Today we’d like to introduce you to Betsi Hill.
Hi, Betsi. We are so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My entrepreneurial story began in 2013 when my husband and I, avid sailors, went to Annapolis, Maryland. We were in the market for a new sailboat, having sold ours. We wanted to size up, with Jim wanting a 45′ boat and me wanting a 50′ boat. The boat we were viewing in Maryland was a 47′ sailing catamaran from South Africa. We spent the weekend viewing the boat at length multiple times, and by the end of the weekend, we bought her. We intended to sail her around the East Coast, keeping her at marinas and then commuting back to our Virginia home. On the drive home, I asked Jim, “What if we sold the house and lived on the boat?” There was a long, pregnant pause as he pondered my question. “I’m open to that,” he said. I took the opportunity to close and seal the deal with “Are you sure? I’ll call the real estate agent.” “I’m sure,” he replied. “You have two minutes to change your mind,” I said, grabbing my cell phone from my bag and searching for our agent’s phone number. As the clock hit the two-minute mark, I said, “I’m calling now.” Getting our agent on the line and explaining we wanted to put the house on the market and were on the road home, she agreed to meet us at home late that afternoon.
It took about three weeks to sign the contract to sell our home and receive an offer. Then, it took an additional six weeks for us to downsize, close on the house, move onboard the boat, and head not to explore the East Coast but to the Bahamas, where we stayed for 16 weeks before returning to the United States.
During this extended sailing trip, I began to explore the idea of writing about our travels full-time. When we returned to the States, I began to do just that, which launched my entrepreneurial journey as a freelance travel writer. What started as a fun foray into freelance writing has opened many doors I could not have imagined over ten years ago. Today, I have a thriving website, write for several publications regularly, and recently inked a book deal with Reedy Press to write a book on St. Augustine, Florida – something that was not even on my radar ten years ago.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not always been a smooth road; no entrepreneurial journey is. Travel writing is no exception, mainly since travel is a popular niche. Making your voice heard in a sea of travel writers and journalists is complex, and if we are honest here, all the stories have been covered. You must offer a fresh perspective on the subject. As a sailor, I brought the perspective of embedding myself into the culture of a destination, living as the locals do, and discovering the most interesting people. As I have written, I do so through the lens of experiencing a culture through being a part of the culture, not just a tourist. Another obstacle I have encountered is building experience and credibility. Getting published without a track record of writing can be difficult. Networking with the right people and forming connections with strangers requires skill and a high tenacity. I have been fortunate enough to have a solid foundation of writing skills, thanks mainly to my mother, an English teacher and newspaper reporter. Over the years, my writing has been honed like a sharp knife, thanks to editors who have taught me to have quite a critical eye. Travel without compensation, especially in the early years of writing, can strain you financially. I am so blessed to have had many opportunities to travel without breaking the bank financially, and my freelance writing has helped to offset those expenses.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
As a creator and travel writer, my journey has evolved significantly. Initially, I focused on sailing and related travel experiences, with minimal involvement in social media. Today, my writing encompasses various travel types, including girlfriend getaways, spa retreats, and romantic escapes.
A pivotal moment in my evolution was downsizing when we sold our home and moved onto a 47-foot sailing catamaran, reducing our living space from 4,000 square feet to approximately 500 square feet. This drastic change instilled a minimalist mindset, especially regarding travel packing. I have since mastered the art of packing efficiently, often traveling for seven days with just a small suitcase. I share these invaluable packing tips in my writing, helping others travel brighter and lighter.
Another significant step in my journey has been embracing social media. I now actively engage with my audience, presenting my authentic self without filters. I aim to inspire others to seek extraordinary experiences, whether exploring the Himalayas or discovering hidden gems in their hometown. I achieve this by sharing my genuine adventures and offering glimpses into my life with my husband and our 16-year-old rescue Maltese, Zach. This might include spontaneous entertaining tips, relaxing on our lanai with a glass of wine, or highlighting our favorite local spots.
Social media has become vital for connecting with my followers, allowing them to see the real me. My passion for connecting with people drives me to use social media as a platform to build meaningful relationships in today’s digital world.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Two key characteristics have driven my success: tenacity and empathy.
- First, my tenacity ensures I never give up. When faced with challenges deemed impossible by others, I relentlessly pursue solutions until I achieve my goals. Failure is not an endpoint but a lesson that influences future efforts.
- Second, empathy is integral to my creative process. As an empath, I deeply understand and share in others’ struggles, which is especially relevant in today’s economic climate. Jim and I have overcome significant financial challenges in our 35 years of marriage, allowing me to relate to and feel many hardships.
My writing, whether long-form for publications or short-form for social media, blends tenacity with empathy, and these traits make my work authentic and relatable.
Contact Info:
- Website: Betsi Hill Travel, https://betsiworld.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/betsihilltravel
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/betsihilltravel
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsihill/
- Twitter: https://x.com/betsihill
Image Credits
All photos by Jim Hill
