As Told by Zink

Samantha Zink
  • 4.7 (14)
  • Society & Culture
  • Weekly

As Told By Zink takes you inside the world of influencer marketing with Samantha Zink, Founder & CEO of Zink Talent, one of the pioneering talent management agencies to enter the influencer marketing space nearly a decade ago. With a front-row seat to the evolution of the creator economy, Samantha sits down with influencers, founders, celebrities, and industry leaders to uncover what really goes into building influence, growing a personal brand, landing brand partnerships, and creating a successful career in today’s digital landscape. From behind-the-scenes industry insights and what brands really look for when casting talent to entrepreneurship, wellness, spirituality, and the realities of life in the public eye, Samantha brings candid conversations and an insider’s perspective to the people and trends shaping the creator economy. As Told By Zink is where influence meets the stories, strategies, and people behind it.

  1. 2d ago

    ++ episode 211: the vision before the following: building a brand that lasts feat liaison the label founder Stefana Avara

    In this episode of As Told by Zink, I sit down with Stefana Avara, entrepreneur, visionary, and founder of Liaison the Label, to talk about what it really takes to turn an idea into a brand built to last. Stefana's entrepreneurial journey began in college in 2019, when she first dreamed up her clothing line before she even had a social media following. By the time she officially launched Liaison the Label in 2021, she had built an audience, but her vision had always been bigger than social media. We dive into the early days of building her brand, the power of trusting your vision before anyone else sees it, and the realities of entrepreneurship that aren't always shared online. Stefana opens up about the growing pains that come with scaling a business, evolving alongside her customers, and navigating a new chapter of leadership as she works to make Liaison the Label the best it can be for both her team and her community. From building something from the ground up to learning when it's time to evolve, this conversation is a reminder that entrepreneurship isn't just about launching a successful business. It's about having the courage to continuously grow, adapt, and believe in what you're building. Whether you're a creator, aspiring entrepreneur, or business owner navigating your own next chapter, this episode is full of insight into the mindset, resilience, and vision it takes to build something that lasts. Follow Stefana: @stefana.avara Follow Samantha: @samanthazinkovich

  2. Oct 26

    ++ episode 210: breaking into nyfw, embracing body positivity & preparing for february fashion week feat. Hope Williams

    This week on As Told by Zink, I sat down with Hope Williams to talk all things fashion, body positivity and New York Fashion Week! We dive into the importance of body positivity and representation in the fashion industry, what it really takes to break into the NYFW scene and how creators can position themselves to land coveted invites. With February Fashion Week right around the corner, Hope shares insider insights on what creators should be doing NOW to prepare, build relationships and get on the radar of the right brands and PR teams. Whether you're looking to attend your first fashion week, grow your presence in the fashion industry or simply learn more about what goes on behind the scenes, this episode is for you! Hope Williams // IG, TikTok

  3. Oct 19

    ++ episode 209: the perfect pitch, finding your lifestyle niche & understanding brand budgets feat Aubrey Istnick [influencer marketing]

    This week, I sat down with Aubrey Istnick, an influencer marketing expert who works at a leading agency and shares valuable industry insights and creator strategies on TikTok. We’re breaking down what brands are actually looking for when choosing creators, how influencer marketing budgets work, and how to craft the perfect pitch to land more partnerships. We also dive into how lifestyle creators can define their content verticals, stand out in a saturated market, and why some creators struggle to secure brand deals. If you're looking to turn your content into a career or take your brand partnerships to the next level, this episode is for you! Aubrey Istnick // TikTok

  4. Oct 12

    ++ episode 208: life after college, influencer burnout & finding your way feat Mia Holland

    What happens when you graduate college, move to LA, and realize you have no idea what's next? This week, I sit down with content creator Mia Holland to talk about navigating your 20s, the ebbs and flows of being a content creator, and figuring out life after college. After eight years of creating content, Mia opens up about the realities of being a full time influencer, dealing with burnout, navigating a changing audience, and the pressure to constantly stay relevant. We discuss rebranding after college, the importance of authenticity, and why having a traditional 9 to 5 might not be such a bad idea after all. From career uncertainty to finding your purpose, this episode is a reminder that you don't need to have it all figured out in your 20s! Mia Holland // IG, TikTok

  5. Oct 5

    ++ episode 207: how to balance Harvard, content creation & going viral feat Jenny Ng

    This week I sat down with Harvard student and content creator Jenny Ng to talk about balancing college life with building a career online. Jenny shares how she grew her platform through relatable college, food, lifestyle, and study content, what it’s really like creating while attending Harvard, and how she turned everyday moments into content people actually want to watch. We get into finding your niche without boxing yourself in, balancing school with brand deals and content creation, dealing with the pressure to constantly post, and what she’s learned about growing an audience while still figuring out what comes next. Whether you’re a college creator, trying to grow on TikTok, or wondering how to turn your everyday life into content, this episode is for you. Jenny Ng // TikTok

  6. Sep 28

    ++ episode 206: the secrets to landing brand deals feat Morgan Lee [influencer marketing]

    Ever wonder what brands and agencies are actually looking for from creators? This week I’m joined by Morgan Lee who has 8+ years in influencer marketing to break down the influencer industry from the brand and agency perspective. We chat about how to build real relationships that lead to brand deals, how to stand out at events, why Q4 isn’t always the money maker creators think it is, and the biggest mistakes that can hurt your reputation with brands. We also get into why having management doesn’t replace building your own relationships, the shift from generic lifestyle content to intentional niches, how agencies are approaching bundle deals, and where AI fits into the future of influencer marketing. Whether you’re trying to land your first brand deal or take your creator business to the next level, this episode is PACKED with insight on how to become the creator brands actually want to work with. Morgan Lee // TikTok

  7. Sep 21

    ++ episode 205: how to actually make it as a beauty creator, preparing for holiday and tips on how to get started in the space feat Kilee Kearns

    This episode is PACKED with everything you need to know to break into the beauty creator space -or take your career to the next level. Kilee and I chat all things becoming a successful beauty creator: how to stand out, make money, avoid burnout, prep for holiday campaigns, and what to do if you’re just getting started. Whether you’re trying to turn your content into a career or already in the space and ready to grow, this episode is for you! Kilee Kearns // TikTok, IG

  8. Sep 14

    ​++ episode 204: why I launched a creator growth program and who it’s for

    I saw another gap in the market: creators who have strong, high-quality content but have no idea how to monetize, attract brand deals, pitch themselves or set their rates. So, I launched a new division within Zink Volt where I personally work with creators through a growth program designed to turn their content and passion into a real business within the influencer industry. From positioning and pitching to rates, brand partnerships and strategy, the goal is to get creators to the point where they are ready for top-notch management.

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4.7
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

As Told By Zink takes you inside the world of influencer marketing with Samantha Zink, Founder & CEO of Zink Talent, one of the pioneering talent management agencies to enter the influencer marketing space nearly a decade ago. With a front-row seat to the evolution of the creator economy, Samantha sits down with influencers, founders, celebrities, and industry leaders to uncover what really goes into building influence, growing a personal brand, landing brand partnerships, and creating a successful career in today’s digital landscape. From behind-the-scenes industry insights and what brands really look for when casting talent to entrepreneurship, wellness, spirituality, and the realities of life in the public eye, Samantha brings candid conversations and an insider’s perspective to the people and trends shaping the creator economy. As Told By Zink is where influence meets the stories, strategies, and people behind it.

Information

  • Creator
    Samantha Zink
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    211
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 As Told by Zink
  • Show Website
    As Told by Zink

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