Kevin O'Connell
My 2021 Goal: Mental Health - My Story of ...

Because the last several months have been some of the most difficult for me. I truly would describe it as surviving instead of thriving.

My main goal for 2021 isn’t to train for some brand new Ironman race or achieve some lofty professional or financial goal. While I have set some fitness and financial goals for myself, they are the top of the priority list.

To get it out there in the open my main goal and top priority next to being a husband and father: my mental health.

Right before the holidays I was officially diagnosed with depression with a side of anxiety and mounting, overwhelming life stressors.

Just how bad was it?

My 2021 Goal: Mental Health - My Story of Depression and Anxiety 
Kevin O'Connell, small business, Entrepreneurship, life advice
Kevin O'Connell
Goodbye 2020: My Year of Changes, Transitions, ...

As we take time to reflect on this past year, with all its ups and downs, we want to thank you for continuing to support us and for showing up for your community. Because of you, we were able to fund our first ever scholarship program, and we awarded four Black Creative Students scholarships to students from all over the country. This year, we were also able to publish 26 new blog posts, had 10,400 page views, added and featured 4 new contributing editors, hired and on-boarded a super creative new social media, Greer Blount, and offered our first writing internship to Maggie Barbour who created and published 10 posts in less than 12 weeks.

It's been an eventful year for out team, and to close it all off, TNM founder Kevin O'Connell is sharing his thoughts on 2020, dealing with change and transitions as a new dad and entrepreneur, and finding new approaches for 2021. Keep reading for Kevin’s end-of-the-year message!

Goodbye 2020: My Year of Changes, Transitions, and Identity
Entrepreneurship, Jaylene Perez, Kevin O'Connell, Maggie Barbour, small business, career advice
Maggie Barbour
Best Tools and Resources for New Freelancers

Working freelance may sound glamorous at first, but those who've been doing it for a while know it takes hard work. Getting your business off the ground isn't easy and sometimes it means juggling various projects all at once, but it also has it's benefits - I mean you are your own boss after all!


This week, writing intern Maggie Barbour asks The Niche Movement's Editor-in-Chief Jaylene Perez and founder Kevin O'Connell, both of whom have experience in freelancing, what it really takes to make it work.

Read on for Jaylene and Kevin's best practices when it comes to finding clients, marketing your services, settings rates, and more!

Best Tools and Resources for New Freelancers
career advice, Maggie Barbour, Kevin O'Connell
Maggie Barbour
Top Skills Every Creative Needs

For all those in pursuit of professional development, this week we're taking a look at which skills you'll want to brush up on depending on your specific industry. Whether you're a freelancer, marketer, entrepreneur, or work in another creative role, you'll want to read up on what will make you and your work really shine.

Tap below for the full post!

Top Skills Every Creative Needs
Maggie Barbour, Greer Blount
Maggie Barbour
How to Job Search During a Pandemic

Job searching is a tough task on its own, and job searching during a pandemic... well we know it's not easy. You'll have to be flexible, know how to network and market yourself, and really hone in on what it is your looking for as you search for the right fit.

To find out what can help you land your dream job, keep reading!

How to Job Search During a Pandemic

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Networking: Like a Boss!

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Patty Rivas, a health/fitness blogger at Reach Your Peak, Social Media Strategist & Graduate Student at Rutgers University read the Social Media Week "Skip Your Career Fair" post and took the advice seriously. Now she's eager to tell you her experience, advice and how she networked like a boss while in NYC. This voicemail below is also a result of guidance, developing Patty's skills and finding her niche working with me. Enjoy the post! - Kevin O'Connell

Two weeks ago, I rode into New York City to attend some Social Media Week events. I had no idea what to expect, but I was really excited that a bunch of events were free. There are bigger events that do charge, or you need to purchase a pass for, but luckily, the events I attended were free of charge AND awesome!

I started my day at Likeable Media, which was my favorite event of the day. Their event was called “Social Media Strategy in 30 Minutes.” I actually got on the list for this event (it was full) because of one of The Niche Movement’s tips, which was if an event is closed out, simply email the creator of the event. I figured I wouldn’t get a response or if I did they would just say, “It’s full, sorry.” The Marketing Director of Likeable Media emailed me back within minutes saying she had put me on their list!

"I immediately thought of The Niche Movement, and what they preach: Go places other college students aren’t going."

Once I walked into their office, I immediately thought of The Niche Movement, and what they preach: Go places other college students aren’t going. This event was the perfect opportunity to network with Likeable Media employees (if you’re looking to get into marketing and social media marketing). Everyone was very friendly and open to questions. If I were a student looking for a job, I’d network, get some business cards, and follow-up for an informational interview.

The next session was a panel discussion with founders of companies like Tumblr and Buzzfeed. While this would have been a harder event to network at (since there were hundreds of attendees), the founders did stick around after the session to mingle with attendees. Also, think of who is going to these events…other like-minded people like you! Everyone is there to network and meet new people.

The last session was yet another great networking opportunity. While the session was based on building apps, there was great discussion revolving around social media as well. Two start-up founders led the event, which was capped at about 15 people for a smaller feel. This also meant you could mingle with the founders afterwards and ask them questions about apps, business, or how to create your own start-up company. I was able to get contact information for both people and have since followed up with them.

When you think of “job search” you may think of career fairs, or looking through Monster.com. Be creative with it! Find events like Social Media Week which often have free events or student discounts. Browse meetup.com to find business or entrepreneurial related Meetups in your area. People go to those events with the intention to network, so don’t be afraid to go and get your name out there! If you follow the tips The Niche Movement provides, such as ditching career fairs, you will find the job of your dreams…one in which you’re happy and fulfilled.

Patty Rivas, @pattyrivas13 a health/fitness blogger at Reach Your Peak, Social Media Strategist & Graduate Student - Rutgers University

Bring the Niche Movement to Campus to meet with students, staff or host your next workshop, keynote or training.

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I'm a student leader graduating soon.

If you are reading this and are a college student or a recent graduate within the last two years think about the type of company culture you want to be a part of. Apply to be part of the first Niche Movement Cohort where we will work with your niche and discover employers that have jobs that you want. Applications due March 10th.  

I work with student leaders.

If you are reading this and work with student leaders that you want to help land a job they love then share The Niche Movement with them.

I already found my niche and want to tell my story.

And if you happen to stumble upon The Niche Movement and you already found your niche then share your story. Or we can help you recruit top, talented college who by helping you create appealing job description, screen candidates and host internships or jobs on our website.