How Viveca Chow Combined Creation And Culture With Squarespace

“My creativity and artistry seamlessly extend to my website and my role as a content curator. As a creative trailblazer, it was important to me to have something on the web that captured everything that I am. I started learning Photoshop as a hobby in 7th grade and this has helped me bring my vision for my web presence to life. 

I always try to stand out in everything I do – and creating my website was no different! I wanted the website to have life breathed into it. I tried to achieve this by using color schemes to emulate my essence and the type of person I am. A website is another way to tell a story – my story. 

I have always been a huge advocate of curating an online/social presence. If you lead with authenticity, you’ll only lead yourself to the best things possible. My career has flourished in ways I could never imagine, and I am just so grateful to be able to use my online presence to express my values and uplift communities I hold dear to my heart.” 

“A website is another way to tell a story – my story.”

“I would say aside from my website, my main online portfolios are my social media platforms. I am in love with what I do. I giggle and laugh throughout my days and I wouldn’t want anything to change. I am so grateful. As a New York City lifestyle expert and creative, a huge part of my work is having an impact on the community around me.  

Every day looks different for me: it ranges from laptop work to covering events to researching hidden gems and then visiting these places. I’m also auditioning for TV and Broadway shows all the time! Whatever I’m doing, you know I’m always following my heart.

I think my favorite success story is any time I’m able to help a small business flip its fortune around. A lot of what I do is uplifting AAPI businesses in the NYC area, and it warms my heart when they tell me that the line is out the door or they’re booked out for X amount of months. Seeing good and kind people get the recognition they deserve is so rewarding. 

Social media strategy is so important! I could not emphasize more the need to get your social media game in tip-top shape. With the ease of getting viral and building a platform, you want to ride this wave. Plus, you should always lead with authenticity. When you’re being true to yourself, you’ll naturally attract an audience that resonates with what you have to say.”

“When you’re being true to yourself, you’ll naturally attract an audience that resonates with what you have to say.” 

“The main challenge with building my website was executing the more intricate ideas I had in my head. I’m not an expert coder, but a ton of things I wanted to do needed some coding. This frustrated me a lot but we got through it. 

My biggest struggle with the pandemic was that I couldn’t go home to Hong Kong, so I didn’t see my parents for four years. We finally reunited last year and it was glorious, but as a foreigner who chose to build their life in a completely different country, a lot of my struggles speak more to that experience.” 

“I’m not an expert coder, but a ton of things I wanted to do needed some coding. This frustrated me a lot but we got through it.” 

“Squarespace is clean and even if you have zero experience, it can look like someone built the website for you. I used to use Wix, but if you don’t have the aesthetic eye and skills, it’s really easy for a site to look unprofessional and inconsistent. 

I truly think Squarespace is perfect as it is, especially because now they added a drag-and-drop element to it too. My favorite thing is the Squarespace community where so many designers trade tips and tricks, as well as help you troubleshoot. Without some of them, I wouldn’t have been able to code. 

I’m on the $27/month plan because I wanted access to CSS and Javascript! I will always sing praises to their CSS section. I’m not sure I could execute some of my animations on my current site on any other platform. Or if it was available, I wouldn’t have been able to figure it out. I am not fluent in CSS, especially not Javascript. Anytime I didn’t know how to tweak a code, it was so frustrating!” 

“I used to use Wix, but if you don’t have the aesthetic eye and skills, it’s really easy for a site to look unprofessional and inconsistent.” 

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“I would say be honest with yourself in regards to your patience and visual eye. If you’re someone who doesn’t like to DIY something, look into hiring a designer. If you’re hesitant with branding and aesthetics, look into buying DIY website templates from other Squarespace designers. Always try to make it a positive experience for yourself. You don’t want something representing you to leave a sour taste in your mouth. The goal for me is to be proud of your website in the end. 

When I was building, it was all me – I love being hands-on when it comes to my own brand. Even if I have to learn a new skill to accomplish it, I will go to the depths of this earth to learn it. There is no one else who knows me better than me and can execute my vision precisely without costing a lot of money. So because I enjoy this hobby, it was quite fun for me!” 

“Always try to make it a positive experience for yourself. You don’t want something representing you to leave a sour taste in your mouth.” 

“I’m not looking to move platforms because I’ve spent so many hours creating my current site. Since this is more of a personal online portfolio, I don’t see the necessity of doing so. 

Aside from curating my platforms, I was in the running for two huge TV pilots (one with Zachary Quinto and the other with Billy Crystal). That means that I was one of the final choices for both TV shows and I even got to act with Billy Crystal.  

As a creative, you have to surrender to the unknown. You never know what’s going to happen next so whatever happens, happens. I know what I want to do, so I’m going to work hard towards my goals and keep celebrating the little wins along the way.” 

“I know what I want to do, so I’m going to work hard towards my goals and keep celebrating the little wins along the way.”