I Am Pleased To Announce…

124 Replies

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

124 thoughts on “I Am Pleased To Announce…”

  8. Amy

    This rocks! Congrats to you, Erin, and kudos to BlogHer for paving the way to a world in which women can thrive in multiple aspects of their lives, without having to sacrifice so much of the important stuff.

  27. becky

    Erin, that’s fantastic. It’s my dream to be able to do something like that, too. Big congrats to you. You deserve it!

  28. that girl

    You are more than qualified, you’ve paid your dues, and best of all — you won’t be breastfeeding so you can go without a pump! Rock on, Queen!

  30. Aronado

    :::Congratulations Erin:::

    YOU were a startup ;P and you kicked ass, didn’t give up, and believed in yourself.

    You are inspiring many!

    cheers!

  32. Aaron Strout

    Erin,

    So now I can say, I knew you when you were just another “mostly writing for free” blogger! Seriously though, major congrats are in order. I know how hard you’ve worked to get to this point and you’ve done it with grace and generosity. Well done!

    Best,
    Aaron | @astrout

  33. Michelle Lamar

    Erin (aka DESTINY): We always knew you would amount to something girlfriend. Big love and high fives to you from the Red States! Need to consult with you prior to your trip to the convention for post-Kindergarten stress syndrome….consider yourself stalked. CONGRATS!

  35. cynematic

    You are blazing a path, Powerful Blogger Lady! One I hope many will follow (me included).

    I know you work like a dog to make it all happen. Good for you, and congratulations!

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  41. GeekMommy

    HUGE congrats!!! This must be the thing you were crossing your fingers so hard about!!

    No need to cross your fingers – you EARNED it!!

    Rock on!!

  42. Mark Schulz

    Erin,
    Congratulations! I haven’t been following you till recently, but it’s obvious that you have a great deal to offer — especially with two hands!
    Good luck!

  50. Dana

    Congratulations, Erin! If anyone is perfect for this job, it is you. You’ve been a major influence in this community and we are so happy for you!

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