Melissa Donovan
Mother, traveler, entrepreneur, and influencer are a few of the hats Michelle Markey wears.
Markey has gained recognition in the Central Florida community as a content creator offering business advice, travel tips, and insights on Florida living. She said she “fell into” the world of media, which led her to where she is now.
“I think sometimes when the universe opens the door, you have to walk through it, right?” Markey said. “If you have the opportunity to try something different or to learn something new, why not try it at least once? You know we don’t have to stick with it if it’s not for us, but you don’t know if it’s for you, unless you’ve attempted it.”
She said she began her career in media by writing podcast show notes, then got into graphic design, which led her into social media. Markey describes her career as a bit of a ripple effect of one thing leading to another.
Realizing she has a knack for media creation, Markey founded her own business, Unlock Your Words, about five years ago. Her work involves assisting new or small businesses and nonprofits by creating media strategies to get their name out there and more visibility to their brand.
Alongside Unlock Your Words, she is also one half of the partnership making up the Space Coast Experience, which shares hidden gems, travel tips, and more insights about Florida’s Space Coast.
“People love to visit Central Florida,” Markey said. “[The Space Coast Experience] is a two-fold: it’s for people who live in our area, but it’s also for the tourism community.”
Being able to share about tourism within the Central Florida community goes along with Markey’s passion for travel. She said she is grateful to be in a career where she can be on the go and create her schedule, while reinforcing the importance of exploring the world to her children.
“Why not take the opportunity if you can, or when you can, as much as you can, if you can’t do an overnight, do a day trip, if you can’t do a week, do a weekend,” Markey said. “I think that it’s really important to show children the beauty of our world, so they grow up appreciating it.”
As a mother, Markey said she realizes the obstacles and hesitation of traveling with children, but she encourages parents to take the leap. She offers up the following tips:
“Pack less than you think that you’re going to need, and understand that some crankiness and some bad moods are going to be a part of it, but that’s probably going to be a part of your everyday anyway,” Markey said. “So why not just enjoy the crankiness while you’re sipping coffee somewhere else, right?”
Markey not only said she prioritizes travel as a mother for her children’s benefit, but also for her own. She said “parental burnout” is something she has dealt with and finds a change of scenery can be just the cure she needs.
“Your kids only get one childhood, but you only get one parenthood. So why keep living the same day and week over and over again?” Markey said.
As she juggles all of her roles and continues to document her life on social media, Markey said she is grateful for a career that allows her freedom to be present in her children’s lives and do what she loves.
“I love to be able to say that I can be there for my kids if we need to or want to do something. I generally can make it happen. I can rearrange my schedule or work late the night before,” Markey said. “I love the freedom to spend time with my children, to be there for them, and be a huge part of their childhood. I think that I am hugely blessed to be such a part of their daily lives, to be there for all of it while earning a living.”
Instagram: @themichellemarkey
To join in our upcoming editions of “Influencer of the Week,” please reach out to dayna.reyes@lifestylescfl.com.
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