I began blogging in early 2010 when I took an early 'retirement' to spend more time with my teenage daughter after her biological father committed suicide.
I have always loved writing and was just beginning to work on a novel. I thought, what better way to flex my creative muscles and hone my writing skills than start a blog? My friend Nicole of NicoleOlea.com encouraged and inspired me to start my own blog...so I did!
Within a year, I found that I loved blogging so much that I completely gave up on writing the novel.
My journey as a blogger has been an interesting one, and one that I am sure many of my blogging friends have found themselves on as well.
I didn't start out to make money. I didn't start out in hopes of being invited on fabulous press trips to Jamaica and Los Angeles. I didn't even know that companies would give bloggers items in exchange for a review! I just wanted to write again.
Being the ambitious gal that I am, once I realized that I could actually make a little bit of an income off of my writing, I felt that if I didn't, I was somehow failing.
Not taking advantage of opportunities available to me meant that I was not living up to my potential. I couldn't have that!
The funny thing is, once I began monetizing my blog, I loved it.
Way back in high school when I used to day dream about being a writer, but knew that I would never be able to make any kind of living off of it?
I WAS DOING IT.
Sure, I don't make even a fraction of what I made working for Corporate America. There is no 401(k) plan, no health insurance, and no paid vacations. I work at least 50-60 hours a week blogging, networking and using social media. But...
I absolutely love every second of it.
My passion in life, aside from my family, is travel. Experiencing new destinations, new cuisine, new cultures, new attractions. Every penny that I make blogging, after paying my hosting fees, membership dues and equipment (that new DSLR wasn't cheap, yo!), it all goes to travel. When you see me snapping away photos of the beaches of Barbados? My blogging income paid for that $500 plane ticket. When you see my Instagram photos of the dinner I'm eating in Denver? My blogging income paid for that trip too.
When I quit working, it was understood that I would no longer be able to travel, aside from our annual family vacation, because there wouldn't be a budget for it after losing my sizable income.
So, when Trisha from MomDot.com asked us what we wanted to acheive with our blogs, my answer popped into my head before I even finished reading the question.
I want to travel and share the world with my readers.
I want to be invited on trips to explore new cities and then share those cities with my readers and social media followers.
I want to be invited on trips to watch new movies and experience entertainment attractions and then share those experiences with my audience and tell them why they should take their families to see them!
I love writing and sharing new brands with my readers; it makes me proud when a company thinks I am qualified enough - GOOD enough - to represent them and speak for them. The income I earn from writing about companies here on The Rebel Chick is steadily increasing as I grow my brand and get myself out there.
But...nothing beats the excitement of seeing "You are invited..." as the subject line of an email in my inbox.
THAT is what I want out of my blog. Out of my business. Out of my brand.
I want The Rebel Chick (and HappyTravels.com, my new travel-only blog) to be a brand that people recognize as influential enough to be invited to share their destination or experience with the world.
What do you want?
trisha
I think you are doing a good job becuase I have been noticing you on more and more trips lately!
trisha
Tracy Roberts
I love to travel. If you can make money while doing it and sharing exciting destinations with people then that's great.
Karen
Good goal, to travel and share the world. I have been doing that for several years, just only with the US. I'd love to go other places.
Rachel Lloyd
Nice!Fantastic stuff for a newbie to hear!Thank you for sharing yourself with us!
April Decheine
I am still truly figuring it out myself. Would love to travel again, get on tv as well 🙂 I love reading your blog!
Joy Williams
I can't wait to see your pictures from all of your travels!! I love your site and reading your blog. Your an inspiration to me!
Colleen
I want so much to quit and just blog but now is not the time for my family and I. We are currently using the income to save for a down payment on a house. I knew Nicole was in SoFL but I didn't know you knew each other a head of time how cool, but then that is how I got into blogging too through a friend.
We will be down in your area this weekend we are going back to the Marlins Park to watch the Mets.
Theresa
Great post Jenn! I think you are doing a great job with your goals.
Stefani
I love writing too and I LOVE to travel. You have got to go to some amazing places.
I look forward to reading your new journeys on your travel blog.
Billie
I love writing, haven't done much traveling though. I hope to.
Stefanie
We have very similar wants 🙂
Kim L
I love reading about all your travels and look forward to reading about many more.
Notorious Spinks
Oooooooo! Great post...Love it! I am actually in the process of working to redesign my blog and creating a business plan for them. I love writing as well and in the process of starting my book. I look forward to our journeys.
Kelly Stilwell
Great goals, Jenn. I love to travel, too, as you know from our recent email exchange! We went to Italy a few years ago and it was amazing! Went to Costa Rica last November and it was awesome. I have so many places I want to go. I even bought a url for a travel blog, but haven't had time to start. I already have 2! So much to write, so little time! I enjoy working with you and can't wait to see all the places you will go!
Kelly
I love blogging too. It's amazing how much time I put into it but it's starting to bear fruit. My main goal is monetize my site and make the same amount of money I was making when I was working for the man, lol.
debra
Awesome! It's so much fun to travel. Good luck with your goals - may you have even more success!
Courtney
I hope to travel one day. Great goals.
Brandy
I love reading what you have to say! I think you are a great blogger and I look forward to watching you go further and get all that you wish to get in life and blogging! What a fun blog hop!
Sheri
Earning an income and seeing the world are my two goals. I love that I'm finally doing something I love.
Tricia Nightowlmama
such great goals thanks for sharing
Amy
Well written and well said! Love your goal!
Debi
I love your goal. And it is great when it turns out your are lving what you do.
Kathy
I love this post! I learned a lot about you and realized I need to write a post about my goals as well. There is something about putting your goals down on paper (or digital paper). I would love to be able to quit my job and blog full time, I just don't know if I can do it!
Meghan
Love it! So focused
Rachel
I didn't know you and Nicole were friends prior to blogging!
I go back and forth on what I want ... I need to put "pen to paper" and figure it out.
Jenn
We actually were friends in high school! 🙂 We took Italian classes together!
Crystal
I've had a blog since 1999. After all this time, I'm really not sure what I want out of it. My short-term goals even have changed dramatically just in the past few months.
Shop with Me Mama
So glad that you are loving what you do. There is nothing in the world like loving what you do for a living. And you my friend, are doing a fabulous job of it!