Taking a leap of faith onto an uncharted path, this publication set out with one goal in mind: to bring joy and recognition to our community by giving people a platform to share their stories.
In summer 2022, Will and Karen Rivera launched Dripping Springs City Lifestyle magazine and, after I responded to a Facebook post about a photoshoot, brought me on as their editor and photographer.
Just a few months later, we attended our first City Lifestyle national conference. As a first-time editor of a new magazine, I sat there wide-eyed, absorbing all the knowledge I could; dreaming of how we would improve others’ processes, tailor our publication specifically to our town, and enrich the Dripping Springs community by bringing people together.
We knew that if we executed our mission to create the most authentic and heartfelt publication Dripping Springs had ever seen, we would succeed.
This unfamiliar path I had embarked upon quickly transformed into a freight train. Month after month, my team and I were blown away by the insurmountable number of people doing amazing things in our town. At each editorial meeting, we faced the dilemma of how to possibly fit all of this goodness within the confines of our pages—a problem that was truly a blessing.
In March 2023, I was honored to receive the National Editor of the Month award for our Women’s issue featuring Jenna Lee. This is just one instance when I was awestruck by working with such an impactful, influential woman—someone I am now proud to call a friend. To be recognized for the stories we brought forth that month is something I will never forget.
In fall 2023, at our second national conference, our publication was honored as Best Overall Editorial Publication of the Year. Dripping Springs went from “Where is Dripping Springs? Never heard of it” to “You’re Dripping Springs? Amazing work! We use your publication as inspiration!”
This recognition was not just a testament to the heart and hard work our team pours in month after month, but also to the incredible community we have the privilege to feature. Without these stories to tell, there would be nothing to award.
I don’t list these accolades as a pat on the back but rather as a way to relive the greatness that has unfolded through our investment of hard work, talent and, most importantly, an amazing community to highlight.
More than growth and recognition, this journey has blessed me with deep and lasting friendships—connections that go beyond professional collaboration and have truly enriched my life. The people I’ve met along the way, from inspiring entrepreneurs to passionate community leaders, have shaped my career and my heart, and for that I thank you.
With the start of a new year, like so many do, I began to evaluate my path in life. Are the daily investments I’m making on a personal level going to equate to happiness in the long run? More than anything, I realized how fleeting this season of life is; my boys will be teenagers before I know it.
Without investing in yourself, how can you invest in others? As they say, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Prayer and reflection were my starting points. I hired a life coach and sought wisdom from the driven, successful women around me. How do they wisely invest their time while running thriving businesses while still being present at home? A necessary shift became apparent: It’s time to invest in a new chapter.
Life is full of investment opportunities, and the biggest ones often start with a leap of faith. Becoming editor of this magazine was an unexpected blessing. A simple reply to a Facebook post turned into a pivotal moment in my career. As a photographer turned magazine editor, I have had the privilege of sharing glimpses into my life with you over the last two-and-a-half-plus years, and for that, I am deeply grateful. This role has been an investment of my time, energy, and talents, yielding far more than I could have imagined. These narratives confirm that investing in oneself is not an act of selfishness but a vital component of leading a balanced and fulfilling life.
The story is much deeper than simply resigning from a position I coveted and dreamed of as a child. It’s a story of finding myself and recognizing that my job is not my identity. Making a change is okay. Change, in any capacity, is hard; we are wired to crave predictability. But I have never been one to ignore a feeling, especially one I have prayed over.
What I have learned from the members of this community is immeasurable. But sometimes, you must let go of great to make room for greatness. Thank you, Dripping Springs, for embracing me on this journey; it certainly would not have been the same story without you.
As this chapter comes to a close, my love for this community remains. I look forward to finding new ways to stay connected and contribute to our ever-growing town. I’d love for you to follow along on my next adventures and, and without a doubt, I’ll see you around!
Life is full of investment opportunities, and the biggest ones often start with a leap of faith.