Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Raphael.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started my Instagram account for accountability purposes as I signed up for my first Tone It Up challenge and became a nutrition program member (original name was morgmoves_tiu). I loved connecting with the community as well as the level of creativity having this platform allowed. I was in awe of the aesthetic of so many fellow TIU girls and felt inspired by the bloggers I followed as well. I was learning so much about nutrition, fitness and general health and wellness just from the sheer exposure of it. I did recognize, however, how so many bloggers seemed to live with unattainable standards for a 20-something like myself.
That’s when the advertising agency I was working at offered a program called LEAPS with a company called the Experience Institute. The concept was built on the principle that you learn for the first 21+ years of your life, and then never again. It was the chance to put fuel behind that passion project with the support of fellow colleagues. As soon as I committed, I was so fixated on the blog that I couldn’t really think of much else. My mind spiraled until I found the perfect idea. Bun Undone: For When Life and Your Bun Gets Messy.
Fashion bloggers post outfits worth hundreds or thousands, and some health bloggers post recipes with their own ground up spices or matcha with 10+ adaptogens. Both of these lifestyles are unattainable to most, so I strived to be the relatable voice in this world of wellness. My goal was/is to encourage embracing our insecurities and imperfections, laughing, and “letting our buns loose” without comparing ourselves to what we view every day on social media. My mission remains the same as its inception: to inspire and instill positivity and confidence during your individual wellness journey by providing tips, tricks, and personal anecdotes.
Has it been a smooth road?
There have definitely been some bumps in the road! When you decide on committing 100% of your heart into something, you’re always going to find areas that could improve and ways you can evolve. As a perfectionist, I’ve had to let go of some of those expectations and just do what serves me. In the beginning, I thought I HAD to write 1 post per week and 1 per day on Instagram, or HAD to go to every event. I thought missing one event would be a missed opportunity for networking, or if I didn’t write or post consistently my followers would stop engaging. We’re always our toughest critics, so my advice is to just be patient. It takes time to grow a following, find your footing, and figure out your point of difference or niche as a blogger. You are creating your own path, so do what’s feasible for you within your busy schedule, and only do what makes you happy. Your followers want to know what you like, so there’s no reason to force yourself into things that don’t serve you. I also recommend disconnecting from social media once and a while (i.e. at a certain time per night). I find that when I’m too deeply rooted in it for the day, those are the days I have the hardest time. Time away from your phone will fuel creativity and relieve stress – which will end up benefitting you majorly!
We’d love to hear more about Bun Undone.
I like to think of my “work” in two ways. One is the blog, which is my passion project turned into work (truly a dream come true). I also work as a social media consultant and an Influencer relations manager, where I specialize in social media and building programs that I know I would enjoy as a blogger myself. By bringing together my personal experiences and marketing knowledge, I hope to make a difference in the corporate world and help the brands I work with evolve.
For Bun Undone, I am hoping to someday get a holistic nutrition certification, but in the meantime, I specialize in relatable tips, tricks, and recipes for a health-filled life. My goal is to always provide positivity, inspiration and approachable motivation for my followers. I also seek to bring the Chicago wellness community together through seasonal events. I am so grateful for this city, and how its welcomed me with open arms (I moved here 2.5 years ago) and the community is filled with such uplifting, supporting people who have made Chicago truly feel like home. It’s also a great opportunity to showcase and share the brands and local businesses I love. I look forward to hosting many more of these!
Which women have inspired you in your life?
Yes, definitely! For apps, I recommend Lightroom, Snapseed, and Vsco for photo editing. I love Unfold to make beautiful Instagram stories. The Tone It Up Studio app is AMAZING for daily workouts that can truly be accomplished anywhere. There’s even a chat to engage with the community, which I love.
My favorite podcasts are The Skinny Confidential, His and Hers with Claire Guentz, Soul on Fire by the Balanced Blonde and IGNTD by Sofie Jaffe. I also love The Morning Toast for some fun, pop culture updates. It’s a great break from seriousness!
My favorite books (that I’m currently reading) are Body Love by Kelly Leveque – I am learning SO much from this and Balanced and Beautiful from Karena Dawn and Katrina Scott, the Tone It Up founders.
Contact Info:
- Website: bunundone.com
- Email: bunundone@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/bun_undone
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bunundone
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bun_Undone
Image Credit:
Paige Babilla (@paigebabilla on Instagram), Chicago Corporate Photo (@chicagophotovideo), The dark yoga room is Garrett Roth (@garrettroth)
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
