Your Name: Adrianne Betz
Blog Name: Little Adi + Co.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? Family? Pets? Hobbies? Etc.
Hi! I’m Adrianne. First things first, I always hate this question because I loathe talking about myself. I seriously suck at writing bios because I’m always like, “who cares!” BUT, I guess I can give it a try…
I currently live in Charleston, SC with my sweet, funny, little family. I’m originally from a tiny beach town in NJ before I fled at 18 to the big city (NYC). Never thought I’d leave, but after 10 yrs of living that fast life, my husband’s job sent us south to slow down. I’m James’ wifey, puppy parent to a shiba named Coba, momma to Aden & Hudson and we have another little man due in just a few weeks. Never imagined myself as a mom to a house full of boys, but here I am and I’ll admit I’m kind of really excited! I always envisioned my life with 3-4 kids eating around a long dinner table kind of like Parenthood. I cherish family, babies and being a mom.
I fulfilled my childhood dreams of attending fashion school in college (F.I.T.) and got super lucky to get my first design job in my 3rd year before graduating. I’ve worked for some really amazing corporate companies and quickly made my way from assistant designer to head designer in an unheard of amount of time. It’s been a little like Devil wears Prada meets Sweet Home Alabama. Not without a lot of sweat and tears though. I guess that’s why becoming a small business owner was so obvious for me. I enjoy leisurely shopping, on my couch in my sweats and redecorating my house every 8 months (much to my husband’s dismay). Just your average 30-something living her best life, ya know?!
Tell us about your blog. How did you start your blog and why?
I actually started my blog in my 2nd year of business. I was pregnant with baby #2 (Hudson) and my followers showed a ton of interest in his nursery. One thing led to another and I realized I really had a platform to connect on another level with them beyond social media. There was only so much you could fit of yourself in a 100-word caption. The blog allowed me to grow my brand and really show more of dimension to myself over and above the clothing.
Has it been a smooth road? Have you encountered struggles that you could share?
“Comparison is the thief of joy” and when it came to blogging, since I didn’t initially have the intentions of being a full-fledged blogger, I always felt inferior to those that did it as a full-time job. Was I doing it right? Did people even care about what I was putting out into the world? Was I viewed as a trader and how do I earn the respect in this community? Once I learned to let it all go and see it as my platform that I could do whatever I wanted with, things just kind of fell into place and it grew organically. I no longer felt like I was trying to fit my round peg into their square hole. I earned a ton of respect from other companies I worked with and I made sure that they understood my work ethic and intentions. I have an audience who trusts what I put out and I don’t take that for granted. What I learned eventually was that my tribe was just that, mine, and comparing myself to other bloggers was pointless. We all have something unique to offer and collaboration is a thing I’m seriously so passionate about.
What do enjoy the most about what you write? What do you enjoy the least?
I always love sharing new products, but I also really enjoy sharing those somewhat vulnerable posts that connect deeply with our followers and help them to feel like they’re not alone. On the other hand, I kind of hate deadlines. The best posts are those that I give space to and happen organically.
Who is your target audience?
Mainly millennial moms interested in maintaining their modern lifestyle post parenthood. We can be cool moms! In all seriousness, what I like to communicate to my audience is that we can be really great moms without losing ourselves. What we loved and were passionate about before are things we can still focus on after baby. It doesn’t make us any less of a parent. It’s so important to know and love yourself, since as mothers, we have so much to give.
What inspires you?
Everything! I find inspiration sometimes in the smallest, most overlooked things. But, I could also be cliche and say that, above anything else, my kids inspire me. If they didn’t give me the drive and push to be the best in all areas of my life (for them!), I probably wouldn’t have brought myself this far.
What is your farewell piece of advice for someone interested in starting a blog?
Do you! Authenticity is so key in today’s day and age. People value seeing both your highs and your lows and by doing that you’re more relatable and real. I always like to say that you need to focus your energy on watering & caring for your own grass before you look to someone else’s. I think by owning what you have and growing your own area of online space, it’s far less pressure and it’s actually super fun.
What is your favorite Candy Bar?
Oh, I’m totally a candy junkie, but if I had to choose I’m a big fan of Milky Way’s and 3 Musketeers.
What is your favorite Childhood Memory?
Summers – where I spent my days running the streets with my friends until the streetlights came on. Those were the days when parents didn’t have to worry about their kids playing around the neighborhood without supervision. The freedom and creativity we felt as kids was liberating.
You are a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be?
I would definitely be a shade of pink. Some sort of new brighter blush tone.
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