Wonderful Women Interview with Lifestyle & Travel Blogger Lela London

 

Lela London is a self described ‘pint-sized lifestyle and travel blogger’ who has turned her passion for writing, photography, and entertaining into a full time job. Since launching her blog – LelaLondon.com – in 2010, she has also found success as a freelance broadcast journalist and presenter for the likes of hotel group city guides, red carpet premieres, celebrity interviews, live events and more. Lela also happens to be one of my closest friends and meeting her in 2016 was a life highlight. She makes me laugh until I cry and inspires me endlessly. She epitomises the sisterhood and I’m lucky to have her in my tribe.

 

1. Describe a typical day for you?

I honest to Gucci wish I had one! Dependent on the day, I could be traipsing around in foreign countries trying not to look like a tourist, spending 12 intimate hours with my laptop in a robe, or heading from meetings to restaurant reviews to events to Labour meetings. It’s a tiresome blessing of a life! The ‘typical’ generally consists of a tonne of e-mails (even after they’ve been handled through my business manager), the wearing and wearing out of a pair of heeled boots, and me trying to avoid washing my hair for as long as possible.

 

2. What do you feel are your biggest achievements?

The ability to do what I do for a living is achievement enough but I find it very hard to mark something as my ‘biggest’. Though I’m confident, every time someone tells me they love my work (or even me – as I am so much of my work!) I am touched and think of every instance as an achievement.

Individual achievement-wise, I think everything from hosting red carpets to having someone send me an e-mail saying I changed their life qualifies as a ‘pinch me’ achievement. Argh, it’s so hard to choose, haha! Perhaps I’ll be more decisive when I sign my first book deal or become an MP.

 

3. What’s in your handbag/ satchel?

A lifetime of back problems, haha! I never leave without my phone, passport and lipstick but almost always have my SLR and laptop shoved in there, too! Poor handbags.

 

4. What are your ambitions in life?

With whatever influence I have, I truly want to make this world a happier and healthier place. Politically. Sustainably. I want everyone to feel happy, empowered, intelligent, proactive, and connected. Whether I do that with a controversial vlog on feminism (link), legislation, entertainment, or even a travel diary that challenges someone’s expectations of a country or culture…ambition will be reality.

 

5. What do you wish you’d known at the start of your career you now know?

That I should stop second guessing how ‘judged’ I would be for uploading videos to YouTube, and listen to my gut! That being said, I’m sure if I had taken a different route I wouldn’t have enjoyed some of the things I’ve been lucky enough to, in this version of the sliding doors scenario, so I have no regrets!

 

6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Bit of world domination here, bit of inevitable exhaustion there.

 

7. What advice would you give a budding professional blogger, influencer and presenter?
Do it without expectations. Do it purely because you love it. And do it with gratitude. Nothing is guaranteed but *everything* is possible.

 

8. Finally, happiness is…

Self-discovery, infallible kindness, and perspective.

 

@LelaLondon (on instagram, Twitter, Facebook)

LelaLondoB (Snapchat)