Interview: Helene Sula
Can you start by telling the readers a little about yourself?
My name is Helene and I live in Heidelberg, Germany with my high school sweetheart and our two dogs. My background is in social media and marketing but I’ve been blogging full time for the past 3 years. I love travel and writing and my blog is the perfect outlet for that. The blog started after I fell 20 feet rock climbing and broke my ankle and leg and I needed a creative outlet when I was stuck at home. Hence, Helene in Between was born!
Your blog is called Helene In Between, which is a travel blog now, but I don't think it always started off that way. Can you talk a little about how you started it?
Well, it’s really not just a travel blog. My blog has always been more of a lifestyle blog in the sense that it follows what I’m doing. I started writing about silly, mundane things. But then I started focusing on my passions: social media, marketing, and travel. Now it’s become really a mixture of those things, plus stuff about my life abroad.
Since starting Helene in Between what have you learned?
It’s almost always worth it to go for it. Everyone, I mean everyone, told me that there wasn’t any real way to make a living blogging. It took me a solid 3 years but now I make more than I ever did in the corporate world and I employ my husband. Plus it allows us to travel and live wherever.
What has been the hardest part about running your blog?
The pressure. I always feel the pressure to do more, gain more followers, have more articles, etc. I’m learning that more doesn’t always equal better. I’m also trying to appreciate the ups and downs that inevitably come with owning my business.
“You never know just how important your message might be to someone else.”
You moved to Germany from the US in 2016, correct? What prompted that move?
We truly moved abroad to travel. We had no visa, no jobs here, no friends, we actually had never stepped foot in Germany before! We wanted a way to travel and see more of Europe and felt the best course of action was to move here.
What has been the hardest part about living in a different country?
The convenience. Living in America is easier. That’s a fact! I wrote about some of my frustrations here.
We are never really done growing up. What do you hope to do in the future?
I hope to write a fiction book, keep on traveling, and have my dream kitchen. We still own our home in Dallas and plan to move back to America in August of 2019 . So I have lots to look forward to!
Do you have advice for girls growing up today?
Stop focusing so much on outer appearance. This online digital profile means that so many girls are into changing their appearance. I remember I wore all pink and had braces and didn’t care. I was a kid! So focus on the now. You can be a grown up later.
Do you have any female figures that you look up to?
I really look up to the author Liane Moriarty - I devour all of her books. And I especially love Marie Forleo as a business mentor. Her message always rings true.
Why do you think it is important to tell our stories?
I truly believe everyone should have a creative outlet. With a blog (or instagram) we are able to cultivate our own message in our own terms. So many people have changed lives with the type of content they create. You never know just how important your message might be to someone else.
What is something in life that you are most proud of?
I think moving abroad. The catalyst for the move was the blog itself because it allowed me to have an income and reason for the move. I got a freelance visa and I actually had to prove to the German government that my blog was a sustainable business. I think this move has taught me more than just stepping out of my comfort zone. It’s helped me understand the world in a whole new way.
A Few Favorites:
Book:
To Kill a Mockingbird followed shortly by The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder.
Band:
Ray Charles/ Avicii- “Dear Boy” / Electronic and oldies
Quote:
“It’s all good.” This is a quote from my grandfather and it’s a reminder to me to look for the good or be the good. It’s now my blog tagline.
What is your life motto?
Always be scheming. Seriously. Michael says I should have that tattooed somewhere (I won’t and don’t have any in case you’re wondering.) I believe the key to figuring out success and happiness is to constantly be striving for more. So I live my life like that.