Goodbye, BlogHer

posted by Momo Fali on August 31, 2015

Hoo boy. This is going to hurt.

I honestly don’t know where to begin, because I never thought I’d be saying it. I guess I’ll just start at the beginning.

Six years ago, my family was struggling financially. I had been blogging for a few years, I was working part-time, but a failed business and medical bills were eating us alive. A series of events, however, was about to change my life:

  1. Even though we didn’t have enough funds for me to attend, I was chosen as a volunteer for the BlogHer ’09 conference, which covered the cost of my pass. That was the same year a partnership with GM paid for my my transportation to Chicago and a roommate who won a sweepstakes paid for my room. It was all very fortuitous.
  2. In April of 2010, a childhood friend of mine invited me to a conference for pet bloggers she had co-founded here in Columbus. The keynote speaker was Elisa Camahort Page, COO of BlogHer. I met Elisa for lunch and soaked up all the knowledge I could.
  3. I attended the BlogHer ’10 conference in NYC and Elisa spoke on a panel about resume writing for bloggers. That session gave me ideas about how to be creative, to own accomplishments outside of an office, and how to present myself as an asset to employers despite a gap in my employment history.
  4. That fall, I tweeted that I was looking for an additional part-time job and Elisa reached out to me. I pulled out my notes from her session at BlogHer ’10 and crafted myself a resume based off of her tips. I got the job.

Within six months of my hiring, Elisa and her marketing team had molded me into a full-time, support-staff employee with a lot of responsibilities. After working through BlogHer ’11, Elisa made me the Social Media Manager – of a major social media organization and the largest community of women who blog. Since 2010, Elisa has been my mentor and I have her to thank for a whole new career. She absolutely changed my life.

Since 2010, I have loved my job and co-workers, but Friday, September 4th will be my last day as a BlogHer employee.bloggers6

It’s one thing to be given what BlogHer gave me, but sometimes excellent things happen twice in a lifetime. I was recently approached about a new opportunity and in two weeks I will start a position with Nationwide Children’s Hospital as a Senior Account Manager for one of the best pediatric hospitals in the country. I have been associated with them for 13 years, since my son was whisked away by ambulance to their facility on the day he was born.

I am leaving one great community for another, I’m going back to school, and I’m taking the lessons I’ve learned in the past year to take more chances when I feel like the timing is right. I’m excited to be affiliated with this life-changing, life-saving, organization and to see what we can do together to make their online community as unparalleled as BlogHer’s.

What I will take with me from BlogHer are not only analytical skills and techniques that built upon my past managerial experience – thank you Elisa, Jory and Lisa – but, also unprecedented education from the most wonderful community online.

And, THERE are the tears.

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You, who taught me about love and diversity. You, who taught me about inclusion and generosity. You, who taught me how to talk, listen, engage, ask questions, and share, I will miss you.

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I will miss you, social media experts, photographers, humorists, cooks and poets. I will even miss you, political blogger – just not as much as the rest.

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The community is the reason BlogHer was created and they are the inspiration, motivation, love, connection and education that have been part of my workday for the past five years. They are more than a community; they are family. Thankfully, that means they can’t just get rid of me.

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I’ll still be around. I’ll still be at the conferences. I’ll still be reading your blogs and streams and posts. And, I will always be a BlogHer.

So, this really isn’t goodbye. It’s just me heading in a new direction, yet never out of sight.

Follow along on my journey here and here and thank you for everything YOU have given me. It has been a gift to be part of your life.

    Comments

  • Melisa


    I am so so so so happy for you and your kids because I know how wonderful an opportunity this is.

    And even though I’m sad (SO SAD, GET ME SOME TISSUES) for me at work, I know you’re just a phone call away. And you better answer it when I call or I’m kicking your ass.
    Love you.

    • Momo Fali


      You are going to keep on rocking and now you have a whole new person to break in! You’ll be so busy, you won’t even know I’m gone.

  • Wendi Aarons


    Congratulations! You have always been one of my favorites.

    And that group pic in NYC–we all look 12.

    • Momo Fali


      Shhh. We still do! (And, thank you for the congrats.)

  • Leigh Ann


    I am going to miss seeing “Momo” at the end of those BlogHer tweets – you have no idea how long I wondered what the heck that even meant, before I met you. I wish you THE best of luck in your new role. I know you will jump in and kick ass and be wonderful. And I can’t wait to see you again at the next conference! xoxo

    • Momo Fali


      I will be there with bells on!

  • kim


    This is bittersweet, but mostly sweet. Congratulations!

    • Momo Fali


      Thank you, Kim!

  • Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting


    Congratulations, sweetheart!! <3

    • Momo Fali


      Thanks, Lisa!

  • Jen @ Mom's Gotta Run


    When I met you at BlogHer a few years ago, the few minutes we spent together had a profound impact on how I see myself. You made me find my own self worth and as cliche as it sounds, you made me believe (and say out loud) that I was worth it. I have followed along through your blogs and posts since. In the last year I have watched your life transform and have been impressed by the changes and dead weight you shed. 😉 I congratulate you on an amazing opportunity and look forward to hearing about your continued success in life. xo

    • Momo Fali


      Jen, I will never forget that conversation. You are exactly what I’m talking about when I say the word “community.” And, I’m so very proud of you for saying you were worth it. You still are. You always will be. XO

  • Arnebya


    Oh. Oh, my. I’m staring at my screen willing my fingers to do that thing they do when my brain says move, there are words to type. At the same time, I’m giddy with excitement for you. I am so proud of you for continuing to learn, advance, empower [yourself] as well as those of us who you’ve touched with the desire to better ourselves, whatever that looks like for us. I can’t wait to experience BlogHer with you as an attendee (because the drive by shimmies will have new meaning and will likely increase.

    • Momo Fali


      Gulp. I can’t even look at your avatar right now. You changed me. I love you. WHERE ARE THE DAMN TISSUES?

  • Jeanne O'Keefe


    Congrats on the new opportunity!!

  • Tracey


    I am so excited for you, Momo. I know it must have taken a lot of time to decide on this, since you love BlogHer so much. I hope it’s an amazing fit and that your life continues to make these upward swings – YOU DESERVE THEM and all of the Happy things!!!

    • Momo Fali


      Mwah! Take care of Melisa for me, will you? 😉

  • Caroline


    What amazing news for you! Bittersweet I’m sure but so many good things ahead! xoxo

    • Momo Fali


      Thank you for the part you played! I wouldn’t be here without you!

  • Melissa


    I am SO HAPPY for you!! XOXO

  • Jenny Rapson


    Congrats Momo! Great things come to great, hard-working, talented people like yourself. Again and again. I look forward to following along with your next adventure! <3

  • Sisters From Another Mister


    Oh how i heart you, and so proud of you and all you have overcome this year. Your smile and your optimism, your enthusiasm and never failing support. You are so many shades of special – i wish you the world xxxx

  • Colleen Bohensky


    Congratulations to you!!!!! I hope the Children’s Hospital knows how lucky they are to have you!!!

  • Lori


    KICK ASS SISTER – YOU GOT THIS!

  • Tanis


    I am just so so so proud of you and so happy. Go forth and be awesome.

  • Joan Hadac


    Congratulations on your new job! Success will follow you from BlogHer. Children’s Hospital just got themselves the best of employees.

  • Jenn


    Oh, Momo. I really can’t imagine you not stalking Twitter as BlogHer. 😉
    I KNOW this must’ve been a tough decision but oh what a beautiful fit you’ve found! I’m happy for you. Leaving BlogHer is hard; I know first hand. But you’ll always be a part of the family.
    Oh, and I’m still going to stalk you. I’m pretty sure I was meant to be your neighbor or sister or something. You grab life by the ….horns and kick ass. I love that!
    Congrats on the new job. You are amazing! You’re going to do amazing things. Because you wouldn’t settle for less. xoxo

  • Jenny


    So much love to you, Momo.

    • Momo Fali


      *sniff* So much love to you, too.

  • Dresden


    WOW! This is such awesome news!! Congrats on EVERYTHING. mmmmhhhhhmmmm. I’ll be seeing you, in all the old familiar places. Xo

    • Momo Fali


      I will be there!

  • twobusy


    Clearly, it would have taken something extraordinary to motivate you to make a switch — so big, big ups to you on finding and landing that something extraordinary. Really, truly happy for you.

    Onward to new adventures!

    • Momo Fali


      Yes, it had to be extraordinary. And, it is. 🙂

  • Kir


    Congratulations!! Because this world and BlogHer are better because of you. Its not goodbye because I will continue to hug you… never gonna change that. 🙂

    So thrilled for you. Go, change the world again.

    • Momo Fali


      XOXOXO

  • Jessica


    But you’ll still blog? Yes? Please? I am happy to beg and cajole and bribe. I remember the lunch lady career choice. And I know you will be the best, strongest worker in your new place of employment too. I am a far away fan and I am proud of you. I have been told the biggest financial mistake women make is not buying too many designer handbags or spending money on lattes or any of that crap. The biggest mistake we make, my sisters, is not maximizing our earning potential. And this means you have to leave the comfortable berth to learn new things and make more money and build a career. And see what you’re doing…. all of that! So so proud.

    • Momo Fali


      I will ABSOLUTELY keep blogging! You can’t get rid of me that easy!

      • Jessica


        Oh thank god! See you should have held out for a bribe. 🙂

  • Amie aka Mammloves


    HOLY MOLY!!! Exciting!

    You know it’s funny how we all see ourselves. I’m glad you are finally beginning to see the amazing person I was humbled to befriend through blogging.

    Sending so much love!!!

    • Momo Fali


      All I see are the amazing people surrounding me because of BlogHer – like you! Good people, every one.

  • Missy Stevens


    Congratulations! New beginnings are exciting, and scary, and wonderful. BlogHer is better for your time there, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital is so lucky to have you.

  • Anne Parris


    Ugh, happy for you, but sad too. You were such a great asset for BlogHer. I’ll miss hearing your voice when I read their tweets.
    You’d better keep coming to the conference!
    Much love and good wishes for this next phase in your life.

  • Rachel - A Southern Fairytale


    I am so thrilled for you! I so vividly remember hugging you at the registration table at Blog Her 09 <3 <3

  • Heather


    Congratulations! Moving on is hard, but wow, is Nationwide lucky to have you. xoxo

  • Headless Mom


    I know you’ll do great! What an exciting time for you! Kick ass and take names-can’t wait to hear all about your success!

    Too many exclamation points. Sorry.

  • Liz


    Yes the tears — happy, sad and waaaaay proud of you — ALL the tears! Congrats, my friend. You deserve all good things and I admire your strength and love you, so much 🙂

  • vodkamom


    you are awesome.

  • Asha Dornfest


    Huge congrats to you. We haven’t had nearly enough time together, but the little we have had was so warm and wonderful. I wish you all the best as you begin a new adventure. There are no goodbyes on the Internet!

  • Sadia


    CONGRATULATIONS!!!

  • Alexandra Rosas


    I had to skim, my heart was too racing with “but will I ever see her again?” Once I saw that we would, I relaxed, breathed, and went back to read each word fully. Momo, you don’t know what you did for me and how much you did for me at that first blogher conference in 2010. The one where I knew no one. You don’t know, so I’ll tell you. You came over, KNEW ME, and kissed the top of my head. What you never saw that day is how my eyes flooded with tears at your love for me. You are my angel. I love you.

  • Anne Weber-Falk


    I’m so happy for you I could cry. Oh so happy. I prayed that you would find peace. What a wonderful thing for all of you. Congratulations!

  • Aimee Giese | Greeblehaus


    So thrilled for you! Congrats and thanks for all your hard work. I was always nice to know my doppelganger was behind the tweets. xo

  • Marianne


    I’m excited for you! I’m sure the pay will be better, and you will be doing something that has eternal value – helping kids. I’ve followed you for awhile, and I’m glad to see you are getting new opportunities to move forward after a difficult year or two. God bless you on your new adventure!!!

  • Britta Petrich


    Congratulations! I loved your sentence about taking the lessons you learned in the last year to take more chances when the timing is right. Words to live by. Amen!

    Now… how do I get your old job… and will you be my mentor? 🙂

  • Shannon


    I am so very thrilled for you. It makes me happy when I see good people finding their way to what they want. You are good people. Love and best of luck to you.

  • Laura


    Diane,
    Congratulations! I am so happy for you! All the best to you and your sweet family on this new adventure. Yay for being BRAVE!

  • Ree


    Congratulations, MooMaw! What an amazing opportunity. You’ll bring your heart and your experiences into the job—what a winning combination. Love you, MaMooMiMi