Conversations with the Inspiring Mandy Holmes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mandy Holmes.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Mandy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
As a native of Scottsdale, I knew a ton about the city and had an extensive network. People were constantly calling me looking for recommendations for everything from restaurants to shopping and stuff to do with your kids so I thought “I should write this all down in one place!” That is how the blog was born. That was 2.5 years ago and the blog is thriving and recognized as an established media outlet in AZ. It also led me to a position of writing for So Scottsdale Magazine and I now write the His and Her Style columns monthly plus 2-3 articles showcasing our city! I love being able to combine my passions for storytelling and connecting people.

Has it been a smooth road?
At the beginning, it was challenging to find the right person at a business to pitch my story. I sent lots of e-mails with no responses back but once in a while someone would be interested and say “YES!” and word started to spread. After about a year, the tables turned and brands started reaching out to me. Now, I can be picky about who and what I feature. I stick to featuring people, places and things that I personally incorporate into my life so the blog stays very authentic.

The advice I would give is to not give up. You will get a lot of doors shut in your face and you will get used to hearing the word “no”. Blogging is a lot harder and lots more work than people think. In the beginning, you’re lucky if you’re making any money at all. You really need to be passionate about it if you’re in it for the long haul! Networking helps too. Get out and meet the people you want to feature!

Also, be a rock star scheduler. Between writing content, posting stories, photo shoots, networking… you must be able to prioritize.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Real Housewife of Scottsdale story. Tell us more about the business.
The Real Housewife of Scottsdale is an online lifestyle destination where the everyday mom gets sprinkled with a little bit of glam and mixes in everything charming and chic in between. Made with a dash of travel, style and wellness, a pinch of dining and beauty inspiration and a few scoops of family and philanthropy, The Real Housewife of Scottsdale is a well-rounded recipe for anyone who likes a little sugar and spice in their life.

I’m most of proud of where the blog is now. The name is recognized in the community and I’ve been able to tell the story of so many local brands and businesses that I love while staying authentic.

What sets me apart is I am picky about who and what I feature. I share the good and the bad side of parenting and life. For example, I’ll post about a fabulous black tie charity fundraiser and I’ll share my child’s anxiety and fear of water when it came to swimming lessons. Both stories were tied to local organizations and I was able to bring awareness to help others learn about businesses doing great things in the community.

Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
To not give up. Especially when it comes to blogging. It doesn’t happen overnight. I would say, give it you’re all for a year to see how things are going. Then, reevaluate yourself and your craft – in a technology-filled world, you have to go with the flow and constantly reinvent yourself. Also, taking great pictures is key to working with brands! Find a photographer that you love and works well with the stories you’re telling. It takes a lot of time.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.therealhousewifeofscottsdale.com
• Phone: 602-326-1317
• Email: therealhousewifeofscottsdale@hotmail.com
• Instagram: @therealhousewifeofscottsdale
• Facebook: facebook.com/therealhousewifeofscottsdale
• Twitter: @theRHOS

Image Credit:
Ash B Starr Photography, Nicole Bowman Photography, Claudia Johnstone Photography

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix 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.