Conversations with the Inspiring Susan Bryson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Bryson.

Susan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I currently reside in Rockwall, Texas. I have been married to my husband for thirty-eight years and have two adult children who live in Colorado. I was born and raised in Tupelo, Mississippi. I majored in Commercial Art at Mississippi University for Women where I studied calligraphy and just recently retired from four decades of working as a self-employed calligrapher.

While sitting in art history classes in college, the travel bug bit me. I was a small town girl whose travel did not extend far past the Mississippi and Alabama Gulf Coast. I sat in class viewing slides (I am really dating myself here!) of art and architecture in far-off places like Italy, France, England, Greece, etc. Many of the slides were professional shots, but many were actually slides that my female professor had taken on her travels around the world. I had no idea that people could easily visit these locales. I knew then and there, that I wanted to travel and see these paintings, sculptures, temples, and cathedrals in person and not just in a textbook or on screen in a dark auditorium. Luckily, my husband shared my desire to travel and we have had the opportunity to visit many interesting places, meet great people, eat exotic foods, and experience new things throughout the years. I guess you could safely say that my dream came true.

I have enjoyed being a diligent Trip Advisor reviewer since 2012 and have over 485,000 readers. From these 700+ reviews and 1000+ photographs, I was getting positive feedback on my “detailed, Southern approach.” Trip Advisor viewers and business management seemed to care about what I had to say. Then I began writing my dining and travel blog last year at the urging of my family and friends. This is how Southern Savvy Blog came to life.

I have really enjoyed writing my blog so far. I try to approach it from a very personal view point and try to write just as I would speak to you in person. I think authenticity is very important and I want it to come across to my readers.

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?
Writing Southern Savvy has been a smooth road so far. I have really enjoyed writing my blog and plan to continue writing for fun, if not for profit at some point. So there is really no pressure, though I do enjoy seeing new subscribers to my blog. I always feel very flattered when friends or family ask me for travel or dining suggestions or when I get positive feedback and comments on my photos or articles. It makes it all worthwhile.

My advice to any young women wanting to start something new and maybe out of their comfort zone is to take a long look at their talents. What are you good at doing? What comes easily to you? What do you really enjoy? Take a leap of faith! If you don’t feel comfortable making a life-changing career move just yet – start doing something as a hobby. There is nothing wrong with doing something for enjoyment and self-fulfillment. I do not foresee a six-figure income coming in for writing my blog, but I enjoy every bit of research, thought process, and work that goes into it.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Southern Savvy Blog story. Tell us more about the business.
I think that having an art background may make a small bit of difference in my writings and photographs. I have been told by readers that I notice things – colors, designs, details, etc. – that others never pick up on. I tend to be an organized, detail-oriented type of person and that is hard to turn off! I hope it adds some color and layers to my reviews and helps a reader experience or notice things that they wouldn’t have on their own. I can be happy having a gourmet meal or eating at a local neighborhood diner. I enjoy luxury hotels as well as quaint B&Bs. No place is off limits!

I also tend to write like I speak – 100% pure Southern! I have lived in Texas for almost four decades but still, have a strong Mississippi accent. No matter what experiences I have had, I will always be a Southern girl at heart. I come from a place where good manners, Southern hospitality, sweet tea, and gravy make a life complete.

I feel very fortunate that I have had the opportunity to travel and see the places that I have. My college-aged self would never have believed, even in my wildest dreams, that it would have been possible. I am proud that I have had many “pinch me” moments: kayaking in Alaska’s glacial waters, whitewater rafting in Idaho, snorkeling in Hawaii, exploring art museums in Europe, watching tennis at Wimbledon, wandering through castles in Scotland and Germany, tasting wines in California, panning for gold in the Black Hills, viewing the Grand Canyon, and hiking in Colorado. To offset the “dread” of us turning age forty years ago, my husband and I decided to travel to the fortieth state that year, the forty-first state the next year, etc. until we reached age fifty. Our kids were younger then and we had some of the most fabulous trips to South Dakota, Wyoming, Washington, Montana, Utah and New Mexico. I have always felt that experiences were so much more important than things – and believe that even more today at my age.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://southernsavvy.blog
• Email: shbryson1958@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southernsavvyblog/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Southern-Savvy-Blog-by-Susan-Bryson-1365719720158677/

 Image Credit:
Susan H. Bryson

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