Hello everyone and happy Monday!
August marks my third year of blogging. You can click here and read my very first blog post, which is rather embarrassing for me to share.
The other thing I’m embarrassed about that you can’t see when clicking over to that old post is the way my website used to look. One thing I regret not doing is screenshotting the way my blog has looked over the years so that I can laugh at myself. I have had some pretty bad designs that I made myself because I was too cheap!
Luckily, all you can see are my beginning blog posts…
I first started blogging on Blogger (don’t make my mistake, read why you should start on WordPress) on August 10, 2011. It was just a few days before a vacation, and I remember even though I was only a blogger technically for 3 or 4 days, I was on my blog the entire time we were on vacation.
I remember Wes being confused about the whole blogging thing.
And I bet he had no idea what would come from it.
Blogging has been a very positive hobby/business for me.
My life has greatly changed in the three years I’ve been blogging. Just three years ago, I was a full-time MBA student and also working as a financial analyst. I was working and attending school which meant very long days for me. My days were jam packed and my friends and family would often complain about not being able to see me much.
Now, I’m out of school (graduated with my MBA two years ago this month) and I am a full-time freelancer. I am happier than ever and I love the career path I am on right now.
Back then, we also had a decent amount of debt. We were continually spending more and more money because we were unhappy with our jobs and the only thing to really make up for that in our eyes at the time was to spend more money because we “deserved” it because of the stress we had from our jobs.
Now, my student loans are completely paid off and we are working on our spending. We are not perfect, but we are improving.
It’s also been positive because I have been able to hire my sister for some of the tasks I need done, and she is able to make some side money as well.
Thank you.
I personally want to say thank you to all of my readers, friends, and family. Without all of you, blogging would not be the same. I appreciate all of you, and I enjoy reading the awesome e-mails, tweets, and messages I receive each and every single day.
The blogging community is amazing!
Stan Papusa says
Wow this is a great giveaway and I’m glad I’ve found your blog. I’ve actually learned a few new things and will gladly visit it more often now. Happy anniversary!
Syed says
Congrats on your third blog birthday. It’s awesome seeing how far you’ve come. Wish you all the best.
Gerald Anthony says
wow congratulations!! more years to come :]]]]
sherry butcher says
congratulations on your 3 year anniversary and may there be many more. TFS.
Natalie Capps says
Congratulations on your success and thank you for the very generous giveaway!
Crax Prax says
Happy Anniversary and thank you soooooo much for the contest! Many more years and contests from you lovely blog! 🙂
Mahe Ram says
congratulations ! Happy Blog Aanniversary !
Lauren says
Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway! And congrats on 3 years!!
xoxo
Lauren
http://www.dressingdallas.com
mae abigail songco says
happy 3rd anniversary and congratulations! cheers to your success! 🙂
Melanie Lapierre says
Thanks for the giveaway!!! I want to start my own business soon, your post was very useful for me.
roland monkman says
nice give away it would good to win it and happy 3rd anniversary.
Tanya says
Happy 3 years!!! You website couldn’t have looked worse than my first one did:) Ouch! lol
debt debs says
Congratulations, Michelle! I bet the time has gone really quickly too. You are great inspiration for many. I’m just 5 months now, but hope I make it to 3 years! 😉
nicoale valentin gabriel says
I tweet every day but the entries don’t add up !
Michelle S. says
Hey! Is there something wrong with the rafflecopter? I can look into it.
nicole gagnon says
Thanks so much for this opportunity! I wasn’t able to get the 10 extra entries because I don’t have a twitter to follow everyone 🙁 I hope my chances are still good considering I was able to complete the rest!
Congrats on your 3 year Blogiversary! 🙂
Michelle S. says
No big deal. Good luck! 🙂
Kathy says
Really awesome that I could find these kind of giveaways online. Long live the internet. I am going to be the winner for sure…
tamra gibson says
Thanks for the giveaway. I am so sorry but I am afraid I entered the wrong Pinterest url’s on maybe the 1st and 2nd one. So sorry
Kimberly says
Congrats on your three year anniversary, and may I say you two are the cutest couple ever! By the way your blog is such an inspiration to me, I mean its AMAZING! It is awesome seeing how far you’ve come. You are my blogging idol, keep up the good work Michelle! 🙂
Nia Lorre says
Congrats on the anniversary. I found your blog through a link about the contest, but boy am I glad I checked it out. I just finished reading your WordPress vs. Blogger post and am now off to read more of your insights!
Alexander J. Mitchell says
Awesome blog! You rock! Thank you!
Cynthia Megill says
Congrats on your hard work
Mason says
Congrats on 3 years in the blogosphere! You have inspired me to start a blog myself and I definitely will be checking out your “Learn how to start a blog” section
Heather Long says
Loving this blog! Very informative and helpful! Thanks!
Tish says
Happy blogaversary! I had no idea you hit three years! What an amazing accomplishment. Best of luck with the giveaway!
Isabella T. says
Congratulations!!! I’m actually a new follower; your articles are really great. And as a graphic designer, I must say that your layout is very nice! It comes off as clean and posh. 🙂
paula v says
Did you choose/confirm the two lucky winners?
Michelle S. says
Not yet. I will be doing that this week.
Paula V says
Will you be updating the rafflecopter or creating a new blog post to announce it?
Michelle S. says
Hello,
I did pick the winners and already PayPalled their winnings (I believe their names were Samantha and Heather). They had their full first and last name (and picture) listed so I didn’t publicly display the winners.
Paula V says
Okay. Thank you. I just like to check back on contests I’ve entered.
Manish says
OMG!! Who were the winners?? I missed it. 🙁
Michelle S. says
Samantha and Heather were the winners 🙂
DNN says
I hope more female entrepreneurs follow your lead this year and years to come. 🙂