I’ve mentioned several times on social media that blogging doesn’t pay the bills. That’s the truth, it doesn’t even come close to sustaining my life. I am always surprised by the number of people who inquire about how I became a full-time blogger? I’m not. It might appear that all I do is live the blogging high life, but social media does have a way of making life alternately appear way more fabulous then actual reality. Reality bites.

It’s very, very rare that I get paid to blog, it happens but not as often as it should. I wish people understood how much work blogging was and how effective it can be. It’s slowly changing as the power of bloggers and influencers grow and is more understood. I’m also learning to say no to brands that are not willing to pay for hard work, especially if I’m not seriously passionate about the product. I also am not quite to the number of followers I need to be earning paychecks for my social influence. So if you are reading this and do not follow me and engage with my posts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter GO DO IT NOW! It matters! Blogging is something I do more as a hobby than anything else. I graduated with a Journalism degree from Elon University with the dreams of one day becoming an author, sitting on Oprah’s couch and earning world wide recognition for a genius and witty Novel. As we all know, hardly anyone’s plans work out as they expect, but I’ve always maintained that I would someday get back to my passion for writing.

About a year and a half ago I was employed at OSU Ophthalmology, I was earning a steady {but small} paycheck. I had benefits, retirement and Evelyn was enrolled in an accredited state run daycare. I was chained to a desk, a slave to the man, to be quite frank I was fucking miserable. Never in my wildest dreams had I ever thought I’d grow up to be a glorified secretary. Working for people less educated than I am, being yelled at by unappreciative patients all day and just stretched too thin in all aspects of life. I was getting debilitating migraines that would put me in the ER, my depression was at an all time high, I was a horrible Mom, Friend, Daughter, Employee, everything in my life was suffering as it often does when you are unhappy. I hated life and the thought of having to do it all for another 35 years or until the system told me I could retire, dashed any last hopes I had of enjoying this life.

Something had to give.

So I started the blog and left OSU. I had no clue what I was going to do, where my next paycheck was going to come from or what would happen to me and Evelyn. I was so miserable, that I knew whatever the alternate was, it had to be better than my current reality. I threw my entire being into the blog and creating this space in Columbus and on the internet for myself. Right after I left OSU I got a temporary job with CorePower Yoga working on their local marketing and outreach. Between the blog and CPY I immediately saw the need that companies and brands have for social media marketing and knew I could make it a thing, my thing.

I have a weird passion for social media. I love it, I see the great impact it has and how the world is changing more and more to support a social media driven market. The marketing game is changing and it’s moving towards trends that I greatly excel in. I’ve somehow managed to carve out this little niche of blogging and social media management that I’m slowly turning into a business. And each week is bringing on more people who realize they are missing out by not getting in the social media game. From politics to food, and computer software, if you are a business or brand and are not utilizing every aspect of social media then you are doing yourself a huge injustice!

Shameless plug: If you are reading this and think you are lacking in the social media management department, get in touch with me and let’s see how this social media maven can help you harness it’s power.

It’s been a year and half since I made that decision to basically give the middle finger to everything ‘I was supposed to be doing’ and do what I knew I could always do. It has not been the easiest but it has been worth every single second of blood, sweat and tears.

Now that you are up-to-speed on how I got here and what I do all day as my real hustle, I wanted to share a wine and charcuterie pairings event I put on for one of my client’s, Salumi Couture.

The pairings event was held at Camelot Cellars in Olde Towne East, a quaint and gorgeous Wine Bar with great space for events. The proceeds benefited Easter Seals of Central Ohio, a cause dear to me and one I love to support whenever I can. You will also be seeing Salumi Couture at Romancing the Grape next April so this was a perfect way to begin the introductions!

Bubbles & Couture was a huge success and I am so grateful for how wonderful it turned out!

Goodie Bags

David Lesgold, Owner of Salumi Couture.

Easterseals of Central & Southeast Ohio

Gorgeous wood workings by Griffen Hollow Studio.

Connect with Salumi Couture

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Always the most popular at the party.

We don’t retail this anywhere {yet} except for special events. If you are lucky enough to get your hands on this jam, covet it! It is beyond delicious.

If you want a sample make sure you get to the next Salumi Couture event!

Follow Salumi Couture on social media to stay current on all upcoming events.