We were lucky to catch up with Janelle Rendon recently and have shared our conversation below.
Janelle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.
I would have started my blog sooner! I had been thinking about it for years by the time I got around to starting. By starting before I had a baby (instead of at the same time) I would have had a lot of time and energy to devote to it. This was a missed opportunity!
In terms of my social media, I would have started a completely new account instead of commingling my content creation with my preexisting personal account. I think that would have allowed me to dive in more fully from the beginning and given me more room to take risks.
Lastly, if I was able to see into the future, I would have branded my website and social media with my name from the get-go. My original website and social media handles quickly became irrelevant as my content evolved over time. Even though it was quite a process, rebranding to JanelleRendon.com was one of the best decisions I made for my business. I wish I had bet on myself and my personal brand from the beginning.
Janelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Janelle Rendon. I am a native Houstonian, wife of almost 10 years, and mom of three! I started my blog in 2017 and have been writing and creating content online ever since. As I keep growing as a woman and mother, my content changes right along with my life. My current favorite things to share are things to do in Houston, both for families and couples, places we travel to, affordable fashion finds (I’m a huge Amazon fan!), and all things food!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I feel fulfilled in my role as a creator when someone reaches out to tell me they tried one of my recommendations and had a positive experience. It’s the connection with my audience that makes this gig worth it! I also find great joy in the relationships I’ve made online, many of which have translated into real-life friendships!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My goal with my blog and social media presence is to create meaningful, helpful content. Every time I post, I look at my footage and caption and ask myself, “Will this be useful to the person consuming it?” It doesn’t have to be profound – it could be an idea of where to go for your next date night or a little tip to make cooking in the kitchen easier – but I try and prioritize the person on the other end of the phone or computer.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.janellerendon.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janelle.rendon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanelleRendonBlog
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janellerendon/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=UGeFfmollSGfAiNyvb0LrA
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janellerendon?lang=en
Image Credits
Erica Hernandez Media Mel B Photo