A woman from the island who rose to fame as a teenager online has been recognised in a global business magazine.
Beckii Flint was named in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2021 for her work in media and marketing sector.
The 25-year-old co-founded London-based influencer marketing agency Pepper Studio along with Alice Jones, 28, in 2019.
Beckii shot to online stardom in Japan at the age of 14 after she uploaded a video to YouTube of herself dancing to ’Danjo’ by Taro in 2008.
Nowadays the former Ramsey resident works for clients such as GoCompare, MasterChef and Cineworld. Recently she worked with Bodyform, promoting women’s health education with a spotlight on endometriosis, menopause, fertility issues and sexual health.
Beckii said she’s honoured to have been named on the list.
’It’s such a huge honour, especially for someone from the Isle of Man and when you’re working for yourself, there’s not many people above you to say "well done" or anything like that, so it’s nice to have a sense of achievement and it’s very special.
’We’ve been running for just over two years now and based in London with Alice and Joe Friend, who didn’t make it on the list as he’s over 30.’
Beckii said that her experience as an internet star has helped her with infleuncer marketing and the power the internet has to promote business.
’My background is that I started as a social media influencer myself, just over 12 years ago my Beckii Cruel YouTube videos went viral online and my content went well in Japan.
’It gave me that boost to see it as something more than a hobby and more of a business.
’In 2013, I started the Isle of Man’s small business start-up scheme and that helped with tools that you need to run a business and learn more about the finance side of things and it gave me a great foundation in order to start my own business.’
She said that growing-up as ’Beckii Cruel’ when the internet was starting to have more of an influence on driving a business has definitely helped her as a businesswoman.
’Even in my early career, the internet really allowed me to have a wider reach, especially being from such a small place, it allowed me to see so much more culture out there and opportunities.
’It’s a wonderful tool that allows people from all different places and backgrounds - influence marketing has grown rapidly in the last couple of years and it’s being heavily considered now, especially during the pandemic, with traditional ways of marketing having had to switch to digital channels.
’I think it will continue to grow and it’s really exciting to be a part of it.’
Pepper Studio’s website is https://pepper.studio
The Forbes list is online at www.forbes.com