Paige Lorenze, wife of professional tennis player Tommy Paul, recently criticized a Nantucket store for displaying a "No Influencers" sign. Lorenze, an influencer herself, took to social media to voice her objections to the policy at the Four Winds Craft Guild, a store that has been in operation since 1948.
Lorenze argued that the sign was dismissive of the growing creator economy, which she stated is largely driven by women. She wrote in the store's comment section, "If you call yourself a feminist but proudly put up a 'No Influencers' sign, it's worth asking who you are attempting to delegitimize, and why… Mocking women when they become powerful in a new industry isn't new. It's just a strange message coming from a store that celebrates a craft with such a rich history of women shaping the island and its economy."
She further elaborated on the economic impact of influencers, noting that brands have shifted billions of dollars into creator marketing due to its effectiveness in building trust, community, and driving sales. Lorenze emphasized that a single influencer with a dedicated audience can now achieve a scale of business launch that previously required substantial corporate backing and advertising budgets.
Lorenze and Paul were married earlier this month on Long Island. Despite the personal milestone, Lorenze indicated that she remains committed to her work as an influencer and will challenge what she perceives as injustices within the industry. She suggested that businesses should recognize the positive contributions of influencers rather than adopting exclusionary policies.