Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariah Leeson.
Hi Mariah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I created my business and blog, Giggles Galore in 2009 to capture the memories we were making with our three children, who at the time were all under the age of 2. I believe that the little things in life are what make it magical, and with a passion for celebrating, I wanted to inspire families to celebrate life’s little moments.
My business started to grow after I shared my daughter’s 4th birthday party on my blog, and I received an overwhelming response to the party. I decided that I could help other moms find creative ways to celebrate their special moments by sharing creative budget-friendly crafts, recipes, and party ideas.
My work has been featured in Parents Magazine, Better Homes and Garden, All You, Yum Food & Fun for Kids, Country Sampler, Parade Magazine, and Country Living. I am a brand ambassador and have worked with brands such as Michaels, Oriental Trading, Cricut, Chinet, World Market, Tuesday Morning, DecoArt, FloraCraft, and Walmart. I love the creative process and partnership with these amazing brands, and I’m always eager to meet new people along the way.
I’m a former marketing consultant turned DIY blogger based in North Dallas. I have been married to my biggest fan and best friend for 20 years and we have three active kids, a 15-year-old and 14-year-old twins. I adore my family and spending time with them and creating memories is my favorite thing in the world. Other things I love include:
Entertaining. I love planning parties, big or small, and filling my home with good food, great friends, and laughter.
Traveling. Whether it is a long road trip, a cruise, or a flight around the world, I love traveling and experiencing new cultures, foods, and adventures.
Picnics. They remind me of my grandmother, and I think it’s impossible to be unhappy when you are on a picnic. Simple picnics in the park with the kids, a romantic picnic at the lake with my husband, or a huge family reunion picnic, they all the perfect way to slow down and enjoy the people you love the most.
Making lists. I make lists for everything, and even though I’ve tried, I can’t do it electronically. There is something so satisfying about being able to cross things off my list as I finish them.
Chips and Salsa. If I were stranded on a desert island and given one food request, it would without a doubt, be chips and salsa.
Alright, 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?
My blogging journey and career as an influencer have been full of unexpected twists and turns, lots of U-turns, and plenty of uphill climbs.
What started out as just a creative outlet to keep me sane while being a mom to 3 kids under 2 (a one and a half-year-old and twin babies) ended up turning into a full-time profession. In the beginning, 15 years ago, I was just sharing some of the fun things I was doing with my kids and my home, like our Muffin Tin Monday lunches, my DIY Tattle Monster, and their themed birthday parties.
Those posts started getting noticed and passed along, and it gradually occurred to me that I might be able to monetize my blog. Over the years, I have had to teach myself everything from how to take professional quality photos and manage online ads to bookkeeping.
I’ve spent countless hours networking and building relationships with brand partners and my readers to grow my business.
I am constantly learning, adapting, and trying to keep up with the ever-changing social media platforms.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve always loved entertaining, crafting, and decorating my home, especially for holidays. I come from a long line of do-it-yourself-ers, and I’ve always enjoyed writing, so combining the two skills was a logical step.
I think what sets me apart is that my blog focuses mostly on entertaining and decorating with an emphasis on quick DYI projects. I love showing readers how they can celebrate everything from milestone birthdays and holidays to simple, everyday moments. And what’s a party without good food, so I also specialize in creating and sharing fun and simple recipes.
Geared mostly towards parents who want to create special family memories, my blog is intended to provide not only lots of creative ideas but some really practical tutorials. For example, one of my most popular projects shows readers how to celebrate their kid’s birthdays with an easy birthday tradition sign. https://gigglesgalore.net/10th-birthday-tradition-and-surprise-birthday-sign
My job has allowed me to stay home with my kids while they are young and growing up, but it has also given me some great opportunities. Some of the things that I am most proud of are the opportunities I have had to partner with big retail brands on national campaigns and to have my work featured in major publications like Parents Magazine, Better Homes & Garden, and Woman’s Day. But, most of all I love that I get to connect on a daily basis with other parents that want to create extraordinary memories with their families right in their own homes using my projects, free printables, or parties as inspiration.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I believe that the role of luck has played a huge part in the success of my business. First and foremost, I am lucky that my husband and children support me and encourage me; without them, my business would not be what it is today.
I also feel lucky that I have been able to create a thriving business all from sharing parties and crafts that I love. It’s hard work and never as easy as it appears in a 30-second video clip, but I am constantly amazed and feel lucky to have such a wonderful platform to help encourage and inspire others.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gigglesgalore.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggles_galore/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gigglesgalorenmore
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Giggles_Galore
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggles_galore
Image Credits
Mariah Leeson
