So let me just start off by saying, YES. I work. I work seven days a week and essentially have three jobs. Maybe four, depending on how you look at it.
When I decided to quit my full-time job and move to OKC, I thought it was going to be temporary. We were planning to make a big move to New York or DC and I was planning to have a full-time gig once we moved. So I just took up a 3-day a week nannying job for a little money on the side and launched my blog. I have always wanted blogging to be my full-time career but honestly was not sure it would ever happen.
I knew in my heart that I had a concept. Something that was niched, different, and I thought the world of women in 2018 were hungry for: a lifestyle blog with substance. So, I would love to preface this by saying, I always put 110% into my blog and approached it as a business from day one.
That said, I was very scared! I won’t pretend any of it was easy. I built this website myself. I taught myself coding lingo I never thought I would learn (and fell in love with it, by the way). I got vulnerable about my idea to friends, I spent sleepless nights researching how bloggers earn income, I reached out to any bloggers I knew for advice, etc.
All the while, nannying 3 days a week with two cuties who I completely adore.
I think this balance has really worked for me because while nannying is physically exhausting, blogging is more mentally exhausting. So I was able to strike a balance. Whenever I got home from a long day with the kids, I would look forward to plopping down at my desk in my sweatpants and writing, planning social media posts, editing photos, responding to brands, reaching out to the press, setting up affiliate profiles, etc. Whereas after spending a few days with my eyes glued to a computer screen, I really looked forward to running, laughing, and swimming with my favorite kiddos.
(if you are interested in blogging, I really recommend doing something active as your second job: think soccer coach, bartending, waiting tables, whatever makes you happy and keeps you on your feet. I also have a coaching program for aspiring bloggers, if you need more info, you can email me HERE).
SO that was a while ago. Slowly I have downshifted my nannying but added in a FEW more families. Think like three more, LOL. So my first family recommended me to my second, third, and then a fourth family. I now only nanny twice a week. The blog makes more than enough money to support me, but I love playing with kids and living in the moment with them. They truly light up my life. Also, from a financial perspective, blogging is a lot like freelancing. So I never know how much the next month will bring in. I feel more comfortable having the stability provided by a steady income from nannying, just in case. For now at least.
Additionally, I also have my consulting business! So the reason I said I might have four jobs is because I nanny for TWO families, have blogging income, as well as a running consulting company. I never intended to be a consultant. Like ever. I honestly didn’t really even understand what that meant. But when you develop an expertise in one area or another, people start asking for help on projects. I was approached by every type of organization you can think of – brands, individuals, political campaigns, law firms, biomedical startups, restaurant groups you name it. Initially, I didn’t charge anything. I was just doing it more for exposure and experience. But after a while, I didn’t have enough time to work for free! I mean, who really has time for that anyway?!
After a long talk with peers and mentors about “knowing my worth,” I found the confidence to start charging for my consulting. I approached this the exact OPPOSITE way that I approached the blog, ha! With the blog, I made a big fuss on social media, had a LAUNCH date, celebrated anniversaries, and was just generally very public about it. Consulting was something I was much more precautious about, mostly because I didn’t have a strong vision for it. But slowly, it has built itself out into a thriving business. I have made a lot of mistakes along the way (and I will NEVER work with another political campaign again!) but all of them led me to where I am. I think the success of an entrepreneur is based on the ability to pivot and get up after failures or mistakes.
I also wanted to mention that MY DAD gave me all of these ideas. I did not immediately say, “YOU’RE RIGHT DAD, I’LL GET TO WORK!” Quite the opposite. I would stew and say, he doesn’t get it! But in the end, I took his advice. Initially I wanted to start a magazine and pay writers to write content. He told me print was dead and to write my own blog so I didn’t have to pay someone to write. Once the blog was up and running, I was complaining about people wanting help with THEIR visions all the time, not leaving enough time for myself. He told me to start a “consulting firm.” Again, each time, I thought he was nuts until I started researching, got off my high horse, and really listened to him. It’s easy to dismiss our parents sometimes because the world has changed a lot since they were starting their careers, but really, they’ve seen businesses rise and fall. They know what works and what doesn’t. I didn’t want to take credit for these ideas though – they all came from guidance from him.
With this post I just wanted to make the point, blogging is not for the faint of heart. It is not a “side hustle.” If you are blogging for business, it is a full-time job. And then, for the first few years, you have to figure out how to pay the bills on top of it. But if you love it, you will do it for free until the money comes. This month I was able to quit nannying (except for one day a week – just to help with balance in life!) and focus completely on my business. I really never knew I would get here… But I took a chance on myself and am really glad I did.
So what does a week in my life look like?! I wake up at 6am every day, sit down with the paper, write & strategize about posts for the week. I go over my calendar. Make an enormous “to do list” (tasks have to do with everything from upkeeping my site, client obligations, working with brands, bookkeeping, posting to social media, promoting posts or events… Really the list goes on), and try to tackle it. I will be honest – I never ever finish my entire “to do list.” There is always overspill to the next day. But I always try to remind myself that you just have to make a start… Baby steps will still get you there.
The reason I say I work 7 days a week is because I do. If I didn’t work on weekends, I would not be able to juggle two growing businesses AND nannying. That said, I have really been putting more effort into taking breaks, meditation, and practicing general self-care throughout the week. I am beyond lucky to have the support of a wonderful partner and cuddles from my pup. Without them I could never have pulled all this off! Because on top of all of the running between nannying jobs, talking with clients for consulting, and writing/posting for my blog… I have a chronic stomach condition. I have always been open with you guys about this because it is a big part of who I am and affects me every single day. SO many people suffer in silence and then have to bare being told “well you don’t seem sick!” Most of the time, the person doesn’t “seem” sick because they don’t want to show you how bad it really gets! Because it’s not fun to talk about… Actually it’s pretty disgusting and depressing! That said, having a chronic condition caused me to ask myself: what do I REALLY want out of life? What do I NEED to do with my life to be fulfilled? If I died tomorrow, would I be satisfied with who I was while I was on earth? Those questions led me to want to help encourage, inspire, and support other young women. And now I get to do that every day as my job… Because I was brave enough to take a risk and work to make it happen! If you have an hour today… Take a lunch break or when you get home, REALLY ask yourself… Who do I want to be? What do I want people to remember about me? Dig deep and pretend this is your last year of life… What would you do?! What impact would you want to have? Then, MAKE A PLAN & GO GET IT!
Again, if you are interested in launching a blog or small business, either for fun or as a career path, I do personal coaching where I can help you set up your site, develop your social media, point you towards all the best tools, and help you avoid ALL the mistakes I made when I started out! Feel free to email me at info@seebyantigone.com if you need more info or are ready to get started!
xx Antigone