1 Year Self-Employment Update: Life as a Blogger, Influencer, Entrepreneur
Holy spicy guacamole.
I quit my job one year ago.
A lot happened. I chronicled all the details in my 3-month update & again in my 8-month update with a word of encouragement - I talked about my travels, my brand campaigns & sponsorships, & all those juicy details. But it's been a few months since then.
I ended up spending my one year self-employment anniversary in El Paso, Texas as part of a press trip!
Read my updates from Year 2 & Year 3!
It's crazy to think I gave my two weeks notice & quit my corporate job one year ago!! I recall that nerve-wracking day. How could I forget? I left the office for the last time feeling scared, excited, hopeful.
I had no idea what it would be like to be on my own as a San Diego blogger, influencer, & budding entrepreneur. Ups & downs. Highs & lows. Successes & failures. A bit of everything, really.
One year later, I’m walking around downtown El Paso, Texas for a familiarization tour with Visit El Paso. We had breakfast on a mountain at Franklin Mountains State Park, then I fed a state park AJ the giraffe. We hopped over to La Union, New Mexico for wine at La ViƱa Winery. It's all a part of the job. It's part of the ever-changing landscape of being a writer, a San Diego blogger, a content creator, a travel influencer, an inspirer.
Expect to see an El Paso travel guide in the upcoming weeks!
My El Paso, Texas press trip inspired my career even further. It reinforced the reason why I quit corporate America in the first place. Dare to follow your dreams, but more importantly, don’t forget to put in the work. In the day-to-day, it’s practically impossible to see your progress but you must believe, have strength, & faith & continue putting in the effort.
Dream on.
Work hard.
Live harder.
After weeks of struggling with self-doubt, I empowered myself to take action & LAUNCH.
I launched the July Blogger & Influencer Challenge as a way to cover some of the information in my private coaching but make it affordable & accessible to more people. Every weekday in July each registrant receives coaching content straight to their inbox geared for badass bloggers & influencers looking to increase their social media reach, following, opportunities, & income.
Need some help making progress on your blog or social media platform? Want guidance on how to get more views, followers, opportunities? Struggling to understand the online world or how to find readers/clients? Fill out my FREE Discovery Questionnaire if you're interested to find out about more coaching & how I can help you.
I launched the July Blogger & Influencer Challenge as a way to cover some of the information in my private coaching but make it affordable & accessible to more people. Every weekday in July each registrant receives coaching content straight to their inbox geared for badass bloggers & influencers looking to increase their social media reach, following, opportunities, & income.
Need some help making progress on your blog or social media platform? Want guidance on how to get more views, followers, opportunities? Struggling to understand the online world or how to find readers/clients? Fill out my FREE Discovery Questionnaire if you're interested to find out about more coaching & how I can help you.
Stay up-to-date on my travels & San Diego blogger adventures on Instagram & Instagram Stories.
So tell me: are you new around here? What kind of blog posts do you want to see? How can I HELP you? :]
A Mini Guide to Tijuana's Breweries, Craft Beer, & Tasting Rooms
San Diego's craft beer scene began in the 1990s, expanding from a handful of breweries to 125+ (& growing). With the #SDBeer scene well established, grab your passport & let's head to Tijuana, Baja California for a delicious array of beer at an affordable price.
Watch out for the growing craft beer scene in Tijuana, a border city in Mexico, just south of San Diego. Craft beers range in price, but cost around $4 on average, a bargain to the $7+ craft beers of San Diego. I checked out a few local breweries during my Tijuana travels. Here are my findings!
Cheers from Tres Fuegos CervecerĆa! |
Watch out for the growing craft beer scene in Tijuana, a border city in Mexico, just south of San Diego. Craft beers range in price, but cost around $4 on average, a bargain to the $7+ craft beers of San Diego. I checked out a few local breweries during my Tijuana travels. Here are my findings!
Donkey Punch Brewing Co.
Located on Paseo de los HĆ©roes, Donkey Punch offers a good range of beers like blonde ale, imperial stout, or coffee porter. They have a flight board in the shape of a donkey ear - pretty cool!Border Psycho Brewery
Try the Imperial Psycho Ale or La Perversa (double IPA). Better yet, order a flight. Take a peek at their tap handles while you're at it. Spoiler alert: they're dildos.CervecerĆa Insurgente Tap Room
Insurgente has an eye for design & packaging. I tried CervecerĆa Insurgente while visiting Festival Plaza in Rosarito, Mexico. The La Lupulosa is an American-style IPA with 7.3% ABV (alcohol by volume).
Mamut Brewery Co.
Don't miss Mamut Brewery Co. inside Pasaje RodrĆguez, an arts & culture alleyway. Pasaje RodrĆguez used to be an arcade for tourists in the 1950s but relaunched in 2010. Mamut offers India Pale Ales, stout, amber, & more.A look at Teorema/LĆŗdica Co. Tasting Room |
Teorema/LĆŗdica Co. Tasting Room
This sleek tasting room allows you to sip inside or people-watch Avenida RevoluciĆ³n from the patio. I loved the minimalist look & convenient location to downtown Tijuana.Tres Fuegos CervecerĆa
Browse the murals & art throughout the brewery, then grab a table near the balcony. They usually have three house-brewed beers, with the rest being guest. We stopped by for a pint one night but they invited me back to taste some of their vegetarian cuisine options. A yummy bonus!Vibra Tap Room
Stop by Vibra if you enjoy unique flavors like the Hu La La... (peanut butter cinnamon milk porter) or Aloha (fruit beer with tangerine & peach), among others. Grab your beer & head to the second story balcony to enjoy the view/sunset/nightlife.By the time you're done reading this, another brewery popped up in Tijuana, Mexico! Tijuana's craft beer scene continues to grow, so what are you waiting for? Pack your passport & get hopped up on North Baja California's breweries & taprooms. See you there. Cheers! ¡Salud!
When in Tijuana, make sure to stop by Playas de Tijuana, Mexico.
How to Survive a Family Vacation as an Adult
This post is sponsored by Perrier® Carbonated Mineral Water but the content & opinions expressed here are my own.
Family vacations are just peachy when you're a kid, but surviving a family vacation as an adult is something else entirely. When you're young you can fall asleep in the stroller & get shuttled around to the next destination by your parents. As an adult, sorry buddy, but Mom & Dad won't be rolling you around in an adult-sized stroller anytime soon. When you're a kid on a family vacation, you can spend time with your cool aunt. When you're the adult on a family vacation, you are the cool aunt! Here are my tips on how to survive your next family vacation as an adult.
Related reading: How I Saved Hundreds of $$$ on Flights!!
1. Schedule time to yourself
It's vital that you allow yourself time to be alone on the trip. That might be an hour each day of your three-day-weekend getaway to the woods or that could be an entire day to yourself on the month-long family voyage. You set the rules. While the family went out for Sunday brunch, I stayed in our ocean view rental, popped open a Peach Perrier, & blasted music on my laptop. It felt nice to breathe in the salty ocean air, feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, & be by myself. I drink Perrier because it surprises my tastebuds & inspires the unexpected & my family has been drinking carbonated mineral water since before I can remember.
2. Do a Snack Run Immediately
Grab snacks with the entire crew (harder task) or make a couple people buy some supplies at the nearest store (easier task). Having some water & food is always a good option. There's nothing worse than 12 people coming back to the rental after a long night out with absolutely no food or water. We had a supply of bread, peanut butter, jelly, bananas, & oranges to curb any hangry moments.
3. Bring games
Card games. Board games. This is the 21st Century so you can even download game apps to your phone. After a couple days of bickering, nothing beats the hilarity that ensues after a game of family poker. Try it. We played games until 1 a.m. & laughed the entire time. Games can help cut the tension, allow people to get to know each other, or simply facilitate good old fashioned family bonding time.
4. Keep your perspective
If your family is pestering you about your career or relationship or life choices, remember that this family vacation is a small blip in life, a small moment in time, & you never know when the next trip is. My last vacation with cousins was 11 years ago. We were kids then. Now we're grown-ups. Some of us are married, some have kids, some moved across the globe. Things change. This family vacation is a tiny part of your life, enjoy the details.Enter to win a year’s worth of Perrier flavors! Perrier’s new Peach flavored carbonated mineral water is a sparkling fusion of air & water. Add zest to your morning or serve as afternoon refresher, or enjoy it while your family is out to brunch like I did. Here's hoping you'll survive your next family vacation. :]
* Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Perrier® Carbonated Mineral Water. As always, all opinions are 100% mine aka Carmen's. Learn more about my disclosure. :]
That Time I Spent the Night at London Gatwick Airport
I'm only 4 hours into my 24-hour+ airport adventure at London Gatwick. I'm sipping on my Costa Coffee. People order food, eat, then head off to their flight. Must be nice. I'll be chilling here for a couple dozen hours.
I'm writing a blog post for a sponsored ad campaign, but little do I know the Wi-Fi expires after 90 minutes. After those brief 90 minutes of glorious but slow freeeee Wi-Fi, I'm forced to sign up for a Boingo account to pay for Wi-Fi to get my work done by deadline.
Ah, the joys of the laptop lifestyle.
Here's the kicker, I forgot to cancel my account & paid for another month. Oops.
I will eventually spend the night tossing & turning on a lumpy loveseat with my lovebug Fred, as terrible Christmas covers blast overhead. We're running off a high from 9 exciting days of exploring London. We found a prime spot at the upstairs CaffĆØ Nero, one of the only spots I saw that had couches without armrests (better if you want to fully lie down).
The hustle & bustle of the airport lulls for a bit from 11 PM - 4 AM, I would know, I was up. The flights slow down & people start to congregate by couches & seats. A couple of guys speaking Arabic play cards on my left. A few ladies from New Zealand laugh over a cup of 2 AM coffee. I watch something available on British Netflix.
Related reading: Welcome to the Cologne Cathedral in Germany
I inhale the beautiful range of people & languages. I love travel. Even though I have a sexy batch of pimples festering from my 36 minutes of sleep on the arm of the couch, I am grateful for this experience, to travel, & most importantly, to be alive.
We toss & turn our way through the night until our flight the next morning. We grab breakfast at Pret-A-Manger, a staple during our trip. We love their affordable pricing & vegetarian options. Then board our flight on Norwegian Airlines to head back to San Diego. Back home to the real world, back to the sobering reality.
But yeah, that was the time I spent the night at London Gatwick Airport. If you get the chance, stay in one of the Gatwick Airport Sleeping Pods They're located in the South Terminal. The pods are part of YOTELAIR London Gatwick Airport.
It took two weeks to recover from the lack of sleep at the airport & then lack of sleep on the flight home. Not a good time, but the travel memories are worth it (kind of).
It took two weeks to recover from the lack of sleep at the airport & then lack of sleep on the flight home. Not a good time, but the travel memories are worth it (kind of).
Have you ever spent the night at an airport? I'd love to hear your story. Leave a comment! :]
Read This If You're on the Verge of Giving Up
Hello my friend,
It sounds like you're on the verge of giving up on that thing you've been working toward. That's a totally normal feeling. It's hard out there, been there myself. So, you're on the verge of giving up but you haven't quit quite yet. I just wanted to say...
THINGS ARE HAPPENING FOR YOU SO DON'T YOU STOP!!!
Don't forget that every single minuscule effort & thought that you put in matters. It matters in life, it matters for your dreams, it matters for your work, it matters in your relationships. Those big moments matter, but so do those teeny tiny ones!
The current struggle is that you can't see it. Since you can't see the changes, improvements, benefits, it feels like nothing is happening. Know that sometimes you have to BELIEVE. It's there. It's happening. Things are HAPPENING.
Believe in yourself. Believe in the process. Just believe.
I know that seems like a near impossible task.
But keep on keeping on.
Remember your goal.
Remember that success is a series of small wins.
Remember to do something each & every day, even if it's super small. After a year of daily effort, 365 tiny things turns into something huge.
Sometimes you have to do something scary or out of your comfort zone.
Ready for some real talk? I feel the saaaaame way. Sometimes I genuinely have no clue what to do next, which step to take, if it'll work. But that's all a part of the process. We're ALL winging life. We're ALL the oldest we've ever been.
I got out of my comfort zone just a few days ago at the Vans Warped Tour 2018 press kick off event. It's always a bit nerve-wracking for me to go to events. I have to hype myself & pump myself up just to step out the door. But it gets easier every time I do! I ended up having a blast eating rainbow sprinkle & Oreo ice cream, scoping out the Vans headquarters, & doing something new.
When I feel on the verge of giving up, I remember to breathe in & out. I remember that everything takes time & effort. I remember to focus on things that bring me joy, happiness, knowledge, love, friendship. I remember to believe. I remember that baby steps count, even if it's just a few steps out the door. It counts!
Remember to do something each & every day, even if it's super small. After a year of daily effort, 365 tiny things turns into something huge.
Sometimes you have to do something scary or out of your comfort zone.
Ready for some real talk? I feel the saaaaame way. Sometimes I genuinely have no clue what to do next, which step to take, if it'll work. But that's all a part of the process. We're ALL winging life. We're ALL the oldest we've ever been.
I got out of my comfort zone just a few days ago at the Vans Warped Tour 2018 press kick off event. It's always a bit nerve-wracking for me to go to events. I have to hype myself & pump myself up just to step out the door. But it gets easier every time I do! I ended up having a blast eating rainbow sprinkle & Oreo ice cream, scoping out the Vans headquarters, & doing something new.
When I feel on the verge of giving up, I remember to breathe in & out. I remember that everything takes time & effort. I remember to focus on things that bring me joy, happiness, knowledge, love, friendship. I remember to believe. I remember that baby steps count, even if it's just a few steps out the door. It counts!
What are your goals for 2018? What do you think of comfort zones? What are you struggling with right now? Leave a comment & join the discussion.
40+ Things To Do In Conejo Valley, California
Prefer spending your afternoons sipping wine at a local winery? Want to sleep in, go shopping, & get pampered? Want to take the day to get back to nature? No worries, Conejo Valley has your back. No matter what you love, Conejo Valley has more than enough things to do to keep you occupied.
Whizin Market Square in the morning. Agoura Hills, California |
Where is Conejo Valley?
Conejo Valley is that sweet middle spot north of Los Angeles & south of Santa Barbara, located less than 30 minutes from the beaches of Malibu. Conejo Valley consists of Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, & Oak Park.
Lavender latte from Longevity Coffee. Thousand Oaks, California |
If you need caffeine...
1. Sip on a lavender latte or nitro cold brew at Longevity Coffee.
2. Get a coffee at Ragamuffin Roasters.
3. Head to Five07 Coffee Bar and Eatery for coffee, tea, smoothies, or acai bowls.
4. Reserve a space at Tranquility Tea Room or pick up tea to go.
4. Reserve a space at Tranquility Tea Room or pick up tea to go.
Mouthful Eatery after the lunch rush. Thousand Oaks, California |
If you're hungry...
5. Get coffee & breakfast at Wildflour Bakery & Cafe.
6. Try the crispy yuca with huancaina sauce from Mouthful Eatery.
7. Eat a taco (or two) at Bad Ass Tacos.
8. Have one of Urbane Cafe's vegetarian-friendly sandwiches.
9. Snack on the mushroom flatbread from Twisted Oak Tavern, made in-house with beer-infused dough.
10. Share some seasonal California comfort food from Lemonade.
11. Find organic, plant-based, gluten-free food at JOI Cafe.
13. Try the Chevre Goat Cheese Chocolate from TIFA Chocolate & Gelato.
14. Find homemade Italian desserts at Carrara Pastries, an authentic pasticceria.
7. Eat a taco (or two) at Bad Ass Tacos.
8. Have one of Urbane Cafe's vegetarian-friendly sandwiches.
9. Snack on the mushroom flatbread from Twisted Oak Tavern, made in-house with beer-infused dough.
10. Share some seasonal California comfort food from Lemonade.
11. Find organic, plant-based, gluten-free food at JOI Cafe.
Cheesecake bite from Carrara Pasteries. Agoura Hills, California |
If you have a sweet tooth...
12. Eat a cupcake from Sprinkles Westlake Village.13. Try the Chevre Goat Cheese Chocolate from TIFA Chocolate & Gelato.
14. Find homemade Italian desserts at Carrara Pastries, an authentic pasticceria.
Random find at Conejo Open Space. Thousand Oaks, California |
If you like nature...
15. Tour the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden.
16. Hike Tarantula Hill.
17. Find peace in the Gardens of the World.
18. Channel your favorite movies in Western Town, a real-life set at Paramount Ranch.
19. Hike the Paramount Ranch trails.
20. Swing on the swings at Chumash Park.
21. Spend the afternoon hiking Modelo Trail.
22. Take a quick stroll through Chaparral Park in Oak Park or Old Agoura Park.
23. Explore the wonders of the Conejo Open Space.
25. Sip your way through the Conejo Valley Beermuda Triangle: 5 Threads Brewing, 14 Cannons, & Westlake Brewing & Libation.
26. Find the perfect pour or cocktail at Public School 805 in Thousand Oaks.
27. Take a beer home from Bottle & Pint.
29. Go to the Alma Sol Winery tasting room.
30. Enjoy live music & wine at Aldabella Winery in Westlake Village.
17. Find peace in the Gardens of the World.
18. Channel your favorite movies in Western Town, a real-life set at Paramount Ranch.
19. Hike the Paramount Ranch trails.
20. Swing on the swings at Chumash Park.
21. Spend the afternoon hiking Modelo Trail.
22. Take a quick stroll through Chaparral Park in Oak Park or Old Agoura Park.
23. Explore the wonders of the Conejo Open Space.
Trying tasters at 14 Cannons. Westlake Village, California |
If you like beer...
24. Go to a European-style brewpub (LadyFace Ale Companie).25. Sip your way through the Conejo Valley Beermuda Triangle: 5 Threads Brewing, 14 Cannons, & Westlake Brewing & Libation.
26. Find the perfect pour or cocktail at Public School 805 in Thousand Oaks.
27. Take a beer home from Bottle & Pint.
If you like wine...
28. Do a wine tasting Giessinger Winery.29. Go to the Alma Sol Winery tasting room.
30. Enjoy live music & wine at Aldabella Winery in Westlake Village.
Fabric exhibit at Conejo Valley Art Museum. Thousand Oaks, California |
If you like history, art, & culture...
31. Check out the Conejo Valley Art Museum.
32. Make a stop at the California Museum Art Thousand Oaks (CMATO).
33. Learn about 150 years of California history at Reyes Adobe Historical Site.
34. Explore the Stagecoach Inn Museum complex & permanent exhibits.
35. Watch a play at Conejo Players Theatre.
36. Board Air Force One at Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum.
37. Surprise yourself with a $5 mystery read from The Open Book.
33. Learn about 150 years of California history at Reyes Adobe Historical Site.
34. Explore the Stagecoach Inn Museum complex & permanent exhibits.
35. Watch a play at Conejo Players Theatre.
36. Board Air Force One at Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum.
37. Surprise yourself with a $5 mystery read from The Open Book.
Handmade baskets from Bolga Bae at Westlake Promenade Farmers Market. Westlake Village, California |
If you like shopping...
38. Discover The Oaks Shopping Center in Thousand Oaks.39. Enjoy a boutique experience at Whizin Market Square.
40. Go to The Lakes at Thousand Oaks for shopping, dining, & entertainment.
41. Shop around Janss Marketplace.
42. Stop by The Promenade at Westlake farmers market.
Posing like a badass at Conejo Botanical Garden. Thousand Oaks, California |
My Favourites
♥ wandering around Conejo Open Space ♥ lavender latte from Longevity Coffee ♥ browsing local vendors at Promenade at Westlake farmers market ♥ late night movie at Muvico Thousand Oaks 14 ♥ mushroom flatbread from Twisted Oak Tavern ♥ Conejo Valley Botanic Garden ♥ pretzels with mustard at 14 Cannons ♥ pretending to be a famous actor on set at Paramount Ranch ♥ all the nature options ♥ chai tea from Tranquility Tea Room ♥
Are you a nature lover? Beer lover? What's your favorite thing to do in Conejo Valley?
* Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Augustine Agency. As always, all opinions are 100% mine aka Carmen's. Learn more about my disclosure. :]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
POPULAR TOPICS
Beauty
beer
California
California Things to Do
Carlsbad
Coachella
Copenhagen
Del Mar
easy vegetarian recipe
Europe
fashion
food
France
Germany
Halloween
healthy vegetarian recipe
London
Mexico
music
music festival style
Netherlands
Oceanside
Paris
Portland
press trip
San Diego
self-employment
social media marketing
travel
USA Travel
vegetarian