Intoducing: Taj Arora
This week’s Student Spotlight shines a light on London-based poet and self-love coach, Taj Arora. Taj’s mission is to help women reignite their self-worth and carve their path. She has not only turned her blog and Instagram into a business, but Taj has also started a podcast and signed a book deal! I know you’ll be inspired by her story!
Tell me your story. Why did you start your blog and/or Instagram?
Growing up, I always felt disconnected from myself. I struggled with self-image issues, anxiety and depression. I would button up my emotions and feelings in an attempt to appear strong, even though I felt anything but. Until one day at the age of 16, I booked my first solo trip abroad in a desperate attempt to “find myself.”
Travel helped me reconnect with the lost parts of myself. I discovered my voice and decided to start my blog and Instagram back in 2016 to document my travel experiences. Since then, I’ve travelled to 30+ countries, built a social media following and started an online business.
My travels took me to a Japanese ski resort in 2017 where I slipped on ice and broke my lower spine. The experience was a massive wake up call. I started practicing self-love, meditation and yoga to heal myself. While travel resulted in a higher level of confidence and independence. The real shift in my life came from this time of inner healing.
Tell me about your business and your “why”!
Travel helped me ‘find myself’ but it was also a form of self-betrayal — a beautiful distraction from the problems I had been ignoring for years. Although I loved creating travel content, I realised something was still missing. I was lacking purpose and fulfillment in my life. Therefore, at the onset of the pandemic, when travel was no longer an option, I knew I was being called to look within and serve others. I wanted to share the importance of personal development to my audience so I started to offer free self-love, meditation and journaling group sessions via Zoom.
This initiated my journey to becoming a self-love and transformational life coach. I know now that my purpose is to help other women love themselves and overcome anything that might be holding them back. My mission is to inspire women to travel inwards and carve their own path in life. My content is honest, raw and thought-provoking. I encourage my audience to explore their own inner landscape, cultivate a loving relationship with themselves and embrace their imperfections.
How did you discover Christina?
I posted in a travel blogging Facebook group that I wanted to monetise my social media but I wasn’t sure how. Someone reached out and told me to check out Christina and her courses.
Which course of Christina’s have you taken and what inspired you to enroll?
I enrolled in The Blogger Bootcamp in January 2019. I was struggling to stay consistent with my blog and I had no idea I needed an email list. I couldn’t decide if the course was for me so I jumped on a call with Christina to discuss. I had never invested in myself before this, so it was terrifying but I could tell from the conversation that Christina really cared about the success of her students. So I decided to take the plunge and invest — I’m so glad I did.
What “lightbulb moments” did you have while taking The Blogger Bootcamp?
I had been blogging and creating content for almost 4 years before I decided to enroll in The Blogger Bootcamp. I thought blogging meant posting high value consistent content, posting it on the internet and hoping for the best. I had no idea how important branding, building an email list, SEO and Pinterest are in building a successful blog and business. I also didn’t realise that you don’t need to have thousands of followers to land paid brand collaborations. It’s a matter of knowing the right way to pitch and adding value to both the brand and your audience — all of which are explained in the course.
What are the 2 – 3 most exciting things that have happened since completing The Blogger Bootcamp?
Since completing the course, I’ve taken my blog and Instagram from a hobby to a business. I’ve landed paid collaborations with brands such as Crabtree and Evelyn, launched a digital product, started a podcast and signed a book deal with Thought Catalog.
What do you love most about the work you do?
Creativity lights me up and to be able to create every day is a gift that I don’t take for granted. I love planning shoots, editing photos and writing poems that speak to the soul. My work has also allowed me to connect and collaborate with people that not only inspire me but also motivate me to be better. And the best part? — helping women love themselves and reignite their self-worth. It makes me so happy to see my clients succeed and create their dream lives.
What’s next for you? What’s your next big goal or project?
My next big goal is to hit 10K on Instagram, monetise my podcast and launch my group coaching programs.
What is your number one piece of advice for aspiring influencers or bloggers?
My advice would be to first get clear on why you want to become a blogger or influencer. Focus on who you want to serve and how you want to show up in the world. Then just start! It doesn’t have to be perfect — it’s not going to be perfect and you’re never going to ‘feel ready’, so you might as well just do it!
What are your favorite accounts to follow on Instagram? Favorite bloggers?
@chelseakauai, @rachelbowler_, @briannawiest, @hannahrheaume, @carmenhuter and @glographics.
Where can people find you?
Find me on Instagram: @tajaroraa
Podcast Instagram: @notsoperfectpodcast
Listen to The Not So Perfect Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Listen to The Not So Perfect Podcast on Spotify
Visit my website: www.tajarora.com
Get your copy of my book ‘Little by Little’ here
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