Meet Jennifer Miyagishima of Real Mom of SFV

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Miyagishima.

Jennifer, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Before I had my child, I worked in marketing for various industries (toys, aerospace and health insurance). After I had my daughter, I worked as a freelancer for a variety of gigs. It was while I was a virtual assistant (VA) for an agency that I learned about WordPress and blogging.

A few months after that freelance job ended, I decided to create my own blog. I’m a fan of Bravo TV’s “Real Housewives” franchise, so I thought I’d name my blog the Real Mom of SFV as an homage to it – the only difference being that I don’t have any drama in my life!

Real Mom of SFV started out as a hobby, a way to document my thoughts and family adventures. I’m a foodie, so I would write about new eateries in the San Fernando Valley that I would discover. I also like to work out, so I’d blog about whatever fitness craze that I was into at the moment.

After about a year, I decided to get serious about my blog, so I hired a website designer who revamped the design and creates a new logo. My one-year blogiversary was a turning point for me. From that point on, it’s been an interesting ride!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
One of the challenges I had, in the beginning, was narrowing my focus on what to write. I decided to hone in on the things that I am passionate about, which is food, fitness, pop culture and motherhood. I also do product reviews and giveaways. Being that I live in the Valley and the close proximity to Hollywood, I’ve been fortunate to receive invitations to movie screenings, family events and pop-up exhibits. There’s always something going on in LA!

There are times that I wish I was a better writer. I studied business in college, not in journalism or English, so I definitely feel insecure about my writing at times.

Learning how to navigate the world of social media can be a bit of a challenge. There’s always some new app or platform that I feel compelled to join. Remember Periscope and Vine? Those didn’t last and fortunately, I didn’t spend a lot of time and energy on it. I learned at a blogging conference that I should just pick the three social networks that I’m most comfortable with and use them consistently to amplify the content from my blog.

That’s why I mainly use Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Real Mom of SFV – what should we know?
What sets me apart from other lifestyle blogs is my perspective and voice. My writing style is similar to how I talk – easy, breezy and with a little bit of slang. My website and Instagram posts are a reflection of my life in LA, by way of the San Fernando Valley. My point of view is unique because of my life experiences and where I live. Is that pop-up event or museum worth the drive on the 405? I’ll share that with you because a lot of my readers live in the SFV.

I also enjoy highlighting San Fernando Valley-based businesswomen. I created a section on my blog called “Real Moms of the SFV.” This allows me to share with my reader’s inspirational stories of female entrepreneurs. I’m a mompreneur, so I think it’s important to support other moms who have their own businesses. It’s a great way for women to promote their business and also to share tips or advice to other entrepreneurs. If anyone reading this article is interested in being interviewed, please reach out to me!

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
There were definitely a few people in the early stages who gave me advice and support. At first, it wasn’t easy for me to navigate the mommy blogging world and there are a lot of us in the LA/OC area. It’s been quite a journey and during the past five years, I’ve been fortunate to meet some really awesome bloggers who I’ve become close friends with. It’s nice to have a sounding board to bounce ideas off one another.

My biggest cheerleaders are my husband and daughter. They’ve been patient with me during my website’s growing pains. They also know the drill as I take endless photographs to document for my blog or Instagram. It’s sort of a running joke in our family that they can’t eat their food yet until I’ve taken at least a half-dozen photographs.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.realmomofsfv.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmomofsfv/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealMomOfSFV/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealMomOfSFV
• Other: linkedin.com/in/jennifer-miyagishima-93431b19

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.