Blogging is not easy. It takes years of patience, perseverance and persistence. Also, content is the KING. One can't get away with awesome optimization but zero content
Tell us about your background and journey
A workaholic communications consultant dashing in and out of fashion shows and events, life for me was going in the right direction. Then in the summer of 2013, pregnancy happened and it did slow down things for me. This eventually encouraged me to write. I'm now, the founder of India's leading parenting blog- The Champa Tree, and a marketing professional. Read on...
Although I knew I would not be the first among my friends to have children (I was nearly 30 at the time), I figured once my child-rearing days were over, I would have to fall back on a solid work-option! While my little one was only three-months-old, I got myself managing content for a beauty blog. That’s exactly when I found my dream job.
What started in 2015 saw growth in the months and years to come. In no time the blog was monetized. My favourite spot in the house was turned into an office. I partnered with a like-minded team to assist me by extending their support on a freelance basis. Today, we are a team of 5 amazing and passionate mums (and a married younger lot) who are inspiring and creative.
Udita Saklani and Tasneem Dhinojwala, and IT professional and filmmaker from Noida- both mums, Khyatee Sardana, from Lucknow, Rakhi Jayashanker, an avid reader and Instagrammer from Kochi, a mum to 3...and all our lovely readers...They all form our humble TCT family. They own The Champa Tree as much as I do. We've been awarded as the top parenting and motherhood blog not just in India but across the globe.
Little did I know quitting one job at the peak of pregnancy would also open other job-avenues. It’s not that I am a perfect mother and so whatever I share through the blog should be followed to a tee. Parenting challenges me to learn and do new things every day, allows me to work hard and be creative, and also gives me the opportunity to serve others in a very meaningful way
Today, The Champa Tree has close to 2 lac views a month, a strong community of mums and dads not just in India, but the US, UK and other countries following us across social media handles. We're the go-to platform for any parenting or baby/child-related query.
Tell our readers more about your Breast Cancer initiative?
Breast cancer inititiave is very close to my heart. My grandmother is a survivor. It isn't just about me. I suppose every woman would know someone who has had breast cancer. We at TCT feel there's no specific month to care for a survivor or someone who has had a history.
Although I knew I would not be the first among my friends to have children (I was nearly 30 at the time), I figured once my child-rearing days were over, I would have to fall back on a solid work-option! While my little one was only three-months-old, I got myself managing content for a beauty blog. That’s exactly when I found my dream job.
What started in 2015 saw growth in the months and years to come. In no time the blog was monetized. My favourite spot in the house was turned into an office. I partnered with a like-minded team to assist me by extending their support on a freelance basis. Today, we are a team of 5 amazing and passionate mums (and a married younger lot) who are inspiring and creative.
Udita Saklani and Tasneem Dhinojwala, and IT professional and filmmaker from Noida- both mums, Khyatee Sardana, from Lucknow, Rakhi Jayashanker, an avid reader and Instagrammer from Kochi, a mum to 3...and all our lovely readers...They all form our humble TCT family. They own The Champa Tree as much as I do. We've been awarded as the top parenting and motherhood blog not just in India but across the globe.
Little did I know quitting one job at the peak of pregnancy would also open other job-avenues. It’s not that I am a perfect mother and so whatever I share through the blog should be followed to a tee. Parenting challenges me to learn and do new things every day, allows me to work hard and be creative, and also gives me the opportunity to serve others in a very meaningful way
Today, The Champa Tree has close to 2 lac views a month, a strong community of mums and dads not just in India, but the US, UK and other countries following us across social media handles. We're the go-to platform for any parenting or baby/child-related query.
Tell our readers more about your Breast Cancer initiative?
Breast cancer inititiave is very close to my heart. My grandmother is a survivor. It isn't just about me. I suppose every woman would know someone who has had breast cancer. We at TCT feel there's no specific month to care for a survivor or someone who has had a history.
Every day is a day for care and love, for hope and well-wishes. Just that around this time, we put our thoughts into action and honoured every survivor through 5 voices, give hope to the ones sailing through cancer chemo, and in raising awareness among women about their own bodies. It is in fact the community’s way of standing in solidarity with women who have breast cancer or have had it in their past.
The prime motive of Breast Cancer Awareness month is also to focus on the underlying truth – Women are their worst enemies. As primary caregivers in a family, they go through a lot – emotionally and physically. “That is where we stop thinking about our own health,” says the writer- Udita Saklani. “Most of the time we tend to look past strong symptoms that our body signals towards!” echoes the content editor, Rakhi Jayashankar.
Where do you find your inspiration to churn out the content?
Everyday life of a mom or a dad. We are a team of highly motivated and always-inspired women who ideate not once a month but every day to come up with real-stories, be it through our Real Mom Real Stories section or Vocal for Local campaign. We seriously hope to change the life of our readers for better. Our blog has no glam, or glitter to it.
The prime motive of Breast Cancer Awareness month is also to focus on the underlying truth – Women are their worst enemies. As primary caregivers in a family, they go through a lot – emotionally and physically. “That is where we stop thinking about our own health,” says the writer- Udita Saklani. “Most of the time we tend to look past strong symptoms that our body signals towards!” echoes the content editor, Rakhi Jayashankar.
Where do you find your inspiration to churn out the content?
Everyday life of a mom or a dad. We are a team of highly motivated and always-inspired women who ideate not once a month but every day to come up with real-stories, be it through our Real Mom Real Stories section or Vocal for Local campaign. We seriously hope to change the life of our readers for better. Our blog has no glam, or glitter to it.
If you’re wondering if this blog is all about the soft and fluffy stuff — peace, serenity, and the joy of parenting? Well, we really wish that were true! So, if you’re little angel has become a handful, perhaps out of sheer boredom we are sure you’ll find some super interesting activities to keep them busy and yourself sane!
What are some of the challenges you face and how do you overcome it?
Blogging is not easy. It takes years of patience, perseverance and persistence. Also, content is the KING. One can't get away with awesome optimization but zero content. And if that's not enough, supporting other platforms to up your game is yet another challenge. Most importantly, to be able to ensure the loyal base of readers love reading your content and share their feedback for the platform to evolve is crucial. After all, blogging can't survive on a monologue model.
I'm so happy to have found a like-minded team and a base of loyal readers who support us. We have been true to our core. We're blessed!
Is it financially stable to become a full-time blogger?
Yes! But if one wants to be a blogger for the sole reason to be able to earn and not because it's where his/her heart or passion lies then I would say- steer clear.
How has the lockdown affected your content and what new things you had to learn to survive?
Lockdown has taught us a lot. To be empathetic, helpful, resourceful and most-importantly - to survive. We have adapted, innovated, changed the way we look, like literally!
What are some of the challenges you face and how do you overcome it?
Blogging is not easy. It takes years of patience, perseverance and persistence. Also, content is the KING. One can't get away with awesome optimization but zero content. And if that's not enough, supporting other platforms to up your game is yet another challenge. Most importantly, to be able to ensure the loyal base of readers love reading your content and share their feedback for the platform to evolve is crucial. After all, blogging can't survive on a monologue model.
I'm so happy to have found a like-minded team and a base of loyal readers who support us. We have been true to our core. We're blessed!
Is it financially stable to become a full-time blogger?
Yes! But if one wants to be a blogger for the sole reason to be able to earn and not because it's where his/her heart or passion lies then I would say- steer clear.
How has the lockdown affected your content and what new things you had to learn to survive?
Lockdown has taught us a lot. To be empathetic, helpful, resourceful and most-importantly - to survive. We have adapted, innovated, changed the way we look, like literally!
Our site got a new face. We partnered with some amazing people along the way, e.g. a creative design company called Technowitty/MotionJokey. We met fabulous people who supported us unconditionally. We can't thank them enough for all the learnings, help and support. We grew and became the catalysts for the growth of individuals and companies who partnered with us.
Interviewed by - Shruti Gupta
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