Passion Project: Maya & Ava
Brand management and social media marketing for my own creative outlet and learning; writing, photography, influencer and affiliate marketing for travel, pet and outdoor lifestyle brands with a social impact.
Years
2009 - Present
A Journey of Adventure, Reflections & Impact
What began as a simple passion project documenting the adventures of my Siberian Huskies, Maya and Ava, grew into a global community of 30,000+ animal lovers and supporters all over the world (at its peak). Their adventurous spirit and our shared love for the outdoors has captured hearts worldwide, leading to some pretty incredible collaborations and opportunities with brands that I really admire.
By the way..
This photo has reached all corners of the internet — Instagram/Facebook, Pinterest, Reddit…you name the platform, and you’re likely to find Maya and Ava there. Many have questioned whether or not it’s real, and I can confirm that nothing in this photo was altered, and generative AI was not used in the making of it.
This photo, taken against Moraine Lake in Banff National Park (Alberta, Canada) is the photo that ultimately became our shot-seen-round-the-world.
Building a Brand & Partnerships
Our platform became a haven for those seeking inspiration, connection, and empathy. This was also a time when influencer marketing was becoming a very powerful and popular tool for companies to reach their target audiences in a more authentic way. We leveraged our influence to partner with like-minded brands and support causes we really cared about. From collaborating with renowned outdoor brands to donating proceeds to mental health and environmental organizations, we've strived to make a true positive impact, inside and out. My natural affinity for brand and digital marketing worked in our favor too. I created a logo, brand guidelines, a website, and a media kit that we could also use to approach companies on our own and continue broadening our reach.
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Boats, and helicopters too!
Featured by the likes of USA Today, LA Times, Canon & Virginia Tourism Corporation.
Turning Passion into Profit & Purpose
I taught myself photography, graphic design, and how to stand up a simple e-commerce website so that I could turn my art into tangible assets for people to buy — with the intention of donating 20% of proceeds to two separate nonprofits (one environmental conservation group and one mental health organization). My number one best-seller was an annual calendar that featured photos from my travels with Maya and Ava, as well as mental health awareness days, and a “wellness wheel” that individuals could use to vision board their goals across the eight dimensions of wellness (mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, social, environmental, financial, and occupational). Greeting cards, bookmarks and stickers were also available for purchase.
Making money from this passion project was not the ultimate goal, but it was a byproduct of creating — art, connection, and more good in the world.
The Golden Years
At the time of writing this, Maya and Ava are 15 and 14 years old, respectively. We recently completed a seven-month-long “celebration of life” road trip, traveling around North America and crossing more to-dos off of our bucket list.
Diagnosed but not destined
In Spring 2023, Maya was diagnosed with kidney disease. This is a progressive condition where the goal is to slow it down rather than stop or reverse it. I already had a pretty strong background in chronic diseases for humans, and I learned that there were many parallels to the diseases that often show up in dogs. So I put Maya on a comprehensive, holistic protocol that focused on nutrition, movement, and maintaining a happy, healthy environment. And despite the very grim odds of living for another year, Maya’s bloodwork has shown improvement not once, not twice, but three times. Her defying the odds was the catalyst for packing up the car one more time to enjoy another adventure together.
Hospice on the road
Since hitting the road in March 2024, we’ve driven through 12 states, visited human and dog friends, kayaked Lake Powell, hiked several mountains and canyons, played in the snow at Big Bear, and put our feet/paws in the Pacific. We’ve had a medicine cabinet full of pills, oils, and IV fluids dropped shipped to friends’ houses and Airbnbs. We’ve been able to prioritize quality time and create lasting memories (and photos!) while continuing to provide essential care. Sharing our journey openly has helped us connect with a supportive community of pet owners facing similar challenges along the way.
Living in purpose, still
As Maya and Ava gracefully walk through this new chapter, my focus has shifted to celebrating their lives and raising awareness about quality of life and longevity for dogs. I’ve repurposed their Instagram account and am sharing the good, bad and ugly that we go through in managing both Maya and Ava’s health. If I can help just one person and their pet, it’ll be worthwhile.
