We recently connected with Suzanne Dewhurst and have shared our conversation below.
Suzanne, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.
Have you ever had a crazy passion for something but never did anything about it simply because you didn’t know where to start? That seems to be true for many entrepreneurs. I was always the friend who had tons of travel tips, constantly planning trips, doing tons of travel-related research, and ultimately documenting those vacations on social media. When people started asking me for advice and reaching out for travel-related help, that’s when I knew maybe I had created a reputation without even trying.
That got my wheels turning about the possibility of turning my hobby into a platform to store practical, relatable advice and inspiring dream vacations. During the pandemic, I was unhappy at my current full-time job and wanted a way to spend more time doing something that filled my cup. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to try as I was constantly thinking, “If I could do anything, what would I do?” I knew I’d still need a full-time job, but maybe there was a way to create a side business. After a couple of years of talking about it with friends, I finally decided to take the plunge and figure out how to execute it in the fall of 2023.
There were a few travel bloggers that I followed at the time so I knew creating a niche was important. This means finding your target audience to create content around traveling with kids, luxury, all-inclusive resorts, solo travelers, etc., to attract the right people. I decided to go with the young couple angle that work full-time jobs but inspire bucket list vacations while still upholding to corporate obligations.
Once I decided to commit, I researched the practical steps on how to create a website for my blog. I wanted something that was relatively user-friendly as I have zero knowledge or background in website design. The highly rated blog platforms were WordPress, Wix and Webflow. I initially created a Wix account, but I found it to be too difficult to navigate. I ended up leaning on a friend who works at Rebl Theory, who suggested I use Webflow. My husband helped me select a standard template that had the overall feel and simplicity I was looking for. We then customized the color pallet, created a logo and purchased a domain once the name was chosen.
I spent many hours considering the name of my travel blog. I wanted it to be catchy and easy to remember for word-of-mouth referrals while communicating the purpose. My initial ideas were Savvy Suz Escapes, SuzSpire, and SuzVentures. I sent these names to a handful of friends and family to vote and landed on SuzVentures. I set up an email account ([email protected]) and an Instagram account (@suzventuresblog) using my travel blog name and logo to start pushing my future launch. At this time I was anticipating a go-live date in November 2023.
Since the technical aspect of a blog is the most confusing and difficult, my friend offered to assist in getting it set up. This included my contact page to make sure people could leave me a comment and link Mailchimp to my free email subscription. I’m not sure I ever would’ve figured that part out without him. Lastly, he assisted me in selecting the appropriate Webflow package to suit my initial needs. At this stage, I only needed the basic functions to publish my posts.
With my website fully complete, the next step was to complete a few blog posts for my launch date. This would allow my visitors to understand the type of content I am planning to publish. At the time, my husband and I recently returned from Italy, so I created three blogs navigating our adventure while it was fresh in my mind. Once I had the launch behind me, I’d begin building my content portfolio.
It took around two months to get the website complete and write my initial posts. I was finally ready to announce a launch date. I posted the announcement to my personal and travel Instagram pages to build buzz. I had many friends and family who were excited to embark on this journey with me. My official launch date was December 3, 2023.
To date, I have published 18 blog posts. Currently, I am focusing on growing and engaging with my audience to hopefully make residual income in the future. It takes time and patience to build your brand, but I’m confident that if I continue creating high-quality content, it will open the right opportunities. The journey from idea to execution didn’t happen overnight and persistence is the key to results.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi, I’m Suzanne Dewhurst, the proud owner and creator of SuzVentures, a travel blog dedicated to inspiring wanderlust and sharing firsthand travel experiences. I live in Columbus, Ohio, with my husband, Jordan, and our rescue pup, Brin. Born and raised in Columbus, I’ve always had a love for travel—whether it was family vacations or exploring new destinations abroad.
My passion for travel ignited early when my parents took me on my first international trip to Italy and Austria to visit family. I was fascinated by the cultural differences and experiences that contrasted so sharply with life in the U.S. This experience sparked my desire to see more of the world. When I was in college, my parents encouraged me to study abroad. Having learned Spanish for most of my life, I hesitantly decided to sign up to study in Toledo, Spain, for a month. It was a new adventure and I was nervous knowing that my host family spoke no English, which allowed me to fully immerse in the Spanish lifestyle. That experience deepened my passion for cultural exploration and meeting new people—and it only fueled my obsession with travel.
For over 15 years, I’ve had the privilege of traveling around the world, from the beaches of Cancun, lush rainforest of Costa Rica to the idyllic islands of Turks & Caicos and the Maldives. Along the way, I’ve checked off some incredible destinations, including Hawaii and Italy, and have many more adventures on my bucket list. SuzVentures was born from my love of sharing these travel experiences and my belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to explore the world.
Through my blog, I aim to inspire others to chase their travel dreams, whether it’s planning a bucket-list vacation or finding new ways to make the most of their time away from work. I believe travel is a powerful tool for growth, and I’m here to offer the recommendations, tips, and advice needed to turn travel aspirations into reality while still adhering to corporate obligations.
Aside from targeting busy working individuals, one of the key aspects that sets me apart from other travel bloggers is my ability to blend luxury with affordability on my trips. I believe it’s essential to know when to splurge and where to save, ensuring you get the most value from your vacation. With the right tools and insights, you can make smarter choices about which parts of your trip matter most to you.
I start with the purpose of the trip and factor in the destination distance. For example, opting for business class on long-haul flights can make the journey more comfortable, while splitting your stay between luxury hotels and budget-friendly Airbnbs helps keep costs down. I’ve invested in private drivers to avoid the hassle of public transportation, saving time and stress. It’s all about finding the right balance between indulgence and practicality to stay within budget while still enjoying the trip of a lifetime.
One of my proudest achievements as a travel blogger has been my commitment to the process. Many people start but give up after a few months due to challenges like time constraints, budget issues, or burnout. While I’m not as consistent as I’d like to be, I’ve gained valuable momentum over the past year in creating content. I’ve learned to adapt and pivot as needed, recognizing that challenges will always arise. Along the way, I’ve grown as a content creator, refining my social media strategy, capturing meaningful photos, and continuously brainstorming fresh ideas. There’s still plenty of work ahead, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come.
The main thing I want my growing audience to take away from my platform is that my content is always authentic. Every recommendation I share is the result of thorough research and personal experience. Because I don’t monetize any of my content, you can trust that my advice is unbiased and not influenced by outside sources. My goal is to empower my readers to travel more consciously and confidently.
I believe everyone has a unique vision of what a perfect vacation looks like, which is why I aim to offer practical, relatable tips and thoughtful recommendations in my guides. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time adventurer, my guides are designed to provide valuable advice and serve as a starting point to help you tailor your trip to your own preferences.
Above all, I believe that travel and cultural experiences have the power to foster personal growth. Exploring the world opens our minds and brings fresh perspectives to our everyday lives. Ultimately, my purpose is to help busy working people experience the world in a meaningful, thoughtful, and enjoyable way.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a travel blogger is inspiring others to plan their own journeys—especially to destinations they might not have considered otherwise. My work is all about helping others lay the foundation for meaningful cultural experiences and discovering new ways of living. I’ve personally looked at other bloggers’ photos and thought, “Wow, that looks amazing—where is that?” only to add the destination to my own travel bucket list. I hope my content sparks that same curiosity in others, igniting travel dreams one photo at a time.
The thought that someone might book a flight to a place I’ve written about because my blog inspired them is incredibly fulfilling. With the internet making international travel more accessible than ever, it’s easier to navigate new destinations, uncover hidden gems, and share lessons learned along the way. In doing so, I can help others turn their travel dreams into reality.
In sum, the most rewarding aspect of being a travel blogger isn’t just about the travel itself; it’s about creating a space where people can be inspired, learn, and grow. It’s the blend of personal fulfillment and the ability to share meaningful content with a wider community. Each new adventure is an opportunity to create something that resonates with others, whether that’s through adapting when things don’t go as planned, a helpful tip, or a rough itinerary to get started. I love it when people reach out directly or engage on my blog posts because it creates a personal community.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
When you start a travel blog from the ground up, you’re bound to face challenges that test your dedication. In the beginning, it can be overwhelming to maintain consistent content and grow an audience, especially in such a competitive and fast-changing field like travel blogging. But for me, the key to overcoming these hurdles is staying focused on the purpose of my blog: to share meaningful travel experiences, tips, and inspiration with my readers.
One of the toughest aspects of being a travel blogger is simply showing up, week after week. There are periods when I feel less inspired or when life becomes too busy to dedicate the time my blog deserves—especially since my full-time job limits me to only 1-2 big trips a year. When I’m not actively traveling, it can feel difficult to push out fresh content. That’s where the real challenge lies: how do you keep your blog alive and thriving when you’re not on the road?
During these times, I’ve learned to find motivation in small wins. Whether it’s revisiting an older trip I loved, writing about useful resources for fellow travelers, or sharing personal insights that I hadn’t written about yet, I always remind myself that there’s always something worth sharing. Even if it doesn’t feel groundbreaking at the moment, it’s still valuable content that keeps my blog moving forward.
Burnout and creative lulls are natural parts of the journey, but I’ve realized that they don’t have to stop progress. I’ve learned to push through those waves of low energy, tapping into my passion for travel and the connection I have with my audience. Whether it’s writing a quick blog post, brainstorming new ideas for the future, or simply engaging with my readers on social media, I make an effort to keep my blog alive, even when inspiration is hard to come by. Over time, this perseverance has helped me stay motivated and continue building my travel blogging journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.suzventures.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzventuresblog/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@suzventurestravelblog?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Image Credits
All images are of myself and my husband, Jordan Dewhurst