I’m Charissa, 39 years old, and have been a single mom for years to Rebecca (Jan. 2017) and Chris (Sept. 2018). Having children was my biggest dream, so I’m loving every moment of it.
Creative
On top of that, I’m a true creative at heart. As a little girl, I was already part of different “clubs” like cooking, sewing, and crafting clubs. I love making things myself, whether it’s jewelry, printing designs on clothes, cooking and baking, or even making stamps. It helps me clear my mind, and I get so much joy from actually using the things I’ve made—or making others happy with them!
Travelling
I’m also passionate about traveling. I want to see as much of the world as possible and experience different cultures. Since I haven’t always had the budget for it, I’ve learned to travel as cheaply as I can. Even now, I prefer traveling this way because it leaves us with more money to enjoy fun activities and delicious food during the trip. I’ve done home exchanges twice (London and Málaga), which is a fantastic way to discover a new place from a different perspective. You’re not a typical tourist, and it’s very affordable since you only have to cover your travel costs, not accommodation. On this website, I plan to blog more about my travel experiences, partly as a diary for myself but also to help others with my tips and insights.
Business
In addition to being a mom of two, I work part-time as an Office Manager, and I’m also an entrepreneur/blogger. Since 2015, I’ve had my own business, CharM Webmarketing, though it has now fully merged with The Creative Mama. I create websites for other girl bosses and help them with their other (online) marketing as well. I’ve been building websites since high school and always knew I had an entrepreneurial spirit. With my degree in Management, Economics, and Law, I graduated as a business consultant, so I understand how to run a business. And to turn my hobby into more than just a hobby, I’ve taken several courses over the years in web design and online marketing.
And more…
I’m also someone who struggles with various traits and health issues, making life a bit of a challenge at times. I’ve realized that I experience things more intensely than others. This sensitivity brings many positive qualities like creativity, attention to detail, and perfectionism, but it can also be difficult. On top of that, I have hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid. While it’s stable now with medication, I still deal with symptoms like fatigue and some extra weight that’s hard to lose.
There’s plenty to blog about! On my blog, I take you along on my journey as a traveling, creative mommy boss and everything that comes with it.