Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Urben.
Hi Jenna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started The Urben Life in 2016, about a year after graduating from UT Dallas. My background is in emerging media and communication, with a focus on digital communities and social media. Before blogging, I worked in digital marketing, branding, and public relations. When the chance to begin freelance work came up, I jumped at it! While managing clients, I launched my blog to share recipes, travel guides, and lifestyle updates. At the time, I had no idea people could earn a full-time income from blogging. I simply wanted to share my experiences cooking with food allergies, traveling, and navigating life. Over the years, I’ve learned how to monetize and scale, and met some incredible people along the way. What began as a creative outlet has grown into my dream business—one that lets me connect with others, prioritize family time, and keep learning as new tech emerges. As an extension of my food blog, I created Bloggerbytes to help fellow creators establish their brand, serve their audience, and monetize their influence.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Everything in life has its hurdles, but how we respond to those imperfect moments is what shapes us. I try to focus on the positives, though blogging and being vulnerable online comes with its challenges. Thankfully, I have an incredibly supportive circle of family and friends who help me pick myself up and keep moving forward. In my early blogging days, I often struggled with imposter syndrome and comparison traps. Over time, I’ve learned to focus on what I can control and stay in my own lane. Now, the only person I compare myself to is who I was yesterday. Having a community of food bloggers who truly understand what our days look like is such a gift, too. No matter your profession, having a team that rallies behind you can make all the difference.
We’ve been impressed with The Urben Life, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Urben Life is a food and lifestyle blog best known for reliable dairy-free and egg-free recipes. I’m proud to serve the allergy-friendly community with easy, delicious meal ideas for busy families. What began as a food blog has grown into something much bigger, a desire to help new bloggers and creators take their first steps. I launched Bloggerbytes as a resource hub, followed by The Ultimate Guide to Pitching Brands, which empowers creators to confidently partner with their favorite companies. Over time, I’ve shared my insights on industry podcasts, launched my own show, and built a private community for creators seeking accountability and camaraderie. Most recently, I created WP Affiliate Links, a tool to help bloggers boost their affiliate revenue. All of this comes from nearly a decade of testing, learning, and growing through my original blog.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep sharing delicious, allergy-friendly recipes for readers to enjoy all week long. I love connecting through comments, emails, and my support group. I’m also eager to develop and launch more tools for fellow bloggers. As one myself, I see where current plugins and platforms fall short and hope to become a trusted resource in the community. On a more personal level, I’m humbled to grow our family and step into this next chapter!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theurbenlife.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theurbenlife
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theurbenlife
- Other: https://bloggerbytes.com & https://wpaffiliatelinks.com
Image Credits
Merece Photography (non-food images)
