We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shreeyeh Rajan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shreeyeh, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How do you think about vacations as a business owner? Do you take them and if so, how? If you don’t, why not?

Yes, I do take vacations, even though it can be tough as a business owner, especially when the places I visit relate to my content creation. My approach is to separate my vacation from my work by focusing solely on taking photos and videos during the trip. I enjoy the trip without the pressure of editing or creating content right away. Once the vacation is over, I handle the content creation—this way, I’m able to be present and still keep my business running.

For entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t step away, I recommend prioritizing capturing content while on vacation, and handling the business aspects once you’re back.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m the founder of Bae Area and Beyond, a California-based travel blog that highlights the best attractions, hidden gems, and unique experiences the state has to offer. I’ve always been passionate about exploring California’s diverse landscapes, from its stunning national parks to its vibrant cities, and my goal is to share that passion with others.

Through Bae Area and Beyond, I provide in-depth travel guides, recommendations for must-see spots, and insider tips on where to eat, stay, and play. What really sets us apart is our focus on personalized travel planning. I understand how overwhelming it can be to plan a trip in a state as vast as California, so I offer customized itineraries that cater to individual preferences, whether you’re an adventure-seeker, a foodie, or just looking to relax. My extensive knowledge and local insights ensure that every trip is tailored to my clients’ interests and timeframes, making the planning process stress-free.

I’m especially proud of the community we’ve built, where readers can rely on us for reliable, up-to-date information to make their trips unforgettable. Whether you’re a local exploring your own backyard or a visitor discovering California for the first time, Bae Area and Beyond aims to provide the best travel experiences possible. I encourage readers to explore the blog and reach out for personalized travel planning services to make their next trip truly special.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In September 2023, my business experienced a significant pivot after a major Google algorithm update. My site, which had been heavily reliant on SEO-optimized blog posts for organic traffic, was hit hard—overnight, I lost more than 90% of my traffic and revenue. This shift didn’t just affect me; it impacted many bloggers across various industries. It was a frustrating and stressful period, but I used it as an opportunity to rethink my strategy.

Since then, I’ve pivoted to building multiple streams for both traffic and revenue to diversify my approach. While I haven’t yet regained the same level of traffic and income I had before the update, I’ve been focusing on growing six other streams simultaneously. This gradual growth has allowed me to remain resilient, and I’m continuing to adapt and explore new ways to sustain my business beyond reliance on a single platform. This experience taught me the importance of flexibility and resilience in the face of sudden changes in the business landscape.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that relying on a single source of traffic or revenue was sustainable in the long run. I used to rely heavily on SEO-driven traffic from Google, believing it would always sustain my business as long as I followed best practices. However, the September 2023 algorithm update drastically changed that, causing me to lose over 90% of my traffic and revenue overnight. This experience forced me to unlearn the idea that one method of success would always be reliable. It taught me the importance of diversifying traffic sources and revenue streams to safeguard against sudden changes. While it was a challenging and stressful transition, it ultimately made me realize that adaptability and a diversified approach are key to long-term sustainability in business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://baeareaandbeyond.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baeareaandbeyond/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baeareaandbeyond/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shreeyehrajan/
• Twitter: https://x.com/BaeAreaBeyond
• Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/BaeAreaAndBeyond/

Image Credits

Bae Area and Beyond