We were lucky to catch up with Antonia Grant recently and have shared our conversation below.

Antonia, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

To focus more on my family and to become a writer and content creator, I had to take a huge risk. Perhaps the most significant risk I’ve ever taken. As the pandemic ramped down in 2021, I was told to return to campus full-time. Until then, I had had a long and successful career working in student life on various college campuses in Minnesota. During the pandemic, many things changed for my family, including my daughter starting school. The pandemic allowed us to slow down and be more present for one another. I saw a life beyond commute, work, commute, rush the dinner to bedtime routine, repeat. I craved to keep that life for me and my family. So, after several discussions with my family, looking at our finances, and a little soul-searching, I quit my first career. I did it scared, but I did it knowing it was the right decision. I was convinced it couldn’t last more than a year, but I knew I had to try. Slowly, over the past three years, I have built a writing career and a community that I’m really proud of. Through all of that, I’ve had more adventures, more quiet moments, and more time with my daughter. And, for me, that’s what matters most. Being a happy and healthy mom who is present will always be worth the risk!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Antonia Grant. I am the Minnesota mom and writer behind Knead to Roam, a blog (kneadtoroam.com) and Instagram (@knead.to.roam) platform that helps families create fun and meaningful experiences fueled by nature and great food. I am passionate about creating content – like itineraries and destination guides – that inspires families and helps them plan fun adventures together. At my core, I believe good food is magic, travel is the best teacher, and that experiences are better than things.

In addition to Knead to Roam, I am a writer, photographer, and content creator for other publications, tourism boards, lodging, and brands. I have been writing about travel, outdoor adventures, and food “full-time” since 2021. Before that, I spent nearly a decade working in higher education, while also writing on the side. I pivoted in 2021 to be home more with my daughter—and to better enrich our lives through more time spent traveling, in nature, and, of course, together as a family. My writing and social media content has often been described as personable, engaging, insightful, and filled with joyful family fun.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is when parents tell me they did something with their family because of a piece of content that I shared. It can be something as small as taking their child to a new nature center or as big as planning a month-long trip inspired by one of the destinations that we shared. Knowing that there are real families having real adventures because of us inspires and motivates me every day.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Being a content creator, especially on social media, can feel really competitive and cutthroat sometimes. If you’re in the industry already, you know how daunting some days can feel. Building an unshakable reputation in this environment can take a lot of self-understanding and integrity. For me, it comes down to centering my work around collaboration, professionalism, and a genuine desire to see families exploring together.

But you can’t forget the small stuff either. Responding to emails and comments, following up when you stay you will, and answering questions in your DMs in a timely manner matters. These small acts show that you care and respect the community you are building. It helps to keep strong notes and a calendar, too. Beyond that, fostering positive relationships with brands and other creators is also really important to establish yourself as trustworthy, honest, and authentic. Most of my leads come from referrals from other creatives and brands I’ve built relationships with. Start slow, find a mentor, be consistent, and have fun!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kneadtoroam.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knead.to.roam/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kneadtoroam/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoniamsgrant/

Image Credits

All by me – Antonia Grant.