FAN FEATURE FRIDAY - Vernetta
Friday, February 10, 2012
Name: Vernetta R. Freeney
Age:
27
Occupation: Blogger, Writer, Educator
Hometown
Location: Whitehouse, TX
Current
Location: Houston, TX
Website/Blog
URL: www.womenaregamechangers.com
What
is the premise of your blog? The blog is
a platform to spotlight a positive image of the everyday woman and her
achievements.
How
do you like working with your sister on your blog? My sister and I know each
other better than anyone else. She’s my best friend. It’s fun and challenging
because we each have our own separate personalities and opinions but we make it
work.
How
long have you been blogging? This blog has been around since September 19,
2011. I’ve had two before this one. I say I learned from those two so this one
I’m more focused on making it a stable in the blogosphere.
What
are your goals for your blog? Our goals are to be the premiere blog that people
come to in order to see what women are doing not only in America but around the
world. We also want to host a Gamechanger Gala for all the women we have
highlighted as well as our readers. The gala is our way to show that we
appreciate their support and honor what they are doing.
How
would you describe your personal style? My personal style is eclectic. I do not
like to look like everyone else. I actually care more about what type of boots
and stilettos I’m going to wear than I do clothes. A high heel will draw my attention before
anything else.
What
would you like for your readers to take away from your blog? I would like
readers to be able to see what these women are doing or what we are sharing and
say I can do it too. That the readers find their purpose and toss fear aside
and make it a reality.
 |
| Vernetta (left) with her sister Valencia (co-author of Women Are Game changers) |
You
have made the transition from full-time job (as a teacher) to 100% blogging?
How did you make that decision? The decision made itself. I left teacher and
wasn’t sure where I was going or what I was going to do. I have been able to
take the skills I’ve used while teaching and monetize them. Its scary leaving a
job where you know you will receive a certain amount of money every payday to
work for yourself and have to make sure you actually get paid for your talents
and skills. But I have never felt so much peace before and that’s more
important to me right now.
What
tips would you recommend for other bloggers looking to make the transition to
Full-Time blogger? Have a financial safety net. I had 6 months of living
expenses saved up so I did not have that stress. I suggest that you also look
for other ways to make money on the side while you are blogging. Blogging
itself will not pay you but it does help to get your name out there. My blog is
just a vehicle I’m using to be able to monetize the skills I have and have
opportunities present themselves to me. Teaching would not have afforded me
these same opportunities especially being able to meet many high power and
successful women.
Tell
us more about your product offerings in your service boutique. Right now on the
service boutique I am offering my skills and talents. I offer content writing
for other websites and blogs, I teach English to corporate employees and their
families, I have/will sit on panels for conferences and seminars and I also
will speak to seminars and conferences. Other businesses now have the
opportunity to advertise on the boutique for a fee of course.
What
are the names of some other blogs you follow? I follow a lot. I read yours of
course because I love to see what outfit you put together. I like Awkward Black
Girl, Black Snob, Breath of Life Daily, For Colored Girls, Glass Heel, Her
Film, Homepreneur’s Blog, In Her Shoes, The Happy Black Woman Community, The
Lipstick Diaries, The Suitcase Entrepreneur, Very Smart Brothers and YSF Mag.
And those are the ones I read on a consistent basis.
Does
your sister offer personal nutrition and fitness plans via your site? Yes my
sister is the guru on health in our family. She actually works out and eats
right with 3 boys. She really does research and then test things out before she
puts it on the blog. So she is not giving any health or fitness advice she has
not seen work. With her being a busy mom to 3 boys the advice, recipes and
suggestions she gives on the blog in essence are great for busy and/or working
moms and women in general.
You
have an obsession with boots. When did this start? Describe some of your
favorite pairs that you own. I got my first pair of boots when I was 12. Big
mistake because I’ve been obsessed ever since. My boots will be noticed in a
crowded room. I love thigh high boots the most. I have ankle boots and knee
high boots as well. I just love the way they look. My favorite pair would have
to be my solid gold thigh high boots. Love them.
How
do you go about choosing your game changer of the week? I really pay attention
to what other women are doing on social media and in their chosen profession. I
follow them and read what people have to say about them online. I check out
their blogs or websites. Sometimes I am just getting to know people online and
start to see what they are doing. These ladies are not just business women but
they also contribute to their communities and that’s what we want to highlight.
Women who involved more than just themselves in reaching the next level. I’ve
only known one of the gamechangers personally before I choose her and she was
our first one. The other ladies have proven that they are the definition of
what we want to highlight. So far, I haven’t been disappointed with a choice
we’ve made.
Explain
your FYI Friday feature. F.Y.I. started as a way to share positive stories
about women and things happening in the world but we have had to change that.
Only being able to share once a week was not giving the stories to our readers
fast enough. So now we share those stories exclusively on our facebook page.
Now F.Y.I. features things people may not know of and what our gamechanger
community has been up to and about. This way we can really focus on giving our
readers specific features that aligns with our mission and who we are. It enables us to be able to go back and catch
up with past gamechangers to highlight more of their success as well as offer
some funny stories about us.
What
would you say is your biggest accomplishment you have achieved so far? My
biggest accomplishment so far has been me letting go of the fear I had in
working for myself. Once I let that go more doors have opened, features on
other blogs and opportunities have presented themselves. Fear has been my
hidden secret and now that I tossed it to the side, I am completely ready to
take my purpose to the next level.
Please
add any additional information you would like to tell my readers about yourself
here: I would like your readers to know that you don’t have to be a style
expert or fashionista to express yourself through style. Like with my blog,
take what you see and like and make it your own. Style is about expression and
until you have found your voice, your expression will look like everyone else. My
blog is my voice just like clothes are yours. I continued to do things, read,
talk to people until I found my online voice. And owning my voice is the peace
I have in my life.
You can find Vernetta and Women Are Game Changers on the following Social Media Sites
12 comments
Whoohooo Thank you for featuring me. I'm so honored =)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Vernetta! It was great to feature you!
Deletealso nice to read about other bloggers
ReplyDeletekisses Shasie
i love shopping
Thanks Fede! I love featuring them!
DeleteI agree with Fede. It's always nice to see what other bloggers are involved in. Love the post. A fan of WomenAreGameChangers for nearly a month. It was great seeing them featured.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
DeleteHow cool is it that she was able to leave her job & start blogging full time! I think we all wish we could do that :)
ReplyDeleteSure do! I know I do! :-)
DeleteVernetta is doing such a great thing through her blog. I think this is the best feature I've read so far:)
ReplyDeleteShe sure is!
DeleteWhat an inspiring blogger! Leaving a full-time job to do what you love takes a lot of courage and I'm sure plenty of prayer! I read this post via email subscription.
ReplyDeletehttp://hollydollyfashion.blogspot.com
I know right! Very courageous!
DeleteI love reading your comments, however please do not leave comments asking for following swaps. I would prefer that you follow my blog because you love the content and not because you want me to follow your blog back.
Shasie