Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Kringstad
Hi Nicole, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I first started my blog back in 2018. I put it together to post about our Florida trip more for my memory than anything else. I didn’t know being a travel writer was a real thing or a career option then. In 2019, I saw that this travel writer conference was happening in Medora, North Dakota, and I knew I had to check it out. In January 2020, I decided that was the year I would try this travel writer thing, and we all know what ended up happening just a couple of months later. Finally, in 2022, this conference was happening again, and I attended for the first time in St. Cloud, MN, and fell in love with the opportunity and the people. The last two years have been an absolute whirlwind from going on my first press trip having no idea what the heck I was doing to doing this whole time, having written an entire book, and spending most of my time on the road. It’s been a love of hard work and self-discipline, but it has been worth it.
Please talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned. Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It felt so smooth sailing When I finally started in May of 2022. However, just a couple of months later, in July, I began to feel sick and nauseous all the time, and I had no idea why. After multiple doctor visits, CT scans, and MRIs, I found out I had 8 masses on my liver; the largest was the size of my liver. Everything abruptly halted as I underwent major liver surgery to remove the masses. I spent 3 days in the hospital before they sent me home, and then 2 days later, the ambulance came to get me because I was in so much pain and ended up having sepsis and pneumonia. It felt like I was finally able to get going, and then I had to stop everything, but after recovery, I returned more robust and motivated than ever.
Thanks for sharing that. Can you tell us more about your work next?
I am a travel writer helping millennial women discover the Midwest and beyond. I focus on unique destinations, road trips, food/wine, and outdoor activities. I am most proud to have written an entire book over the last year, Unique Eats & Eateries of North Dakota, which will be released by my publisher this fall! My story sets me apart from others, and my unique marketing strategies to get myself and my brand out in front of more people.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Find your community of people! For me, it was finding the Midwest Travel Network. I was so scared going into it and was a “lurker” in their Facebook group for over 2 years before I finally dove in. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly; it felt like I found a home in this group.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.themidwestmillennial.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themidwestmillennial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themidwestmillennial
