Why I Started Blogging

One of the most common questions I get asked is why I started blogging. Fun fact, it was an accident!

At no point in my life did I ever anticipate becoming a full time blogger. Until the last few years, I was just making it all up as I went. Stumbling into new career options and opportunities.

The better question is… how did I become a blogger. And part two, why am I blogging today.

So grab a cup of coffee or tea, get cozy on the couch (or prepare your pop socket for some scrolling while you’re laying in bed). Because I’m going to tell you a little more about the journey I took to becoming and full time blogger and some of my upcoming goals!

The Pre-Blogging Years

A little history lesson…

I got my start working in the music industry. While I was hustling, selling amps to bands, I also went to school full time. I ended up getting my bachelors degrees in Business Finance & Economics, as well as an associates degree in Merchandise Product Development.

When I was working in music, I also did a lot of baking. Sounds random, but baking has always been my zen time. I have always loved making up fun recipes and sharing them with friends and family. Since I was baking up a storm, I’d bring cookies & treats to a lot of the bands I worked with and had become friends with over the years. I mean, no one hates a home baked cookie!

People liked them so much, I started getting requests for my famous “cookie cakes”. To the point a handful of people asked me if I could ship them out or offer catering. So, I did a little research and got myself certified to sell and ship cookies! And that’s when “Revenge Bakery” was born. The name was kind of a joke because a friend started calling me the “Black Metal Baker”, a combination of my love for metal music & baking!

Fast forward about a year… I was shipping out hundreds and hundreds of cookies per month and had to make a tough decision: dedicate myself to opening an actual bakery or transition my bakery into a blog. I think you guys know the answer!

So, I started posting recipes for some of my favorite treats. And the rest is history!

The Confusing Years…

I say confusing and I really mean… difficult, emotional & overwhelming haha! After I quit my job in the music industry, I tried a string of random jobs over about 2 years that made me incredibly unhappy. Hold on though, because there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

I spent about 6 months selling something called a door jammer. I was responsible for taking it to market, getting it into retailers & attending trade shows all over the country. Don’t get me wrong, it was a great job, but it was very slow and not creative. Meaning I felt extremely frustrated on a daily basis.

Then, I worked a few other jobs. From doing business development at a staffing agency to action sports PR. Both were amazing jobs, but not creative or my niche. After working in music (having crazy hours, being able to show up wearing vans and jeans, traveling & meeting new people), it was really hard to sit in an office behind a desk all day. I was missing the variety and chaos of the music industry!

This all happened around the time I moved to San Diego and moved in with my boyfriend. Since he travels and is on tour 8 out of 12 months of the year, having a 9 – 5 job, sitting in 3 hours of traffic and having limited time off started taking it’s toll on me. I wanted to ability to spend a day with him before he left, drive him to the airport, or be able to fly out and visit him every few weeks. Which meant only one thing… I needed to follow an unconventional career path.

Jumping into Self-Employment

When I first started my “self-employment journey”, I got a bunch of part time work on Upwork.com. I was doing a bunch of social media management & helping brands dabble in influencer programs. After about a year, my freelancing grew and turned into a full fledged marketing business.

At the same time, I started spending a little more time on my blog. Trying to post at least once or twice a week. Working with a professional photographer. Teaching myself about blogging, photography, cameras, editing, SEO, social media tactics, etc.

After a couple of years, my blog started taking off. To the point where it made sense for me to back off of the marketing business and put more of my energy into my blog. So, about 2 years ago I switch to blogging full time. Actually, 80%. Because I still have my marketing business! I just learned to delegate and found other people who could run the day too day! That way, I still have the business I built up (kind of like a safety net too).

Why I Started Blogging & Continue Blogging Today

Flexibility

One of my favorite things about blogging is that it’s given me the flexibility to create my own life by design. Don’t get me wrong, I never stop working! But I can work from literally anywhere. As we speak, I’m laying on the couch with my weighted blanket and Doug by my side because I’m sick.

I have the flexibility to visit Tony on tour whenever I want. All I need is my laptop, a camera & my cell phone! When he’s on tour, I know that I can not only see him more often than I would if I had a normal 9-5, I can also turn it into work! I can plan travel around brands, destinations & hotels that I work with. Meaning I can do it for less money, or even for free! Best case scenario, I even make a little money!

I also love that I have the flexibility of making my own schedule. I still put in just as much time as I would at a normal day job (if not a lot more), but I can take a break mid morning to go to the gym or run to the grocery store.

It’s also made it a lot easier to travel more frequently. Blogging full time has given me a ton of travel opportunities and made it easier to plan last minute trips!

Creativity

Having a creative outlet is key for my sanity and happiness.

Throughout my life, finding creative outlets has been really important to me. When I was a kid, I was constantly crafting. Making barbie clothes out of tinfoil. Selling homemade perfume (gross I know) at my lemonade stand. When I was in high school, I opted into an arts program that let me do drama 2 periods a day. For some reason, after I graduated high school and went into college through my early 20s, I lost touch with my creative side. I was stressed out with school and work and didn’t take enough time for myself.

There are so many creative outlets when it comes to blogging. From editing photos & graphics to writing blog posts & coming up with content and shoot ideas. Even though my blog is a business, I have the opportunity to be creative every day.

A “Type A” Outlet

I have no problem admitting I have a “Type A” personality. Meaning I’m extremely ambitious, organized and proactive. But also extremely sensitive, easily stressed out & have high expectations.

Rather than looking at my personality type as a potential hazard, I’ve tried to take advantage of the skills associated with it!

Setting up a blog is one thing. But maintaining it, advancing it and making it a business is a ton of work. I’m fairly tech savvy, so I’ve been able to take on the majority of the tasks associated with it.

I love that it’s a constant challenge. I spend a lot of time on YouTube & Google trying to figure out how to improve my SEO, create specific edits in Photoshop, update my layouts, boost my analytics, etc.

Being organized and timely is also really helpful. I’ve found a ton of “fun” (meaning fun for me) ways to stay organized, schedule my day & posts & improve my business!

My Life By Design

As I mentioned, having my blog has allowed me to create my own schedule & travel frequently. But it also lets me focus on whatever content or ideas I want!

In my case, I get to literally cook, bake & craft for a living. Ok so that’s just a tiny sliver of it. I actually spend more time sending and responding to emails than anything. But i GET TO come up with recipes for crunchwrap supremes and goth black ice cream… and get paid!

I’m not trying to gloat or make it seem like it’s all about the money. Because it’s not. I could probably use my degree in finance and go get a job managing a hedge fund and make a lot more money. BUT… I make enough money to support myself, travel, buy some fun stuff on amazon from time to time, treat Doug to endless amounts of greenies & even pay off my college loans (ok, almost there)!

I’m responsible for my own success. Meaning the more work I put in, the better I do. It’s really rewarding and gratifying knowing that everything I accomplish is a result of my dream and determination!

Creating a Community

I realized early on that the majority of my readers and followers on social media are women. Particularly young women. I feel like it’s my responsibility to share real, authentic content and perspectives.

There are so many blogs and Instagram accounts dedicated to creating a perceived idea of what life is like. Whether it’s fashion accounts showing endless amounts of designer clothes, travel accounts showing endless amounts of first class flights and dream destinations, or glamorous models who look amazing in every photo.

Welp… that’s not me. And that’s ok! It’s also ok if that is your life, more power to you! But I think it’s important to share a relatable perspective. Real world recipes, DIYs, shopping tips & deals, travel tips, life advice, etc. Whether you find value in it or could care less, I like that I’ve created a community that is 100% unfiltered, honest & real.

As this blog continues to grow and evolve, I just want to thank everyone who’s supported me and been along for the ride! I can’t wait to share the next chapter with you guys!