Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Hubbard.
Taylor, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Out of all of my hobbies an interests, two of my favorite things to do are eating and traveling. I love a good meal; especially home-cooked. You can ask any of my friends and family and they will tell you that I take my food very seriously. I used to not enjoy cooking as much as I enjoyed eating, but now, my perception has changed a bit, I love to cook and get that satisfaction of preparing an amazing meal. I used to help my grandma in the kitchen sometimes, but then, I would get bored. It wasn’t until I moved to Denton to attend TWU when I really started to learn how to cook and enjoy it. My friends and I would have like family dinners with other friends, and there was usually kind of a ‘trade-off’ because college can be hard with no car, little money and living in a dorm. Everyone needed help or a favor of some sort, and everyone wanted to eat, so we all pitched in to make things happen. I started to love that feeling of people complimenting my cooking skills, and it just kind of stuck and I got better and better.
Now, the travel bug has always been a part of me. I was blessed to grow up experiencing many things that some of my friends didn’t or couldn’t. I went camping every summer in Tennessee, skiing every winter in Colorado, became a certified scuba diver in high school and traveled out of the country a few times before I graduated high school. I looked forward to going on vacation. I always knew that I wanted to see the world, to appreciate God’s Earth, explore different places and cultures. I was so curious about the world and places I hadn’t been to. There is nothing like seeing a breathtaking scenery that you can’t even describe how perfect it is, trying new food from a different culture that awes your taste buds or impressing your family friends with your unlikely cooking skills.
I felt like I was not the only one that felt that way and many of my friends, and even people I don’t know are just as curious, and want to experience those moments, but don’t know where to start, and that is where Tay’s Tasty Travels came about. It was important for me to share my experiences and help people see and feel what I felt because it’s those little things that can make people so happy. I just really want to help, inspire, comfort and encourage others through anything that I do.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a super smooth road for me. It is honestly hard trying to manage a blog and cater to others’ interest. I found the hardest part is time, patience and consistency, and I am still working on all three of those. It has now been two years this month of June since Tay’s Tasty Travels was born, and I have come a long way that I am very proud of, but I am not satisfied. I am constantly comparing myself, my blog and my progress with others and It can be a little discouraging at times when I don’t have as many hits, followers, reposts or likes on something that I post when I show so much support for others. But honestly, I just charge it to the game, it is what it is, and I have to remind myself that I am in my own lane and what is for me, is for me. I am fortunate to know and have some loyal followers and supporters in my circle and even acquaintances and strangers that will randomly or occasionally show their support, and I have to focus on those people because that is what really matters. It is hard in the blog world because it is almost like politics now, it is very saturated, like a popularity contest and very competitive, but I take lessons, not losses. Every successful story has setbacks and failures, but they are really stepping stones and lessons for the future or the next person, and I am grateful for it all. It really takes confidence and courage to step out and create something like this, and I salute to all of my bloggers and entrepreneurs out there.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Tay’s Tasty Travels – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Tay’s Tasty Travels is a travel and food blog. It is my baby, my brand, and my inspiration. I share my travel destinations and experiences, advice and tips, along with amazing, mouth-watering, healthy recipes, dining adventures, and some of the escapades in between! I love the really easy recipes, because even the most unlikely cook, can learn. I also love telling people about hidden gems, or “hole in the wall” places, and happy hour spots, because I love a good deal. I am most proud of my persistence and diversity. I don’t want to try so hard and be a typical show-off blogger, I want to be real with my audience. My goal is to inspire people to get out of their comfort zone, try something new, experience the world, the people, the food and culture, the stories, and make their own story. It won’t happen by living a routine every day and not being spontaneous for once in your life! I believe that my personality, honesty, and vulnerability sets me apart from others.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plans for the future are to really just be consistent and grow with my blog and my brand, I would love to create a fun, cookbook with a twist one day. Something that I can share what I’ve learned from my experiences in my cooking. I also recently graduated with a BS in Public health, and my goal in relation to my brand is to create programs for underserved communities to cook clean and prevent health disparities and chronic diseases that are easily avoided by diet and resources alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: Taystastytravels.com
- Email: taystastytravels@gmail.com
- Instagram: TaysTastyTravels
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taystastytravels/
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
