Today we’d like to introduce you to Jameela Malcolm.
Hi Jameela, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I have always loved traveling from as early as my childhood. I can remember being in a van with my family, about 15 of us aunts, uncles, cousins, and traveling on a 16-hour drive from New York to Florida. We would go to all the theme parks, and those are some core memories for me. I’m a full-time Dental Hygienist, but being on furlough at the start of the pandemic really shifted something in me. I decided to turn my photography Instagram page into a travel page where I share all my travel adventures and tips and advice etc. During my two months home, with encouragement from my family, I decided to start a blog which started the journey Jemazing Travels.
I have been working on building my portfolio and getting my name out there. I sent a ton of pitches and brand Dms and got a couple free products in exchange for reviews. What I really wanted is to work with a hotel. After 3 years in with focusing on my writing and photography, I finally got a break. I got to work with a Hilton Hotel, a curio collection which is major. I’m starting to see my hard work to pay off because shortly after that, I was interviewed by CNN Travel!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road! I had a lot of challenges in the beginning. Learning how to build my website and then halfway through deciding to switch to a host site for my website and transfer everything over without losing anything. Also learning SEO and keywords and how to rank on Google has been the most challenging. I learn new information all the time, but the most helpful tool to me has been building a community. I have a great support from others who are doing the same thing. Once I went back to work trying to balance my blog and an Instagram was very challenging to figure out how to maintain in both areas.
If you really want to make it as a blogger, my advice is definitely to be patient and consistent. You have to not overthink what you do but just focus on the why the reason why you decided to do this in the first place in order to keep yourself grounded. You may get a lot of nos in the beginning, but all you need is one yes!
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Many people may not be aware, but I’m actually a Dental Hygienist by day; however, my passion has always been writing and traveling and photography I’ve been told I have a really good eye for that. I’m so excited and proud of myself for stepping out and putting myself out there with this journey. I’m making a lot if meaningful friendships and partnerships. Everything I’m learning for my blog and the business side is all through online communities and networking events. I did not go to school for marketing, so this part is a learning curve for me.
I have to remain confident and consistent every day because I know there are opportunities for me just waiting. With all the chances I took here, I find myself a credible source and respected by my peers. Right now, I’m focusing on working with more Hotels and creating content around that through video and photography as well as my blog. I would really love the opportunity to work with a tourism board; that’s the next big thing on my list!
I love the genuine community that I built and the people that have been keeping me lifted and encouraged!
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I found communities and individuals on Instagram who are doing the same thing, either building their brand or are in the travel niche. I have a handful of down-to-earth travel bloggers who I really connected with, and I trust the feedback that they give me. In terms of finding the mentor for you all you really need is the person that will hype you up when you accomplish something big or small and the person that can take time aside to really give you helpful information. I have also had the opportunity to meet some in person, and they proved to be who they say they are online and in real life!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jemazingtravels.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jemazing_travels/
