Today we’d like to introduce you to Bella Mars
Hi Bella, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in the pre-social media era when the internet was a complicated mess, blogging was a crucial driving force in the music industry serving as one of the predictors of success based on the music critics’ opinions. I love writing and I love music, and once I realized I could write about music, I set out to make music blogging my life.
I have wanted to be a writer since I was in elementary school. It was something I always wanted to be, but once I started my post-college career in 2009, I felt the writer in me had to take a backseat until further notice.
COVID changed everything as it did for most people. I was laid off from one of my jobs and started thinking about building my brand and blog. I knew that if I didn’t start it when I had the chance, I would regret it forever. I decided to jump in feet first and lean on the Photoshop, Adobe Audition, Premiere Pro, WordPress, recording, and editing skills that I was learning on my own over the past decade.
Thanks to all of the business connections and opportunities that have come my way, I am building my media company Big Time Fresh, where I write articles and host a podcast on the Cross The Streams Network, bringing in guests and writers to contribute their point of view on many topics as well.
Today, I have a blog that I built on my own, a podcast with my best friend on a media network, and partners across the social media space. I started phase two of growing the business and am at the point where I am looking into other team members to support the mission of using research as a central focus of the articles.
As for the name Big Time Fresh, my daughter and I are huge fans of Big Time Rush (the TV show and band) so per her suggestion, we used Big Time Fresh. The name just made sense.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest challenge I faced (and still am today) is my confidence. It was a clear case of Imposter Syndrome – I’ve been doing all this for over 20 years, why would I consider myself unqualified to build a blog and run it as my own?
Another major obstacle for me was when I was posting my articles online and being open to harsh (incorrect, and purely mean) criticism. Luckily my co-host, Melissa Timpone, would coach and support me when I do post anything on social media or any of what I write. I find writing very therapeutic even if it is meant to be read by the public, so I will admit that I do find myself second-guessing my decisions when any of these encounters occur.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
BIG TIME FRESH is the hub for today’s stories, opinions, and interviews for a fresh take on music, pop culture, and life. We encourage a community of positivity, opinionated discussion, and good times. Big Time Fresh is syndicated with Microsoft Edge, Windows, MSN, and Microsoft Start and their 1M+ daily active users.
Over the last 20 years, I utilized my degree in Global Strategic Communications and my passion for music to find ways to pass on the strategies, skills, and knowledge I have to bands and artists who appreciate it.
I’ve been told that it is my unique take and knowledge of music, quality of writing, general business acumen, and ability to network have been the pillars of my success and set me apart. Of all the different kinds of success, it is the artists who reach out after the collaboration is over to thank me and tell me the impact it has had on their lives.
I want to use my blog as a platform for sharing opinions with the world in articles and podcast episodes. A critical element of using my platform is to give the platform for others to voice their passions as well. The style is non-confrontational, factual, casual, and not AI-written.
My co-host Melissa Timpone and I just started Season 2 of the Big Time Fresh podcast, and this year I want to bring on guests with fascinating stories. We are taking applications for being a guest on the podcast, so if anyone is interested in being a guest (also can be completed anonymously) go to bigtimefresh.com and fill out the contact form. Otherwise, we kicked off the season with more Tinder profile bio reviews so check out on all streaming platforms!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
While there are obvious indicators of success like wealth, fame, and innovation on a big scale, I believe success is defined by the goals you set for yourself.
Theodore Roosevelt said it best: “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bigtimefresh.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigtimefresh
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bigtimefresh
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_wajjawant?lang=en
Image Credits
Isabel Burton
