Feature Blog: An Island Life

I never thought I would start a blog. Never.

But a series of events took place recently which changed all of that…I became a mommy that wanted to become greener…I lost my job after a very abrupt company shutdown…my friends kept asking me about the eco-friendly products I used…and I stumbled upon the blog An Island Life by Kailani.

Ever since I google-searched “Hawaii Mom Blogs” and found Kailani’s An Island Life, Kailani has not only been a bloggy inspiration, but she has been supportive and encouraging to not only me, but to other mommies out there who are just starting out with their blogs and/or product reviews and giveaways. To me, she truly exemplifies the Aloha Spirit.

I was really interested to find out how Kailani got her start in blogging, among other things, and here’s what I found out:

When did you start blogging, and why did you start? It all started back in 2006 when I received a Palm Treo Smartphone as a gift. I was told that if I blogged a review about a particular app, I could get the download for free. I had no idea what a blog was or where to start so a fellow Treo user I met in a forum told me about Blogger.com and how to set everything up. I figured I would write the review and that would be the end of that. Well, it's 2 years later and I'm still here!

You're a mother, a wife, a flight attendant…you run your online shop, Island Baby Boutique, you work on multiple websites and you contribute to other sites as well...how do you manage your time with so many responsibilities? Good question. I honestly don't know how I get everything done in a day. I guess it helps that DH is very supportive when it comes to my blogging. After all, he gets to benefit from all the free stuff I get! LOL! However, I think it's all about being organized and managing your time well. When I'm on the computer, I usually have a plan on the things I need to get done for the day.

What do you enjoy most about blogging? Definitely the friendships I've made over the past couple of years. Although, the free things are great, too!

You feature a lot of reviews and giveaways on An Island Life and An Island Review, and you recently launched the Family Review Network. What was the first product you ever reviewed? Given away? I never realized it before but my very first review was also my very first post - it was a program called TreoAlarm for my smartphone. I've had so many giveaways that I can't remember which came first.

Complete the sentence: If I'm not blogging, you'd probably find me passed out from exhaustion.

As you know, when I stumbled upon your blog I thought it was inspirational—not only referring to your posts about life in Hawaii, parenting, and work in the airline industry (since I could relate to all three), but the fact that a "local girl" could be so successful with her blog and establish such a good following. Are there any blogs that inspire you? I'm so honored by your kind words! I would have to say 5 Minutes for Mom. I knew them back when they weren't as mega-popular as they are now. I've seen them grow into an influential voice in the mommy blogging world and I really admire them for it. The best part is that they are really genuinely nice women. I've had the opportunity to speak with them over the phone-they are so sweet!

You have written about many of your adventures as a flight attendant. Do you have any memory that stands out the most, good or bad? It would have to be the elderly woman who had a medical incident while boarding the flight on her way to visit Hawaii for the first time. She ended up passing away without ever realizing her dream. It's something I'll never forget.

Any advice for newbie bloggers—whether it be on posting reviews or personal stories, how to get subscribers, social networking, etc.? If you're looking to increase readership, the best way is to network by joining forums, carnivals, and networking sites and being active with other members. Make thoughtful comments, visit other blogs, and be patient. If you put the time and effort into it, the hits will come.

What is one sage and savvy product that you can't live without? Definitely Unique Skins *wink* I've been having so much fun on their site!

I’m sure most of you, if not all of you, already read Kailani’s blog, but if you don’t, I encourage you to stop by An Island Life. You'll find it enlightening and entertaining, and I know you’ll experience as much Aloha from her as she has shown me and so many other bloggers out there.

Posted in: An Island Life,feature blog