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

Veronica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

Before venturing into the blogging world, I was a working photographer. Everyone knows that when I show up, I’ll probably have my camera in hand.

Also, I have an innate love for all things pink, which can be traced back to my earliest years when, even as a toddler, I’m told I insisted on pink EVERYTHING. Eventually, the pink clothes and accessories leaked into my hair around the same time I welcomed my first grandson, earning me the title “Hip Grandma.” Add the camera and it just fits.

Gone are the grandma days of little old ladies with white hair rocking away their golden years. This Hip Grandma is ready to break some stereotypes and explore the world, all while snapping photos and sharing my adventures with other women looking for fun, inspiration, and frank talk about aging.

As for the pink? Why not? Everything is better with a bit of pink, right?

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve always dreamt of being a grandmother, having grown up without experiencing the joy of a close relationship with my own grandparents. Watching others around me cherish their bonds with grandparents, I vowed that my own children would have a different experience. While my kids do love the two grandparents who are part of their lives, I realized that their grandparent experience didn’t align exactly with my expectations.

So, I started contemplating what it should be like when I have my own grandkids, and now I have two of them. To my surprise, being a “hip” grandma turned out to be different from what I had imagined. While I spent a lifetime dreaming of these years, I’m now right in the middle of them, and they don’t look like anything I expected. But here’s what I’ve learned: that’s not only okay, it’s even better than I anticipated!

I’ve come to understand that even though I may be one of the “hippest” grandmas around, I can only control what’s within my power, and sometimes even that can be tricky. So, it’s time to focus on the excitement of the grandparent phase of life and what comes when you have an empty nest (or almost), a full heart, and a soul full of adventure!

So, what’s a “hip grandma” to do? Well, as I see it, it’s all about embracing life to the fullest. I have a lot of life left to live on this planet, and those grandkids are watching. I’m getting busy and getting to it!

I invite you to join me on this journey as I navigate life as a grandma (a “hip” one, for sure), a mother of five, a wife, a businesswoman, a traveler, and an over-50 woman. I’m learning about my body in a whole new way, how to navigate relationships with both myself and others, even when those relationships aren’t perfect. I’m embracing every new day and every new challenge with as much grace and dignity as I can muster, relying on God and my sense of humor for the rest.

Ultimately, I’m proud of my ability to adapt and find the beauty in unexpected experiences. My journey as a grandmother is not what I initially envisioned, but it’s better than I ever imagined. I hope to inspire others to embrace the unexpected joys of life and to live with passion and purpose, regardless of age or circumstances. So, whether you’re a potential client, follower, or fan, I want you to know that I’m all about living life to the fullest, finding joy in the unexpected, and embracing every moment.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Certainly, I’d be happy to share the story of a pivotal moment in my blogging journey:

When I began my blogging journey, my primary focus was on sharing my love for photography. I was passionate about teaching others what I had spent years learning – how to maximize the potential of their DSLR cameras. I believed this was my niche, and I was committed to it.

After several years of blogging, though, I realized that my audience was primarily people in my age group. They were facing similar life challenges and situations as I was. It was a moment of clarity for me, a realization that I needed to pivot and better cater to the interests and needs of this audience.

So, I embarked on a major rebranding effort. I launched a second website called “Hip Grandma Life” and started creating content that resonated with my new audience. I began addressing topics and subjects that were relevant to them, sharing insights, and providing valuable content that matched their interests and concerns.

My love for photography didn’t diminish; it simply expanded. My original blog, dedicated to photography, continued to thrive. In fact, I found a new angle to it. I began to offer photography techniques and tips, particularly for women who were fellow travelers and bloggers. Many of them preferred using their smartphones for photography instead of traditional DSLR cameras. I realized that the fundamental principles of photography applied across devices, and I started helping fellow influencers leverage the camera in their hands to capture the best photos for their social media presence.

Furthermore, I continue to utilize my photography skills by collaborating with destinations. I provide them with high-quality images that they can use to promote their locations. This has not only allowed me to explore my passion for photography but has also created opportunities for professional growth and partnership.

In the end, this pivotal moment in my blogging journey taught me the importance of adaptation and understanding my audience’s evolving needs. It also showed me the beauty of expanding one’s horizons while staying true to one’s core passions. Today, I’m proud to serve both my original photography audience and my new “Hip Grandma Life” community, sharing my expertise and knowledge in a way that resonates with them.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative, for me, is the incredible versatility it offers. As a creative, I have the freedom to be my own boss and supervisor, which means I can curate my environment and decide how I want to spend my time each day. I have the power to choose whose advice and insights I want to follow.

As a busy wife, mom, and grandma, this flexibility is invaluable. I can shape my work around my family’s needs, allowing me to fulfill my roles both as a family member and as a modern businesswoman. The ability to balance these aspects of my life is essential, and being a creative enables me to do just that.

Additionally, I appreciate the autonomy that comes with being a creative. I have the authority to continue working on the aspects of my business that I’m truly passionate about while letting go of the parts that don’t resonate with me. This freedom to make decisions and shape my own path is empowering.

Furthermore, I’ve chosen to surround myself with like-minded individuals who are also movers and shakers in my field. They are willing to share their expertise, tips, and tricks, which has been instrumental in my journey toward success. Collaborating and learning from others in the creative community has been a rewarding and enriching experience.

In essence, the most rewarding part of being a creative is the combination of freedom, flexibility, and the ability to curate my own path while being inspired and supported by a network of fellow creatives. It’s a fulfilling and dynamic way of living and working.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hipgrandmalife.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/hipgrandmalife
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/hipgrandmalife
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-bareman/

Image Credits
Veronicajune Photography