Meet Nicole Ballantine of Latitude + Avenue

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Ballantine.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Nicole. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I started out in NYC. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and chose to go to the Fashion Institute of Technology. I have my Bachelors of Science degree in Production Management and thought I would work my way up within a company over the course of five-seven years after college. Well, life had other plans!

After college, I was an Assistant Project Manager, and after almost two years there I  was laid off due to “restructuring.” Before losing my job, I noticed I could use my vacation and personal days to travel and started brainstorming ways of turning my hobby into a potential business for myself. This led to the start my travel blog, Latitude + Avenue and went on a 16-day Euro trip!

I continued to work on it over time from there, and after a few years of traveling while being based in NYC, I decided the next step would be to move to LA where I could see the other side of the world and live in a much warmer climate! Once arriving to LA, I continued blogging but not as often and found I had two other passions, acting and fitness!

Has it been a smooth road?
Absolutely not! In fact, it’s still not easy. When starting out with the blog in NYC I was still working pretty stable jobs and had set income. I didn’t realize how much stability meant to me and how much a lack of financial stability affects my creativity. It’s hard to feel creative if you don’t feel like your essential needs to survive as a human are met.

Another struggle is having the confidence and the focus to pursue what you desire. As a creative and empath, my desires are constantly changing, and I needed to feel validated in the work I was doing. I would often feel like there’s no point in continuing to pursue my dreams if I don’t see the success I want when I wanted it.

I sacrificed stability moving to LA, and when I didn’t see opportunities falling out the sky for me I got a little disheartened. I felt like I made it to Lalaland, and I heard so many stories of people landing roles or being scouted or getting an amazing job as soon as they got here, and when that didn’t quite happen for me I was worried about my future.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Latitude + Avenue is a travel blog with a budding resort shop! I’ve partnered with Maekavera to sell wanderlust and timeless jewelry.

What sets it apart from other blogs is the rawness and truth I like to bring to my stories.

Yes, travel is fun, but it’s also extremely vulnerable, eye-opening and full of life lessons. I share tips, moments with beautiful people I’ve met along the way and my personal growth as a human being since my adventures. I also became a SAG-AFTRA actress, Reiki Master and just finished my 200 Hr Registered Yoga Instructor certification.

I realize that the road to success isn’t straight or clear but as long as I’m continuing to grow as an individual, lead a life filled with hobbies and people that fulfill me and help spread joy and inspire others, the money and success will come. In the meantime, I’ll just keep learning and sharing my gifts.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel like LA is a great city for creatives in general. It’s beautiful and pushes a well balanced, higher quality of life! The beaches, canyons, and waterfalls beautifully juxtapose the hustle and bustle of central LA giving everyone here tons of places to go to reset and get perspective.

I do think the LA social scene could be better and wish it were a little easier to find your community here! I’ve noticed having support and a tribe is essential when living a freelance creative life. Without that, it can be difficult to get through those rough weeks and months when transitioning here.

Pricing:

 

• Reiki Sessions $50.00
• Sponsored blog posts $100
• Private Yoga Lesson $50.00/hr

 

Contact Info:

• Website: Latitudeandavenue.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @withlovecole and @latitudeandavenue
• Twitter: @withlovecole

Image Credit:
Nicole Ballantine, Drew Doyon, Ryan Powell

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