LA MOMMY BLOGGER TRIBE’S 1ST YEAR ANNIVERSARY

from Mommy In Los Angeles Magazine - 2020 Pandemic Edition

WHAT I’VE LEARNED ABOUT MOTHERHOOD DURING THE PANDEMIC

F I R S T Y E A R A N N I V E R S A R Y

Celebrating The LA Mommy Blogger Tribe’s 1st year anniversary atop the San Fernando Valley meant experiencing cheerful camaraderie, social interaction and the support of various vendors and sponsors who understand the value of working with moms who know how to bring attention to brands and events. During the anniversary celebration, we caught up with founder Naza Holliman for a Q&A:

The Mommy Blogger Tribe

A Q&A WITH FOUNDER NAZA HOLLIMAN

Naza, can you tell us more about The LA Mommy Blogger Tribe?

NH: The LA Mommy Blogger Tribe is a community for strong, smart, powerhouse women. It is a community for bloggers who are moms-- working moms, stay-at-home moms, work-at-home moms, LGBT moms, adoptive moms, foster moms, blogger/influencer moms. It is a sort of “social club”, for lack of a better title.

It is a space where our members can talk about all things motherhood, and all things blogger. It is a space where we are supportive of one another, a space where we help each other grow, and be seen. We build each other up, we help each other land campaigns, grow our following, and understand each other’s struggles, while rooting for one another’s success.

We meet monthly for fun events, brunches, pop-ups, and we build friendships. For me personally, it is the village/tribe that I have yearned to have ever since I became a mother, and a blogger.

What inspired you to create this community?

NH: I have always been someone who enjoys connecting people and connecting with people. As a marketer, I connected brands with potential clients, in early motherhood, I connected new moms, helping to alleviate the effects of motherhood isolation and loneliness through SPS Playdates. I have

joined and helped create so many groups throughout the various stages of my life, and looking back, I have been trying to create versions of this tribe for years. What inspired me is the need for like minded, supportive, strong, smart women, in my own life. Not just for community sake, but in the business and networking aspects.

What are some of your most memorable experiences with the LA Mommy Blogger Tribe?

NH: We are a little over a year old, but there are so many amazing memories. I will never forget our first event. It was a brunch at The Penthouse Restaurant in Santa Monica. Only myself and Raquel Harbin of The Cool Mom’s Blog showed up. It was a complete flop, but the two of us had so much fun! It solidified the need to continue.

There was another event, a hosted event, at Chin Chin in Studio City. I think it was maybe our third big event and only three of us showed up. Myself, Marie Clark of Beautiful Day Blog and Rosie Hong of The

Hustling Mama. This event was a game changer! The three of us sat for hours and without any walls, discussed blogging, Instagram algorithms, followers/engagement and everything in between. We bounced ideas, we suggested campaigns, and we realized the importance of having a like minded, supportive tribe. I don’t know how I did this blogging thing without this tribe for so long. Before LAMBT, blogging was like stumbling around in the dark. Our combined knowledge has taken out so much of the guesswork. This particular brunch was enlightening and life changing. For me, it is probably the single most impactful moment in the history of the LAMBT.

Certainly the LA Mommy Blogger Tribe’s 1st Anniversary Celebration was my favorite “feel good” moment. It was a day where I got to celebrate and spoil all of the beautiful souls who have been by my side through this journey. Perched on top of the world, surrounded by members of the LAMBT, old and new, mothers, bloggers, boss babes! It was a moment where I had the chance to sit back and enjoy what we created together. I will never forget that moment.

What are your plans with the group and what can we expect in 2020?

NH: We are expanding! I am proud to announce the opening of the San Diego Mommy Blogger Tribe earlier this year, and we’re hoping to open a Las Vegas tribe in 2020. The goal is to have a strong network of bloggers, working together to create a community across state lines, with hosted retreats connecting all on a personal level.