Haven Bound {Being a Mentor}

Hello! If you are stopping by from Sarah’s blog, Thrifty Decor Chick, I am happy to have you. Sarah is the best, isn’t she? I am looking forward to attending Haven again this year and being able to see blogging friends, like Sarah, in real life. If you aren’t familiar with what Haven is, it is a conference for makers. Interior designers, woodworkers, and everything in between. Brands go as well such as Home Depot, Joann’s, Behr Paint, Lamps Plus, and many more. You learn skills such as SEO, how to navigate the ever changing social media outlets, photography, ad management, and so much more. I go to not only connect with brands and other bloggers but also to get the tools and skills to make my blog run better which hopefully benefits my readers. I have the honor of being a mentor again this year. It makes my heart happy.

If you are new here, I think introductions are in order.

I am a DIY and home decor blogger, mother of 4 growing boys, wife to an architect who loves to pitch in and help (sometimes), an author and event speaker. We live in Utah in a small 1938 brick home that is full of original charm. The rounded front door is my favorite.

I love a good room makeover! Here are some of my favorite spaces in our house.

The living room before:

The living room now!

Our office was probably the most dramatic transformation because the walls were painted camouflage with sand added to the paint and the trim was a high gloss forest green. Oh, and don’t forget the black lace curtains.

And this is what it looks like now! Well, it’s actually messy at the moment… but this is what it CAN look like on a good day ;)

We recently added a patio. I wish we would have done it sooner! I can’t believe we looked at the ugly backside of our house for so long.

The sliding wall to hide the electrical is my favorite thing!

Our kitchen has had a ew looks over the years.Here is what we had to work with. Pink countertops, a combo of moose and rooster decor, and an AC blocking the view.

Here is where the kitchen stand today!

I’ve been asked by the Haven team to answer a few questions.

First up, “What is your advice for a blogger?”

Well, I would have to say that just like starting any small business, you need to be prepared for the ups and downs. Your traffic will dip, you’ll get mean comments, you’ll compare yourself to others and feel discouraged. But you will also create amazing relationships with readers and other bloggers. You’ll have opportunities that you never would have had outside of blogging. You will feel incredible the first time you are able to pay a monthly bill or two with your income. You have to be okay with taking the bad and not just the good. There will be plenty of both.

Also, it is hard work. I know looking at it from the outside it seems like we just decorate and snap some photos, but there is so much more to it. It blows people’s minds when they realize all that goes into creating a blog. It can easily gobble up all your time if you let it. I have a love/hate relationship with the trendy word “hustle”. While it is great to be a business owner and to be able to help and inspire others, I want to make sure I am not letting work take over other parts of my life. Balance means something different to everyone. Decide for yourself how much time is appropriate for you to spend on the blog and stick to it as much as possible.

“What is your best advice for a new Haven attendee?”

I have found that a surprising amount of us bloggers are introverts. If you fall into the category, know you are not alone. Most of us sneak off to our hotel rooms for some alone time because we are overwhelmed. I do it every day at every conference. Even if you aren’t, you may be nervous to approach people. Don’t be! Find someone and just introduce yourself. This is a place full of people that are just like you. We have the same interests and talents and struggles. We have all had to start up conversations with strangers while inwardly feeling like an awkward 13 year old at a new school. If you are going to get the most out of this conference, you have to network and form new relationships. If all else fails, come find me! Actually, come find me no matter what :)

“Who are you the most excited to see at Haven this year?”

YOU. Seriously, as hard as it still is for me, I love meeting new people. Walking away from the conference with a handful of new friends is the best feeling. That may sounds cheesy but I mean it. So come find me and we can be awkward together!