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“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.
My dream job = THE QUEEN OF THE WORLD…… Okay, no. JUST KIDDING. Ah ha ha!
You little entrepreneur you! I’m so glad I met you (skype will have to do till we can bond in real life) because I truly adore you as a blogger and friend. I think if we lived by each other we would literally sit around all day noshing on green pancakes and drinking wine and discussing blog deets. AKA it would be the best thing ever. I can’t wait to see where this all takes you girlfriend!!
So like wanna come here for my bday? I’ll make the green pancakes. You just show up with your hot bod. And puhhhhhlease I cannot wait to see what this year has in store for you. Like before we know it you’re gonna be ruling the world!
Congrats! Would you be willing to share more specifics about what are you main income sources from the blog?
Sure thang girly! Will get working on it 🙂 Happy to help this community as much as I can!
Good for you! That is so amazing. I would love to blog full time, or part time with some freelance graphic design mixed in, but I’m far too terrified to give up the security of my salary based income!! You inspire me though. Maybe someday I will have the guts!
Trust me girlfraaand, it’s still terrifying! My poor bf has to deal with my freak-outs on the reg. But I get to do what I love every single day and that’s worth more to me than anything. But I get it! Hopefully one day you’ll join me in taking the plunge 🙂
This makes me smile. I’m still a baby and I barely know anything about working, but I’ve seen enough people in my life that have jobs that make them successful yet miserable because they don’t actually love it. But then I see people like you who have unexpected jobs, but they’re totally successful because they’re doing so well AND they’re happy. You are so amazing and inspiring, and you are certainly “unstoppable.”
I have no doubts that you are going to do amazing things with your life that not only contributes to the world in a BIG WAY but will also make you so so happy. So honoured to watch it unfold!
sooo proud of you and its really inspiring to see how far you have come along. i do not see myself quitting a job to turn it into a full time gig just yet but thats generally the direction i want to take, even if its on a part time basis. I would love to hear more on your journey…
I have a feeling that your big re-design was just the start of something HUGE! So freaking excited for ya 🙂
you are certainly fit for going pro ! You are creative and passionate… your posts almost always deliver “value:” – either as a new recipe of posts about your personal experiences or tips on blogging. You make a great fulltime blogger. Wish you a lot of success in this!
While I am not looking for specifics, I do often wonder, what this sort of full time gig pays? Does it match up to a 6 figure job?
I know I have always enjoyed reading blogs and I dabble in it a little – but I haven’t made the commitment of time to really grow it – and I wonder if I should.
You are too sweet Archana! Thank you SO much for your kind words. It sounds like lots of people are curious about the monetary side of things, and I totally understand why. Will definitely get started working on a post about this!
Well done Davida! Everyone deserves to do what they want to do, the first step is finding the courage to allow yourself to do it!
I am going back to school in September to train to become a health coach – scared and excited at the same time! Then once the course is over I have to turn it into a business! Eeek!
I echo what others have said above, would love to hear more on the ways you are making an income from your blog 🙂
You got this lady 😉 As long as you put 100% of yourself into making it happen, it will! It’s the fear that will motivate you, so channel it!
You are a true inspiration! I am really proud of you for being gutsy and going after your dreams.
Look forward to reading more about your journey. 🙂
Aw thank you girly! Would be nowhere without this amazing community! Lots of love xo
I’d love to hear more about how you make a real income from it. My blog is my outlet, but with the amount of time I spend on it, I’d like to earn more than I do from it. As a SAHM of two kids, I want to keep it on the side, though. So blog full time with part-time hours.
Of course Laura! My blog is also my outlet, but when you spend so much time on a hobby it makes sense that you might want to earn some money from it! So I totally understand. Will hopefully have another post coming soon 🙂