Two years, today. Or perhaps I should say yesterday or maybe even the day before to be precise.
My blogging journey has been one hell of a ride so far. This post is not an “Ooooh, look at me and everything I’ve done” perspective, but rather an “Ooooh, look at the REAL potential this blogging gig can bring with tons of dedication and hard work…” perspective. The fabulous Tiffany said it best, “A success for one blogger is a success for ALL of us.” Here’s my story…
I had the idea for Theta Mom in early 2009. For many months straight, I did nothing but write. I wanted to find my voice, develop a clear mission and define myself in this space before I presented it to the world. I always knew who I was but I wanted to be really concrete about the kind of blog I wanted to run. I knew that I always wanted to remain professional but at the same time, stay authentic. I wanted to begin a real dialogue with other women and touch the lives of mothers everywhere; I wanted to connect with women and mothers in a way that hadn’t been done before.
I had a voice and I wanted my voice to be heard.
Once I had the Mission written and refined (in addition to tons upon tons of blog posts) I started to research blogs and the art of blogging itself.
I immersed myself in it.
For many months I ate, slept and drank blogging. I wanted to know every aspect of the ins and outs of blogging. I bought several books to kick start this process and I hung on every word. I documented and took notes. I wrote and wrote some more. I was like a sponge, soaking up every single thing I could possibly learn. At the time, I was doing this in the midst of raising a newborn baby, small toddler and working part-time as an Adjunct Professor. Saying that sleep was not on the agenda is an understatement. Although, I think it saved my sanity from that time in my life. I needed an outlet from the daily grind of motherhood and once I found my niche, I ran with it.
I continued to stay up late many nights to learn and read as much as I could online as well about the field of blogging. Once I had a good handle on the industry, I then immersed myself with the inner workings of WordPress and this book soon became my new bible {still full of blue sticky notes everywhere}:
And, so it began.
I published my very first post at Theta Mom on WordPress on June 28, 2009 using a horrid free WP theme I found online. The background was a dark burgundy and the graphic girl was holding a purse and was walking through the city…a far cry from what it is today. I honestly think only Brittany {who by the way was my very first blog follower and one of my absolute besties to this day} remembers that design (THANK GAWD). All free themes are NOT bad, but I was a total newbie and obviously didn’t know enough about free themes at the time. Oh, how things change. I was so miserable with that WordPress design and not having the time, patience or experience to design an entire site myself, I jumped over to Blogger and set up a cute, easy theme of pink and green…with birds.
Birds? Really?
Yup. Frackin birds.
Thankfully, I think only Helene and Elizabeth remember that design. I re-published that first post three days later on July 1, 2009. The problem was Theta Mom had nothing to do with birds. So, I immediately contacted a designer that worked on Blogger and that’s when I became face-to-face with my infamous stroller chick {which, for the record, I will say goodbye to very soon as the time has come for me to give up the graphic girl}. I remained on Blogger with my stroller chick for about two months when I once again became miserable. This time, it wasn’t the design that was the problem – it was the platform.
In November of 2009, I left Blogger and jumped ship back to WordPress. It was a super scary time because even seasoned peeps like Mama Kat and Angie were still using Blogger. I felt like I was crossing back over to the land of the unknown leaving so many of my Blogger friends behind, but within months, it’s almost as if the entire blogosphere ditched Blogger in late 2009.
Once I moved back to WordPress, that’s when I really started to “brand” myself. I met Lauren, the most talented designer on the planet and she made the migration for me and gave me a fabulous new design. THAT was the moment I knew I found the right look and feel for Theta Mom.
Four months later, I began TMC, a sought after blogging community that continues to thrive. When I had immediate support at its inception (and still do to this day) from so many fantastic bloggers, I knew I was onto something special. I mean, really special. And on my first blogoversary, I was amazed at how far I had come – how so many women and mothers resonated with Theta Mom and everything that this blog stands for.
Late last summer, I officially began working professionally as a blogger and social media consultant. I even started my own business. I properly re-launched Theta Mom in January to showcase these new changes with another new redesign by Lauren, highlighting the addition of The Marketplace and later launched Theta Mom Media on its own platform and I am currently working with several amazing clients, such as momAgenda. Nina is one of the most inspiring entrepreneurs I have ever met. {And in case you were wondering, she is absolutely gorgeous in real life}. She has created an amazing brand and she is so much more than just a company I partnered with; she is a talented, smart and savvy business woman, a true inspiration and a mentor – someone I truly look up to in so many ways and if it weren’t for my blog, I never would have had the opportunity to work with her, which leads me to this very moment, right now.
Two years later.
My blog has morphed into something bigger than I could have ever imagined. This blog has opened so many doors and brought me the kind of opportunities I never even knew existed. It’s also been a place for my refuge and sanity.
This blog is my third baby and it’s a place I call home.
With tons and tons of continued hard work and dedication, I’m confident that I will continue to see Theta Mom and Theta Mom Media taken to new heights. I hope by sharing my journey thus far serves as a small piece of inspiration for you regardless of your own blogging goals.
As for my readers? I can’t thank you enough for the support you’ve given me, the love you have shown me and the kind words of inspiration you’ve provided for me over these last two years. I hope you know how much I appreciate every single tweet, comment and email and I am so grateful for every single soul that reads my writing. I’m also thankful for those that support the fellow bloggers I feature, the women in business whom I endorse and the brands that I choose to partner with. I hope you will continue to be here for Theta Mom and watch me grow and change as I travel this path.
Because the bottom line is, I just can’t imagine traveling this crazy blogging journey without you, because YOU are the reason I still continue to hit publish.
And THAT my friends, will never change.
xoxoxoxoxo
Congrats!!! You are amazing and deserving through all of your incredible hard work and community. Love you! xoxo
Oh Heather I remember when you first started…I think you were one of the very first blogs I started to follow. Congratulations on your 2 year Blogoversary! Can’t wait to see what’s in store for you this upcoming year
Congratulations to you Heather. What you’ve accomplished here is truly amazing and is indicative of someone who really ‘gets’ this medium. Good for you!
This was so wonderful and inspirational! Congratulations!
congrats on 2 years Heather!
Congratulations! What a fabulous milestone. You are on your way to a bright future.
So I have one more year in which to reinvent myself and figure out what on Earth I am doing?
Did you hear that? It was my big sigh of relief, because this first year has been a little crazy trying to find my feet. Clearly, I need to point my Jimmy Choo’s in the right direction and give it all I got – except for the bit where I don’t own a pair of those 😉
Awesome Mama – take a moment and tell yourself you do an amazing job, because you do!
Congratulations on your 2nd blogversary and the amazing success Theta Mom and you have seen. You absolutely deserve it! Here’s to many more great years!
Wow…congrats on 2 years!! Where does the time go? It was so interesting to read how you got started b/c my story was so opposite. I got the idea for my blog AND published my first post on the exact same day….and I had no CLUE what I was doing! I just thought it would be something to get my mind off Legos for a while…LOL!
You have come so far and you are a role model and inspiration to all of us, Heather! Your success is well deserved!
xoxo
Happy blogoversary! You are one of the greats in the blogging world and I have no doubts that the Theta Mom brand will continue to grow exponentially over the next many years.
Congratulations! You deserve every bit of your successes.
I love hearing the stories of how blogs get started… the inspiration behind them and the changes that have been made. You are awesome! You’ve been such a support to ALL of us! Happy 2 years!!!
Congratulations! I love your “birth” story, such an inspiration. I am new to your blog and community but can not wait to really dive in and immerse myself in your words. It is so encouraging to see smart, positive women create their own identities and support other women without all the snarkiness and drama. Thanks for sharing your vision!
Living proof that if a smart woman puts her mind to something she can accomplish everything she wanted and then some. Congrats. Not only on your blog and how it grew, but on being an inspiration for many of us and, especially, your kids.
Happy 2 years, Theta Mom! You were one of the first people I ever followed on Twitter, Heather and you know I love you and your blog.
Your post and website and business ethics inspire me. I think they inspire a lot of people otherwise you wouldn’t have been so successful!
I was so proud to have been featured by you. I mean, I don’t think I’ve been that excited about anything in the blogging world before. You are amazing and I was so glad to have been a tiny part of that!
Look at all you have accomplished in just 2 years! Who knows what is next for you. Blogging on the moon?
I hope to meet you someday!
This is a great post & thanks for sharing. You are truly an inspiration.
What a wonderful post. You are so inspiring and so supportive of others. I’m so glad I found you early on. You keep me going.
Happy Birthday to your baby whom you are raising so well 😉
Happy Anniversary! We keep coming back because you are amazing!! congrats!
Congrats!!! You have built a wonderful community here, one that I am so proud to be a part of. Enjoy your special day and toast with some wine!!!
#Cheers
#Booyah
Wow, congratulations! I love hearing your journey!! Thanks for sharing with us.
You were also one of the very first blogs I started following. It has been a joy to see Theta Mom grow and succeed. Congratulation girl because you totally deserve it!
After reading your history, it feels like I’m a little late to the party here, but am glad I found you and this community. I’ve been introduced to some really interesting bloggers and folks on twitter. Thanks for bringing us all together!
I definitely remember your switch back to WordPress, kinda wish I could remember the birds theme though haha
Love reading your blog- Happy blog-birthday!
Although I’m new here, I can tell right away what an amazing place this is. I’m constantly blown away with how supportive bloggers are of other bloggers. this is why I blog, so I don’t feel like I’m the only one in this big world…I know that sounds corny but it’s true. Congrats on two years!!
Congratulations, Heather! You are an inspiration to me: you knew what you wanted, you went after it, and you got it. I’m so happy for you and so glad to be part of this great blogging community.
I don’t think any of us WP converts want to remember our Blogger days (nor design!). Ha!
Happy blogoversary!
so inspiring! thanks.
Congrats on your two years! It’s so inspiring to see how far you’ve come and how much you’ve accomplished through Theta Mom. I’m REALLY looking forward to seeing the new design. Lauren is absolutely FABULOUS.
That’s a fabulous journey. You are such an inspiration and an amazing role model. I’m so happy to have discovered you on the blogosphere and can’t wait to see what you do next!
Sigh. I need to buy that book! Blogger has been a royal pain in the a$$.
Thanks for sharing your journey!
Congrats!!! It’s truly inspiring to see how much you’ve built in two years. I loved the picture of the WordPress for Dummies with the sticky notes. You really did your homework!!!
Happy 2 years!! You have done so much for bloggers – that’s definitely something to be proud of. Congratulations, Heather!
While the length of time blogging is indeed impressive, that wordpress bible is what I’m focused on! Go. You!
You’ve come a long way, baby! 😉
Happy two years, and many, many more fabulous blogging years to come…
Lovely meeting you last year at BlogHer in NYC… I hope to see you in San Diego in a few weeks!
xo
Wow, what a journey Heather!
And so happy that you are still evolving and finding your niche.
To one of my all time favorite bloggers and places to be…congratulations!!! You have only been blogging for TWO YEARS?? My goodness woman! You are a pro!!
So nice to hear your beginnings…and I have that very same book!! In fact, I love that series…I have it for everything! Haha!
So wonderful to have you in the blogosphere. I am so happy to have met you and all the wonderful bloggers in this community!
Congrats! It’s been so exciting to see you evolve. And I remember stroller girl!
Congrats!! What an awesome and inspiring story!! Thank you for your wonderful community you have provided for us!!
Congrats Heather! You are truly awesome and an inspiration. Thanks for sharing your journey!
Wow. After all this time reading your blog I never knew that our blogs were the same age. Happy Bloggy Birthday to you as well.
Congratulations Heather! What an amazing journey! I have a feeling the best is yet to come
Congrats on your 2 year mark. You have created a wonderful community.
Congratulations on your 2 year mark! You’ve worked hard and made a wonderful community!
congrats!! you deserve it! such a fabulous supporter of all bloggers, you’ve been!! i remember you connecting with me years ago! it’s been awesome to watch your site take off!!
Congratulations and keep on growing!
Happy blogoversary
It’s mine too!
Congrats on 2 years of blogging! I can’t imagine the blogosphere without you!
Congratulations Heather! Wow have those 2 years flown! Looking forward to many more. xx
As a brand new blogger who is in the infancy of figuring it all out, I cannot tell you how inspiring your blog is to me. Congratulations on a wonderful milestone! I cannot wait to read/see/learn more from you.