If you arrived here looking for Geek Glam, you may be slightly confused at the current state of the website. Previously, this domain housed my photography business and I maintained a separate personal fashion blog at http://geekglam.net. After several months of serious deliberation and self-actualization, I made the jump last night and consolidated the two sites under my name.
Geek Glam has been an important part of my life for the past three years, and I’ve been more than hesitant to close that chapter. I did not make this decision lightly. Impulsive blog name changes were something I struggled with in the past. When I finally started Geek Glam– and consistently updated it– I thought I had broken the curse!
If you are a blogger, you know that our blogs are our babies. Choosing a name and brand for the space that we invest our time and hearts is crucial. My everchanging blogs have paralleled my personal struggle to discover/accept my identity. In retrospect, I see that they have been more aspirational than truly reflective.
I wanted to be a fashion blogger, until I realized that as much as I love the industry, I didn’t feel like I measured up to those that have been truly successful in that niche. It started to eat away at me, and I lost my motivation to blog. Then came Geek Glam. Geek Glam was my rebellious statement against stereotypical fashion blogs. I embraced my nerd side with pride. It was a joy and opened up a world of opportunities for me, as well as leading me to some of my closest friends.
But life happens. I work a full-time job and am trying to balance my photography on the side, while still carving out time to help other bloggers via consulting or through Dallas Blogger Collective. And on top of that–maintain some sort of personal life!
I’m not saying goodbye to the blog name of Geek Glam because I’m no longer geeky or like glamorous things– it’s because I know now that I never needed that name to define myself.
My photography business is growing steadily. I’m starting to help other bloggers by sharing what I’ve learned over the years. I have so many interests and things happening in my life that I want to be able to document on this blog, without worrying if it falls under a certain category.
The phrase “making name for yourself” has resonated with me over the past year. When I got married in February of 2014, I did not change my last name. I don’t think that this decision is all that shocking in our current day of age, and was pretty disturbed by the negative reaction I received from people in my life at the time. As ridiculous as this may sound, I’ve been working my butt off since we got home from the honeymoon to prove that I deserve to keep my last name. Taking advantage of every opportunity that came along. Hustling like a crazy person– oftentimes for free or at the expense of my personal life– and sacrificing to build my brand. To make a name for myself.
I believe I’ve done that. Not because of what I’ve accomplished through blogging, photography, or career, but because of my character and how I’ve lived my life as Stephanie Drenka. It’s taken a lot of time and reflection to realize and celebrate that. I let cruel people make me feel guilty for wanting to keep my name or like I had to earn something that has been mine along. As if it were selfish or narcissistic to simply be happy to be me.
Geek Glam has been an amazing part of my life. But the most important thing it did was connect me to friends who have helped support me and guide me along my journey to this conclusion. Which is really just another beginning. So goodbye and thank you, Geek Glam. You truly helped make me who I am today… Stephanie Drenka.
Denise says
I love the merge and excited what’s in store for you! I never understood why people feel the need to comment on any choice or life decision a person makes and make them feel bad about it. Changing your name doesn’t affect anybody but you, and it’s nobody else’s business. I’m proud of everything you’ve accomplished so far, and the future is looking as bright as a Tiffany store ๐
Stephanie Drenka says
Thanks, Denise!! Love that metaphor!! ^.^
Valery Brennan says
So proud of you!!!!!!!!!
Stephanie Drenka says
^.^ You were part of my inspiration!!
Jordan says
this is your year!!!! So proud of you and the things you’ve accomplished!!! This is only the beginning!
Stephanie Drenka says
Thank you, Jordan <3 Love you!! Us maiden-name bloggers need to stick together!
stephen mortimer says
the ANGST is BACK !! all is right with the world !!
Mai Lyn says
Beautiful transformation and I loved your identity blog! You go girl! You truly are inspirational and I can’t wait to see you do even more amazing things. ๐
Stephanie Drenka says
Thanks, Mai Lyn! It’s going to be a big, busy year for us!!! Wouldn’t have it any other way ^.^
Sevi says
As I read this entire blog post, I kept thinking to myself “How did I get lucky to have such ambitious and driven women in my life?”
Seriously, I couldn’t be more proud everything you continue to accomplish every day. You are seriously one of the kindest people I have ever had the pleasure of working with and am so blessed to call you not only my blogger bestie, but a true friend.
You do you, Stephanie Drenka! You are damn fabulous!
Stephanie Drenka says
Thank you sweet Sevi!! I just had a flashback of Midnight Rodeo– how far we’ve come since that fateful day. And to think, I almost skipped the event because I was ready to give up blogging altogether!
Lauren says
Love the new website girl! It’s so hard to rebrand, and you are doing a great job!! PS, we need to shoot together sometime! I need your expert photo skills to make my outfits look good! ๐
xoxo
Lauren
Dressing Dallas
Stephanie Drenka says
Thank you, Lauren!! OMG would love to shoot with you!! Are you going to Riff Raff next Thurs? If so, let’s chat there!!
Jasmine Crockett says
Loving the rebrand! Only more fabulous and amazing opportunities to come! You seriously deserve everything you’re getting and I wish you so much more success!
xo
Stephanie Drenka says
Thank you, Jasmine– you’re my blogger hero!! It’s been such a #girlboss year already!! Cannot wait to see what the future has in store for us.
Rick says
You’re right. Stephanie Drenka is the only name you’ve ever needed to define yourself.
Good luck to you and the mister!
PS – My blog name is a nickname given to me by a kindly neighbor when I was growing up.
Stephanie Drenka says
Thanks so much, Rick!!
Metsy says
I’m excited to watch you continue to thrive, whatever the name. Proud of you. ๐
Stephanie Drenka says
Thank you, Ms. Metsy!!!! <3
LoudPen says
This post was fabulous! I can definitely relate. I started blogging way back in 2008 as a music blogger, then I transitioned to fashion, and now lifestyle. Like you it took me awhile to find my niche because I have so many different interests so it was always hard for me to choose one.
I finally settled on lifestyle in early 2013 and I love it because it allows me to blog about multiple things at the same time. I have realized that many bloggers are going towards lifestyle content for the same reasons. Maybe you could eventually do the same so you blog about your photography and fashion at the same time.
I just finished a book called #MakeUrPenLOUD: How To Be A Lifestyle Blogger and it’ll be released this week. I’d love for you to check it out and tell me what you think!
I love your blog and I think it’s awesome you didn’t change your name. I just think changing your name is so old fashioned and it forces women to abandon their identity just to take their husband’s name. You don’t become a new person when you get married, to me marriage is about committing to someone you live for the rest of your life…it has nothing to do with a name. #thatisall #longcomment #sorry
Stephanie Drenka says
Thanks so much!! Looking forward to reading your book- please let me know where it is available! I’m definitely moving towards more lifestyle with the occasional fashion post, I think. We’ll see where it takes me ^.^ And thank you so much– I didn’t want to lose my identity by getting married!! Just like I don’t expect that of him!
LoudPen says
Your welcome! Thank you so much, I will definitely email you once the book is released. And yes I think that’s awesome and you’d have alot to offer readers as a lifestyle blogger.
And yes that’s fabulous! I wish you and your husband all the best and will be in touch soon!