From MySpace to Now (Photos Included)

One day in the computer lab, my senior year of college, a sophomore introduced me to MySpace.

I still remember the exact moment. I knew right then and there it was going to become a very, VERY big deal.

Fast forward almost 2 decades later and RIP MySpace, but ALL HAIL social media — it’s an absolute essential for most people.

For me, a journalism major, I knew I wanted to ultimately marry my passion for writing with my passion for social media with my passion for web design.

And I did… but it took time.

My college classes were basic — full of content from textbooks that had been recycled year after year.

College needed a refresh. And social media was the boost that changed everything.

After graduating I chugged along, writing for magazines and working my way up the editorial ladder — from intern to staff writer to associate editor to editorial director.

But it wasn’t until I took an online course during the pandemic that I really figured out how to monetize my passions with everything I had learned in my 20 years in the magazine and digital media industries.

I LEARNED MORE IN THAT ONE ONLINE COURSE THAN I LEARNED ALL OF COLLEGE.

Since then I’ve spent over $35k in online courses specializing in web design, social media, Pinterest, and copywriting.

I know the value in continuing my education and I choose to keep learning because I want to be the BEST at what I do.

I want to be an EXPERT at it.

In turn, I want to be able to teach my fellow editors in the City Living Network thee MOST amount of knowledge.

My 9-module course covers ALL the things I’ve learned that you need to know to become successful at running a digital publication. It comes from the combined knowledge that I’ve learned from the courses I’ve taken, the mastermind groups I’ve been a part of, and the events that I’ve attended.

I say it all the time, but running a successful digital publication with Laguna Beach Living has been my ultimate dream job. (This morning I went to a “Gifting Suite” in Laguna for editors and feel like it’s Christmas.)

The fact that I get to teach editors from around the country how to do the same thing I do is an honor that I do not take lightly.

I’m thankful for that day my life changed in college.

I’m thankful that we live in a digital world where we are able to work remotely.

I’m thankful that we can read and write about the best things to see/eat/do in the towns that we love.

And I’m thankful that we can call that a job, providing a valuable service to small businesses, locals, and tourists alike.

And I’m thankful for MySpace.