Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Gilmore.
Jennifer, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In 2005, I became an elementary school teacher for Fort Worth ISD. While I love teaching I had no idea how to dress. I am was a professional role, but I worked with 7 years, snot, paint, and glue on a daily basis. Business suits and stilettos were not practical on the playground. As the youngest teacher on my campus, I looked to my older colleagues.
However, there was very little about their dress and grooming that I wanted to immulate.
They were either too dated in their ABC decaled sweaters, to casual in their athletic wear from college, or had completely given up in their white button-down shirts and Khaki pants. I honestly had no idea what to wear. College had prepared me to dress for the office, not the classroom. Not long after this, I discovered TLC’s TV Show, What Not To Wear.
For the next 3 years, I studied their clothing rules like I did my college textbooks. I learned the term business casual and what was appropriate, yet stylish in a school setting. I learned how to shop on a teacher’s budget and dress my body type, Stay and Clint were my best friends! And then they cancelled my show! I was devastated. A few months later, seeking ideas on how to tie a new scarf, I did a search on YouTube.
There I came across a Video entitled “25 ways to Tie a Scarf” by Wendy’s Loobook. I was hooked and watched every video she made. From there, I followed her to Instagram, where I was surprised to learn that many other talented “bloggers” were doing the same thing! At last, I had my inspiration back.
For the next 2 years, I passively followed, daily inspired by these talented ladies. Jason, my husband, said to me one night, “you should do that too.” You love putting things together, and I think other women would like to too. No! I thought, not me. However, as time went on, I realized that I DID want to share the things I’ve learned over the years. I love connecting with others who love style and fashion just as much as I do.
Finally, in June 2016 I began SassyTeacherChic, a lifestyle blog sharing everyday style inspiration, travels, and life lessons for the everyday women. I also joined Style Collective to learn how to blog and to connect with brands. From there SassyTeacherChic continues to grow, proving that we teachers can be both sassy and chic.
I am so glad that my husband and Professional Photographer, Jason Gilmore, encouraged me to share what I love with others!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, the road has not been smooth. I had to learn Word Press, website host, and a whole gammet of other technical things.
Time is not precious, and I have felt spread too thin with trying to balance family, the classroom, and blogging. My husband, Jason, is the owner of J & J Studio and I must schedule shoots with him just as any other client does.
Together, we have an adorable 7-year-old daughter, who also keeps us busy. So although I may want to do more, blog-wise, family comes first. I’m okay with that: Rome wasn’t built on a day.
Please tell us about Sassyteacherchic.
What sets SassyTeacherChic apart from other blogs is:
1) International Family Travels, with a small child. (Costa Rica, Iceland, France, Italy)
2) Fort Worth, Texas Location
3) Diverse, our family is interracial
4) Age, we are 30 somethings, not teens.
I am most proud of the content quality of SassyTeacherChic. From the beginning, I knew that no matter how big or small. My audience was, I wanted to post quality content.
As a result of this, I’ve been able to partner with major brands such as J.Crew Factory, JORD, Sundance Square, Southlake Town Square, DSW, Charming Charlie, Exuviance, Neutrogena, and so many more! I will forever be proud of these opportunities.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would be more aggressive in growing my audience. I know my content is good and to reach more people.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.sassyteacherchic.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @sassyteacherchic
- Facebook: www.facebook/sassyteacherchic
- Other: www.liketoknow.it/sassyteacherchic
Image Credit:
Jason Gilmore, owner of J & J Studio.
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