Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Galler.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Molly. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started Pop.Bop.Shop. as a New Year’s resolution on January 4, 2009. I wanted an outlet to do more creative writing and it also doubled as a way for me to share all of my new discoveries in Boston and during my travels. Over the past 9 years, it has gone from a resolution to a hobby project, to one of the biggest passions in my life. It thrills me to uncover something new, capture that experience and be able to share it. An unexpected bonus of this whole process has been developing a community of readers who have become the smartest, most thoughtful recommendation engine. They have gotten to know me over the years and they make the most spectacular suggestions of places I should visit, books I should read, shows I would love. It’s become so much more than just me publishing new content, it’s truly a two-way dialogue.
Has it been a smooth road?
The biggest struggle for me has been balancing the blog with my full-time job in public relations, which is very demanding, high pressure and often involves travel. When I first started blogging, I was publishing posts 5-7 times per week. As my job got more intense, it would dip down to 2-3 posts per week and that always nagged at me. I never wanted my readers to feel disappointed or like I had stopped caring as much. Every time I would get home at 11 pm and not have the energy to write, I would feel so guilty. My advice to women just starting out is – do what you love, but don’t forget you also need to love yourself. If you are burning the candle at both ends, take a break. Take a break for 15 minutes or one hour or one week, whatever it takes for you to feel recharged. The work will be better and you will feel more confident about what you are producing.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Pop.Bop.Shop. story. Tell us more about the business.
I created Pop.Bop.Shop. to be the ultimate online concierge. I place where readers could come to learn the best places for dinner, hotels worth splurging on, books to add to their reading lists, shows worth streaming and much more. Over the past 9 years, I’ve become known for my restaurant reviews and for my awards show parties. I have chronicled most of my meals over the past decade and I photograph every detail of the viewing parties I host for the Oscars, Golden Globes and Emmys.
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
In 2016, I read the book “Year of Yes” by Shonda Rhimes. I think it should be required reading for any female entrepreneur. It’s about facing your fears in order to unlock your maximum potential. I also listen religiously to “How I Built This” the podcast on NPR hosted by Guy Raz. Each week, the show tells the story of a different entrepreneur – how they got their start, who supported their ideas, how they eventually scaled and how they manage the business now. Each story is so unique and reinforces the idea that with hard work, commitment and a little bit of luck, anything is possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.popbopshopblog.com
- Email: molly@popbopshopblog.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollygaller/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/popbopshopblog/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mollygaller
Image Credit:
Kristen Uekermann
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