Meet Trailblazer Sarah Vandiver

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Vandiver.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story started about four years ago when my family and I moved into a little fixer upper. I immediately fell in love with renovating it, so I started sharing a few of our projects on my personal Instagram account. At the time, I had no idea that other people were doing the same thing, I just wanted to share with my friends and family. But it didn’t take long for me to realize there was a whole community of home decor lovers on Instagram. So I started sharing more and my account quickly grew. Within three months I had 5,000 followers and I decided to try blogging as an extension of my Instagram account. I had no idea what I was doing, but I figured out how to start a little blog and I began sharing posts about our home and my projects every week. That was in December of 2015. Fast forward to today and that little blog has now become my full-time job. It’s been a huge blessing in my life and I’m just so grateful that I was able to turn my hobby into a thriving business. Things have evolved over time and I now share all kinds of content, including affordable fashion, beauty, motherhood, easy design ideas, and of course our projects around the house. I also share every day on my Instagram account, @sarahjoyblog.

Has it been a smooth road?
There have been a lot of challenges over these last four years–mostly because I’m also a stay at home mama to three little ones, so it’s tricky to balance motherhood and full-time blogging. It takes a lot of late nights, working during nap time, and any spare minute in between. Some weeks I find a way to make it all work, but then other times, it’s a hot mess.

Blogging is also always changing, so you have to be willing to adapt and change things up when something isn’t working anymore. My advice for young women just starting their journey would be to work your butt off. Nothing will come easy. It won’t happen overnight and you will probably have to work for a while before you make any money. But if you put in the work and stay consistent, it will happen.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
Every day in the blogging world is different and I LOVE that! Some days I’m creating content for the blog or busy working on a contract for an Instagram collaboration (I have ongoing partnerships with brands like Arhaus, Walmart, and Tula to name a few). Since I’m more lifestyle based, I share a wide variety of content which makes it really fun and I’m always doing something different! Some days I’m sharing my skincare routine and products I love, but the next day, I might be sharing how to create a simple DIY wreath. I love that I’m my own boss and can decide what I want to do from week to week.

Some of the coolest moments in my blogging career so far have been the time KILZ invited me to attend the Silobration at Magnolia Market, creating my own signature candle with Antique Candle Co, and several features in magazines like American Farmhouse Style, CountryLiving.com Romantic Homes Magazine, and Flea Market Decor Magazine.

So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well-positioned for?
I feel like there are SO many opportunities that women are particularly well-positioned for in our current culture. What I do with blogging is a great example of that–women want to connect with other women, moms want to connect with other moms, etc. That sense of community is really powerful and technology has given us the opportunity to use social media in that way. Though my Instagram account I’ve been able to connect with so many people that I would never have met and it’s fun to share my passions with them. Anyone can do that, but I feel like women are the best suited for it. We can share what we love and even what struggles we’re going through too. Overtime, that online community can build into something really great and maybe even a career one day!

Contact Info:

• Website: sarahjoyblog.com
• Instagram: @sarahjoyblog

Image Credit:
Sarah Joy Blog

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