On December 19th, 2013, I was standing at my kitchen counter thinking of a short, catchy name for my blog. I never thought that not even two years later, I’d see “Amanda Yantos – Dog Mom Days” on a news story!
In the past 2 weeks, I’ve been published in two newspapers. Yesterday. I was on the news! It’s all happening so fast!
On Monday, Amanda Goodman of AZ Family Channel 3 news contacted me because she came across my story in the East Valley Tribune. (I knew it was going to be good because women with the name Amanda are automatically fabulous!). She was interested in covering my blogging story – how I went from trying to find my place in the world to making my living as a blogger and now a BlogPaws award finalist!
Heck yes! Of course I jumped on the opportunity. What excited me most was inspiring someone – hoping that just one person would see my story on the news and think “hey, maybe I could do that!”
I mean, it is a little bit nuts when I think about it. Just two years ago I had just left my miserable corporate job. After working a dead end part time job, I decided to start blogging. Blood, sweat and many tears later, here I am, working for myself full time as a blogger.
Amanda and the camera man knocked on my door around 3:45pm. After scoping out some good interview spots and chatting for a few, it became real. I’ve been living in the greater Phoenix area for 16 years and sooooo many people are going to see me…*deep breaths*
It went extremely well. I wasn’t that nervous. Amanda made me feel really at ease and she was fun to talk to. My crazy kids got let out of the master bedroom to run a muck after the initial interview questions were over, and we got some great shots of them playing.
Holy cow. I really am a full time blogger, my life does indeed revolve around my 5 animals and good gracious…this IS real.
I got a wonderful outpouring of support after my news story aired. Of course, all of Facebook knew I was going to be on the news 😉 People messaged me after my story was shown that I hadn’t heard from in years. Even my Grandma called me this morning exclaiming how proud she is of me and how she told all of her friends!
It’s surreal. It was really weird seeing myself on TV. Sometimes I still don’t believe I live this life and I made my dreams come true. It’s quite unbelievable. But…hard work pays off and that’s why I’m here. Oh, and because of my love for my kids 🙂
Check out the full story here!
Jessica Shipman | Beagles and Bargains says
Amazing! That was excellent coverage. You are absolutely an inspiration and I hope to someday follow in your footsteps!
Amanda says
You’re so sweet Jessica. I’ve learned a lot from you and the other BlogPaws bloggers. I couldn’t have done it without you!
Andria says
It’s wonderful to see where your dreams have led you and I’m excited to see where they take you in the future. Makes my heart smile.
MyDogLikes says
Congratulations! So cool that you were able to be recognized locally for your hard work and by our peers at blogpaws. We are working to make our dream happen here… Then the fun starts, who gets to quit the day job first!! 🙂
Amanda says
You can do it!!! And it sounds like there’s going to be a hardcore game of rock, paper, scissors happening 😉
Cathy Armato says
Congratulations on being featured on our local news channel! Your segment was terrific, great job! I know the news station felt the same way because they left your segment until the end of the newscast while continually showing the “teaser” of your interview w/ “coming up next”. They always leave the most interesting spots ’til the end, teasing viewers throughout. I’ll bet so many people were inspired by your story! So many exciting things happening for you this month, you must be on Cloud 9!
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them xoxoxo
Amanda says
I am on cloud 9!!! It’s all so surreal. It’s funny because I couldn’t believe they opened the segment with a teaser to my story! I just about passed out! Then they kept running the preview and it was giving me serious anxiety LOL! I’m so happy that you watched the whole newscast. That means a lot to me! Thanks again Cathy!
<3
Christina Berry says
What a great story! Congrats! So often, bloggers are not taken seriously as writers, but what we do is very hard work and we truly are writers. Your story shows that, so I hope people now recognize that it’s not just playing on the computer all day. There really is a method to this blogging madness that we do each and every day!
Pawesome Cats says
Congrats! It’s wonderful to see your hard work paying off – the recognition is well deserved!
Beth | Daily Dog Tag says
That is so exciting! Most of the people that I know just don’t consider blogs as anything more than a personal diary, I’m glad you are finding so much success!
Kristen-well minded says
Great job! I’m sure your story is an inspiration to others.
Jana Rade says
Congratulations. How awesome is that?
Robin says
I am so excited for you! What an opportunity! Your blog is great. I hope that you have much more success to come 🙂
Carol says
What a great story! Congrats!
Jillian Cameron says
Congrats! What an awesome opportunity. Hopefully this article will grow your readership even more! 🙂
Victoria Carter says
Congratulations! I’m hoping one of these days we will be following in your footsteps!
Jen Gabbard says
Congrats; and that is such a great interview – it’s awesome. It’s so that you’ve been recognized for all of your hard work; and your interview serves as a great inspiration for all bloggers out there. Congrats again.
Jessica @ YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner says
Congratulations on all of the coverage. I listened to your news interview (the video wouldn’t play on my phone) while I was out walking the dogs the other day and I think you achieved your goal of being inspiring to others. It’s important to take chances of all kinds in your life and there are a lot of people that spend their life dreaming but stay stuck out of fear. Not everyone is in circumstances that allow them to take chances, I understand that. However, the best thing I did was quit my cushy government job and start my own business.
Amanda says
Amen Jessica! It definitely wasn’t easy for me and I was so scared. I honestly didn’t have the best circumstances – I was very broke for a while and struggling to get by. But I have absolutely no regrets and it’s been worth it!
Anne says
Woo hoo – congrats! I really enjoyed watching this – you are a true inspiration! 🙂
Carleen says
This is so cool! Congrats!!!
Fur Everywhere says
Congratulations, Amanda! This is so exciting, and your blog post has definitely inspired me to keep striving for my dreams.
Carol Bryant says
This is fantastic news and I don’t think you were ever a “nobody” – congrats!!
Amanda says
Awww thanks Carol!!
Rachel Sheppard says
WOW! So proud and amazed! Congratulations!