In chatting with Julia Dzafic, the powerhouse behind Lemon Stripes, a thriving lifestyle blog and Instagram account where she shares her take on motherhood, style, wellness, and recipes, host Nancy Sheed goes behind the scenes to find out how she does it. Julia shares her journey from working in corporate sales and marketing to becoming a full-time content creator and cookbook author.

Key Lessons and Takeaways from Julia’s Journey:

From Political Science to Content Creator

Julia’s career path didn’t start in blogging. She originally studied political science, thinking she’d work in public policy. However, a corporate job at Condé Nast led her to discover her passion for fashion, wellness, and content creation.

Blogging Before Instagram Was a Thing

Julia launched Lemon Stripes (originally called Lemons and Loafers) as a way to share healthy recipes and lifestyle tips with her health coaching clients. What started as a side project grew organically through Facebook and word-of-mouth before social media took off.

Taking the Leap to Full-Time Content Creation

After juggling a demanding corporate career with her rapidly growing blog, Julia faced a pivotal decision: to stay in marketing or take Lemon Stripes full-time. She gave herself a year to make it work, and eight years later, it’s still thriving.

The Power of Consistency & Community

Julia attributes much of her success to showing up consistently. She blogged five days a week for nearly eight years and was always engaged in her community—attending industry events, collaborating with fellow creators, and staying true to her voice.

Navigating Social Media Evolution

From static Instagram posts to the rise of video content, Julia has adapted her strategy while staying true to what works for her. She focuses on her blog, Instagram, and newsletter rather than spreading herself too thin across platforms.

Writing a Cookbook: A Dream and a Challenge

Julia’s cookbook Garden Grown emerged from her passion for homegrown food and community-driven content. While she loved the creative process, she candidly shares how writing and marketing a book was an all-consuming process.

Prioritizing Mental Health & Boundaries in Content Creation

Despite her love for sharing content, Julia acknowledges the pressures of social media. She emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries in what she shares. She also emphasized boundaries around how much time she spends consuming content to maintain balance and protect her well-being.

Julia’s journey is an inspiring lesson in passion, perseverance, and finding a sustainable way to create content and grow an engaging community. Whether you're an aspiring blogger, business owner, or content creator, her story is a reminder that success comes from consistency, adaptability, and staying true to what brings you joy.

Connect with Julia:

Instagram: @lemonstripesWebsite: lemonstripes.comCookbook: Garden Grown, available wherever books are sold

Connect with Nancy:

LinkedIn:Instagram: Website

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