I’m off the market.
No more freelance. No more contract work. No more consulting.
It started in 2005 when I agreed to write at a community based blog.
For free.
While I typed with one-hand and breastfed at the computer.
I grew my own blog. I grew my readers. I worked very, very hard and eventually made enough money monthly to pay my internet bill.
I was up late reading blogs, I was up late writing blogs, I was up late trying to figure out how all this online stuff gets monetized.
But I had faith. Something I don’t come by very easily.
I continued to work hard, I continued to grow my readers. And I started pitching projects and pitching panels at conferences and signing on to help start-ups, fellow bloggers, additional communities.
All with children under foot.
Usually typing one-handed and breastfeeding.
Always on my terms.
When I wanted. How I wanted.
All with nothing but faith.
It was not long before I became part of the fastest and largest growing population online and I was determined to see my friends and colleagues benefit right along with me. I hope that has been evident.
I still am very detrimined to see those benefits for my community. It’s not a job or work. It is a passion.
Which is why I am pleased to announce I’ve joined BlogHer as their Producer of Special Projects.
BlogHer CEO Lisa Stone told me years ago, her goal-BlogHer’s goal- was to empower women online. Not just in voice and reach, but also financially.
BlogHer has since met much of that goal with many of it’s members, myself just one.
I’m officially able to take care of my family, as a work-at-home mother.
That’s huge. And I hope many of you see how important that is…so I’m going to repeat it:
I’m officially able to take care of my family, as a work-at-home mother.
I can raise my children, and continue to raise some hell-online and off.
Next week I will travel with BlogHer to the Democratic National Convention and the following week to the Republican National Convention.
I will do my best to continue to make a difference for the now thousands of women I’ve gotten to know personally and those I hope to meet soon.
I’m excited about this new opportunity, and I hope you will follow my coverage from Denver, St. Paul, and beyond.
Erin Kotecki Vest
aka Queen of Spain
I am so proud of you, Erin. Keep changing the world.
Congrats! That is excellent news! I try to continue to have faith that it will turn out similarly for me. If we keep putting ourselves out there, in the world and in the universe, hopefully it will all come around.
A big ol WHOOO! for you!
WHOOO! for working at home.
WHOOO for Blogher (who, whatever they’re paying you, is surely getting a steal).
And an extra big WHOOO! for faith. Well-earned Erin.
Congratulations and long live BlogHer!
Nice acceptance speech. The next president should use some of that. 🙂
Congratulations, girlfriend. It’s an honor to work with you (and to have the #suckit sticker permanently attached to my iPhone, darn thing won’t come off no matter what I do. It’s determined, just like you are.)
Welcome aboard! (HA! I first typed that as a-BROAD. Talk about a Freudian typo…)
The point is, yay! We’re lucky to have you. 🙂
KUDOS! You’re an example to us all!
That’s awesome! Congrats!
That is SO awesome. Im so very happy for you, and happy for BlogHer that they have been lucky enough to snag you. Best of luck to you!
Congrats and good luck!
That rocks, hun! Way to go!
…and thanks to Denise, our community manager, who has already pointed out and had me fix my typos. ROFL.
Erin, that’s FABULOUS! BlogHer rocks and so do you. Thanks for being such a kick ass woman and showing people that smart, hard-working women CAN make meaningful contributions to their family and to the rest of the world AT THE SAME TIME and be successful both financially and otherwise.
Rock on!
Rock and roll, Erin!
Way to go, Erin! Enjoy your new journey!
That is so fantastic!! Yay for you!!! 🙂
Hey, Erin! Congratulations, that’s fantastic. All the best.
Good. You sucked anyway.
(BlogHer’s gain for sure. Congrats)
Awesome! So well deserved.
I am so excited for you. I love seeing success with in the blogging land I feel privliged to be apart of.
Congrats! You are an inspiration!
Congratulations! 🙂
Hooray on all fronts, but especially, welcome to an incredibly awesome team and a great company to work for!
I look forward to supporting and developing your back end, and I mean that in a totally professional way! 8-P
Congratulations!! That is fantastic, wishing you the best:)
Right on! Congratulations!!
Congradulations Erin you deserve every bit of recognition and I know you will do well
Congratulations!! that is awesome!
what awesome news. congratulations, erin!! 🙂
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Well done – congratulations!
Congrats! Very cool.
Erin! Congrats on the gig. You have earned it, I hope it’s everything you need it to be, and some of what you want.
That is amazing news. Congratulations.
I got goose bumps reading this.
Congratulations, lady. You totally deserve it and YES! you keep your ladies in the loop, too.
You are one awesome (work-at-home) Mama!
You are going to be such a powerful force for women in politics!!! Your work on BlogHer’s election coverage is shaking up the Internet already. I expect great things.
Morra
I am beyond delighted – for you, for the BlogHer team, and for the BlogHer community. This is great news! Congratulations!
Very cool, Erin. See you next week!
Best of luck at your new career, and may it be all you hoped for and more. Congratulations!
— Laurie @ Foolery
Yay. You have always amazed me with your talent, your work ethic and your networking abilities. You go!
Congratulations, Erin. You’re an inspiration to us all.
Congratulations Erin! You’re a great role model and a success story. Stay at home moms don’t get the props that they should, but I know how hard that work is because I’m married to a wonderful stay at home mom myself. To be a full time mom and build your online brand is amazing. All the best to you and looking forward to seeing more!
Fantastic news for US and you!! Way to go and ENJOY it!
All the best to you. I know you’ll do a fabulous job.
Megan
You rock and you’re going to do an amazing job. It’s not only great news; it’s a great post in terms of writing. You had me completely choked up.
Congrats. BlogHer is very lucky and blessed to have YOU!
Well Erin, I couldn’t say it better than Liz or Kris.
When I left college and dove into journalism, my rule was “do what you love and the money will follow.”
What I learned 11 years ago when I left traditional newsrooms with my own one-year-old in arms and no clue how I was going to make it as a single mother in Silicon Valley is: “Do what you love well and people will move mountains to work alongside you.”
You earned this job. Welcome aboard!
Awesome! I know how hard you’re worked – all the best with BlogHer!
Congratulations! This is such great news for both you and BlogHer.
Congrats. I look foirward to reading about how your experiences at the two conventions differ.
See you in DenverM
Congratulations Erin! That’s FANTIASTIC news!
Congratulations! How great for your family, for you and for all of us in the Blogher community. Kick Ass!