We recently connected with Aubree Mosby and have shared our conversation below.
Aubree, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
I created the Toscana Dream travel blog because I am extremely passionate about sharing the beauty of Tuscany and its history, culture, and heritage with others. I got to study abroad in Rome, and Tuscany was one of the locations we visited on one of our many excursions. My blog is tailored to those who love food, culture & history, and desire to explore Tuscany through the lens of faith.
My mission is to inspire and connect individuals through immersive virtual experiences that blend the rich cultural heritage of Tuscany with the profound teachings of the Christian faith. I strive to create a sense of awe and wonder, fostering a deeper understanding of God’s creation and inviting readers to embark on a transformative journey of spiritual exploration.
God made such a big, beautiful world full of beautiful cultures. I want to bring Tuscany to my readers in an authentic, captivating way.
Aubree, 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 Aubree, and writing is my creative outlet. With my love for Jesus and travel, and my passion for Tuscany (Italy as a whole, really), I want to really draw people into the breathtaking beauty of Tuscany. It’s huge! And no village, town, or region is the same. I got to visit Greve (in the Chianti region) when I studied abroad in Rome in 2015, and it was one of the most magnificent places I had ever had the blessing of visiting.
There’s a peace and calmness that just settles over your soul as you stand gazing at the glowing, warm sunlight washing over the rolling hills and mountains in the distance. Vineyards and greenery around you. The warmth and hospitality of the locals. I felt so connected to God as I got to take in the perfection of His creation all around me.
So, I created Toscana Dream to be the leading virtual platform that bridges the gap between Christian spirituality and the captivating beauty of Tuscany. I aim to empower individuals to engage with their faith, experience the wonders of Tuscany’s landscapes and traditions, and cultivate a sense of awe, gratitude, and spiritual growth. If I could sum up my “elevator pitch” in one phrase, it would be, “Toscana Dream: Where faith and culture unite to ignite your soul.”
If you fall into any of the three categories, this blog is for you:
1. You’re someone who struggles to find opportunities for deepening your faith and exploring spiritual aspects in your daily life.
2. You desire to experience the beauty and cultural richness of Tuscany but are unable to travel, have limited opportunities to do so, or have been but would love to find new ways of really connecting with the people and culture.
3. You struggle to integrate your faith into your daily life, you feel disconnected, or you lack inspiration.
Through my travel blog, I plan to offer virtual experiences such as: comprehensive festival guides, curated video content, live streams, virtual tours and meet-ups with locals, photo galleries, expert interviews, & so much more! I’ve even got something extra special in the works for capturing that Tuscan essence right here in the Midwest. So stay tuned for that!
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
“Everyone Communicates, Few Connect” by John C. Maxwell, “The 1-Page Marketing Plan” by Allan Dib, & “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael E. Gerber. Between the three of these alone, I have learned so much about my management and entrepreneurial style, crafting a story and inviting my customer to be the “hero” of their journey, and how to really make people feel heard & understood (and how to make myself heard and understood in return). These have been instrumental in my mental growth alone as a budding entrepreneur.
I would highly encourage giving each one a read!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Oh man, where to start with this one? I’ll start at the point I graduated from Cornerstone University, right here in Grand Rapids, MI. I had just finished my 1-year Master’s program and was super excited (and naive) to think that I was about to go out and immediately get this great, high-paying job, right? Nope. Application after application was submitted. Between rejections and no follow-ups whatsoever, I became greatly discouraged and began to settle for minimum wage jobs. My ego was shot. My hopes were dashed. I felt like I had let myself down, like I had given up on my potential. And in a way, I did.
Fast food. Retail. Tax preparation. Freelance blogging and editing. None of it was fulfilling. But I persisted. Not only because I’m stubborn, but because my husband and I have a shared vision of creating a life and a future where our kids can thrive. To give them opportunities we never had and are still working to receive.
You want to talk about back-to-back major life adjustments? My husband and I got married in September of 2018, relocated to Grand Rapids from my hometown of Detroit, had our daughter in August of 2019, moved to a new place within Grand Rapids, had our son in December of 2020, my husband transitioned into being a stay-at-home-dad, and I transitioned back into the workplace. (And I absolutely LOVE working with SpringGR! It’s been a huge blessing in many ways.)
And in the midst of all of that, I was trying to figure out how to use my gifts and love for travel to glorify God. How can I create something truly meaningful that will not only allow me to share what I am passionate about, but will also inspire others? I keep going and challenging myself because this purpose is so much bigger than me. It’s not even about me. It’s about God and how I can share the beauty of the world He created with others in a way that will help them deepen their own faith – and immerse themselves in a culture as rich and captivating as that of Tuscany.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://toscanadream.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetoscanadream/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToscanaDream
- Other: My social media pages are brand new, but new content is being created!
Image Credits
All images provided were taken by me.