Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzy Mighell.
Suzy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When my nest emptied, I knew that I wanted to encourage other women to live fully as they entered this season of life. Most of the blogs out there for empty nesters focused on the pain associated with the transition. It is a transition to be sure – but I was also convinced that this next season of life could (and should) be one of growth, productivity, service to others, and, well, JOY! I kept thinking that surely, I wasn’t the only one who felt the way I did about the empty nest! It occurred to me that maybe we all just needed some encouragement and permission, to shift our focus from childrearing to other aspects of life and womanhood. So, I took a step of faith and set out on this joyful journey.
I “retired” from all of my volunteer and board commitments and started EmptyNestBlessed.com. After nearly four years, my mission hasn’t changed! I’m still all about encouraging, inspiring, and blessing empty nesters, whether it be on their health and fitness journey, how they can adjust to cooking for two (or one!), or how to “parent” their adult children.
I still write about adjusting and moving forward in the empty nest, but I also write about many other topics that I think my readers will love. One day it might be the latest style trends and how to wear them when you’re over 50, a beauty product I’ve discovered, or our latest empty nester getaway. I do lots of style posts on Instagram (@emptynestblessed), and I’m also active on Facebook (search Empty Nest Blessed), Pinterest (search Empty Nest Blessed), and Twitter (@empTnestblessed).
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’m self-taught for sure! I started in October 2015 with a simple website, which I made with Weebly (their tagline: “The Easiest Way to Build a Website” – perfect!). They had the nicest customer support, and I literally called them EVERY day! It took me a good two months, working about eight hours a day, to build my website and find my style and voice. Things have grown so much since I started. (I’m incredibly grateful for that!) I’ve “graduated” from Weebly to WordPress, and things are a lot more sophisticated than they were at the beginning. Now, I’ve got a tech support team and an assistant that helps me. Thanks to social media, my job title has also changed from “blogger” to “influencer.” (That’s kind of an embarrassing way to introduce yourself at parties, by the way! “Hi, I’m Suzy and I’m an INFLUENCER!”) Hahaha!
When our kids were growing up, we told them that hard work beats talent, every time. It’s true! Lots of people start strong, but not many finish strong. Most give up along the way when the journey becomes too difficult. Don’t give up! Once you’ve reached your goal, set another one and push yourself to meet it. If you’re uncomfortable and you feel challenged, that means you’re on the right track! Also, stay on mission, be consistent, faithful to do what you say you will do, and above all, be authentic. (People can smell a fake from miles away!) Remember how far you’ve come, and stay humble and grateful.
Please tell us about Empty Nest Blessed.
I’m unique in that my niche demographic is very specific. Empty Nest Blessed is a place where I share myself and my life with my followers, both the good and the bad. They consider me their friend, and I’m so honored by that! I take my commitment to them very seriously, and I do my best to be authentic and real with them. For example, I don’t use Photoshop on my photos to take out wrinkles or other blemishes – although I do believe in good lighting! Hahaha!
I’m most proud of the fact that when my followers meet me, they say that I act and talk just like I write! It makes them feel like they know me, and that means the world to me. I’m feisty and a little sassy, and I won’t hesitate to make fun of myself or tell about something embarrassing that I did or said! Since Empty Nest Blessed is ME, it reflects ME, from my brand colors and logo to my content.
I think what sets me apart from others is the breadth of content I cover and the depth to which I cover it. My followers tell me that they’re grateful for that, which thrills me! I strive to be thorough. If I post a recipe, for example, I’ll include some health information about the ingredients. If I’m posting about fashion, I’ll talk about the latest trends, but specifically, gear my tips and advice to women over fifty.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
When I was growing up, we moved every two to three years for my dad’s job. It taught me how to easily adjust to new people and new situations, and helped me learn how to read people and assess situations quickly.
Also, in college, I majored in PR. I took classes in journalism, communication, and marketing. Even though computers were just beginning to come on the scene back in the 80s and there wasn’t anything even resembling social media, the basics of good communication haven’t changed!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://emptynestblessed.com/
- Email: suzy@emptynestblessed.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emptynestblessed/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emptynestblessed/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmpTnestBlessed
- Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/empTnestblessed/
Image Credit:
Photos by Megan Weaver
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.
