Three years ago, I sat in front of a blank computer screen. A single goal in mind – help preserve North Carolina culture. And with no clue what I was getting myself into, I embarked on the adventure of a lifetime.
That sounds like an overly dramatic statement. It’s not. I mean it quite literally. I’m awestruck by everything that has transpired in the last few years. But this last year? This last year has been the best.
Let’s recap:
- We installed new hardwood floors in the den
- I took the girls to the Carolina Beach State Park and Ev-Henwood
- Melissa Vera gave me a tour of Goldsboro
- We had a houseful of young’uns
- I joined Clan Cochrane at the Highland Games to do some storytelling
- We explored the Reed Gold Mine
- Belle and I spent time at home in Haywood County with Kodecker
- My heart got ripped out
- Where the Dogwood Blooms became a podcast
- Axl got sick
- The Owenby family invited us to tour Purdie Hall
- We explored Bentonville Battlefield
- Belle was in the Singing Christmas Tree
- Bug got her first job
- We were invited to Mill Prong House
- Brandon came down with tonsillitis
- We finally replaced our broken stove
All of that is on top of Belle’s 16th birthday, family get-togethers, and several trips to Whiteville and Wilmington.
I can’t believe all of that happened in a single year! It’s even harder to believe that WTDB continued to grow like a weed through it all.
Where the Dogwood Blooms made the 90 Best North Carolina Blogs & Websites list for the third consecutive year. The podcast is already in the top 50% of podcasts. Impressions across platforms are in the MILLIONS. Interactions are in the hundreds of thousands.
Seriously, y’all. Somebody pinch me. It feels like it’s all a dream.
I’m beyond humbled and grateful. Not only that – I’m motivated. So I’m not just celebrating three years of Where the Dogwood Blooms today; I’m planning for the future, too.
Here are my brand goals for year four:
- Find balance. I’m working non-stop on Where the Dogwood Blooms. As a stay-at-home mama who’s used to doing everything at her own leisure, it’s overwhelming. Learning to balance it all is at the top of my to-do list.
- Produce video content. This is a big one. I have been working on it for a few months – and it’s coming!
- Write more. I feel like I’ve put the blog on the back burner while focusing on the podcast and social media. I miss it. I miss writing. So, I want to put out more blog posts this year.
- Monetize. I’ve reached that point where this little project is starting to cost more than I anticipated. It’s time to track down the funding to help keep WTDB going.
- Expand WTDB’s social media presence. TikTok and YouTube, here I come!
Thank you for celebrating three years with me today! I am pumped about this upcoming year. And I sure hope ya’ll stick around for the rest of 2024!
You’ve done a wonderful job with it all!! Congratulations!!!
Thank you so much, Tipper! That means a lot coming from you! 🙂
Happy Anniversary, Love ❤️
Thank ya, ma’am! <3
You might think about moving to the Substack platform. It is easier to monetize there.
I will definitely look into it! Thank you for the recommendation!
I love what you do and say. North Carolina is my second home. I love it there. My health and my finances aren’t good now, so its up in the air if I’ll ever get back for a visit. Keep up the good work.
Awww! Thank you, Ed! I appreciate that. 🙂
Congrats on three years – you’ve accomplished SO much in that time! I’m excited to see where the next year takes you – and yes, girl, definitely monetize! Running a blog (and podcast and social media accounts!) is so much more expensive than anyone outside this realm can imagine, especially when you consider labor. Secure the bag 💰
Thank you, Alyssa! It’s been a wonderful adventure! I’m looking forward to what the future holds.