An Update, An Apology and a Challenge

Hi there friends!

It has been a while since I have written anything on here and I feel terrible about that. I have neglected blogging and I want to apologize to my regular readers.

A couple of months ago (right around when I stopped blogging) I came to the realization that I could no longer continue to blog for “free” and I needed to figure out how to monetize my blog.

Many bloggers out there are doing this and I really wanted to learn “the craft” so that I could make this a full time gig and not worry about having to go back to work once all of my kids start school.

So naturally, with this new idea of mine came many days of reading articles from Pinterest and purchasing some books and courses online to help me figure how all this stuff works. During this period of “self-help” I came across an idea that sounded pretty cool in my head so naturally the first person I spoke to about it was my husband.

He too thought it was a great idea so we sat down and had a real conversation about the time, money and strategies (mainly lifestyle changes) that would need to take place in order to allow me the opportunity to pursue an actual business and become an “entrepreneur”.

Oh boy, has it been a whirlwind since then….

I have put more effort to this venture than any job in my life. LIKE EVER!

The biggest takeaway from all of this is that I have been doing this “blogging” thing all wrong. Relying on traffic and ads will no longer cut it in the blogging world. There are just too many bloggers out there and everyone is scrambling for you to get a look at their website.

The fact of the matter is that traffic, ads, sponsored posts and guest posting can only do so much and the work will far outweigh the benefits so I had to look for something BIGGER.

Which is why the idea of having an actual business came to mind and how www.bosslatina.com came to be.

Now, my new website won’t be launching for another few days, but I do have a temporary page up giving you a glimpse into what it’s about.

I have been diligently working behind the scenes, because there is JUST SO MUCH and even when I launch my site, there won’t be too much at first, but as the weeks continue I will be adding more and more.

So far, I have about 8 blog posts (see, I have been working!) and some information about me and what I plan to accomplish. I am also including an actual online course that I have been working at like a MOFO!

Yes, it was necessary to use that language. 

It has been the thing I have been working on day and night.

You have no idea the times I have stayed up past 2:00am (sometimes 3am!) while everyone else is fast asleep making sure I have my information straight, everything flows well, my images are on point, my sales page looks good, my sign up forms are working….. and much, much more.

However, I am not giving up. The online education industry is a 107 billion dollar industry offering things from how to learn water coloring techniques to completing your bachelor’s degree to learning how to live in a CAMPER!

Yes, that’s an actual course. 

I do believe that every single person has a special craft and if you are able to package it in a way that others will want to learn from YOU, then you are golden. And with today’s technology and social media giving you access to so many people anywhere on Earth, it’s hard to think why wouldn’t you want to give it a try.

So I took the leap! And have made some great connections with other established bloggers and social media experts. Now it’s just a matter of completing my course and setting things on auto-pilot!

And you know what’s really nuts?!?! Is that I already have ideas for 2 more courses!

I am crazy, yes! But a good kinda crazy, I promise! 

I won’t be neglecting The Latina Next Door too much longer though, so please be patient with me. I have some rooms we have been working on and I have plans to open a shop with some goodies that I think would be appealing to a variety of folks so I am really excited about that as well.

So make sure if you have not already joined my email list, be sure to subscribe so you can get first dibs on merchandise and access to subscriber discounts!

My husband and I have been gathering tools, supplies and materials and we should be open for biz in the next couple of months.

As long as I don’t go cray-cray before then. 😉

And if THAT was not enough! I just joined in to do a 10 week fitness challenge. Okay, okay, do I really need this?

This answer is HELL YES! I have been a fan of Ashley Horner for a while now. And I recently came across her instagram account and noticed she was opening up her next 10 week challenge!

Because of the attention my 3 kiddos demand from me and my new business venture(s) I have been lacking on my personal/physical development. And after I had worked so hard to remove some seriously unnecessary baby weight, I have fallen a few steps and gained about 8 pounds from where I was 2 months ago!

That might not sound like a lot to you, but I am only 5’2″ and 8 pounds is a lot, especially when you are at the top level of your “healthy weight” parameters for your height.

So I said, “no más!” and decided to see what my body and mind will do during this process.

The first step was to actually post a picture of my “before” on instagram and I am NOT proud of this – still freaking out. But in order to fully commit I had to do this. I need to see it for myself and let me tell ya… I am disappointed in myself and a little  a lot ashamed of what I look like.

And while my hubby thinks I look better than ever being his baby mama of 3, I can no longer walk around feeling uncomfortable tucking here and sucking in there.

I don’t want to feel like this anymore and frankly there is just no excuse for it. I can use spanx all I want and take “strategic”selfies and hide behind my kids in pictures, but I don’t want to be that mom.

First, because it is sooooooo obvious when you do it and second, I want to feel good about myself. PERIOD.

So, with that I will be posting my journey as I progress. And while I know that my blog is mostly DIY, home decor, it also needs to be about ME, all of me. I can make things pretty all day long, but if I don’t feel that way about myself then I’m not being true to myself.

I will still be a DIY Latina and there will be more of those posts coming up as well, but I need to “DIY” me for a change and use my little piece of real estate online to document and maybe even inspire someone else to do the same.

So, with all this being said. You will see more activity, updates and changes coming up. Both on TLND side and with me.

You can always follow me on Instagram if you want to keep even bigger tabs on me! 😉

I post more frequently on there with pictures of my home as well.

I hope this posts gives you some clarification on what I have been so quiet. Again, I am so sorry I have neglected my page, but I sure hope you understand!

I will write again soon!