Because the last several months have been some of the most difficult for me. I truly would describe it as surviving instead of thriving.
My main goal for 2021 isn’t to train for some brand new Ironman race or achieve some lofty professional or financial goal. While I have set some fitness and financial goals for myself, they are the top of the priority list.
To get it out there in the open my main goal and top priority next to being a husband and father: my mental health.
Right before the holidays I was officially diagnosed with depression with a side of anxiety and mounting, overwhelming life stressors.
Just how bad was it?
As we take time to reflect on this past year, with all its ups and downs, we want to thank you for continuing to support us and for showing up for your community. Because of you, we were able to fund our first ever scholarship program, and we awarded four Black Creative Students scholarships to students from all over the country. This year, we were also able to publish 26 new blog posts, had 10,400 page views, added and featured 4 new contributing editors, hired and on-boarded a super creative new social media, Greer Blount, and offered our first writing internship to Maggie Barbour who created and published 10 posts in less than 12 weeks.
It's been an eventful year for out team, and to close it all off, TNM founder Kevin O'Connell is sharing his thoughts on 2020, dealing with change and transitions as a new dad and entrepreneur, and finding new approaches for 2021. Keep reading for Kevin’s end-of-the-year message!
Working freelance may sound glamorous at first, but those who've been doing it for a while know it takes hard work. Getting your business off the ground isn't easy and sometimes it means juggling various projects all at once, but it also has it's benefits - I mean you are your own boss after all!
This week, writing intern Maggie Barbour asks The Niche Movement's Editor-in-Chief Jaylene Perez and founder Kevin O'Connell, both of whom have experience in freelancing, what it really takes to make it work.
Read on for Jaylene and Kevin's best practices when it comes to finding clients, marketing your services, settings rates, and more!
For all those in pursuit of professional development, this week we're taking a look at which skills you'll want to brush up on depending on your specific industry. Whether you're a freelancer, marketer, entrepreneur, or work in another creative role, you'll want to read up on what will make you and your work really shine.
Tap below for the full post!
Job searching is a tough task on its own, and job searching during a pandemic... well we know it's not easy. You'll have to be flexible, know how to network and market yourself, and really hone in on what it is your looking for as you search for the right fit.
To find out what can help you land your dream job, keep reading!
This week writing intern Maggie Barbour interviews Jo Grode, a recent grad who's transformed her passion for painting into a business by customizing shoes and other items--even selling to celebrities like Billie Eilish!
Keep reading to find out how Jo got started and her tips for anyone else who wants to start and grow their side hustle!
Kevin shares tips on both creating visually appealing content using Canva, as well as tips for using that content to build up your personal brand. Start with Part 1 or go right ahead onto Part 2!
Part 1 in a 5 part series to help you level up your social media game right now. Read Kevin's tips on using Buffer, scheduling posts, and how to sort through all the noise to achieve your social media engagement goals!
Written by: Kevin O'Connell
Do you turn your phone off at night? Do you know when it's time to take a break and unplug? Rachael shares the many benefits of shutting down your technology and reacquainting yourself with the world around you!
Written by: Rachael Tulipano
Get to know Lara, one of the summer interns for the Niche Movement! Hailing from Marin County, California, Lara is a 21 year-old rising senior attending the George Washington University. Although she believes that Marin is one of the most beautiful places in the country due its easy access to stunning mountains and lakes, she loves that DC has such a rich culture with no shortage of opportunities, whether it's the presidential inauguration or Jazz in the Sculpture Garden - a summer favorite in DC.
As an intern, Lara will primarily work with one of our clients, Lost Rhino Brewery on their online presence and social media strategy. In addition, she'll be creating blog content, developing public relations, and doing community outreach for The Niche Movement. She's excited to gain marketing experience in a start-up environment with companies and organizations that are passionate about what they do.
Lara truly believes that every person deserves the opportunity to pursue their passions and love what they do, which is why she so strongly aligns with the Niche Movement's mission of ending employment unhappiness. We're thrilled to have her on board with us this summer and have no doubt that she'll be a key asset in moving forward with that mission.
Feel free to connect with Lara through her LinkedIn and Twitter profiles, or email her at lara@thenichemovement.com!
Learn more about Lara through some fun questions:
Favorite food: Breakfast food
Favorite social media channel: Instagram
Song of the moment: "Younger" by Seinabo Sey
Favorite place to hang out in DC: Georgetown waterfront
Superpower: The ability to be in two places at once so that she's able to take advantage of every single opportunity given to her.
If she could drop everything right now: She'd spend the next year traveling Asia
