Today we’d like to introduce you to Lofton Etheridge.
Hi Lofton, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally a Nashville baby but I’ve been calling Los Angeles my home since March 2022. I completed my undergraduate studies in May 2021, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Recording Industry Management with a focus on Music Business, accompanied by a minor in Public Relations. My journey into the music industry was shaped by both my residence in Music City and my long-standing passion for live music. Attending countless concerts over the years has nurtured my love for the vibrant music scene and the thrill of discovering new artists. I’ve also maintained active involvement with a nonprofit organization called Women in Music.
However, the last two years of my college experience were marked by the unique challenges posed by the pandemic. During my spring break, I was on a cruise, and it was an eerie experience. As we were heading back to the shore, we all received emails from our universities informing us that our break had extended for an additional two weeks, and the rest of the semester would be conducted remotely. Adapting to this remote lifestyle was a significant adjustment, as it was a new experience for me at the time. All my internships and classes had transitioned to remote settings, and it was a challenging period. Many individuals were facing layoffs during this time, which heightened my concerns about job prospects. I found myself wondering, “Who would want to hire me in this competitive job market?” In response to this uncertainty, I proactively expanded my professional network. I reached out to professors, fellow entertainment students, and mentors in organizations like WIM (Women in Music) to seek guidance on how to navigate this new way of life. By the time I graduated, I was experiencing a level of burnout that I had never encountered before. This prompted me to make the decision to take the summer off and embark on a journey of travel, which will make sense later.
During a span of three months, I embarked on an incredible journey, exploring destinations such as Hawaii, New York, Gatlinburg, Atlanta, and even New Jersey. This experience revitalized my sense of self, making me feel more alive than ever before. While thoughts of Los Angeles lingered in the back of my mind, it was merely as a potential new city to explore. However, as July 31st approached, I faced the inevitable task of bidding farewell to my college apartment and transitioning into the next exciting chapter of my life. Yet, my thirst for adventure remained unquenched. After spending two weeks at home, a spontaneous idea struck me – why not head to LA? With no concrete plan in mind, I packed up my wardrobe and trusty air fryer and embarked on a 2000-mile journey westward.
That being said, my initial motivation for relocating here was rooted in the music industry, even though I don’t possess vocal or instrumental talents. I’ve always been drawn to the business aspects and the behind-the-scenes operations of the entertainment world. Interestingly, I’ve ended up working in various fields unrelated to music, and I must admit that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed exploring different industries and embracing new experiences. In November 2022, I made the decision to venture into the entertainment industry, which is closely tied to music. However, this coincided with a challenging period due to industry strikes. Surprisingly, I’ve found great satisfaction in this field, and it has sparked a desire to revisit it in the future.
Here I am today, actively working on establishing my presence as American Girl Meets World in the travel and tourism blogging niche. If you had told me a year ago that I would have my own blog, I would have found it hard to believe. However, in January 2023, I had a feeling that I should create something meaningful. I bought my domain in January and left it at that. It wasn’t until a trip to Mexico in April 2023 and the unexpected strikes that occurred during the summer that played a pivotal role in pushing me toward entrepreneurship. It finally occurred to me after 4 months what I should do with the domain. I have long held the belief that there’s a purpose behind everything, and this belief was affirmed by this experience. I had known the brand’s name even before the brand itself existed, and now everything has fallen into place.
One valuable lesson I’ve learned from my time in LA is the importance of remaining open-minded and diversifying one’s sources of income. I’ve enjoyed surrounding myself with CEOs, fellow creatives, and individuals from diverse backgrounds. LA continuously broadens my horizons, and who knows, by next year, I might unintentionally stumble into becoming an author or actress.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Anyone who has claimed it is a smooth journey must have had exceptional circumstances. The path of growth and progress is far from straightforward, and I’ve encountered various bumps and challenges along the way. From leaving a job that was both mentally fulfilling and financially rewarding in pursuit of something better, to experiencing a temporary layoff, I’ve faced a range of situations. At one point, my first boss in LA unintentionally let me go, prompting me to quickly secure a new job, only for him to later explain he intended for me to switch positions within his team. I’ve also faced the challenge of relocating to a new city and starting from scratch, leaving behind all of the connections I’ve made in Nashville.
Fast forward to the present moment: I’ve been diligently working on my blog since April 2023 and officially launched it on August 1st. However, I pushed myself incredibly hard not to toot my own horn, resulting in nerve damage in my arms, wrists, and hands. The pain was severe, to the point where I couldn’t even pick up my phone, let alone manage a blog. Launching something comes with an eagerness to dive into work, but my physical condition forced me to take a hiatus, not only from blogging but also from using my phone and computer for personal reasons. Consequently, I chose to take the entire month of August off as a well-deserved break.
As August turned into September, I finally managed to resume work. However, there have been days when I woke up to find my website was down. I endured periods without a functioning website, despite extensive communication with the support team. In addition to these technical hiccups, I had to grapple with a new platform, attempting to navigate it, which occasionally led to accidental content deletion. I’ve spent hours learning the intricacies of the uploading process, only to conclude by mistakenly erasing entire pages.
Through these experiences, I’ve learned the importance of slowing down because life has a way of redirecting us. It’s crucial to savor the journey, no matter how challenging it may be.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a travel and lifestyle blogger driven by a lifelong passion for exploration. Writing has always been a daily ritual for me, whether it’s in my personal diary or my gratitude journal. So, I thought, why not merge my love for writing with my desire to travel? What makes my approach unique is that I aim to blog from a more personal perspective, which isn’t very common in this field. Rather than offering the “best,” “perfect,” or “ultimate” recommendations that may not suit everyone, I want to be relatable. My blog allows me to infuse a personal touch into the travel and tourism industry, creating a deeper connection with my readers.
When people ask me what sets me apart from others, it’s quite simple: I am authentically myself, and that is my greatest strength. No one else can be me, and that uniqueness is what I bring to the table. My primary asset is undoubtedly my creativity. However, what’s interesting about creativity is that it can’t be practiced like a skill. You can prepare for a marathon, experiment with cooking, but you can’t allocate hours to become more creative. Creativity is a product of experiencing life, and I’ve found inspiration in the most unconventional places – from movies and eavesdropping on strangers’ conversations to a single line in a song lyric. I’ve always been a non-traditional thinker, and I believe this sets me apart in the world of travel and lifestyle blogging. When I share my personal journey, it will invariably be distinctive because it’s based on my own unique experiences.
Instead of opting for a luxurious, all-inclusive 5-star resort in Costa Rica with endless food and beverages, I have a genuine desire to embrace a more immersive and authentic travel experience. While the idea of staying in a rustic shack and skillfully wielding a machete to crack open a coconut might be a humorous exaggeration, my true aspiration is to deeply engage with diverse cultures worldwide. This includes endeavors like learning salsa in Cuba or participating in a pasta-making class in Italy. My goal is to fully seize the opportunities presented by life and the platform I’ve been fortunate to have while also motivating others to embark on similar enriching journeys.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
To be honest, I’ve come to realize the importance of acknowledging my own achievements more frequently. I used to struggle with imposter syndrome, constantly downplaying my abilities. However, I’ve made progress in giving myself the credit I deserve.
I’d also like to express my gratitude to my friends. They have a deep understanding of me, even when my pursuits aren’t entirely clear to them. Instead of responding with skepticism like, “What does a blogger really do?” or “Can you support yourself with that kind of job?” they choose to say, “I may not fully grasp it, but I’m genuinely excited for you, and I’m proud of your journey.” Truthfully, I don’t even fully understand myself sometimes so I don’t always have the answers to those kinds of questions, but I can say, “I’m figuring it out” and that’s a good enough answer for me.
On a broader scale, I genuinely want to extend my thanks to fellow creatives and entrepreneurs for pursuing their passions. Their dedication has inspired me to pursue my own dreams. I firmly believe there’s enough success and abundance for everyone, and I’d like to express my gratitude to strangers on the internet who are unapologetically themselves, displaying courage and boldness. I look up to them and aspire to be just as fearless. Stepping away from the conventional path isn’t easy, and I deeply admire and respect those who live outside their comfort zones.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://americangirlmeetsworld.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americangirlmeets/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093166580540
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/loftonetheridge/
Image Credits
Saint Productions
