Meet Mya Riggins of Columbus

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mya Riggins.

Hi Mya, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been academically ambitious. I’ve wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember. For most of my teen years, social media was just something fun, nothing deeper than casual posts. After I graduated high school, I finally leaned into storytelling and started documenting my life in a more intentional way.

A big part of that became Columbus. I love exploring local events, restaurants, and small businesses, and I started sharing the places that genuinely stood out to me. From the first video, I was surprised by how much people connected with it. Over time, friends and followers started coming to me for brunch, coffee, and date night recommendations, and eventually local businesses began reaching out too.

When I started at The Ohio State University as a neuroscience major on the pre-med track, I had to figure out how to balance school and creativity, and that challenge pushed me to get more focused. Now I’m still building, still learning, and still proud to shine a light on the city and community that shaped my voice.

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?
It hasn’t been completely smooth, but I don’t think I expected it to be. One of the biggest struggles has been balancing school while also building something creative. Being pre-med takes a lot of discipline, and adding creative work on top of that forced me to get better at managing my time and energy.

I’ve also had to learn not to compare my journey to anyone else’s. There’s a lot of pressure to move fast or have everything figured out, especially in creative spaces. Those struggles have pushed me to slow down and figure out what actually matters to me.

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?
I create lifestyle content that reflects my everyday life and interests. Beauty and fashion are a big part of what I share. I also focus on highlighting local events and independent businesses around Columbus. I’m also known for sharing hidden gems and helping people see the range of experiences the city has to offer.

What I’m most proud of is building this while also pursuing a career in medicine. My work is rooted in representation and community, and I think that’s what sets me apart from the rest. I want people to see that Black women can be both academically and creatively driven.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think the industry is shifting towards everyday people and everyday experiences. More people want to hear from college students, parents, and people who are actually using products and living real life, not just celebrities or full time influencers. There’s a level of trust that comes from seeing something fit naturally into someone’s routine rather than being presented as an ad.

That’s also why reviews matter so much now. People want honest opinions from people they relate to, because who knows a product better than someone who is actually using it day to day? I think the future of the industry is less about influence and more about perspective, real people sharing what works for them and why.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://myariggins.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myariggins_/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myariggins
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mya_riggins