Setting up the camera, preparing the lights and designing the background is what goes into making videos that focus on makeup, hair and publicizing someone’s life on YouTube. Girls all over the world have created channels associated with beauty. Some have almost become famous and have contracts with Seventeen Magazine. Most teenagers think of YouTube as a place to go for a laugh, but for freshman Rylee Brown, YouTube is a source of income, a place to share your life and a good source of fun.
Rylee has had a channel since 7th grade. She doesn’t post the embarrassing videos of talking to dogs in a funny voice. She explores the world of beauty. Some girls may call her a “Beauty Guru,” but Rylee chooses not to go by that simply because that isn’t what her channel is about.
“YouTube is very ironic because I’m a very shy person,” Rylee said. “It gives me an outlet and an escape from the real world. I get to talk about things I love and share my talent with other girls that could be half-way across the world.”
Rylee is known as ‘16rybread’ on YouTube, and her hobby that started in 7th grade has grown to be something that affects her everyday lifestyle.
“She seems to think big picture,” Rylee’s mom Peggy Brown said. “She was able to monetize her site very quickly, and so she became the youngest entrepreneur in our family at 13.”
Rylee has almost 200 subscribers to her channel. They give positive advice and motivation to keep her making videos.
“I believe every YouTube user cherishes their fan base,” Rylee said. “I’m not looking for the fame or the positive comments saying ‘You’re so pretty Rylee’; it’s just nice to know that people take the time out of their days to watch something I’ve spent a lot of time on.”
Starting a channel at the age of 13 is something that could be considered very risky in today’s society, with online bullying and not knowing who is actually watching the videos.
“I knew I could monitor my daughter’s actions when she is involved in a very public activity,” Peggy said. “Rylee is a very mature 15 year old. She knows what is right and wrong, but I like how I can make sure she is keeping her videos general when it comes to personal details.”
Starting a YouTube channel can potentially lead to becoming an entrepreneur, because Google pays users when a viewer clicks on an advertisement. Rylee signed up her channel as a partner, which allowed her to make money off of advertisements. A check is sent to her once she makes over $100.
“I think it’s really cool that Rylee can make money from doing what she loves,” freshman Brooke Dennin said. “Everyone should love their job. Sadly, that’s not the case for a lot of people. It’s amazing to see that Rylee has made her own channel and also gets paid doing what she loves.”
Not only is Rylee fortunate enough to get paid for doing what she loves, but she also has the support of her friends and family. Rylee doesn’t have a set goal for a specific number of subscribers or for the amount of money she makes. Sharing her talent, ideas and style is Rylee’s ultimate goal for her YouTube channel.
“Rylee was born with a natural confidence,” Peggy said. “These videos have helped her gain that much more. To make a video and put it into the world and have people tell you they like what you did is a remarkable thing.”
