Today we’d like to introduce you to Michaela Carter.
Michaela, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
At a young age, I found that writing was my passion. It all begin when I won an essay contest during my elementary school days and I realized that I was actually pretty good at it. From then on, I took an interest in writing creative stories, poetry and even songs. As a student at Georgia State University, I had the opportunity to work for three Atlanta-based online magazines. That’s when it hit me – writing would always play a significant role in any career that I chose to pursue. So, I took a leap of faith and changed my major to Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations. This allowed me to combine my passion for writing with my love for all things branding.
In late 2014, I decided to create an outlet that would allow me to have more freedom with my words while simultaneously serving as a platform for inspiration. I had recently discovered the concept of blogging, so I thought it would be cool to start my own. That was the beginning of my journey as a blogger for my very own site, www.adashofmichaela.com, which officially launched in January of 2015. This opened the door for me to get a little more transparent about my life experiences through inspirational blog posts and created a way for me to advocate for mental wellness as well as women empowerment. I’m proud to say that my blog is now reaching and connecting women and men of all ages, all backgrounds and all lifestyles.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not. Not to get super deep, but I believe that God has allowed me to go through certain trials so that I would be able to inspire others and relate to their obstacles as well. It’s not easy being a writer who discusses life’s ups and downs while giving readers an inside look into your life. As a writer and a young professional, I’ve faced doubt and fear when it comes to maximizing my potential. However, I never let any of those challenges stop me from reaching my blogging goals, starting my career journey and even furthering my education by obtaining a Master’s degree.
My advice to other young women who are just starting out is to enjoy the ride! We get so caught up in checking off the boxes in our lives that we don’t take the time to actually live in the moment and have fun while growing. I’ve spent so many of my days stressing and worrying about my next step instead of just trusting the process. When you have goals, it’s hard to see the bright side to every struggle, but there’s beauty in the developmental stages of life. Each obstacle you face is just another lesson, so embrace it!
what should we know about A Dash of Michaela? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
By day, I am a Communications and Community Engagement Specialist for a State agency here in Atlanta. By night, I am a blogger, freelance writer and freelance digital communications coordinator that specializes in meeting social media and public relations needs. I am mostly known for my blogging, which I am super proud of because A Dash of Michaela is literally my “baby!” I’ve watched my site grow from an online diary to an outlet that uplifts and empowers others. I feel that a large part of my life’s purpose is to use my words to pour positivity into others – even if I only reach one person who really needs to be uplifted, I will feel accomplished.
I believe that what sets me apart is that my blog isn’t a “here’s 10 steps to finding true happiness” kind of blog. It’s more of a blog that says, “here’s what I’ve been through and here’s what God taught me along the way.” I never want to give off the impression that I know it all…because I’m only 23, so clearly, I don’t. I am still learning as I grow, so I just want others to know that I am journeying through life with them…that’s what I want my brand to reflect.
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
I was blessed to be brought up in a family filled with strong, independent women. My mother, nana, great aunt, and great-grandmother have had the most impact on my life. I’ve watched each of them successfully navigate through life no matter what they were up against. My mother and nana were both young, single moms who still managed to have great careers and obtain Master’s degrees, despite the hard trials that they faced. This has not only inspired me to exceed my full potential, but it has also pushed me to go harder in EVERYTHING that I do… no excuses. I have a family of superwomen in my corner!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.adashofmichaela.com
- Phone: 470.588.2172
- Email: hello@adashofmichaela.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/adashofmichaela
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/adashofmichaela
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/adashofmichaela
- Other: www.pinterest.com/adashofmichaela
Image Credit:
www.facebook.com/katharine.radvak; www.Instagram.com/jaychantelle
Getting in touch: VoyageATL 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.
