This iReport is part of an assignment:
Making it in America: Mompreneurs
Blogging changed my life!
I am a graphic designer who started a blog for fun back in 2008 as an outlet for creative projects I did at home with my two children. www.LivingLocurto.com
At the time, ran a business from home designing annual reports and websites for corporate businesses, so that left little for my crafty and whimsical side.
Little did I realize the impact of starting a simple, free blog or where it would lead me. I was just sharing my ideas and passion for creativity. I think my blog really took off a few months after starting it when a printable design I created was featured on LifeHacker.com. Shortly after, a painted pumpkin craft I made for Halloween went viral throughout China!
LivingLocurto.com now has over 1.2 million page views a month and has since turned into a “go to” place for printable designs, DIY crafts, fun food and easy party ideas.
Shortly after starting my blog, I quickly figured out that if people loved my designs so much, that they might also purchase them. So I started a shop selling Party Designs that you can print from home. Now the DIY Party market is booming and I am excited to have been a pioneer in the printable blog world.
This year, I have hired employees to help with my design business so I can focus on my blogs, creative crafts, photography blog and party designs. I do work with various magazines, brands and have a signature line of paper and party supplies launching in 2013!
Through blogging, I also met my business partner of IHeartFaces.com, which has become one of the top photography blogs for women! We host monthly photo challenges that must include a face along with great tips and tutorials about photography. We now have a large conference each year and a fantastic online community.
Blogging has certainly opened up a whole new world to me! I am thankful each day of the great opportunities and people that I have met through blogging. I receive so many letters from readers that touch my heart. I would have never thought my designs or craft ideas would inspire so many others out there.
I love my job now and wouldn't trade it for the world!
At the time, ran a business from home designing annual reports and websites for corporate businesses, so that left little for my crafty and whimsical side.
Little did I realize the impact of starting a simple, free blog or where it would lead me. I was just sharing my ideas and passion for creativity. I think my blog really took off a few months after starting it when a printable design I created was featured on LifeHacker.com. Shortly after, a painted pumpkin craft I made for Halloween went viral throughout China!
LivingLocurto.com now has over 1.2 million page views a month and has since turned into a “go to” place for printable designs, DIY crafts, fun food and easy party ideas.
Shortly after starting my blog, I quickly figured out that if people loved my designs so much, that they might also purchase them. So I started a shop selling Party Designs that you can print from home. Now the DIY Party market is booming and I am excited to have been a pioneer in the printable blog world.
This year, I have hired employees to help with my design business so I can focus on my blogs, creative crafts, photography blog and party designs. I do work with various magazines, brands and have a signature line of paper and party supplies launching in 2013!
Through blogging, I also met my business partner of IHeartFaces.com, which has become one of the top photography blogs for women! We host monthly photo challenges that must include a face along with great tips and tutorials about photography. We now have a large conference each year and a fantastic online community.
Blogging has certainly opened up a whole new world to me! I am thankful each day of the great opportunities and people that I have met through blogging. I receive so many letters from readers that touch my heart. I would have never thought my designs or craft ideas would inspire so many others out there.
I love my job now and wouldn't trade it for the world!
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