When I first began blogging, my mind was in a bit of a fog. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I filled every article with my thoughts and an intention to help whoever came across my little space on the internet, while simultaneously feeling like nobody was reading my words. I felt like I was talking to a wall. For almost a year.
When I had a question about how to do something, I consulted my BFF… Google. I didn’t know anybody that was a blogger; I had no one to talk to. I felt like I was on an island, blogging away, making no progress.
I had moments of ‘what am I even doing?’ or ‘why am I spending so much time doing something, when nobody is reading this?’ Although I had numerical proof that people were reading my stuff (not many, but it was there), again thanks to my BFF Google [Analytics], the fact that I had no engagement or conversation made me feel like I was in total solitude.
In May of 2015, I took to Instagram to find bloggers to follow, and eventually connected with Georgie of In It for the Long Run. She followed me, so I, of course, scoped out her feed, as one does. I followed back, and a few back-and-forth comments later, we became insta-friends. See what I did there?
At the time, I had just quit my miserable sales job (you know, that awful job you take just out of college because you need money), and was seeking a new opportunity in something more down my alley. I was looking for a job in social media. Knowing that Georgie did just that for her day job, I sent her an e-mail asking what she studied, how she got her job, etc. I was thrilled not only because she was patient enough to answer my annoying questions, but she’d invited me to a blog Facebook group that she started, called ‘Bloggers Gonna Blog’. It had just about 4 or 5 people in it, but it was a concept I’d been subconsciously longing for.
Fast forward a few months into finding that little community, I’d noticed the organic growth that was occurring in BGB. It had become a family, a tribe, a sisterhood. Georgie and I had become closer friends, blog BFFs if you will (sorry Google), and a light bulb went off in my head. “This is more than it is,” I told myself. Then I realized I was talking to myself, and reached out to Georgie.
I sent her a Facebook message asking her if she’d ever imagined BGB being more than what it was. Expanding it to a resource for bloggers, an online community where the BGB family could live and discuss and learn and grow together.
She literally had the same idea, and had been planning to ask me if I wanted to partner with her on the concept. Same brain? Possibly.
This was in September 2015. And here we are today, February 22, 2016, launching our vision.
The BGBcomumnity has…
Connected me with inspiring, intelligent, dedicated, go-getter women.
Everyday I am amazed at the group of ladies that inhabit BGB. We have published authors, we have bloggers that been featured in the likes of BuzzFeed, Redbook, Greatist, The TODAY Show, and more, we have ladies who are moms, bloggers and work full-time jobs all at once, we have bad-ass fitness instructors who travel their nation just to give the gift of their instructing abilities. If simply being surrounded by these people doesn’t inspire you, I don’t know what would.
Brought me friendship.
Snowballing off of the connections I have made, these connections have turned into friendships. On a daily basis I am chatting with my girlfriends of BGB. And to answer my father’s question “What do bloggers talk about when they get together?” – they talk about everything. I consider these ladies my shoulders to lean on when I need them, and I do the same for them.
[Tweet “How blogging lead me to wonderful friendships”]
Taught me about business, blogging, photography, and more.
In addition to being a tight-knit tribe, we are learning from each other on a daily basis. Bouncing ideas off of each other, asking questions, learning from each other’s experiences. It is safe to say that I would not have made the progress I’ve made in the last year if it weren’t for this community.
[Tweet “.@thebgbcommunity has taught me more than I could’ve ever learned on my own”]
Made me realize that people > numbers.
In the beginning stages of blogging, I had a microscope on my Google Analytics. All I thought was important were the numbers. How many people were reading my blog. How many pages they were looking at. How long were they on my blog. Of course, I still have my eye on my analytics for growth purposes, but the relationships I have formed greatly outweigh the numbers. Forming a tribe around your mission and your purpose is far more important than quantifiable data, and this is something I have learned through our community.
So, about the vision.
Well, today marks the launch of an extension of our family.
Over the last six months, Georgie and I have been scheming and dreaming to create a space for bloggers to connect, learn, teach and grow together. We truly believe in the strength of a community, a tribe, and believe that the key to growth is empowerment, not competition. We’re all in this together, why not rise each other up?
[Tweet “The BGB Community has transformed me, and my blog.”]
We’ve worked our bootays off over the last six months preparing for this endeavor, and we enjoy every second of it.
Without further ado, I present to you, bgbcommunity.com.
Alexa [fooduzzi.com] says
“I hope we all make it.” <– that's the feeling I get when I'm interacting with my fellow BGB'ers. This is so exciting, Christina! I can't wait to see what's next for you two
The Blissful Balance says
That makes me so happy – that is our exact purpose. Thanks Alexa <3
Aurora Valenziano says
I’m so very proud of you and wish you lots of success!!
The Blissful Balance says
Gracias mamita <3
Margaret @ youngandrungry says
I can’t believe I hadn’t really heard the full story behind BGB and I didn’t realize it started out this way! I’m so happy to be a part of it in any small way I can because it’s helped me learn so much and you and Georgie are just fantastic. Pumped about the new site and congrats on your race yesterday! Sheeeeee’s back!
The Blissful Balance says
We are so happy to have you in the community, Margaret. And I still can’t get over the fact that blogging brought me to someone who knew what Collierville was 😀 Thanks for being such an awesome part of the group <3
Kaila@HealthyHelperBlog says
I love this post. I love this community. I love all the BGB girls. Thank you so much for letting me be a member of this amazing team!
The Blissful Balance says
Thank YOU for being part of it <33
rachel at athletic avocado says
So happy for you and Georgie! You ladies have worked so hard to make BGB community a great success! Can’t wait to see what the future holds
The Blissful Balance says
Thank you so much Rachel! We are so grateful to have you in BGB along the way <3
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie says
I love this post! It is all so true what the BGB Community has given us all. Thank you so much for all of the work you have put towards the website — I absolutely love it!
The Blissful Balance says
Thank you for being a part of it all, Brie <33
Catherine @ foodiecology says
You and Georgie are rock stars and I can’t wait to check out the website in depth! I’ve already learned a ton and made a few connections in the short time I’ve been part of the community. And I agree – it’s about everybody succeeding, not competing.
The Blissful Balance says
We are so excited to have you in the community, Catherine!! Thanks for your kind words <3
Leah M @ love me, feed me says
SO AMAZING – the site and you and Georgie. Seriously so grateful that I stumbled upon this group when it was just beginning because it’s helped me so much. Not even just helped my blog, but me personally as well. Keep on kickin’ ass and thank you for everything you’ve done to make BGB such an amazing community<3
The Blissful Balance says
Yayayyy thank you Leah! It was so great to meet you yesterday <3 thanks for being so sweet. Can't wait to see what a success you are! xo
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says
I love the ending quote. I need to print that out and tape it on my office door…
And I’m so grateful to you and Georgie for doing your thing and doing it amazingly well, because it’s such a joy to be a part of BGB and to know there are others out there with similar passions and goals to learn from, befriend, and lean on!
The Blissful Balance says
We are all “in progress” and it is so helpful to be surrounded by such inspiring ladies such as yourself. Thanks for being so sweet Alyssa <3
Jennifer says
I have been looking for something like this for a long time!! So excited!
Laura says
This is so exciting, congrats, you 2 are the best!!
The Blissful Balance says
Thanks Laura you’re so sweet!! <3
Amanda @ Exploring Life & Things says
Reading this is so inspiring! Thank you for all the hardwork you guys put in and you really can tell by looking at the website. I’m excited for the future of BGB
The Blissful Balance says
Thanks so much Amanda <3 we are lucky to have inspiring ladies like you in BGB!
Emilie @ Emilie Eats says
Woooo! It’s been so fun being a part of this group and its journey. I can’t wait to see what’s in store! You ladies truly are an AMAZING group of women!
The Blissful Balance says
YOU are amazing, Emilie! I can’t wait to see where your blogging journey takes you. Thank you for your sweet words <3
sarah says
Yay! Congratulations!
Kayla says
So so so excited about this!
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
I’m seriously so excited, happy and proud of you both. I’m excited for the launch of this site and how helpful it’s going to be, I’m happy for you guys because what an accomplishment, and I’m proud because hard work pays off Thanks for BGB and thanks for the online (and hopefully real life someday!) connections. You da besttttttt.
The Blissful Balance says
Erin you’re gonna make me cry! :’) I’m so happy that blogging lead me to you, you are such an inspiration!! Thank you so much for your support – it means the world.
Georgie says
ALL OF THE FEELS I’M FEELING ALL OF THEM.
Move over Google there’s another big G in town. Loved this. I think my brain has run out of ways to say I’m extremely overwhelmed with gratitude but that’s the gist of how I feel about how we connected and how lucky I feel that I found someone who isn’t afraid to scheme and dream then go after it too.
People>Numbers erryday.
The Blissful Balance says
The blogging gods put us in each others lives for a reason. Two of them being to eat giant bagel sandwiches and scream ‘YOU FOOL!’ at random moments. LYLAS <3
Alyssa says
This is so exciting and so awesome!! Congrats to both of you and how far you have come in this blogging world- you guys rock!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
I’m a little late to discovering the BGBCommunity but I love that you girls thought to do this! I’ve been blogging for 3 years but I still feel lost sometimes. It’s so overwhelming and to be a part of a community that supports each other is a very powerful thing. Congrats and thank you!
Hope says
This is such a great idea and a great post! I can relate you your experience so well-you start to wonder why you are writing when no one is reading. I’m so excited to see the community that comes from all of your hard work!
Margaret @ Simple Fit Foodie says
I started blogging just a few months ago, so i love hearing about where other fellow bloggers begin. It gives me hope and makes me feel not so alone! Finding the BGB community hass seriously been one of the best things not just for my blog but for me personally as well. One reason I started blogging was to meet similar, awesome, like-minded people just like me who enjoy everything about healthy living and BGB has let me do just that. The website is gorgeous. I LOVE it and cannot wait for things to come <3
The Blissful Balance says
You are seriously the sweetest, Margaret. Thank you so much – we are so excited to have you as part of BGB!