Join me on today’s podcast, where I share my honest story of what’s led me to where I am today.

It’s a small insight into my life, and something I haven’t shared before, so grab a coffee and some chocolate, and let’s get started!

 

 

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE:

 

 

 

 

LET’S START AT THE BEGINNING.

In 1989.

No, I’m kidding, but it is relevant to mention that even as a child, I always knew I was meant to create.

My dream was to be a pop star. From the Spice Girls to Britney Spears, I was obsessed. 90s popstars were my thing.

As a child, I went to international and American schools (explaining the accent) and a lot of my friends, even to this day, are English speaking. 

I’m originally from Norway, but I currently live in Sweden.

 

 

Living my childhood dream: being in a band

Whilst I was studying music production in Sweden, I met two great guys and formed a band. My childhood dream of being able to sing on stage and write songs was coming true, and one of my bandmates actually became my partner and father of my child!

We formed the band in 2011, and I was writing and creating music all the way up until 2018. This was the last time we actually released anything. We released two albums, with most songs including a good sax solo.

This band was no less than a dream-pop band. (I really do like to dream all day).

Singing and writing music was an amazing form of expression for me. I didn’t like to talk in front of people, but I loved to sing. 

When we were asked to do band interviews, I would hate it. I would shy away in another room and didn’t want to be part of it. Even when we were doing sound checks, I felt vulnerable and scared.

The only place I could find my cosy space was on my own, writing music and in the studio by myself.

People used to say to me, but you’re an introvert, how do you sing on stage?!

But for me, it was my safe space. It was my favourite thing to do. Waking up early, heading to the studio at 7am with a candle and my coffee and chocolate, I felt amazing. 

 

 

From touring the world to a job in the music industry

Whilst living the dream with the band, touring everywhere from London to Southeast Asia, I was offered a job with a major music label in 2016. 

The truth is, it’s hard to support yourself being in an indie-pop band. And I started to question, did I want it that much? 

I wasn’t in love with being on stage. It was fun, but I wondered if as I was getting older, I wanted more of a secure income and stability.

Being offered an A&R role, with me being involved in signing and developing new artists, I started to think maybe I wanted a more secure career.

But after taking the job, it wasn’t long before a little voice was whispering inside of me.

Telling me I wasn’t supposed to be on this side of creativity. 

But, I didn’t listen to the voice.

Time went on, I made friends, I did my work, and in the meantime, my joy in music faded away.

Thinking back, this breaks my heart.

Before being on this business side of creativity, I loved music. I still don’t listen to music as much as I did. I don’t write songs anymore, and I did lose a part of myself when I took that job.

Eventually, I realised it wasn’t going to work. I didn’t vibe with my manager, and I looked elsewhere. I was offered another music label role, still on the business side and working with other artists.

But this role allowed me to explore a bit more of my creative side. I wrote songs, I even toured Asia with my band whilst working for this company!

At this time I was commuting between Norway and Sweden for my partner.

It was hard travelling back and forth, and when I was offered a role in Sweden, I knew I had to take it to be closer to him and move forward in my career. 

 

 

My discovery of the online business world

In 2018, I knew I wanted to create something for myself.

When I was working at the second music label, I discovered online businesses, blogs, and Pinterest and realised I could earn money online creatively.

Learning this instantly sparked something inside of me.

That voice that had crept up on me over the years was telling me… this is what you’re supposed to do.

In August 2018, I started my secret blog. I didn’t even tell my partner about it until a month in, and then when I did, I begged him not to tell anyone.

I was caught in the mindset of ‘if you start a blog, people will think you want to be an influencer’, and had so much fear and worry.

My blog didn’t even have my name, or a photo (well, one of the back of me) and I went by ‘M’. I was completely untraceable. 

But, I knew it was possible to make money from a blog. I had seen it be done by others, and I just knew I wanted to do it too.

 

 

Becoming confident in my own skin

But then I realised, that if I was going to do this properly, I needed to show up.

If I wanted a dream business, I couldn’t hide anymore.

So in 2020, I bought a camera, started a Youtube and slowly became more confident in my own skin.

(Let me repeat – slowly! It really wasn’t an overnight thing).

In 2019, I started a new job, and was living the 9-5 and the side hustle life.

Any social life I had disappeared, and I turned down a lot of plans to focus on my blog and Youtube channel.

And that voice? She was screaming. Screaming at me to go all-in on my business.

So I knew what I had to do.

I had to quit.

I worked with Erin, my coach, and she said to me; ‘you have one foot in, one foot out!’ and I instantly knew what she meant.

Energetically, I was not fully owning who I was.

I needed to change that. I wanted two feet in this incredible dream that I had.

This led to me changing my handle, showing up online and not caring what anyone else was thinking. I started going all-in on my OWN dreams, not working a 9-5 to help others fulfil theirs!

 

 

And that voice? She is so happy right now.

And this is only the beginning.

I love what I do now, my online family and everything that comes with it. 

So that little voice? Listen to it.

Go for your dreams.

Remember, everyone else’s opinions do not matter. 

Do something amazing! ✨

To quote Eminem – we got one opportunity.