Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Bell.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Hi, I am the founder, writer, and redhead behind The Redhead Story, my small creative travel writing business was so near and dear to my heart. Born and raised in Northern Germany, my journey landed me here in Southern California. Now, as a San Diego travel writer and blogger, I am devoted to exploring nature, visiting new cities – and curling up with a good book in the evening after!
My most important mission: Inspiring others to travel, so they can find more growth, joy, and balance in life.
Growing up in Europe, I always had a love for language – especially English. It’s what led me to study abroad at age 16 in central New York. My time in the States was the time of my life. Then, upon my return home, I experienced an intense, reverse culture shock.
I’d learned how much more there was to this world. It sparked my fire for travel and new experiences, which has continued ever since. Education furthered my travel bug. While working towards my Bachelor’s Degree in Germany for Political Science and American Studies, I continually hopped back to my previous host family in New York. Then, London drew me in for my Masters in Political Communication. While in the heart of the UK, I traversed Scotland, England, and Ireland. With my hair color, I fit right in (I am calling Scotland my spiritual home).
It was my UK travels that launched this blog: The Redhead Story.
Fueled by a love of writing and need for a creative outlet, I began travel blogging to share my experiences. As I poured in more energy, my skills, and tools improved – like upgrading camera types and image styles. But that’s the beauty of life; both then and now, there’s always still so much room to grow.
After graduation from my Masters, the next chapter was a mystery.
I returned to Germany and, shortly after, began work at the German American Chamber of Commerce California. Working in their Cultural Exchange program was the melding of my life thus far: Bilingual language skills, international collaborations and, specifically, working with the United States, a place so dear to my heart.
Then, THE opportunity came: The chance to continue as a part of the organization in sunny San Diego.
It was an immediate yes.
Ever since, I have relished my work, America’s Finest City and pursuing my travel writing.
Throughout my time in the UK, Germany and the States since, I’ve written for a variety of outlets, collaborating with various publications to create content that helps readers to truly experience a place.
Because traveling isn’t just about seeing a site. Traveling:
— Expands your mind.
— Is a process of personal growth.
— Is my favorite way to achieve a balanced life.
With slow travel that is: Diving into one city or area for longer periods of time. Even if very active, it lets us slow down and gain an appreciation for our surroundings.
Whether exploring the Arizona desert, hiking in Yosemite or walking small towns in England, I also believe travel is the best way to internal reflection. Especially the more we can get outdoors. The chance to walk. To hike. To ride through a city by bicycle.
I’m passionate about seeing the world up close. Not from a car window.
Hence, I am also living an active, healthy, and mindful life. I love small local businesses and people’s stories, no matter where I am.
I run my blog The Redhead Story and work with publications to create articles and blogs that entice readers’ wanderlust. To get them excited about traveling and all have to offer them with a personal, unique twist, and some health and wellness tips along the way.
And that’s my story. There’s still so much room to grow, but I love what I do, words and traveling are my thing and who knows, at some point, I would like to really create, craft something. I am just not sure what it is yet, but letting the imagination run wild is fun and it’s the beauty of self-employment. You never know what’s going to happen next.
Has it been a smooth road?
Oh, absolutely not a smooth road.
When I started my blog mid-2013 (I was relocating to London, England, by that time and started exploring the UK more, so documented my travels), I always had this fantasy of making writing my career. Somewhere down the road. But I felt almost embarrassed thinking about that because really, who would pay me to share my stories? So, I continued writing for myself and the handful of people that were reading my blog.
I began to submit personal pieces to sites about expat and student life abroad and here and there, my pieces were published – for free, of course. But over the course of a couple years, this helped me build my portfolio. I never stopped thinking that I could maybe make it. But writing – especially in the travel field – is very competitive.
At some point, I still remember it, I got paid for an article and oh my, this made my day. And I just kept going.
And here I am now, quit my full-time job, absolutely not making a fortune, but looking back on where I started, I have come so far.
So, my point is, even though it sounds cliche: If you really want something, you have to pour your heart into it. And eventually, if you want to make this your career path and are serious about it, then you will most likely have to invest in this little business building process – and that means, put some money in. It was scary when I did it end of last year to go through a whole branding and website makeover process but oh my! The return on investment will be so worth it.
Follow through with it. Days get frustrating (when no one even responds to my article pitches and I feel like a complete loser), but then there will be days that you wake up and you might have been featured somewhere. Hang in there, network, get help from professionals in your industry. Read and educate yourself, and never stop growing.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Redhead Story story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a bilingual writer but since I have found my home base (for now) in San Diego, I am mostly writing in English. And my blog has always been in English. I just thought I could reach a larger audience that way.
Passionate about sharing real, authentic stories with wanderlusters, I capture experiences. I speak to those who are open to trying new things and local culture, particularly for slow (yet active!) travel.
Throughout the past 5 years (and past first 5 months of self-employment) I have worked with many brands mainly in the travel and hospitality field, but also in the health and supplement, automotive, photography, and even medical field to create customized content. From press releases to blogs, newsletters, and articles, I am writing it all. And I love it. But my heart is with those meaningful brands and companies that operate in the culture and travel field and even focus on people who live the expat life. Because really, I have lived abroad as an expat three times in my 27 years. I also love those clients who operate in the wellness and health field, because I love an active lifestyle.
I am proud that I can offer content in both English and German. Because of the fact that I have been fortunate enough to travel a lot and get to know people from all walks of life, I give my writings a very unique, sometimes – if desired – personal twist. I want readers to see the personality behind and not lecture them, but try to inspire. You don’t have to travel far to change your perspectives to the better, to learn. How about you explore your own neighborhood with an open heart and mind first? You’ll be surprised how many new impressions you take home. I am all for that. Going out there, inspiring others to explore mindfully – that’s what I also try to convey in my writings.
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
Good question. I cannot think of specific names but it’s those women that have always worked hard to be independent. Those that educated themselves and followed through with their dreams. Women in business inspire me, especially those that have children, a husband, a house and whatnot to juggle, but that has always been striving towards defining themselves and not having others define them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theredheadstory.com
- Email: theredheadstory@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theredheadstory/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redheadstory/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/theredheadstory
Image Credit:
The Better Business Babe
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
