You Never Know (Unless You Ask)
After discovering Rajiv Surendra’s Youtube channel a few months ago I’ve been thinking a lot about how the quality and beauty of the simple items we use every day can enhance our lives.
Rajiv seems to have built a wonderful life and career out of teaching others how to elevate their lives in a myriad of ways. I’m not just talking about surrounding yourself with things of beauty and quality but truly loving, valuing, taking care of, and being grateful for the things you own.
His channel always leaves me calmer, knowing things I didn’t before, and contemplating life differently—in much the same way Mr. Rodgers’ show did when I was a boy.
After seeing their ads stalking me across my socials I decided to reach out to leather company Satchel & Page to ask if they’d be interested in me reviewing one of their products. One bag of theirs in particular caught my eye, the Slim Mailbag.
A few days later I was contacted by a marketing team member asking for my mailing address, which I think might be a very good sign.
I'm planning on doing a little traveling over the next few months and I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity to do a long(ish)-term review of the bag. I imagine this will be a decent bag to carry my laptop and a few essentials through the airports and on road trips. I've always used a backpack in the past but the more room I have, the more I tend to try to cram into the bag.
After a bit of research I discovered that it’s regular practice for companies to lend and sometimes give products to bloggers and influencers in exchange for an honest review or mention.
Although I’ll never make a career out of this like Rajiv I think it might be a decent little hobby or side-gig to review products that genuinely capture my interest. It's funny how one thing can lead to another.
I guess you never know unless you ask.
Speaking of travel...Have you heard that HiveFest XI is going to be taking place in Barcelona this fall? After a eight year absence from these celebrations and meet-ups it would be wonderful to make it to this one. Time will tell. You never know. : )
All for now. Thanks so much for reading.
Ah, no kidding. Barcelona would be awesome. I was just thinking the other day how cool it would be to visit Spain. I doubt I will be able to make it, but who knows. Might have been a cool 50th birthday present if I had planned better. I'm still thinking we might head out west. Good luck with the bag if they move forward with that!
One of my good friends went to Barcelona a few years ago and said it's definitely worth a visit. I can tell you from experience, these 'Fests are so worth the price and the travel. The two I've attended, Amsterdam and Lisbon, are among some of my favorite travel memories. Everything you get for the price is astonishing. I hope you can make it happen! Thank you! I imagine the first reviewing-gig is probably the toughest to get but if I'm lucky enough for this to work out maybe future ones will be easier.
Hey, that bag's screaming for the Spanish shores. ;) be cool to meet you!
It would be perfect for Barcelona. I imagine I could fit lots of empanadas in there! : ) It'd be great to meet you too after all these years!
Right? Aaand it would make for an unusual, yet oddly compelling tidbit for your review. :D
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Very nice bag, you definitely have a good sense of style. And good luck with your product reviewer side gig 😀
It seems really well made! Thank you! It would be a pretty cool gig if I could establish myself.
True that appreciating the beauty in everyday items can transform our lives 😉
I hope your social media profile will entice them to do a collab with you. When I was still running my YT channel I was lucky enough to be offered a couple of products to review, including a carpet cleaner that was worth around £300!! 😄
https://x.com/i/status/2052127147678892237
#hive #posh
When we were full on travelling and building Land Rovers we ran an insta account that had 20 K followers. It's at 18.5 K still and we still occasionally get offers and freebies. The power of marketing via the little guy is a thing.