Hey guys! Can you believe it’ana been 7 years since I started this blog? Over a thousand DIY projects, (what feels like) a million photos and approximately 583907503 minutes spent obsessing over this little corner of the internet.
It’s crazy to think that such a huge chunk of my life has now been dedicated to writing here for you guys, and in that way you’ve been with me through so much. Whilst it probably won’t come as a surprise to you that it’s the best decision I’ve ever made, it has naturally come with serious ups, and serious downs. Not only that but the destination, or where I thought I was going, has continuously changed as time has gone on.
Let’s just say I’ve learnt many (many) lessons in the process – mainly the hard way! I’m not sure about you but I love a trip down memory lane, and so thought it would be fun to share with you one major lesson for every year I’ve been blogging. Here we go.
Lessons From 7 Years Of Blogging
2010
Just Start
Ok so let’s set the scene – it was 2010, Ben and I were living in London, I was working as a town planner in deepest East London, helping to design the 2012 London Olympics. Work wasn’t that demanding, and so I had plenty of time to read blogs, which were only just starting to be a ‘thing’. In May that year, I decided to start one myself, and straight away knew it would be where I shared my passion – making runway inspired DIYs. I launched it on blogger and was completely anonymous… I didn’t share it with anyone because blogging was either unknown (at best) or dubious (at worst) at that point. Oh and the content was pretty cringe worthy, mainly photos from other blogs that were DIY inspiration and poorly lit photos of my own. But I was blogging prolifically, a few posts everyday, and eventually started posting weekly DIYs. This is the first one. Note the head chopped off to maintain my anonymity, which was probably a good thing considering my eyebrows were criminally thin at the time. Towards the end of the year I dropped in to London Fashion Week (solo – looking back I must have had a lot of guts), and was snapped by Vanessa Jackman. After she shared the pics on her site I got a huge number of new readers. I also spoke to another blogger who told me I was crazy to be anonymous on my blog, so shortly after that I came out!
Lesson Number 1: Don’t sit on your hands for years waiting for the timing to be perfect to start your blog, just do it and don’t worry if you don’t have a clear plan. Base the content on what you’re passionate about and just begin. If you’re looking for a sign this is it! Oh and don’t be obsessed with perfection.
Post Faves: DIY Camel Shorts, DIY Leather Collar, DIY Denim Shirt.
2011
It Won’t Be Easy, But It’ll Be Worth It
Around the second year of working on my blog, Ben started a new interior design business in Hong Kong and we moved (a decision we made in 3 weeks). After I arrived I got a job at a private firm designing new cities in India and China. Let’s just say I was pretty miserable there (long hours, poor morale blah blah blah). But blog life was amazing – moving to Hong Kong had exposed me to amazing craft supplies so I was inspired and my projects were getting more creative. Ben also bought me a new sewing machine for my birthday which took things to the next level. I was dedicating every free moment to blogging and on the one hand it was absolutely exhausting, spending hours every night and both days on the weekend prepping content, but on the other I could see real gains with the community and that fuelled all the long nights. I produced a few projects that year that were shared a lot online – including the silk wrap dress and the rug body con skirt. Looking at them now they make me nostalgic in their simplicity.
Lesson number 2: Getting something new off the ground – whether it be a blog or new business – takes time and requires all your dedication. Chances are you’ll be juggling another job and at times it might feel too hard but know that every bit of effort you put in now will pay off ten fold later (read my tips on juggling your passion project and day job here).. And don’t expect it to happen overnight, or feel bad if it doesn’t…. Things take time!
Post Faves: DIY Wrap Mini Dress, DIY Tassel Dress, DIY Silk Maxi Skirt, DIY Dip Dyed Jacket, DIY Printed Mini Dress.
2012
Trust Your Gut (and also your ability)
After a while I got a call (yes… on the phone!) from a publisher who wanted to create a book based on my website. Without labouring over the decision too much, I decided to take the advance, leave my job and write the book. It was the beginning of the biggest (and most difficult) year to date. I was completely thrown in the deep end ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. But looking back it taught me so much. I had taken only a handful of photos in my time, but was suddenly required to produce a whole book full! There were very tight deadlines on delivering the content and, because the publisher was in the UK, I would often work late into the night and respond to emails at 3am. Poor Ben had to deal with tears and freak outs. But once it was done I felt such a huge sense of accomplishment, even if it wasn’t perfect (another lesson: things rarely are).
At the same time as this was all happening, blogging as an industry was starting to well and truly take off and the rise of Pinterest (DIY mecca) meant that my blog audience was growing. Because a large chunk of my audience is in the US, and the US industry took off first, I signed with a blogging talent agency there (they found me via this which was shared a lot online). I got my first sponsored post, and also went to NYFW with Coach. All of this I did in sort of daze – I couldn’t believe it was happening!
Lesson number 3: When opportunity comes knocking, answer the door! Have the confidence that whatever it is, you can do it. It’s so easy to feel scared when new experiences and challenges are on offer, particularly when you feel underqualified for the job… But you need to back yourself. Know that you can learn what you need to know along the way (hello google) – and whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger smarter.
Post Faves: DIY Sequin Maxi Skirt, DIY Scalloped Bikini, DIY Sequin Elbow Patch, DIY Cut Out Denim Shirt, DIY Transparent Clutch, DIY Chain Camera Strap, DIY Scarf Print Shorts.
2013
Treat Blogging Like A Business
I had originally thought I would go back to working as a town planner after I finished writing my book, but life had other plans. In truth the idea of going back to my old career was so off putting to me that I was willing to do anything to avoid it – and so I worked from home side by side with Ben getting the odd project through my agency. After a few months I was motivated (mainly by a dwindling bank account) to go whole hog and treat blogging more like a profession – develop a media kit, writing proposals to clients, networking and putting myself out there. And then delivering on those promises with good content. I left my agency to manage myself too. I finally started to develop a routine of regular working hours, and delineating between home and work… I designed a collection of shoes for Tony Bianco and launched DIY kits and craft supplies. I guess I really started to treat my website as a job. *As a side note, I had a few stress related health issues that started in 2013, and so for the first time health and balance became really really important to me.
Lesson number 4: Just because blogging is fun, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat it as a professional business. In fact, if you’re going to make any profit from it at all, you need to. Develop a media kit, think about branding, messaging and your logo. Go out and pitch for work! Track down contacts, develop proposals, put together mood boards. Treating it as a business is the first step to it actually being one.
Post Faves: DIY Macrame Wall Hanging, DIY Rope Bowl, DIY Leather Clutch, DIY Alexander Wang Inspired Barlette, DIY Crop Top and Skirt Set, DIY Balenciaga Inspired Crop Top, DIY Hand Lettering, DIY Mesh Pencil Skirt, DIY Balenciaga Inspired Ruffle Skirt.
2014
Know When To Work With Others
At the beginning of 2014 we moved into our studio! Looking back this was the moment that I was able to take things to the next level, with content creation becoming a big part of the business. I started to get serious about the types and quality of content that we were creating. I also met Nicola and we just clicked – and started working together all the time. I hired my first staff member to help me with sourcing and shooting for the craft supplies side of the business… It was a steep learning curve all of a sudden having staff!
Around this time, Instagram was starting to take off as dominating platform for many bloggers, with lots of people eschewing their blogs for the ease of instant uploads on Instagram. I totally saw the appeal, I mean how much easier is it to upload a photo as opposed to a whole blog post? But I felt that it was a risk to put all your eggs in one basket, and in truth I love creating content for the blog and didn’t want give it up, and so treated Instagram as a offshoot of this blog as opposed to the main focus.
Lesson number 5: Find your people. Even if you can’t afford staff, knowing when to outsource or collaborate is key to getting better and better at what you do. No person has every skill, and working with others is essential to helping you grow and evolve.
Post Faves: DIY Ladder Wardrobe, What Do You Love? DIY Tulle Skirt, DIY Embroidered Jacket, Rules for Digital Downtime, DIY Scuba Skirt, DIY Boxy Pink Jacket, How to Pack A Hat, Tips for Moving To Another Country.
2015
Diversify Your Offer
2015 was a big year for blogs, as brands started to dedicate more of their budget to working on digital content. However, experience had shown me that only having one stream of income isn’t a great idea – and so I looked at various ways to diversify what we were doing. We already had the product side with the DIY supplies but we started doing more workshops and styling. We also began to work behind the scenes with brands, creating content for their channels and helping to strategise their digital. This presented lots of different and new challenges, and I hired a few more staff to help with copywriting, photography and admin. We had great clients and also terrifying ones… But that’s business isn’t it?
The content on the blog was also evolving slightly – from pure DIY fashion to DIY and creativity across lots of different areas like recipes, entertaining, interiors (all with a DIY angle) and more travel. A brainstorming session in the studio helped me to see that the focus for the site was all about creativity, and I loved the idea of this as the key focus, and hoped you guys would like it too! I was also starting to split my time between Australia and Hong Kong more as we worked on more Australian projects. Towards the end of the year we decided to put the craft supplies business to one side for the time being and focus more on content. On a personal note, we also got our dog Ollie which made us so so happy!
Lesson number 6: Diversify what you can offer your clients. It’s important to test out different things to see if they work for you, and be able to offer lots of different services. And don’t be scared to carefully evolve your content too – everyone talks about owning your niche when it comes to blogging, but what they don’t tell you is that your niche needs to be flexible so that you can grow and evolve as your audience does. I like to think of it as a lens through which to see the world, and use that to unify the message and content.
Post Faves: DIY Crystal Cluster Earrings, How to Pack: 5,4,3,2,1 Guide, DIY Open Back Shirt, DIY Pine Make Up Vanity, DIY Copper Clothing Rack, Men’s Shirt Into Off The Shoulder Dress, How to Become A Morning Person, DIY Distressed Denim Techniques Roadtested, DIY Lace Bralet, DIY Lace Up Flats.
2016
Play to Your Strengths
In all of our careers, there’s an initial period where you are a knowledge sponge, and then the next one where you try to focus more on what works and what you feel you are best at. Earlier on I was all about testing what I could do, and said yes to every new challenge and opportunity that came my way. By 2016, I was finally starting to feel like I had a more clear picture of what I wanted to do – more content creation, DIY workshops, video and creative travel. Based that, I also started to experiment with new areas too – like social media training and designing products. Admittedly it was hard to start some of these new things (there’s always so much inertia when you are getting started) but it was good to see the end results. We launched a new website aimed at making the content more creative – change is hard but it was time. We also designed and launched the simple sandal which was an exciting (and truly terrifying) moment.
Lesson number 7: Assess what works and what doesn’t, and don’t be afraid to stop doing something in favour of doing something else that works better. Remember that it’s not failure to stop doing something that’s not productive, it’s just smart. Take note of what your strengths are and look for lots of different ways to utilise them.
Post Faves: DIY Convertible Bodysuit, DIY Cheese & Meat Platter, How to Care For Indoor Plants, DIY Rope Rug, DIY Word Embroidery, DIY Stitched Up Gift Wrap, DIY Frozen Ice Bucket, DIY Strapless Off The Shoulder Dress, Wardrobe Rehab Series,
2017
Where to next? That age old question…. I guess we’re already into the 8th year of this blog, and I have a few ideas for what I want to do, and a few new projects in the works (eek). But if the last 7 years (and the internet’s ability to change all your carefully laid plans) have taught me anything, it’s that this journey is a rollercoaster. All you can do is trust your gut and be confident that you can handle (most of) what life throws at you. One thing I do know is that I want this site to be a) more and b) better. Pretty much what you guys told me a few years ago in my reader survey. Time to get started…after I take a nap from writing this mammoth post! 🙂
I’m sorry for such a long post guys, but I hope that, even in some tiny way, it has equipped you for your own journey. I’d love to hear if you have any things you have learnt in your time blogging, or running a business. Or doing anything really! Thank you for your continued support. xxxx Geneva
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Such a beautiful post, so inspiring! Love to read about your journey, great blog as always <3
https://www.myblackcloset.com/
Thank you so much Kay, thanks for your support!
Thank you for being so inspiring!
Oh thats so sweet.
It’s definitely important not to obsess over perfection and just start. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I’ve only started my blogging journey almost 2 years ago so it’s nice to learn from someone who’s been on the journey!
Diana | thechicdiary.com
Thats so great, congrats on starting a blog! I’m so happy to share this journey for you!
nice to see how you’ve progress and it was well deserved! I’m a lifestyle blogger in my 3rd year and love it. Not full-time yet, but it’s my creative outlet and way to meet new people in my city 🙂
Leslie
http://www.alifewellconsumed.com
Thats such a lovely thing to hear. I hadn’t made a cent from my blog until at least the second year – I think it’s easy to think that it happened overnight for everyone else but in reality most people have to slog it out for a long time because they can make a career out of it.
This is honestly SO inspiring. Definitely taking a ton of notes especially about asking for help and diversifying content! Oh and treating your blog like a business, even though you have to fake it for a while before you make it!
afomaumesi.com
Oh yes that’s so true, you always have to fake the confidence until you actually feel it. I even feel like that now! Hahaha.
That was a very inspiring read! Now for the next 7 years – or more, right? 🙂
Hahaha Many more hopefully! x
Great post, Geneva! I loved hearing about your blogging journey and seeing how your hard work has paid off. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much! I think hard work is key, although in the last few years I have tried to have a balanced approach, but also perhaps being strategic and critical of what you are doing so that your hard work actually pays off 🙂
This was AMAZING! Thank you so much for being very precise in what worked and how you tackled new endeavors. You also had some really wonderful breaks in there (like the publishing offering you a book deal!). I look forward to your continued upward climb. I’ve taken some of your tips to heart for my upcoming business (I’m an online course developer).
Thank you so much, it was a really hard post to write to be honest because I don’t often open up about the whole roller coaster of experiences over the last few years but I realised there was so much to learn form sharing. I hope some of this helps you with your future endeavours!
Girl… I remember reading your blog posts from way way back and I love and am so happy to see that you’ve come so far! Your blog post earlier this year on reviving and why it’s important to work on your blog made me go back and revamp my whole site! So thank you for being an inspiration! Keep up the amazing work and I’m excited for everything else to come for you!
Charlotte
http://www.deconstrut.com
Thats such amazing news and makes me so happy for you. I think sometimes we just need a little reminder to do something that we’ve been meaning to do for a while! Your blog is looking so great and I love the DIYs! x
Thank you so much! That means a lot that you went and checked out my site!! <3
Thanks Geneva! I love reading all your blog posts and your posts on Instagram. I am currently studying in the states, and seeing some of your pics being in Hong Kong gives me a ‘homey’ feeling. Keep it up 🙂
Oh thats so amazing. I hope you are enjoying yourself!
Love this, Geneva! It’s so interesting and inspiring to hear about your journey, especially in hindsight. Xxx
Thanks so much Emily, yes it’s so funny to look back on all your experiences and think really hard about what you have learnt. We have a tendency to forget where we’ve been and instead dream about the future!
That is such an inspiring post, thank you for that! Really motivates me to keep going!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
Oh yay! I am so happy to hear you say that Michelle. Your content is looking so great and at the end of the day that’s what it’s all about isn’t it?
Thank you for your post, Geneva! Your blog is truly an inspiration. Keep up the good work!
http://squirrelsgotstyletoo.blogspot.ro/
Thank you so much Em! Thats really so very kind and I enjoy doing this so much. Happy it can be helpful to you. xx
Congratulations on seven years!! How incredible and what an amazing achievement =o) I found your blog about a year and a half ago so this was a great way to learn more about your journey and what started it all =o) Thanks for sharing!
https://dreamofadventures.com/
Thank you so much, I am so happy it was helpful. I was a bit worried about oversharing but it’s a relief to hear that this was useful for you 🙂
I couldn’t agree more – things always seem so different from the outside compared to what they are actually like. xxx
Thats so great! And you’ve almost been with me for the whole journey 🙂
This is such a huge inspiration to me <3 I just started my own blog, and before that i was full of doubts. But now your blog and this post keeps me inspired and motivated. Thanks alot, congratulations on your 7 years and greetings from Russia <3
Thank you so much. You can totally do it and I’m excited to share more 🙂
Love this post! your blog is an inspiration!
http://www.thevoyagergirl.com/
Thank you! So sweet.
I’ve only just started reading your blog and this post gave me such a good insight into your blog and your blogging journey. I love that you’re being honest about it and not skipping over the hard parts. I’m looking forward to more posts!
Thats amazing, thank you for tuning in! I love sharing what it’s really like and am so glad you enjoyed it. x
I follow you since 2010! All the way from Argentina! I love your content and how you profesionalize your work.
I´m a blogger too and i´m always looking for ways to improve my content and work.
Hope we meet someday.
Xoxo,
@guadamalter
http://www.guadalupemalter.com.ar
Thank you so much! I am so happy to hear that. I love to hear from other bloggers 🙂
I love reading about other bloggers journeys, tips and tricks when it comes to blogging – it’s such a new space that doesn’t have black and white rules when it comes to growing. I love your content and this post was so helpful and inspirational! <3
http://Www.Stylnova.net
I couldn’t agree more – it’s like we’re all feeling our way in the dark and it’s so nice when someone sheds even just a little bit of light on the subject. I love reading other people’s journeys too.
I have been following you since the beginning! I have been involved with fashion with my work since 2009 and have been thinking about starting a blog for a few years now. This post wast truly inspiring, and made me open old blog drafts.
Thank you for all your hard work X
OMG your totally need to do it! Having a blog is such an amazing creative outlet and you’ll love it. Thank you for reading!
I love your long posts! The more details the better, especially for those of us who look to your blog as an actual helpful, non generic guide to blogging, what doesn’t work, and what does etc.
Oh thats so sweet, yep I like to go into detail and I know it applies to everyone differently but hope it can help!
Oh I loved reading this! 7 years, wow! Thanks for sharing this wisdom x
Hannah
Stories Of A Telescope
Thanks so much for reading, yes it’s such a long time! x
This post is truly inspiring. Reading about the journey you made, was really interesting. I’ve been following you for quite some time, but reading the process you and your blog went through.. just wow. You go girl! 😉
http://labrunette.be
Thank you so much Lauren, I feel some parts of it were wow, some meh and some panic inducing, but thats the whole rollercoaster of life isn’t it?
This is so encouraging. I’m not far along on my blog journey yet, but it definitely has been a struggle to remind myself it takes time & hearing how long your journey has been makes me realize how worth it will be, as well as not to compare where my blog is now to anyone else! Thank you 🙂
http://www.sarahthemess.com
Yes totally. I think one problem we have is that we often see the end result of all people’s hard work but not the night after night slog when you’re starting something. Or even two years in when you’re only starting to make some gains! It’s good to be reminded of the truth sometimes.
I loved this encouraging post so much! 🙂 I’m just a little more than 2 years in to my blogging journey, and although it’s been hard, it’s also been super rewarding! <3 I'm so happy that you got to experience through this blog, and I can only hope that I can experience life through mine as well! Thank you so much for sharing this inspirational post!
XO, Elizabeth
http://clothestoyouuu.com/
Thank you so much Elizabeth. I think if you are dedicated and stay true to your audience and vision, whilst always evolving and trying to improve, you’ll get to experience so many amazing things! Good luck! x
Loved this real and raw post from you! You started when I was finishing my final year in Uni, and I’ve followed you since. Your DIY projects always had so many wow factors, and you always made it so doable! When my bf got me your book as a surprise, I was soo happy! In fact, your journey has inspired me to nurture my own DIY hobbies, and it’s resulted in DIYKL (Do-It-Yourself Kuala Lumpur) in Malaysia! So, thank you! <3
Saran
https://www.diykl.com/
OMG that is so cool!! I am so happy for you and it’s great you have joined the DIY community. Isn’t it the best feeling? Cant wait to see more!
You are such an inspiration Geneva! Love this a lot, i believe there are great things in store for you!! Thank you for sharing!!!
Awwww thank YOU! You are always the first to voice up on my posts and let me know your thoughts and I want you to know I truly, truly appreciate it. Thank you thank you.
Very nice blog specially that 1st no. post i really like your view
http://articles.org/best-way-to-find-casual-kurtis-online-in-india/
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and articulate the experiences you’ve had these past seven years. I have followed along your creative journey for years now, and reading this has motivated me to truly dedicate myself to my blog, The Great Vibes Guide. Thank you. Xx.
http://www.thegreatvibesguide.com
Thats so so amasing to hear! I am so happy for you. Blogging is such an amazing creative outlet, and teaches you so much about how to structure your creativity. Cant wait to hear more!
So nice to read about your blogging journey 🙂 can’t wait to see what’s next for APAAS x
Thanks so much Chelsea! I’m excited for things to come too 🙂
So nice to read this – I think I must have been following from near the start as I remember linking to the shoulderless blouse DIY on my own (now-abandoned!) blog. It’s been so nice to see your success and I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Thank you thank you! It’s been such an amazing thing to be able to do what I enjoy every day, thats all I can say 🙂
This is an interesting and inspiring read. Thank you!
– Kat
http://www.wildfornature.com
Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it x
OMG Rita those are such nice things to say. I agree, I’ve taken a lot of risks, mainly to do with testing what direction I want to go in. Some worked, and naturally some didn’t but I think it’s that process that makes you wiser. I am planning for a few more major things this year that will test what I do, but a challenge is always good. I am so happy to hear you are starting your own blog! Share it here when you launch it!
Thank you so much for this post, Geneva! I started my blog in 2014 and
decided a few months ago to turn it into a professional business.
Sometimes I’m struggling because I don’t know where it’s leading me. But
your story just gave me some new motivation. And it’s is so nice to
hear that you worked as a town planner, because I’m originally an
architect.To be familiar with the process of designing makes it so much
easier to create DIY’s 😉 Best, Luisa
https://www.schereleimpapier.de/
I didn’t realize it but I’ve been reading your blog since 2010…wow! It’s been inspiring to see how you’ve made this dream grow and your blog definitely inspired me to start my own this year (restitchstance.com). Happy 7 years!
Wow Catherine! Thank you so much for coming back to read, I appreciate it so much!
Congrats on your 7 years Geneva. I came across AP&AS 3 months into my own blogging journey in early 2015. It is one of the very few blogs I’ve read consistently over that time. I not only love your DIY’s but have found it inspirational, as a fellow blogger, to watch you and AP&AS evolve. Can’t wait to see what you create in the future!
Thank you so much, I really appreciate that you have enjoyed coming back here regularly. It means so much!
So interesting to read about your progress. I’m currently in my fifth year of blogging and I can relate to so many things that you say – especially about changing, evolving and doing whatever life throws at you. Opportunities are there but I always try to focus on what I like most: creating content.
In my first year I had one DIY that was a big success and got shared a lot. It scared me. I might have had a tiny break-down because there are so many readers now that expect such great things of me. It’s good to start slow and evolve and have time and space to improve.
I feel like that if you start a blog now you have this immense pressure to make everything perfect: from magazine-like pictures to super-engaging copy. It must be really daunting.
I loved to read that you were just the same: trying, reviewing, improving and growing.
You’re a huge inspiration, please keep going. I’d love to see where this crazy journey takes you!
It’s really inspiring to see how much you GIVE in these posts, Geneva! It’s all carefully considered and thought out and I appreciate all the information you willingly depart 🙂
These are great tips! I’m an old reader but a new blogger, and getting started has been really challenging but also really fun. Thanks for sharing:)
readwriterunblog.com
I completely remember that rug body-con dress, Geneva! And the red silk dress, too! Congrats on all of your achievements thus far! What an exciting 7 years it has been!
Thanks so much! Thats a fave of mine too 🙂
WOW! 7 Years! What a great story and post Geneva. I really appreciate your candid tales – they’re super encouraging to me (I’ve just crossed into year 1 of blogging!).
You’re doing a great job, so definitely keep trusting your gut. Thanks for all the tips.
P.S. For people with ambition, “more” and “better” always feels like the goal 😉
http://www.shessobright.com
I couldn’t agree more – I just want to keep improving and it helps to have lovely people to work with and amazing readers to share it with. Definitely not taking that for granted!
Congratulations on 7years and going. Just want to say I’ve been reading and obsessing over this blog for the past 3 years. I tell just about every and anyone about it (because who doesn’t need great diy ideas). I admire your courage with all your decisions being based around in your belief I yourself. Also, thank you thank you thank you for not abandoning blog obsessed readers like myself to solely post on IG. And also thank you for this extremely helpful and inspiring post.
Thanks Tandeka, I really appreciate your being a loyal reader. It’s people like you that encourage me to write every day! I love so much sharing content here with you guys and I wouldn’t give it up for the world. I am toying with putting more time into a few other mediums but this blog will always be the focus 🙂
I emailed you this but maybe writing it here is better. I love your blog, I’ve been following you for so long and I think how you’ve evolved it into such a successful business is nothing short of amazing. I really admire how you’ve done that. This post inspired me to finally get mine going (I’m currently working on setting up the site and even hired a coach to get me started on the right foot). One thing I’d love to see more of is posts like this!
The advice is great and I’d really love to learn from you about building a blog into a business…how to create a media kit, best practices on pitching yourself for projects, what goes into working with a brand (do you get paid? Do you just get exposure?), etc. I think you have such great knowledge in this area and would love for you to share more of it 🙂 Congrats on 7 awesome years and many more to come!
Thanks Frannie! I replied to your email with a bit more detail but I’m excited to give you more of the content you are after soon! x
Congratulations!
So inspiring post!
Keep going!
Thank you so much!
Merci beaucoup! I am so happy to hear that you keep coming back, and I’m looking forward to sharing more!
Hi Geneva! Congrats on 7 years. Your first post made me giggle. It is fantastic, the way you share ups, downs, perfect and the not so perfect. In this increasingly curated world it’s nice to have a bit of both (cause we all still love looking at pretty pictures). It adds a whole level or richness to your blog actually! Over the years I have gone through so many blogs – but I always return to yours and it keeps me inspired in so many ways. It’s also nice to actually READ lovely, properly written text with considered images (instead of getting stuck in an ocean of quick consume instagram posts). I have been a reader for 5 years now and will continue to do so for what I hope is many more years!!
Wow, congratulations on going into your 8th year Geneva! I’ve been following your blog for a few years and always enjoy your DIY posts and they never fail to inspire me in my own projects! Thank you for sharing your advice and timeline and keep it coming.
TINGETTE | tingette.com
what a wonderful look back! You came such a great, Long way. I admit, I miss your runway inspired DIYs so, so, so much… I’d just LOVE to see one or two once in a while! It always was a huge Inspiration to get started. I’m still thinking of starting a blog myself, but with today’s Standards in Website design and photographing, I’m too intimidated to do so. I just can’t live up to this expectations.
This is awesome! I am just starting my own blog and will be taking all of your advice (:
But where did the NAME come from????? I’ve heard of “an heir and a spare” (2 boys) but not this. I can imagine, but I’d love to hear it straight from the horses’s mouth! (not an insult…I’m from NC and it’s our way of saying “I want to hear it from the lips of the person we’re talking about” but I thought you might enjoy the saying!
yes that’s what I came looking for too. Interseting detailed journey though too.
Congratulations on your success!! Yours is the first blog I ever read and still do. It inspired me to DIY and to pick up again sewing. Kids and a crazy career as a surgeon don’t leave me much time for that now but I still come over to check what you are doing. You are truly creative. Good Luck in the years to come!!! Going over to the shop now to get the super cute sandals!!! Also, you are so freaking cute!!!!
I don’t even know you and I am SO proud of you. What an inspiration.
I find your writing about blogging so helpful! I recently started a log and often feel like… what am I doing? Who’s even reading this?
Really enjoying this series and congrats on 7 years!
I enjoyed reading this so much! It’s amazing to see how much you have learned and progressed over the years. Being new to blogging, the advice from your first year or two really spoke to me (especially avoiding perfectionism)! Excited to see what the future holds for you!
Thanks for sharing this! very inspired and big congrats on your milestone!
I recently launched a new blog and it is coming up on that 1 year mark, so this is very exciting!
Wow – thank you so much for this! It’s exactly what I wanted/needed to read right now. You have such a beautiful and sensible way of writing. You make it feel like its all within reach and didn’t just magically happen. Thank you for that. I am currently in training as an upholsterer (3 years in the making) I can only do it once a month at present as its a 6 hour drive away! I live on a farm with two small boys under 4 in rural Australia. I’m also doing a part-time admin job which I am hoping to roll out of next year. I will be starting a blog and will be sharing my clients history/stories of the chairs I upholster. I’m also offering lampshades and have slowly been getting trade accounts with fabric houses & textile designers…. it has felt like a long road but it’s getting some momentum now and I am slowly creating the tribe I want and I feel so focused on what I am doing now too… thank you for saying its ok to not give up your day job, and for saying its ok for it to take time. I really needed this x
Also HUGE congratulations Geneva on your 7 years! You should be so proud. xx
Thanks for sharing these valuable lessons. You’ve shown that blogging can be a feasible career, especially as fellow Hong Kong dwellers! xx
Great post! Just started blogging and it’s quite intimidating, but this post made me super excited!
This was so great! I just started blogging, so I haven’t seen it all yet. But I love how you mention it’s hard work but it’ll be worth it. It seems like everybody keeps saying blogging is easy and you can get rich fast, but when you really look at bloggers out there it’s definitely hard work. So thank you for mentioning it. I’m guessing it’ll get a bit easier later for me (at least I hope haha). Anyways thanks! I am loving your blog. I also read the other one about social media and it was mind-blowing. Didn’t know about the bots and stuff so thanks for opening my mind!
Congrats on the 7 years btw!
Brianda – DecideTomorrow.com
Thank you for sharing this with us! Your post is definitely informative and inspirational. Looking forward to my own journey in blogging.
http://www.kindnesscurated.com
love this!! I’ve been following you for such a long time and you are the number one inspiration behind my blog so thank you so much Geneva! xx
-Skyler
http://www.navigatingthis.com
It was so lovely to read about the story of your blog! I started browsing here way back in 2011, I’ve always loved your take on DIY and have always been inspired by what you create. Getting a little taste of what your life is like behind the scenes gives so much context to your blog as an evolving project and it was fun to see old DIYs that I haven’t looked at in years but totally remember 🙂
Thank you, Geneva! (Bookmarking this.)
You did it! 7 years already.
This is the first time I read your blog from the first line until the last letter even it seems to be your longest journal 😉
It’s really and very inspiring! you made my day.
You shake and wake me up from somewhere to restart myself, follow my passion again in 2018.
Thank you so much
KT
Your blog is the only one I read consistently. I’m a nomadic house sitter now so I’m not DIYing anything, but it’s fun to look at the projects and make note of what I’ll do in my home when I tire of seeing the world. I can’t even fathom where you get all of these amazing ideas from. It’s a gift, for sure.