#WCW & Whitney Bond

“Always remember that we were all at the bottom at some point and had to work our way up, and remember the invaluable feedback, coaching or mentoring you received when you were trying to get started, then go out and pay it forward!” – Whitney Bond

One of my biggest inspirations in taking a chance and making the leap to follow your passions in life is my lovely friend, Whitney Bond, founder of Little Leopard Book. Her passion for food and sharing it with others, while also mentoring those who want to follow in her footsteps is what gave me the confidence to start this blog.

As this week’s #WCW Spotlight, she shares the ups and downs of her own journey, what helped her through the rough times, and why giving back is a priority in her life.

Me: How did Little Leopard Book begin? Did you always want it to be a strictly food blog?

Whitney: Little Leopard Book began in 2011 when I was living in LA and wanted a place to share my stories, recipes and ideas. It did not start as strictly a food blog. I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to write about, so when I began the blog I wrote about everything from sports to fashion to funny stories to, of course, recipes. The recipes were what my audience was drawn to and ultimately what I loved sharing the most.

Me: How did you come up with the name, Little Leopard Book?

Whitney: Before I began blogging, I would write down ideas in a little leopard print notebook. When I began blogging it was as if I had transferred from writing in the notebook to writing on the blog, thus the name Little Leopard Book!

Me: Has cooking and giving back always been a passion of yours? Or something that has developed later in life?

Whitney: I always loved cooking with my family growing up. I never thought it would become a career but I’m so glad that it did!

I’ve always wanted to give back to those in the communities around me by encouraging others to follow their dreams. My family was always very supportive of me following my passions, but I realize that not everyone has that support system at home. I want to be the one to tell people, no matter the age, “follow that dream, live out your passions!”

Me: Do you remember a specific, defining moment when you said to yourself, “Little Leopard Book is what I am meant to do, no matter what curve balls life throws my way”?

Whitney: I remember talking to my Mom one day when money was really an issue a couple of years back (making a full-time living off a food blog takes a lot of time and patience!). She asked me if this is what I wanted to do, if I was 100% convinced that this was my path; and I said yes, she said, then we’ll figure the rest out.

It hasn’t been an easy journey, but with the support of my family and friends, I’ve been able to jump over each obstacle and make it work!

Me: I’ve known you since the early days of Little Leopard Book, days when you were literally between houses and scraping by. Over the last few years, you’ve built an incredible social media presence, published a cookbook, hosted several news segments and currently putting together a web-series. How has that experience affected your perspective and attitude towards others experiencing a major life transition?

Whitney: I’m very supportive of those trying to make their dreams come true. It’s not an easy experience, and one that a lot of people will never experience, but I have so much respect for those people that say “I want more out of life, I want to follow my dreams.” And sacrifice a lot to make it happen!

Me: During your tougher years, what kept you motived, despite all the frustrating setbacks and unknowns?

Whitney: My family. My Mom, Dad, Brother & I are very close and their support kept me going. I knew that if I kept pushing through, the right opportunities would come along and they would be there supporting me the entire time, through the good times and bad.

Me: Given your passion for food, what made you decide to focus on mentoring as your way to give back?

Whitney: While I am very passionate about food, I have a true passion for entrepreneurship. I started my first business at 21 and have since started three other businesses, two of which I currently run, the blog, Little Leopard Book, and Whitney Bond Consulting, where I consult with individuals and businesses on social media and blogging.

There were so many people that helped me along the way with each of my businesses that I feel a deep desire to help others that are in the position I was in, not too long ago.

There is something so satisfying about starting and developing your own business, living out your dreams every day and following your passions. I want to help mentor those that are trying to do this.

Me: Now that you are in year three of Little Leopard Book and have the ability to look back at the roller coaster you’ve been on, what has been the biggest surprise of your experience? The most inspiring?

Whitney: I think the most inspiring thing throughout the last 3 1/2 years has really been the continued support of my friends and followers, people who have been following my journey since the beginning, or even just over the last 6 months, continue to inspire me to do more, go bigger and always continue improving.

Whenever I have a victory with my business, I love to share it with those around me, whether in person, through the blog, or through social media. The amount of support from those around me continues to inspire me day after day!

Me: What has been the most rewarding part of your role as a mentor?

Whitney: Receiving great feedback from those that I’ve mentored. Every semester I guest lecture at SDSU and I love to hear the feedback from students who say that I have inspired them to start a blog or start their own business. That is so incredibly rewarding for me to hear!

Me: With the ability to look back, are you able to now see a specific, defining moment that you thought of as a set back then, that you now know was a turning point for you and Little Leopard Book?

Whitney: When I moved to LA I was up for a job that I knew I was perfect for. I was on the final round of interviews, filling out paperwork and basically thought the job was mine. I ended up not getting the job and was completely devastated. When I was unable to find full time work I ended up going back to school to study journalism and that’s when I started the blog. Had I received that “perfect job” when I first moved to LA, I probably would have never gone back to school or started Little Leopard Book!

Me: What is the one piece of advice you would share with others who want to follow in your footsteps of using their talents and unique life experiences to give back?

Whitney: Everyone has something to share, whether it is a life story, career advice, experience in a certain field, it’s important to share your knowledge to help those around you. Always remember that we were all at the bottom at some point and had to work our way up, and remember the invaluable feedback, coaching or mentoring you received when you were trying to get started, then go out and pay it forward!

Connect with Whitney and Little Leopard Book on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram