EMILY FATA
TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR BUSINESS.
My name is Emily Fata. I work as a content creator, influencer, and social media specialist, applying my background in psychology into the field of marketing; this is a career path that I have happily married with my expansive knowledge of human behaviour, my immense creativity, and my love of writing. I am also the founder and editor-in-chief of the Toronto-based travel magazine, Wanderous Affair. This is a magazine that explores the world one trip at a time, compiling stories of travellers and photographers from across the globe.
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
In truth, I quit my 9-5 job after months of sexual harassment, and was left feeling stranded and unsure what to do (career-wise); I was afraid of jumping into a work environment where I could potentially be subjected to that kind of behaviour again, and so I decided to try working for myself, instead. I took this time to re-evaluate everything, and put a lot of thought into what I love doing — cementing what my passions are — and thought on how to apply that to a career... Here I am!
WHAT WAS ONE HIGH POINT FOR YOU?
Last January, two different tourism boards brought me out to their cities (Helsinki, Finland and Tallinn, Estonia) to feature them in the Spring 2019 issue of Wanderous Affair Magazine (as well as on my blog and social media). I truly felt like all of my hard work began to pay off. Since then, I have had a few offers from other tourism boards, which I will be looking at for press trips in the next year or two.
WAS THERE EVER A SITUATION WHERE YOU WANTED TO GIVE UP? AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THAT (YOUR A-HA MOMENT)?:
The first couple issues of Wanderous Affair were slow. Really slow. With encouragement from my family and close friends (as cliché as that may sound), I kept at it and it began to take off. I'm currently searching for brick and mortar stores willing to sell my magazine!
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT BEING A B.A.B.E.?
I love being able to do what I love, work with clients and employees that I mesh well with, and that I have the ability to work remotely from anywhere that I choose.
TELL ME 3 FUN FACTS ABOUT YOU.
I’ve had a novel and some poetry published.
I’ve travelled to 18 countries, most of them within the past few years.
I’m a vegetarian.
WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE US?
Whatever makes you truly happy — where you feel your heart and soul pour out — pursue that. Even if it’s just a side project intended solely to bring you joy.