We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Chen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Consistency has been key. It’s easy to give up quickly after not seeing immediate results, but being persistent has helped me harness growth. As a recovering perfectionist, I try to practice the “done is better than perfect” motto. Rather than post when I feel like my post is finally “good enough,” I’ve been committed to posting once a week. It started as a small win to keep this promise to myself, but over time it has accumulated my growth.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started xo, Kelly Chen as a creative outlet during the pandemic after finally not having any more excuses not to start. It began as a fun way to document bits and pieces of my life (building a house!) and share things I like, whether it be books or travels. Now it’s evolved into incredible connections with other bloggers, readers, and brand partners. I want xo, Kelly Chen to continue to be an inspiring place for modern women to discover a life of beauty, whether it’s curling up with a cup of coffee and getting sucked into a good novel at home or jetting off somewhere.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love starting my mornings with coffee, so I’d trek to Glendale for Daily Drip Coffee & Desserts for their latte art (aesthetic and delicious!). Or I’d recommend Hash Kitchen for a fun brunch. Then there’s hiking the iconic Camelback, kayaking down the Salt River to spot wild horses, or riding a hot air balloon for my adventurous outdoor girls. For my girlfriends who want a more lowkey trip, shopping in Scottsdale and staying at a resort is always a good time. For dinner, I recommend Shaanxi Garden in Mesa for authentic Chinese food, The Brickyard Downtown in Chandler for date night, or Taco Guild for their queso & tacos.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Many family and friends have supported my blogging journey, but I want to dedicate my shoutout to my boyfriend, Brett. I’ve wanted to blog for years but was nervous about putting myself out there, but he was the one to encourage and push me. He also takes almost all of my photos and gives me new ideas for growing my blog. My blog wouldn’t be where it is without him holding me accountable to create content consistently and step outside my comfort zone!

Website: https://www.xokellychen.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xokellychen/

Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/xoKellyChen/ LTK: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/xokellychen

Image Credits
Brett Okland

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.