Bonnie Gregor reflects on how her attempt to become an influencer began with a photograph of her freshly painted pink toilet door. At the time, Bonnie had only six followers, and the post drew little attention before disappearing into Instagram. Bonnie briefly experimented with other ideas, but nothing immediately changed her fortunes.

Bonnie’s luck shifts because Reba shares the toilet-door photograph in a Facebook group about bathroom inspiration. The image is eventually seen by Fearne Cotton’s mother, which leads to Fearne Cotton reposting it and sending a wave of new followers to Bonnie’s account. Because Bonnie has almost no other content, many followers quickly lose interest, so Bonnie turns the toilet-door idea into a broader theme by painting slogans on kitchen cabinets and walls around her home.

Now, a year later, Bonnie has built her account to 14,000 followers and is travelling by train to Letchworth Garden City to see Felicity Woollaston at Vivid Viral Media. Felicity is not expecting her, but Bonnie believes she has to create her own opportunities. Bonnie hopes Felicity can help her turn her modest online popularity and small merchandise line into a real career, because Bonnie’s current stickers, pens, paint sets and stencils barely cover their costs.

Before heading to the meeting, Bonnie stops on a bench, uses one of her own stickers and glitter pens to label it "I LOVE MY BENCH," and posts a playful photograph of herself beside it. When Bonnie immediately starts receiving notifications, the response reassures her. Encouraged by that small success, Bonnie continues toward Felicity convinced that her cheerful ideas matter and that pursuing her dream may take her to the next level.