This page contains some affiliate links. Please review my disclosure policy.

And then there’s the blog. I’m not going to pretend like I don’t have aspirations for it. I love this little space of mine and I love being a part of the blogging world. I do not anticipate blogging ever becoming a full-time gig, but food props can get expensive so the pocket change I make from ads helps to pay for those. I do, however see it as a platform to many different opportunities that will hopefully present themselves along my journey. I do NOT blog for the money. Blogging is my release, it’s what I look forward to at the end of the day and has connected me to unbelievably inspiring and talented friends around the world. I could not be more grateful to every single one of you who shows up here everyday. ” -December 2013 from “If Not Now, When?”

This quote was written 8 months ago but quite honestly it feels like I wrote it in a different century. I had just quit my steady full-time job as a research assistant, had lined up a part-time gig working for a start-up snack company called Kewaza and was hoping the fill in the blanks with whatever life planned to throw at me. Emphasis on “hope”. It did not occur to me that blogging could ever become a full-time job. I made marginal income from ads (we’re talking less than $5 a day) that made it impossible to ever live off of it unless I found a way to turn THM into a profitable business.

I definitely enjoyed working with Kewaza and learned a lot about the food industry in a very short period of time. I also learned that I am not interested in selling a physical product, a concept I had toyed with for a little while (Maven’s Bakery died a quick death…sorry!). At the same time I came to realize that blogging was how I wanted to spend my free-time. So instead of looking for another part-time job which might bring in more steady income, I decided to treat blogging like one. I set up a content calendar, I researched ways to improve my social media and audience reach and eventually started to see some success. So much so that I no longer had time to commit to Kewaza and I decided to bite the bullet and take on THM as a full-time job.

And yes, I was and still am terrified.

In many ways my story is unfolding alongside this blog. This is pretty evident in the number of times my “About Me” page has changed (I wish I had saved the older versions!). I want a place where I can chronicle this journey and have you guys be along for the ride. After all, THM would be nothing without you! I also hope that my own leap of faith can inspire you to take the plunge in your own life whether it be in turning your blog into a business or in an entirely different industry.

I never in my wildest dreams could have imagined that I would one day be running my own business, let alone that business being my blog. I knew from the day I started blogging that I had found my passion. I discovered a creative side to myself which I never knew existed. I found something that challenged me but didn’t discourage me and eventually I found myself a job I love.

Those of you who know me from outside the blogging world are almost always shocked by what I do. There’s the fact that I don’t have the most conventional job on the market, and then there’s the whole “Davs I thought you were a psych major who planned to go to medical school and knows nothing about business”? So did I.

It’s true, I’ve never taken a business course in my life. I have no experience with starting a business nor did I expect I ever would, but here I am running a successful (albeit small!) business. If I’ve learned anything in my very short time blogging “professionally” it’s that if you feel passionate about something you are unstoppable. I have and I am certain I will continue to make mistakes. But I learn from them and try to do better the next time.

So far so good.

photographingI would love to hear what you guys want to see as part of this series! The pros? The cons? How I earn money? Let me know!

What is your dream job? Would you consider yourself an entrepreneur?

Meet the Maven

Hi! I'm Davida and welcome to my corner of the internet. I'm a wellness blogger, yoga teacher, certified herbalist, and green beauty lover.

You May Also Like:

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

120 Comments

  1. You are a bloody inspiration girl. It takes balls and guts to do what you have done and I wish you every ounce of luck to continue your success doing what you love. My Dad always says, passion, enthusiasm and hard work = success and you have all of that 🙂
    My dream job – I am still not sure. But I know one of my dreams is to help heal people and in turn heal the world… Oh Hi there Lauren the big hippy – GUILTY 🙂

    1. Thank you, lovely! One day I may even be cool enough to pull off saying “bloody” 😉 Your Dad is a wise man and I’m certain you inherited those genes! Dude such a hippy right here. There are illegal things that I cannot share on this public domain that would prove it…

    1. I know I’ve said it before, but the day I sent you that email asking if you would design my blog was when it all began. I have you to thank for teaching me SO much. Lots of love girly. Let’s catch up over a drink soon please!

  2. I don’t even have words for how inspirational you are. With finishing up school in a week and trying to figure out the next steps, I have so much respect right now for people who follow their heart to a career that makes them happy. You really are a fabulous example of the power of passion and dedication – I hope I can find a career I love as much as you love the one you’ve carved out for yourself! <3

    1. Thank you, lovely! I have faith you are going to do something crazy cool with your life. Can’t wait to watch it unfold!

  3. I think that’s awesome, Davida! You’re an inspiration to so many people 🙂 And you’re so brave for jumping in and doing this full time! Congrats!

  4. I remember that post. 🙂 It’s funny how life changes, but I’ve loved watching the way THM has grown and changed as you and your goals for it have grown and changed. As depressed as I am to hear that Maven’s Bakery is not in the works, maybe I’ll get lucky and in eight months you’ll be quoting that statement and announcing you’ve started accepting online baking orders.

    1. Will bake for free legal advice! I called my dad today for help (he’s a lawyer) and I asked him if he would be my in-house lawyer and he told me I couldn’t afford him lol…soooooo free goodies for legal help?!

  5. I love that you’re able to turn your passion into a full-time job! I love blogging, but more as a hobby. I definitely love my full-time job in admission and don’t really see myself doing anything else in the near future.

    I think it’s so important to find something that makes you excited to get up every day and go to work, wherever that might be. Kudos for going for what you want!

  6. Cool story, Davida. I definitely look forward to your updates. Of course I would like to hear how you earn money, but to be honest any tips you can throw our way will be welcomed!
    Best of luck in the coming months!

  7. It’s so amazing to read about someone doing something they are so passionate about, especially if it goes against the grain and isn’t what people expected of them – kudos to you!
    My dream job…still working on the specifics but something involving travel, languages and women’s rights (I’m about to start a masters in human rights)…hopefully there’s something out there just for me! Haha keep on dreaming big 🙂

    1. If that job doesn’t already exist, carve it out! Dream big and don’t stop till you make it happen. I have faith in you 😉

  8. I massively admire anyone doing what they love – it takes some guts as it’s usually not the easiest (or highest paying!) way to live! I went freelance (design) last year and haven’t looked back, despite how shaky some months feel.

    I also love how blogs grow and develop, just like a person – and it’s awesome to be able to admit when things need to take a different direction.

    PS if you do want a look back into the history of your blog (or anyone else’s!) how’s this for a creep out: https://web.archive.org/web/20130320195220/https://www.thehealthymaven.com/p/about-me.html

    1. Woah that’s crazy! Thanks for the link 🙂 Life is meant to be lived to the fullest, and sometimes that means taking a big risk even if it can be terrifying at times!

  9. That is the beauty of a blog…you can go back and read posts which conveyed one message and boom….look at you now.

    I’m so glad ‘Davida’s Delights’ didn’t work out. Mainly because that is one twat of a name. I think I’m still searching for that ‘dream’ job…but moving to the northern hemisphere is big on the agenda.

    As for this series, maybe the people that inspire you….like epic stunners from Australia.

    1. Arman, I just had to say, your use of the word twat kills me every time. I literally laugh out loud every time I read it in one of your comments.
      Also, you need to post a video so I can hear you say it in your actual voice- not the one I have made up for you in my brain haha
      p.s. am I the only one who does that? Makes up voices for other bloggers? 😕

    2. Hey watch what you call ‘twatty’ – I came up with that name jerk!

      I will accept kangaroo as an apology.

    3. personal manslave to THM is clearly your calling. Would be nowhere without my Aussie gbf. Love ya long time!