Today we’d like to introduce you to Francene Davidson.
Francene, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I joined the merchant navy when I was 17 as a navigational officer. It was long trips away at sea with me sometimes being the only female and British nationality on board. So, I started writing beauty tips to post 6 years ago. It was ‘my time’ and took my mind off work while away and kept me entertained while on leave. The blog has progressed into a website, I’ve contributed to several local blogs along with writing reviews, attending local events and being a stylist for fashion shoots and a runway show.
We moved to Houston 4 years ago and I work full time in oil and gas – this is my welcomed hobby!
Has it been a smooth road?
The blog has progressed SO much since it begun! I’ve learned more about websites that I ever thought possible along with Instagram and viewing local and worldwide bloggers! I’m still learning and finding my way through it all but I love it and as long as you have passion and don’t make it all about the money or followers you will enjoy it!
My only struggles have been juggling my blog and full-time work – most events are on during the day or that’s when all the local bloggers meet – so I’ve very much been in it solo!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Choos And Fashion Doos – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I write a beauty, fashion and lifestyle blog in Houston. I focus on what products I’m loving, what bargains I’ve collected and how I put them together along with lifestyle topics. I’ve just had a baby girl less than 3 months so she’s featured a lot! That is a huge learning curve! I wanted to be someone who was relatable to the real women, I work full time, I juggle my social life, I have hobbies, I try to work out and be healthy but nothing comes easy! My pictures are real unfiltered. I wanted to show the real girl
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
Yes, I’ve worked in a male-dominated environment since I turned 17 being in the merchant navy then into oil and gas. It’s challenging daily proving your worth, I find myself working 10 times as hard, traveling more, staying later. I think it will be a long time until we get the equation in some industries we have been striving for. I’m just returning back from maternity leave next week – 12 weeks off. It’s not enough for new moms. There isn’t the right work-life balance in the states. But my career is important to me, so I’m choosing to go back and work just as hard as I did before if not more so. People say, we can’t have it all as women we have to pick one thing – I disagree and I’m looking forward to proving that.
It’s not all bad, definitely as a woman in a male-dominated environment can work in your favor and open doors but I find you have to prove your worth first.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.choosandfashiondoos.com
- Phone: 346-313-1438
- Email: francene@choosandfashiondoos.com
- Instagram: Choosandfashiondoos
Image Credit:
Francene Davidson
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