I Am Pleased To Announce…

by Queen of Spain on August 20, 2008 · 124 comments

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

{ 4 trackbacks }

Go Read It Today: August 20, 2008 at 6:42 pm
People on the Move in the Social Media Industry: August 21, 2008: August 21, 2008 at 2:34 am
Go Read It Today, Tuesday, August 26, 2008: August 26, 2008 at 7:05 pm
People on the Move in the Social Media Industry: August 21, 2008 |: August 31, 2008 at 5:50 am

{ 120 comments… read them below or add one }

← Previous Comments

1 ayse (arse poetica) August 20, 2008 at 2:21 pm: Wheeeeeeeee! Yippppeeeeeeeeeeee!! Wooooohoooo!!! BlogHer is such a smart organization. Rock it, QofS. \m/
2 Mr Lady August 20, 2008 at 2:21 pm: *stands up and applauds*
3 Christine August 20, 2008 at 2:22 pm: CONGRATULATIONS!!! This deserves all caps.

You’re living my dream. I’m working on it…

*mwah*
4 Kelly the Blatherer August 20, 2008 at 2:24 pm: Very cool indeed! Congratulations & I’m looking forward to your missives from Denver!
5 califmom August 20, 2008 at 2:27 pm: Rock On, Queen! Sisters, are doin’ it for themselves….
6 Karen Andrews (miscmum) August 20, 2008 at 2:33 pm: Congratulations! That’s awesome!
7 christine August 20, 2008 at 2:37 pm: I crazy heart you – and BlogHer.
8 Amy August 20, 2008 at 2:38 pm: 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.
9 sassymonkey August 20, 2008 at 2:39 pm: Congratulations Erin. That’s awesome.
10 Shashi Bellamkonda August 20, 2008 at 2:39 pm: Congratulations ! You are awesome. Saw your contribution to the Frozen peas moment. Your brilliance at SXSW (So bright that I had to wear shades:)If you don;t believe me see this picture http://flickr.com/photos/drbeachvacation/2327629345/in/set-72157604068066243/

I am looking forward to reading about more excelelnt stuff from BlogHer with you on the team.

Regards,

Shashi
11 Jenyum/Tacomamama August 20, 2008 at 2:39 pm: Congratulations! A win for all the mamas working on their own terms.
12 Erica August 20, 2008 at 2:41 pm: Congratulations! You are an inspiration!
13 the kaiser August 20, 2008 at 2:43 pm: Does this mean I can retire now?
14 ResourcefulMommy August 20, 2008 at 2:46 pm: This is fabulous! What we’re all hoping and dreaming about…. Congratulations and good luck at your new post!
15 Wendy Piersall August 20, 2008 at 2:58 pm: ROCK ON, Sister!
16 the slackmistress August 20, 2008 at 3:07 pm: Awesome! Congrats!
17 Shash August 20, 2008 at 3:13 pm: Congratulations! I can’t think of anyone better for this job. I look forward to it!

Shash
18 tuesday August 20, 2008 at 3:17 pm: So awesome!
19 TheMacMommy August 20, 2008 at 3:25 pm: Way to go! See, all that #suckit -ing paid off. Now you finally get to spit – and it’s golden!! So happy for you woman!
20 Kady August 20, 2008 at 3:28 pm: Well, Erin, aren’t you just the new black.

Congrats. Can’t wait to meet you next week.
21 Burgh Baby August 20, 2008 at 3:28 pm: Congratulations! Thank you for all you’ve done, and all you’re about to do.
22 Karen August 20, 2008 at 3:35 pm: Wonderful news Erin. Many congrats. Will I get to meet you at BlogHer DC?

Karen
23 Sarah Granger August 20, 2008 at 3:36 pm: Congratulations! You and BlogHer are both smart and lucky. And you’re doing a fabulous job!
24 veep veep August 20, 2008 at 3:37 pm: Congratulations Erin! YEA!!!
25 Marco August 20, 2008 at 3:40 pm: Congrats!!!! They are very lucky!
26 Alli {Mrs. Fussypants} August 20, 2008 at 3:50 pm: RAWK ON! Congrats, Erin!

xoxo, Alli
27 becky August 20, 2008 at 3:57 pm: 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 August 20, 2008 at 4:03 pm: 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!
29 Jan Richards August 20, 2008 at 4:58 pm: Congratulations! Looking forward to your work in the new job. Fascinating, historic, important times now and ahead.
30 Aronado August 20, 2008 at 5:01 pm: :::Congratulations Erin:::

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

You are inspiring many!

cheers!
31 Kristie Wells August 20, 2008 at 5:04 pm: Dude, I am so very happy for you. For Lisa. For Elisa. For Jori. For the whole BlogHer community.

Congrats!
32 Aaron Strout August 20, 2008 at 5:09 pm: 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 August 20, 2008 at 5:10 pm: 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!
34 Mocha August 20, 2008 at 5:32 pm: You know I’m proud of you and hope only the best. You rock my world.

xoxo
35 cynematic August 20, 2008 at 5:33 pm: 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!
36 Alison August 20, 2008 at 5:58 pm: Big congrats, Erin. This is great news for you – and for all others who will be able to follow this same path ater you.
37 MamaBird/SurelyYouNest August 20, 2008 at 6:04 pm: Great news! So happy for you, trail-blazer…
38 Mrs. G. August 20, 2008 at 6:45 pm: Wishing you much success in this new journey.
39 Carol Ramsey August 20, 2008 at 6:47 pm: Congratulations! To work at home, as it works for you, that is huge!

Can’t wait to hear more about the Special Projects at BlogHer.
40 GeekMommy August 20, 2008 at 6:50 pm: 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!!
41 Mark Schulz August 20, 2008 at 6:58 pm: 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!
42 egan August 20, 2008 at 7:04 pm: You deserve this for all your hard work. Congrats to you.
43 Melanie Notkin August 20, 2008 at 7:06 pm: Erin! I am SO FREAKEN proud of you and happy for you!! I adore you, baby! YAY!
XOXO!!
44 flutter August 20, 2008 at 7:33 pm: That is amazing, congrats!
45 Rick Calvert August 20, 2008 at 7:37 pm: Congratulations Erin!

Very well deserved. BlogHer was very wise to add you as a full time member of the team.

mostly sincerely,
Rick
46 Doyle Albee August 20, 2008 at 7:43 pm: Only Micah would say “you suck” to anyone!

Nice job and well deserved!
47 Anissa@Hope4Peyton August 20, 2008 at 7:45 pm: That’s outrageously wonderful and you deserve to just throw down and roll in the glory for all the hard work you put into it! BlogHer’s pretty damn smart.
48 Tori August 20, 2008 at 7:57 pm: Congratulations,what an exciting next step!
49 Dana August 20, 2008 at 8:33 pm: 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!
50 phyllis August 20, 2008 at 8:45 pm: congratulations! that is wonderful news.