Meet Shareen Medina | Content Creator + Boutique Owner

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

Hi Shareen, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I have 2 businesses of my own (blogging/content creation & an online boutique) as well as work a FT job and I have 2 children so work/life balance isn’t easy. During the week when I get in from work, my focus is 100% on my family – homework, play time, dinner, bath time and then they are off to bed. After that is when I can dedicate time to my businesses – I am a night owl so that works for me. On the weekends my husband is also a big help in keeping a balance as he will keep the kids busy so that I can focus on work or shoot content for an hour or two. Pre scheduling things, especially social postings, helps keep that balance as well.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started blogging back in 2004 when platforms like WordPress just launched. I didn’t start to take my brand seriously until 2012 but writing and story telling has always been an outlet for me. I love how it can connect you with people all over the world with literally 1 click of a button. I create a lot of travel focused content. For me traveling and seeing the world is such a big part of my story and I love being able to share those photos and video with people and have my words explain how I felt in that moment. I have had the pleasure of working with some of my dream brands but I think the thing I am most proud of is when I get DM’s telling me how my content encouraged someone to take that trip to a destination they always dreamed about or when a mom reaches out and says posting about my travels with my family made her realize she doesn’t have to give that part of her life up just because she has children now.

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’m from North Jersey and I think we have the best of it all here. I can be in NYC in 20 minutes, laying on a beach in an hour, camping in the woods in under 2 hours or hiking literally within minutes from my home. If I had a girlfriend coming in for the weekend I would make brunch & dinner plans (the possibilities of good food and drinks is endless here), maybe take a trip to Pier13 in Hoboken to hang out and catch a cool exhibit at the MET.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am so incredibly thankful for a strong support system. Where I am and wherever I end up at career wise, wouldn’t be possible without the help of my mother, husband and my children. My mom is the person who will be at my door the minute I call her and say I need her help – no questions asked. My husband is the person who believes I can do anything I want and somehow always entertains my crazy and wild ideas. As for my children, anytime they hear that little ding go off on my phone indicating someone has made a purchase from my online boutique – they cheer me on and it is the sweetest thing ever.

Website: www.pearlsandparis.com + www.solceline.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/pearlsandparis + www.instagram.com/shopsolceline