Meet: Ciara Johnson — Travel Blogger, Influencer, & Writer
Welcome to the Meet: series. These are interviews with women in media and content who inspire me — whether they're launching their own companies, juggling multiple full-time freelance jobs with their families and social lives, creating beautiful campaign imagery for brands, or anything else — and I'm honored to get to share their stories.
Ciara Johnson
Travel Blogger, Influencer, & Writer
How would you categorize the scope of your work, and what does your work entail?
Full-time freelance in multiple fields. I'm a full time travel blogger, sharing my experiences online and empowering other women to see this world. Through these platforms, I work with sponsors to promote their products and services and I earn affiliate income. I also do some freelance writing and consulting on the side.
How did you get into doing what you do now?
I quit my corporate HR job, shared my travel stories on Instagram, and gained an organic following. Brands began reaching out to me, I found a remote travel writing job, and I've been working with clients ever since!
Did you go to college to study the field you currently work in?
I got a Bachelors degree in Business Administration. Looking back, I didn't necessarily need to get my degree to do what I'm doing, but I truly believe that every circumstance is a bridge that leads us to our next point. Without that corporate job that I hated, I would never have quit my job or taken that leap of faith to start my own business.
Did you work full-time in another field before landing in your current role?
Yes, I did. I worked in corporate Human Resources. I began writing on my blog in my free time after work and those articles gained traction over time.
What is your favorite part about working in different fields?
I have a lot of freedom and flexibility in earning income. If one job or opportunity falls through, I know I have other sources to fall back on.
What's something you wish you knew before taking on multiple roles?
I wish I knew the level of self discipline it requires! This is still something I'm working on.
What advice can you offer someone who wants to be an entrepreneur, work for themselves, or just to have a side hustle in addition to their current job?
I would say to enjoy and embrace the process. Things will not always go your way and you'll receive plenty of rejections, but there's something to learn from every "failure." It can be your greatest lesson in personal development if you allow it to be!
Who are some women you look up to who embody the phrase #ShesAllThat — on Instagram, IRL, or otherwise?
Asiyami is a huge inspiration for me within my field. And Rihanna is another black woman who's doing it all!
What was a recent #ShesAllThat moment for you?
I was recently featured in several major travel publications like Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler. As someone who worked for years without a paycheck or any recognition, it feels good to finally reap the benefits of the harvest I sewed so long ago.
Where can people find you?
