when employees become influencers… does it feel different to you?

lately i’ve been seeing a lot of baristas from Starbucks and employees from other brands building big followings and posting about their work, drinks, behind-the-scenes stuff, etc.

and now some brands are even kind of “officially” spotlighting them and sending them to events, trips, etc.

i’m curious how this comes across to people:

•	do you still see them as just an employee sharing their life?

•	or do they start to feel like a regular influencer at some point?

and does it change anything for you if the brand is clearly backing them vs when it just feels like their own content?

for me it sometimes feels more real at first, but once it becomes more “official,” it starts feeling different and i can’t quite explain why.

has anyone else felt this way or am i overthinking it? 👀

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