Alumna Fiona Jordan is burgeoning entrepreneur in the world of social media

DUNMORE, Pa. – Fiona Jordan, a recent graduate in corporate communication at Penn State Scranton, has garnered attention both locally and online for her entrepreneurial spirit and social media prowess.

Originally hailing from the Scranton area, Jordan’s journey as a content creator and business owner has taken her from Penn State's University Park campus to the heart of Scranton. “I always thought that going to college was the best route for me. I wanted to expand and figure out life,” Jordan said, reflecting on her decision to go to college.

Finding home: a journey back to Scranton

Despite starting her college journey at University Park, Jordan found her true calling closer to home. "One thing that I lacked at University Park was making connections. It's just so big that I didn't even know where to look half the time,” she said. “But I'll walk into the bookstore here and I'm like jiving with everyone. I like feeling like I'm seen in my classes and in those settings – I'm a one-on-one kind of girl."

Being born and raised in the Scranton area also influenced Jordan’s decision to transfer back home.

"I chose Penn State Scranton because I live here. It’s just awesome to be here and be so close to home,” she said. “I just love being able to see friendly faces and make connections with people. I know all of my professors one-on-one, and I've grown up with some of the kids in class here. I just feel nice and relaxed and like I have everything under control here. If I need help, I know that there are so many resources, there are so many helping hands."

Jordan was always transparent about her being a commuter student experience at Penn State Scranton online, aiming to dispel any negative stereotypes associated with it.

“I remember when I transferred home from University Park, a lot of people were saying I failed out or that I didn't have friends -- which wasn’t true. The list went on and on and on, and it honestly just wasn't for me. I think one of the most powerful things that you can do for yourself in life is figure out what works for you and what doesn't work for you. And I knew that it wasn't going to work for me there anymore,” she said.

From passion to profession

Her entrepreneurial journey began with Fiona's Fitzz, a small business born out of her passion for fashion and thrifting.

“I started selling my (thrift shop find) clothes. It really started picking up, and girls from all over this area were buying stuff from me,” Jordan said. “And then I realized, this is my kind of thing, and this is my calling.”

What started as a hobby has evolved into a full-fledged business for Jordan. “And now Fiona’s Fitzz has around 11,000 followers on Instagram,” she said. “I love it, so it doesn't feel like a job to me -- and I'm so grateful for that.”

She has even written about her thrift-shopping hobby and business for the local Discover NEPA website, sharing some of her secrets and advice.

Despite her success, Jordan remains grounded and emphasizes the importance of authenticity and giving back.

“I think the best advice I could give is to always just be you. Be authentic, be genuine, trust that gut,” she advised. “If you have the resources to give back to those around you, I feel you always should. Wherever you're going to go in life or wherever you're meant to be, you can't miss out on it.”

From navigating college life to building a thriving business and cultivating a substantial online presence, Jordan’s passion, perseverance, and staying true to herself continues to inspire others in her local community and beyond.

Life in the spotlight of social media

As a content creator, Jordan has amassed a substantial following on social media platforms, where she shares snippets of her daily life and fashion insights. Currently, Jordan has over 70,000 followers on Instagram and 562,200 followers on TikTok.

“I remember my first Penn State football game, and one of my girlfriends said to me, ‘The amount of people in Beaver Stadium is approximately 100,000 people. Take five of these stadiums and that’s how many people follow you on social media,” Jordan recounted.

Being a social media influencer has led Jordan to work with many renowned brands such as Steve Madden, Gerrity’s supermarkets (for their back-to-school campaign), and even Kendra Scott, where she hosted an event and raised thousands of dollars for the Boys and Girls Club in Lehigh Valley.

“It's like crazy to even think that I could work with brands like this,” she said. “And doing this all on my own and navigating these social media ropes and influencing world is so weird. But I love that I get to do it and get to experience it and figure it out.”

She also recently crossed off attending New York Fashion Week from her vision board this year.

“It was really crazy to be sitting at these runway shows with influencers that I've seen online and people that I've seen on shows. It was kind of just like a full circle moment,” she said.

Jordan's advice to others: “Don't worry about where you're going. You're going to get to where you need to be. And definitely follow how you feel."