Being an entrepreneur can be challenging sometimes, especially as a blogger. Like myself, blogger and fashionista Kassandra Kondo workes a full-time job and blogs on the side as a hobby. I reached out to Kassandra because I wanted to know her take on how she is able to balance her life blogging, working, and still trying to make time for friends and family. Recently, the blogging industry has increased dramatically and it feels like everyone out there is a blogger! I know many of us do it as a side hustle and I am sure there is a time when we are struggling. I have asked Kassandra to give us her advice on how to start and run a blog as a successful side hustle.
1.What is your blog, Kassandra Kondo all about? Tell us a little about yourself.
Kassandra Kondo is a lifestyle blog that relates to the working-class girl, mainly focusing on fashion, travel, food and beauty.
2.Can you walk me through your typical work day?
I’m the Creative Content Specialist at Porter Airlines so I write all of the marketing materials (incl. print, radio, email, digital, website, etc.) and manage Porter Airlines’ lifestyle blog. Every day is different as a Creative Writer. I’m expected to meet tight deadlines while being creative and maintaining the brand voice, so most days consist of putting out new fires but I enjoy the challenge.
3.What are your views on goals, timelines, and measuring success towards blogging?
To be honest, I never took my blog that seriously and didn’t give myself goals to work towards. I always valued this as a creative outlet, a way for me to escape, so I measure my blog’s success based on how much it motivates me.
4.What are your interests outside of the office?
Blogging (that’s a given) but I also enjoy photography and I do love sports. I used to play ice hockey but now I bike or join boot camp classes occasionally.
5.Are there any sacrifices to balancing a work-life, blogging career and social life?
Something always has to give and in this case, the blog has to give around my full-time job. My career has always come first and it is the main source of income in my life. So not being able to attend day events or work for brands that need more attention is something I’m not able to do at the moment.
6.Does it get overwhelming at times? If so how do you deal with it?
At times it can be, especially when working with several brands at the same time while trying to juggle a full-time job. I try to deal with it by remaining calm, organize my time wisely, and set out reasonable goals that will help me get through it.
7.What made you decide to start blogging?
I blame my sister (@krystin_lee) for this! I used to take her photos when she first started blogging and she always encouraged me to start one. I sat on the fence for a very long time so she gave me the advice of trying it for one year just to see if it was all worth it and it was!
8.What is the hardest thing to balance and keep on top of when balancing work life and blogging?
Similar to question 5
9.Would you ever quit your day job for blogging? If not why?
No, this blog is strictly a creative outlet for me. It’s a chance for my voice to be heard instead of hiding behind someone else’s brand. My fear is if I quit blogging full time, it would become more like a job rather than a hobby I enjoy.
10.What is your advice to someone out there who is trying to get into blogging for the first time or has been blogging for a while but is having some difficulty balancing it all?
My advice to new bloggers is to remain consistent throughout all your channels so your brand becomes known to others. Also, be patient. It takes time to grow and it’s just not worth cheating to get ahead. For those having difficulty balancing a blog, their personal life and work, my best advice is to take a step back and re-evaluate your time and how much you can contribute. If it is becoming too much, find ways to cut back or organize a blogging schedule.
To check out more about Kassandra Kondo and what she is all about click here to visit her blog and her socials. 🙂