A Look Back at My Blogging Journey

I have a very exciting post in store for you all today! I’m sharing a look back at my blogging journey & how I got started + I have an amazing contest that I have been compensated by QVC & HSN to share with you all in this post. Let’s jump into it!

A Look Back

Chances are you have not been following me since I started my blog. It all began several summers ago when my now husband, Charles had a work assignment for three months in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Lucky for us, I had a few months off of work in the summers because I worked for a school district as a School Psychologist. I had nothing else to do while down in South America for a few months, so I decided I would start a blog & share our summer travels. It was unique to essentially be spending a few months abroad in our mid-twenties (sort of like studying abroad without the studying), so it was fun to share what all we were up to. I also shared my love for cooking, health & beauty, & fashion. Here are a few fun throwback pics from when I first started!

After I returned from my summer abroad, I posted here & there on my blog or Instagram, but didn’t take it too seriously. I was maybe posting once or twice a week and sometimes, barely at all. A year or a year-and-a-half went by & I decided I really enjoyed sharing different aspects of my life. I looked at it like a conversation with a girlfriend about things I loved over coffee or cocktails. I met a few girls in Dallas who had blogs & with their encouragement, started posting more & more. As I posted more & took it more seriously, my online community started to grow even more.

Not All Roses

The process of starting my blog & sharing my life was not all roses. I was laughed at, made fun of, & questioned. These are often things that go with putting yourself out there & taking risks. I knew what I was doing was making me happy, so I kept at it & ignored those who maybe didn’t get it. I think this is such a powerful lesson for anyone following their passion & chasing a dream!

Just Go For It

You all may recall that I shared a few months ago that I quit my job & jumped in to blogging full time this year. I told my job back in March, but since I worked for a school I wanted to finish out the school year & my contract. The past few weeks were my first official weeks as a full time small business owner. It’s been a wild time to take the leap, but I am so glad that I did.

I would not have felt the push to do it without the constant support & encouragement from my friends, family, & community. It’s so important to surround yourself with people who believe in you & push you to do your best. I feel so lucky to have that! Putting yourself out there & going for something that may not work out is scary & takes a lot of sacrifice, hard work, & ignoring people who may not get it. I can tell you from experience that you can’t have great rewards without big risks! I can also tell you that it is so important to ignore anyone who is holding you back from what you really want to do. YOU GOT THIS!

Now, It’s Your Turn

Now is your opportunity to put yourself out there & take your passion to the next step. QVC & HSN are doing a contest called, The Big Find. This gives you all the opportunity to submit your products or ideas on QVC.com & HSN.com to become a new brand on their sites. This is a perfect opportunity for any of you may have your own Etsy shop, small eCommerce business, etc to take your ideas & products to the masses.

Key Dates + More Info

• 07/8-08/19 product submissions – this is the timing where there is an ask out for marketing support
• As a part of the application process, applicants would need to submit their form as well as a video sharing about their story, the product, & why they believe it is right for the QVC & HSN customer.
• Buyers will review submissions & decide who will move on to the next round.
• The next round will include an invite to a virtual pitch session via Zoom meeting sometime during 09/15 – 09/25.
• All entries must at least have a prototype to present to the panel. Ideally, two additional samples will be available to be sent to QVC & HSN.
• 09/15-09/25 auditions
• 09/28-10/09 VP/Director regroup on selections for any additional brands to be added as Big Find Winners, as many will have been decided during the event. These would delayed big ticket winners.
• 10/25 final decisions communicated to new brands if not before.

More information can be found HERE.

A Few Current Favs

I’m sharing a few of my current favs from QVC & HSN with you all below. If you watch my stories, you know I share deals from both of them regularly. They have SO many amazing sales that I’ve been able to score some major deals during! I love that they offer easy of flex payments, too.

Click to Shop

I am SO excited to see what you all come up with to enter into this contest & sincerely hope that one of you are chosen as the winner. This is such an incredible opportunity! I was so happy when QVC & HSN reached out to partner for me to share. Thanks for taking a walk down memory lane with me today & GOOD LUCK! XO