Meet Molly Hernandez (formerly Molly O’Connor), creator of the Wildly Well Blog. Molly graduated from SMU in 2016 with a degree in Public Relations and Strategic Communications and a minor in Psychology. She started her first blog in her Junior year and after some inspiration, never looked back. Molly’s blog documents her life and hobbies including running, travel, and her favorite things to do in Dallas and Austin, Texas. In our interview with Molly, she shared her journey and her life lessons.
What have you been doing since graduating SMU? What is your current job?
I worked for a couple of years in PR at a children’s hospital before jumping into the start-up world, which I loved! You get to wear a lot of hats when you work at a start-up, so I was able to figure out what I really enjoyed. Before the pandemic, I moved to Austin to work at a start-up. This start-up was created by a New York Times best-selling author. Due to the pandemic, I was laid off with half the company six months later. Since then, I’ve worked in freelance copywriting and am so thankful! I’ve thought about freelancing and wondering if it was right for me. I don’t think I would’ve given it a shot had I not been laid off.
How did you start Wildly Well Blog and what has its growth been like?
I started my first blog for an assignment my sophomore year at SMU and never did anything with it. I loved the experience of creating it, writing for it, brainstorming ideas, etc. I’ve always loved creating and loved the idea of a blog. When I went abroad my junior year, I started another blog. I didn’t do much with it, but the idea really stuck with me and I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I returned home. That summer, I decided to really go for it. I started consistently writing and just to see what would happen! Six years later and I’ve still stuck with it!
Growth was way easier at the beginning in terms of follower count than it is now. However, I’ve also changed the way I look at growth! I used to only look at it as being about numbers. While numbers matter, that’s a really easy way to burn yourself out. I’ve grown a lot in my writing, in the forms of content I produce, how I manage my business and work with companies, especially in how I view my platform.
How did your experience at SMU shape you into the person you are today?
I’m so thankful for my time at SMU! I was surrounded by a really strong community of both friends and faculty members who encouraged and believed in my dreams, and without that support, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m really confident in my skills and definitely accredit that to my education. I had a lot of incredible experiences during college, from being an emcee during Sing Song to studying abroad for a semester, that pushed me outside of my comfort zone and shaped me into who I am today.
Do you have any memorable experiences from your time at SMU?
Definitely studying abroad! Being immersed in new cultures and in an environment unlike any I’d ever been in before ignited a lot of passions inside of me and challenged me as a person.
Do you have any advice for current CCPA students?
I would encourage you to chase after what you really want and find ways to learn as much as you can about that specific industry, career, etc. You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing and it’s ok if you still don’t know, but if you’re interested in something, go learn more! Now is the time to dip your toes into all of these different career paths and really figure it out. Get as much experience as you can.
To read Molly’s blog, WIldly Well Blog, and check out her socials click below.
https://www.wildlywellblog.com/
