It has been 15 years since I started the Disney Food Blog. Like many entrepreneurs, I started it as a side hustle while I was working full-time. I was passionate about Disney World, and NO ONE was really talking about the FOOD.

REAL plastic cheese

From LIME Dole Whip to Plastic Cheese to the original Carrot Cake Cookie, I started sharing all of my favorites — as well as the tips and tricks for planning a Disney World vacation I’ve learned from years of Disney travel — and people (like YOU, THANK YOU!!) started following along. And then came the time to decide to stop working for other people and make that side hustle my full-time gig. But man, there are some things I know now that I wish I knew then.

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I am an unlikely entrepreneur. I’m highly anxious. I’m historically a perfectionist. I’m not friends with failure. I’m 45 and kind of tired.

I need you to understand that Lime Dole Whip is the best Dole Whip. THE END

And there are 5 (and honestly so many more, but I’ll reign it in!) things I wish someone had told me before I stepped into the full-time world of building my own brand and surviving on the income from it. But I’ve been doing this for 15 years now, and have achieved so many of my dreams. So even unlikely entrepreneurs and creators can succeed!

This is honest, real life stuff. I don’t have time to waste your time. These are mistakes and errors and solutions for both.

The Original Carrot Cake Cookie (IYKYK)

Connect with as many people as you can. Colleagues, influential people, followers, creators, anybody interesting that you meet in the park or the cafe. The core tactics of career building have not changed even though everything is now online. You have to connect, connect, connect.

Yum!

Never stop thinking of yourself as a start-up. If you’re in digital media, the landscape changes every single day. You have never “made it.” You will always have something new to learn, another platform to explore, another audience to reach. Be flexible, look for ways to change with the times, and don’t assume there’s a finish line.

We love Disney food!

Learn to rest, not to quit. One of my colleagues shared this with me once and it has been life-changing. Everyone hits a moment — many moments — when they want to throw in the towel. They want to quit. It’s not worth it. And, no joke, it may not be worth it in that moment. But instead of cutting the cord to your company, take a few days off. Take a week off. Go somewhere else if you can. Get a change of surroundings. And once you separate yourself from the situation, you will have perspective to make the big decisions.

Grilled Cheeeeeese

Nobody cares what you think. Sorry to be harsh, but it’s true. It’s your job to MAKE people care about your opinions, your thoughts, your experiences…by making sure you’re adding value to their lives with each and every article or podcast or video. Yet I often have folks ask me how to break into becoming a “creator,” and when I ask them what their concept is, it’s some version of “What I think about X, Y, Z.” Who cares what you think? Nobody does…unless there’s something in it for them. How are you going to make your content useful and helpful? How are you going to solve a problem for somebody? The best way to build an audience isn’t by tricking them into caring what you think…it’s by authentically trying to add value to their lives in the first place.

Ronto Wrap

Find a sounding board who will tell you the truth. There have been projects I’ve worked tirelessly on, that I’ve LOVED and been passionate about…that have been total duds. Most of these have had some element of humor, and I’m just not a funny person LOL! But one of the greatest gifts you can have as someone who creates art or content or whatever…is an honest friend who will give you useful opinions. Not someone who just says “that’s good.” or “that’s bad.” But someone who says “what if you did this instead,” or “that was awesome right up until the third paragraph and then you lost me…can you break that down a little more?” There’s nothing more valuable than people who are genuinely cheering for you, but are also willing to be straightforward with constructive criticism.

All-American Sundae from Plaza Ice Cream Parlor

So whatever you’re starting — or in the middle of, like me — I hope you find something here that helps. Thank you again for being a part of DFB’s success! We’ll keep learning and pushing forward — and remembering there’s not a finish line.

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WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

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Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

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