We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Yvette Arriaga. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Yvette below.

Hi Yvette, thanks for joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I have been able to earn a full time living from my creative work, largely because I chose to treat it like a business very early on.

When I started sharing Austin and Texas content, the growth came quickly. Once I saw the traction and engagement, I made a clear decision. This was not going to remain a hobby. I formalized the company, created structure around pricing, and positioned the brand intentionally in the market.I became disciplined about studying contracts, usage rights, analytics, and audience data. I focused on building long term partnerships rather than chasing short term visibility. Instead of saying yes to every opportunity, I became selective and strategic. Major milestones included forming my LLC, raising my rates as demand increased, and shifting from one off collaborations to structured partnerships that reflected the true value of audience trust.

If I could refine anything, it would be trusting my instincts even sooner. Creative work becomes sustainable when you lead it with clarity, boundaries, and business strategy from the beginning.

What began as sharing hidden gems evolved into a full time company rooted in trust, consistency, and intentional growth.

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

I’m the founder of The Austin Tourist, a Texas based travel and lifestyle brand focused on curated experiences and hidden gems. What started as me sharing places I genuinely loved has grown into a multi platform community of over 860,000 followers.

I’ve always loved exploring Austin and Texas, and when I began documenting it, the response was immediate. People weren’t just looking for places to go, they wanted trusted recommendations and experiences that felt worth their time.

As the platform grew, I chose to treat it like a business. Today, I partner with brands, destinations, and hospitality groups to create strategic, story driven content that connects with an engaged audience in a meaningful way.

At the core of everything I do is trust. My community values authenticity, and I’m intentional about protecting that. My goal is simple: help people experience Texas in a way that feels exciting, elevated, and memorable.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes. My mission is simple: elevate the best of Austin and Texas while protecting audience trust at all costs.

The Austin Tourist was built on intentional recommendations rooted in local discovery. My audience relies on me when deciding where to spend their time and money across Austin and throughout Texas, and that responsibility shapes every collaboration. That focus has allowed the brand to grow to over 860,000 followers while maintaining strong engagement and credibility. I do not chase visibility. I build alignment. I partner with brands, destinations, and experiences that genuinely fit my community and add long term value.

If I would not confidently recommend it to someone I care about, it does not get posted. That standard is the foundation of everything I have built.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One defining moment of resilience in my journey was learning to advocate for my value early on.

As the platform grew quickly, opportunities came fast. It would have been easy to say yes to everything. Instead, I had to learn how to set boundaries, raise my rates, and structure partnerships in a way that protected both my brand and my audience. There were moments where I had to walk away from collaborations that did not align, even when they seemed attractive on the surface. Choosing long term credibility over short term gain was not always the easiest path, but it was the right one.

That discipline strengthened the brand. It allowed The Austin Tourist to grow sustainably while maintaining trust, which is ultimately the most valuable asset I have built.

Resilience, for me, has meant leading with clarity even when growth happens quickly.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.TheAustinTourist.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaustintourist
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/TheAustinTourist
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Yvettearriaga
• Other: TikTok-
  https://www.tiktok.com/@theaustintourist

Image Credits

Bill Sallans