she isn’t using her degree in library science in the traditional way, she brings those same skills into her role here — gathering information, supporting women with compassion, using language with sensitivity, making women feel welcome long before they walk through my doors. She’s become such an important part of the experience here, and I’m grateful for her every single day.
Her story is also an important reminder, especially for anyone feeling discouraged: authenticity is powerful. People connect with what’s real. You don’t have to be perfect or impressive or “professional” in some rigid, outdated way. You just have to be you. That’s what Allie did — and not only did it open a door for her, it made hundreds of women online cheer for her, celebrate her, and feel inspired by her strength.
I’m so proud of her for sharing her journey publicly, and I’m even more proud that our paths crossed because she trusted her own voice enough to post something honest and silly and true. The universe has a way of taking care of the people who refuse to give up.
I’m incredibly lucky to have her on our team. And I hope her story is a reminder that sometimes the most beautiful opportunities are the ones we don’t plan for — the ones that come when we finally allow ourselves to show up exactly as we are.
Want the complete story? Don’t miss Allie’s full interview in Business Insider, where she shares every step of her journey with honesty, humor, and so much heart.