Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Tejera.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey as a family-travel blogger started in 2015 when we lived on Oahu, Hawai’i. We were stationed there for two years and during that time, I decided to share our trips. From hiking at Diamond Head, exploring Hale’iwa, to the beautiful beaches around the island, and so much more. I wanted to inspire other families to travel more with their children and with a 2 year old and an infant at the time in a top travel destination, I thought it was a great time to inspire others and start a blog.
When I started I had no idea what I was doing. I just wanted a place where I could share our family adventures on. I didn’t even know I could make money from it to be totally honest. Over the last ten years, my blog started to grow. My blog post of Top 5 Kid-Friendly Hikes to do in Oahu, Hawai’i was ranking high on Google search at the time and my blog traffic got a boost. That’s when I realized the potential of what a blog could do for our family. What was once a hobby to just share inspiration started growing to a side business that I do in between homeschooling, field trips, mom-life, and Disney days.
We relocated a few more times after Hawai’i and have put roots in Central Florida but tend to always go to Orlando for some magical fun and for work. Now I run my own travel agent business at Adventure Bucket List Travel and have continued to be a blogger and now also a travel mentor at The Walking Mermaid. I get to not just inspire other families to travel more but I get to plan their trips and hear all about their experiences. Even better, I have helped numerous families start their own travel agent business too so they can have a side income and a business that works for them.
I can truly say that I am so blessed to see where this journey has taken us. I can’t wait to see what else is in store for my business and for our family.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely wasn’t a smooth road. I started my blog just as a hobby. I didn’t think too much of it or what it could turn out to be in the future. To be honest, I had no idea that my little hobby blog would turn into what it is now. It’s still a small blog but the opportunities have grown tremendously and continue to grow. However, as a hobby blogger, I never took it seriously which really hurt me in the beginning without realizing it.
I think one of the hardest struggles of my journey was transitioning from hobby blog to actually taking it seriously and treating it like a business. I went months taking several courses on SEO, blogging, and Pinterest marketing. Then I spent several more months revamping my entire website, updating blog posts, and implementing everything that I have learned from the courses, other experts in the field, and trial and error. Add homeschooling and busy mom life to the mix and I had to quickly learn how to manage my time more wisely to really make it work for us.
I am in no way an expert but I can definitely say that I have grown so much from where I was when I first started. Regardless of how smooth or bumpy the journey was, as long as where you were versus where you are now shows growth, then you are heading in the right direction!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At The Walking Mermaid you can find my family-travel and lifestyle blog to help inspire other families. I share specific travel guides for the destinations that we visit that will help you plan for your next family vacation. All of my blog posts are from my own experiences and I believe reading from a mother’s perspective on a trip, makes it truly special and more relevant for other parents who are traveling to those destinations. You are sure to know that the travel tips and recommendations that I share on my blog are going to be specific for families with kids of all ages as well.
Before I publish anything, I make sure to also do thorough research. I believe a very important part of running a blog is sharing actual information that is beneficial to my readers and will help make their trip more memorable or easier to plan. I believe that what truly sets The Walking Mermaid apart is the authenticity behind my brand. I am as transparent as possible with my readers and aim to always share my own tips and guides from our own experiences.
On top of my content for family-travel, I also help others learn how to start their own travel agent business. Many parents want to make an extra side income from home and love to travel so having a travel agent business and a strong leader by their side guiding them the entire way is very important and beneficial.
As a travel agent leader I focus a lot on leadership education and on going trainings to make sure I provide the best guidance to those on my team. I cheer them on on their wins and provide one on one help when needed. My vision is to see everyone on my team thrive in this business and hit their goals!
So whether you’re looking for inspiration to plan your own family travels or want to plan travel, The Walking Mermaid is a great place to start!
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My best advice in finding a mentor is to find someone that you can really trust. Someone who is authentic and inspires you! There are many mentors that I have come across who just ask general questions and leave you to hang. There’s no follow up and worse, there’s no connection with them. When you choose a mentor, it is important to be able to connect with them on not just a professional level but on a personal level too.
One way to network is to attend different in-person events that are relevant to your business or what you are looking to getting into. For me it was attending my travel agent retreats. I was able to meet my directors in person and build not just a professional relationship with them, but also a friend along the way. I know I can trust them and share my wins with them or downfalls. I know that they are there cheering me on every step of the way. That level of support is amazing but you really have to dig to find your tribe.
Another great way to get out there is by reaching out on social media to other people that inspire you. Have a genuine professional conversation with them and see where it goes. Send voice clips if you can as this makes it more personal too. Get to know them, about their business, what they do, and their story.
Building those connections really help in the long run. You eventually end up meeting more and more people along the way. It’s definitely not something easy at first, especially for someone introverted and shy as myself, but just keep trying. The more you try to get out of your comfort zone, the more you put yourself out there, the easier it starts to get. Trust me! I wish I had gotten out of my comfort zone much sooner.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thewalkingmermaid.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/thewalkingmermaidblog
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thewalkingmermaidblog
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWgDlfnXQNRxfzqqhw8mvpw?view_as=subscriber
- Other: http://www.pinterest.com/walkingmermaid
