We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tandra Wilkerson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tandra thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

When I created my blog and social channels, my content was centered around parenting. As my family began to get out more, I shared our adventures, too. That content was also well received by my supporters and I found it to be what I most enjoyed creating.

We didn’t travel very far in earlier years, but I realized adventure was everywhere! Our backyard included. Adventure is always what you make it. Researching local activities opened my eyes to an entirely new world of options. As a family, we became keenly aware of our freedom to explore. And the majority of the time, money wasn’t a big factor.

This started me on a mission to positively affect the way other families live adventurously, too. When people think of adventure or travel, it’s usually thought of solely in terms of distance. As in, you have to be far away from home to really explore and that’s not true.

My daughters will tell you that some of their best adventures happen a short drive from home. Sometimes 20 minutes away. Sometimes 2 hours.

For readers living here in North Carolina, my content gives them places to go and activities to add to their lists. Others can travel here intentionally already armed with an itinerary. Or, they can find similar experiences where they live.

Tandra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As a young girl, you were likely to find me in three places: 1. Outside, 2. In the pages of a book, or 3. Writing something. If not playing outdoor games with my cousins, I was trekking and exploring the woods around us. If not reading stories, I was creating my own or journaling.

It’s no surprise that I still do it all today.

Some time after making my way into the blogging world, opportunities to monetize my content found me. I’ve collaborated with various companies to help promote their products, services, and destinations. I do that by writing articles and creating digital content like photos and videos.

A local news station also invited me to write for them. Through that medium, I’m still able to stick to my core values and my mission to share adventurous content. I love what I do!

When businesses are interested in hiring me for article writing or content creation, they send an initial email introducing themselves and explaining the project. The same goes for requests to visit attractions or travel destinations. All details are worked out afterwards.

Although writing is my primary focus, I also work as a social media manager/consultant for small businesses. I assist them with creating content and establishing a social media presence.

Getting to this point in my career has taken time and perseverance. Highs have been delightfully high. Lows have been disturbingly low. I think that’s the story for most entrepreneurs.

Giving up crossed my mind many times when results weren’t matching my efforts. I’ve experienced being mocked and doubted by people I’ve loved as well as those with no place in my life. Thankfully, I didn’t allow any of it to hinder me. I turned the negativity into fuel and pushed harder.

Persistence always pays off. As well as being flexible and able to pivot when necessary. Dreams and goals require vision. They require a tenacity and hunger like no other!

While I still have many mountains to climb, I’m extremely proud of myself for persevering. I must continue doing that as I reach for new and intimidating heights. It’s imperative that I set examples my daughters can follow.

I’ve worked very hard to be able to do what excites me most for a living. My work allows me to help others bring their visions to reality. There’s room for us all to build and grow together. That’s one of the most rewarding aspects!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

We’re all working to earn income and provide for ourselves and our families. It’s a privilege to do that whether or not we’re pursuing our passions. At the heart of my creative journey is creating generational wealth. I’m steadily building the foundation for a future I could once only dream of. There’s much more to prove to myself in relation to my goals. They are audacious, scary, and only known to my inner circle. One day we’ll live the full reality of them.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I once believed that those closest to me- the ones I really trusted – would be my fiercest supporters. That’s a lesson I had to painfully unlearn. Sometimes those very people turn out to be your worst enemies.

I wouldn’t trade my current support system for any other, however, there were times of pruning. As we climb the mountain of success, we find out who we can and cannot lean on. We discover who is and who isn’t cheering us on. This step can feel devastating, but it’s necessary.

Everyone in your life can’t, nor will they try to see your vision. Accept that without holding grudges. Open yourself up to the flow of people entering and leaving your life. Don’t resist what’s for your highest good. You only want trustworthy people surrounding you and you’ll learn to appreciate them more along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thrillermom.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrillermom
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thrillermom
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tandraw
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThrillerMom
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustUsGirls
• WRAL News: https://legacy.wral.com/rs/bio/19822023

Image Credits
Katie Smith Photography