Today we’d like to introduce you to Sunasia Roshel.
Hi Sunasia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, I moved to Birmingham in 2014 to attend The University of Alabama at Birmingham. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a concentration in Social Media Management and later went on to earn my MBA, but my story really started with a different major.
I initially studied Psychology because I’ve always been fascinated by people—what motivates them, how they think, and what brings them together. I still remember sitting on my Twin XL dorm bed thinking, “I want to do something that’s creative, fun, constantly evolving, and always relevant.” That’s when I changed my major to Marketing. Looking back, it’s funny because even though I changed my field of study, my curiosity about people never left—it just found a different outlet. This was before TikTok existed and long before I imagined I’d become a content creator, entrepreneur, or community builder.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked in marketing, branding, and community engagement, partnering with nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and local organizations on communications, digital strategy, outreach, and events. Those experiences taught me that storytelling isn’t just about sharing information—it’s about inspiring people to take action and strengthening communities.
One quote I’ve heard my entire life is, It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. For years, I didn’t fully understand it because I was naturally quiet and introverted. Growing up, I mostly stayed to myself. In college, I had one close friend and rarely went out. If someone had told me then that one day I’d build a brand called Sun the Socialite, I probably would’ve laughed.
Over the past few years, though, I intentionally stepped outside of my comfort zone. I became more outgoing, more curious, and more willing to say yes to new experiences. I realized the life I wanted wasn’t going to find me if I kept waiting for it to come to my front door. In many ways, Sun the Socialite became the person I was growing into.
I started creating content sporadically in 2022 because I genuinely loved exploring Birmingham and sharing local restaurants, businesses, and experiences through my own lens. In early 2025, I decided to stop treating content creation like a hobby and start showing up consistently. Since then, I’ve grown a community of nearly 20,000 followers across my platforms and turned what started as a creative outlet into a growing business. Today, I have the opportunity to collaborate with restaurants, tourism organizations, destinations, and brands while sharing food, travel, lifestyle, and local experiences that encourage people to explore their own communities.
Somewhere along the way, I realized I wasn’t just building a platform—I was building a community. I didn’t just enjoy discovering places; I loved creating opportunities for people to connect. That realization inspired me to found Social 7 Series, a community-building initiative that brings people together through intentional experiences designed to spark conversation, build relationships, and celebrate Birmingham.
One thing I always tell my community is that Social 7 is a safe space for anyone between the ages of 21 and 91. The goal is to remove the invisible boundaries that often keep people apart because your next friend, mentor, collaborator, business partner, or opportunity could be sitting across the room—you just haven’t met them yet.
I believe community can be a catalyst to your audacity, and I’m living proof of that. The person who once stayed home, kept to herself, and was afraid to put herself out there now spends her time creating spaces for others to connect. That transformation happened because I surrounded myself with people who were building, creating, taking risks, and dreaming bigger. Watching others pursue their goals gave me permission to believe I could do the same, and that’s exactly what I hope Social 7 creates for someone else.
That same passion for connection is why I’m also proud to co-host Admin Wednesday, a weekly social productivity meetup for creatives, founders, professionals, and students. It’s a space where people can work on their goals alongside other ambitious individuals while naturally building relationships. I like to call it “adult recess… but with laptops.”
Today, I’ve realized that everything I do is rooted in the same purpose: helping people discover new experiences, build meaningful connections, and see what’s possible for themselves. Whether I’m creating content, hosting a Social 7 event, or co-hosting Admin Wednesday, my mission remains the same—to bring people together.
Looking back, it’s funny how life comes full circle. I started college wanting to understand people through psychology. Today, I still do—just in a different way. If my journey has taught me anything, it’s that your path doesn’t have to fit neatly into one box. Sometimes your greatest purpose is found at the intersection of all the things you love—and I’ve learned firsthand that community can be a catalyst to your audacity.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all—and honestly, I don’t think I’d want it to be. Every challenge has shaped the way I approach my work today.
One of my biggest obstacles was simply getting out of my own way. I’m naturally introverted, and for a long time I let fear, overthinking, and the idea of being judged keep me from putting myself out there. It’s funny because people meet me now and assume I’ve always been outgoing, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Building Sun the Socialite required me to become comfortable being seen, starting conversations with strangers, walking into rooms alone, and believing I belonged there.
Another challenge has been consistency. I started creating content in 2022, but like many creators, I treated it as something I did whenever I had time. In early 2025, I made the decision to take it seriously and show up consistently. That meant balancing content creation with a full-time career, community initiatives, and everyday life. There were plenty of late nights editing videos, early mornings planning content, and moments where I questioned whether the effort would pay off.
I’ve also learned that the creator industry comes with a lot of rejection. People often see the brand collaborations and exciting opportunities, but they don’t see the unanswered emails, the pitches that never receive a response, or the partnerships that don’t work out. I’ve learned not to take those moments personally. Every “no” has pushed me to improve my craft, strengthen my brand, and keep showing up.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that growth requires giving yourself permission to evolve. When I first started, I thought I had to fit into one category or one title. Over time, I’ve realized I’m more than just a content creator. I’m a storyteller, entrepreneur, and community builder. That realization led me to create Social 7 Series and co-host Admin Wednesday, two initiatives that reflect my passion for helping people build meaningful relationships.
If there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s that progress rarely looks perfect. Some seasons are about growth, some are about learning, and some are simply about having the courage to keep going. Looking back, I’m grateful for every challenge because each one has helped shape the person and the purpose behind everything I do today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At the heart of everything I do is storytelling. I’m a content creator, entrepreneur, and community builder who specializes in helping people discover new experiences and build meaningful connections—both online and in person.
Through Sun the Socialite, I create food, travel, lifestyle, and local experience content that showcases destinations through an authentic and relatable lens. While many people know me for highlighting restaurants, I see my work as much more than food recommendations. Every place has a story, and I love helping people discover the people, businesses, and experiences that make a city unique. Whether it’s a hidden gem in Birmingham or a new destination while traveling, my goal is to inspire curiosity and encourage people to explore.
I’m also the founder of Social 7 Series, a community initiative built around intentional connection. We create experiences where strangers become friends, collaborations begin, and people leave feeling more connected than when they arrived. I also co-host Admin Wednesday, a weekly social productivity meetup that brings together creatives, founders, professionals, and students to work on their goals while building relationships. Together, these initiatives reflect something I’ve become deeply passionate about: creating spaces where community happens naturally.
What I’m most proud of isn’t a follower count or a single collaboration—it’s hearing someone say they discovered a new favorite restaurant because of one of my videos, attended their first Social 7 event and left with a new friend, or finally found the confidence to walk into a room alone because they knew they’d be welcomed. Those moments remind me that the work I’m doing extends far beyond social media.
I believe what sets me apart is that I don’t see content and community as separate things. To me, they’re deeply connected. My content introduces people to places, while my events introduce people to each other. Both are rooted in the same mission: helping people discover new experiences, build meaningful relationships, and realize what’s possible when they step outside of their comfort zone.
I’m still in the early chapters of my journey, but I’m excited about where it’s headed. My vision is to continue growing Sun the Socialite into a leading platform for culinary tourism, travel, and local experiences while expanding Social 7 Series into a community that reaches beyond Birmingham. No matter how the brand evolves, my purpose will remain the same: creating experiences that bring people together.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I’m always excited to collaborate with people and brands that value storytelling, community, and meaningful experiences.
For Sun the Socialite, I partner with restaurants, hotels, tourism organizations, destinations, lifestyle brands, and local businesses to create authentic content that inspires people to explore. Whether it’s a grand opening, media visit, campaign, hosted stay, or long-term brand partnership, I love bringing stories to life in a way that feels genuine and resonates with my audience.
For Social 7 Series, I’m always looking to collaborate with businesses, venues, sponsors, and community organizations that believe in the power of connection. If you’re interested in hosting an event, sponsoring an experience, or creating opportunities that bring people together, I’d love to connect.
And if you’re simply someone who enjoys discovering new places and meeting new people, I’d love for you to follow along, attend an event, or introduce yourself if our paths cross. The best opportunities in my journey have started with a simple conversation, and I believe there’s always room for one more seat at the table.
You can find me on all social platforms at @SunasiaRoshel (Sun the Socialite), and you can find all of my links, current projects, and collaboration information at http://linktr.ee/sunasia.roshel. Whether you’re a brand, business owner, fellow creator, or someone looking to get more connected to your community, I’d love to hear from you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/sunasia.roshel
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunasiaroshel?igsh=MWcya2V5aGt1endnbA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CrWW6xoxm/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunasiamims
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sunasiaroshel?_r=1&_t=ZT-98LVAVqfuP7
