I love how food and travel addicts are able to turn their passions into hobbies effortlessly. they end up travel blogging or being chefs, food designers or a lot more of that. One thing I love about travel bloggers is how they share their adventures with us.
Today we have something up for a passionate travel and food blogger Kemzy Kemzy of Kemzykemzy.com as she shares her passions, her blogging journey and a little about her world.
We had an interesting Q&A session and here’s what she had to say
Q: Give us a brief intro of yourself.
Kemzy is a food and travel blogger. She is the founder and Content Creator behind www.kemzykemzy .com – a food and travel blog where she explores exquisite restaurants, and travel destinations and shares travel tips and hacks. She is also a food and travel contributor for Nation Media Group, the largest independent Media House in East and Central Africa.
Q: Share something interesting you’d want the rest of the world to learn about you?
I am the only girl and the lastborn in a family of four boys. That explains my inquisitive nature to explore and also the reason why I broke both my arms when I was a child.
Q: What is the name of your blog and what do you blog on?
Kemzykemzy.com, it’s a food and travel blog.
Q: You could have been a teacher or a pilot or anything, what attracted/inspired you to blog?
I wanted to document my journeys so that I can inspire other people to travel and try out new places, activities and meals. Through my blog, I am able to share my true experiences (vitu kwa ground) and share the true cost for each activity, meal and place I visit.
Q: You’ve been a BAKE member for some time, are there benefits you can pass down to someone interested to join BAKE today?
From BAKE, I am able to connect with other bloggers in my niche and even outside my niche. BAKE also shares links and materials for important and relevant pieces of training in regard to blogging and digital presence. They advocate for bloggers and share a platform to learn and improve their skills. I am looking forward to attending another BAKE Awards ceremony.
Q: What does your blogging journey look like, what were your struggles and how did you manoeuvre to this end?
I started my blog in September 2018 on BlogSpot with no idea of what niche to specialize in. My first three articles can attest to it. Slowly, I started sharing my travel content and my readers started increasing in numbers resulting in more views. I struggled in making the site more attractive but with a lot of online research and watching YouTube videos, I was able to learn how to manoeuvre and even move the site from BlogSpot to WordPress which is easier to navigate. I also read numerous articles on travel blogging, blog hosting and management, SEO, monetization etc.
Q: You could have written about anything, why this niche specifically?
I love food and I love travelling. This two go hand in hand. Whenever I travel, I have to try out the indigenous meals in that area. So it is easy to write about something I enjoy doing rather than researching and just sharing other people’s findings and views. This niche allows me to be my authentic self.
Q: What accomplishments have you made in blogging that you’re proud of most?
Being a contributor at Nation Media Group has been one of my greatest achievements so far. I have also been able to work with big brand hotels, restaurants, travel sites, and magazines and even get featured in other travel sites.
Q: If you could sit down with someone starting blogging today, what will you tell him/her and why?
Choose a niche that you are passionate about regardless of how many other people are doing it. Your people will find you.
Q: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Go-getter, adventurous and approachable.
Q: If you could time travel, where would you go?
Hands down Bali and Italy.
Q: What is the weirdest food combination you have ever tied?
I have eaten snails and they were very yummy!! Chapo and githeri slap differently.
Q: If you were not a blogger, what would you be instead? Do you have a day job?
I have a day job. I work as a Human Resource Professional in one of the leading healthcare providers in Kenya and people are always surprised when I tell them this. I love working in HR because no day is ever the same and I get to interact with people in all the sections of the organization. I am a people person.
Q: Of all the posts you have ever written, which one is your favourite? why?
I don’t really have a specific favourite one as each one is normally inspired by different factors. But I can mention a few like “Top 25 affordable romantic restaurants in Nairobi and my experience in Lamu.
Q: What is the most difficult thing you ever had to do as a blogger?
Declining work from big brands that want to pay with “exposure” yet they have the capacity to pay but choose not to.
Q: Who is the most influential person in your life and why?
My mum!!! She has been my greatest supporter and is always there for me. She believes in me even when I don’t believe in myself. I have also seen her go through difficult obstacles in life and she did not give up. She is my pillar of strength and a true believer and ambassador of “God has a plan, just trust in him.”
Q: Besides blogging, what else do you do? What is your obsession?
Besides Blogging, I work in HR and I think if I was not doing either of the two, I would be in Events Management. I love anything that involves me being outdoors and interacting with people.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
As cliché as it sounds, “Trust your gut and Never give up”
Q: What lessons have you learned the most from your blogging journey and where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
I have learnt to always do my best and not compare my journey with anybody else. In five years’ time, I want to be paid to travel and eat. I want to be a brand name that works with reputable international companies.
Q: Is there a quote/mantra you live by?
“It’s a slow process but quitting won’t speed it up”
Interested in food and travel blogging? check out her blog kemzykemzy.com or follow her on socials on Facebook: kemzykemzyKE and Twitter https://twitter.com/kemzykemzy