Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathalie Basha.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Nathalie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
It’s a long story that covers about seven years, but I started out as a traditional reporter working for local TV stations around the country. I was really unfulfilled in that role and devised a plan to brand myself as a travel journalist. I quit my job at CBS in San Diego and started The Travel Muse YouTube and Instagram. I worked on that for three whole years before I got anywhere with it. Eventually, a digital media company called Circa hired me as an on-staff travel journalist!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t think anything is a smooth road, ever. Mine definitely wasn’t, and still isn’t. The nature of journalism, and especially the niche market of travel journalism, is inherently volatile. Even though I was under contract and making a steady paycheck, there was always the threat that the industry would shift and I’d lose my job. After three years, Circa DID shut down – they, like so many other media companies, couldn’t figure out how to properly monetize content. But I didn’t lose my job, I instead got transferred to the parent company to continue working. But, it’s shaky ground. There’s absolutely no guarantee that I’ll have a job next month.
My advice is to always keep the larger goal in mind, and don’t be attached to the steps you take to get there. If you focus on each step and half step, you can easily get discouraged and lost and suddenly find yourself way off course.
What do you do? What do you specialize in?
I’m known for my mini-documentary style travel pieces that are told from a first-person narrative, with heavy voice-overs and a tone and pacing that I’ve made my own. I think what makes me unique in this field is I am a trained journalist, but I’m also part of the new media world, so I blend traditional journalism with a story arc, and vlogging, which is more personal. I’m really proud of the stories I’ve put together that either brought awareness or helped someone. I often hear that my story on elephants in the Southeast Asian tourism trade made someone second guess their desire to ride an elephant. That is always the best kind of feedback!
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
I don’t think it was any one thing – it was cumulative. BUT, if I had to pinpoint one thing, I’d say the experience of “failing” as a TV reporter taught me not to give up.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nathaliebasha.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @thetravelmuse
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/NathalieTravelMuse
Getting in touch: VoyageLA 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.
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