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October 11, 2021

New Beginnings: Move to The Finger Lakes

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So much has happened since March of 2020.

If you’ve been following me since, you know that my family and I secluded ourselves in our half-renovated, barely furnished cottage, nestled between a vineyard and a flowing glen, near Keuka Lake in the countryside of Finger Lakes, NY.

The house has since been completed and you can check out our reno journey on Instagram at @TheFLXCottage. (We purchased this home as a getaway from our busy lives in NJ, but it became much more.)

2020 had us like so many others studying and working from home, with nowhere to go and no idea what the next day would bring.

We were fortunate in that we both had our work, pay, health, and safe haven for ourselves and our children. At some point in reflecting on those worst-case scenarios, and the steps we would take to overcome them, we started realizing that some of the things we were too afraid to even think about, or allow ourselves to imagine, didn’t seem so scary the more we contemplated on them.

We braced for the worse, but the worse never came. My husband’s incredible job remained incredible and has kept him busy, employed, and us, taken care of.

My Brave World Media clients, albeit experiencing budget cuts, never paused our contracts or dropped me. Instead, I got busier, not only an exciting thing but one I am so grateful for as it kept me busy and creative during some of the worst, most stressful days of what has been over a year of a global pandemic.

THEN SOMETHING CHANGED

This whole past year, well into the new year, we had every intention of going back to normal as everything else went back to normal. I don’t remember at what stage in all of this I turned to my husband and asked, “What if we pursued our dreams together now?”

This initial suggestion surfaced all the insecurities and doubts and fears that come with a major life change. As a couple, we have done some incredible things together – taken plenty of chances, but the idea of quitting a job – one that my husband loves and that has been good to our family – seemed, unnerving at first.

But during many long walks and even hours together, we found joy in working with each other and being creative. When he would finish work, he would sit with me and help me through campaign ideas. I would share with him a vision that I might have for a pitch to a client, and he would use his creative talent to bring it to life. It felt – feels, amazing.

View from our morning walks in our new neighborhood.

I don’t want to gloss over the stressful moments – or that first time we worked on an RFP together and had such a fight that we needed to just walk away from each other for a bit. We are, after all, human, and normal.

THE LEAP

Once we said yes to the dream things started moving fast. We sold our beautiful home in NJ. My husband has given notice at his job. My kids have started a new school in Corning, NY. And we have moved to the Finger Lakes full-time. Our vacation home is home and we are both excited, terrified, and thrilled.

This journey is a lot less intimidating because of the incredible confidence this guy has in me, in our agency, and in all my crazy ideas and the incredible support he gives me daily. From buying the house in the Finger Lakes to moving full-time here, he has put all his faith in me and in our ability to continue to succeed in all we do together. Words can’t describe the love and appreciation I have for this man.
We said goodbye to our New Jersey house, a house we dreamt of, couldn’t believe when we got it, then renovated from inside out, and have now left behind for someone else to enjoy.
Our new home in the Finger Lakes. We also couldn’t believe when we got it – we saved our pennies for it. Lived through the first year of this pandemic in it, then gutted and renovated it, not realizing this would be our fulltime home in the end.

For some people with whom we have shared the news, it all sounds like a dream or insanity.

We read often about people quitting their jobs to travel or do something new. And though I have not gotten on a plane since the pandemic started, I am excited to be working full-time with my partner in life and love on our little agency that could.

Entrepreneurship in The Finger Lakes

My long-term contractual clients are in the Finger Lakes. I have been working with them for years now. They are all amazing and I am so grateful for their support and faith in me and my team. I am lucky to work with some pretty great people.

But, in general, creative work is tough because it is so undervalued.

I am putting my faith in our work, our agency, our talent, in the strong support system we have built here, in the reputation I have worked so hard to establish, and in the many opportunities living in the Finger Lakes can bring. There are tons of others who have made the same choice. Chefs, brewers, winemakers, other creatives, and independent professionals. We’ve met a lot of people who have left the hustle and bustle of the big city in pursuit of a better balance, life, lifestyle, and experience here.

A lot of us newcomers believe in the potential this region has for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Like anywhere, you have to work at finding those willing to pay what your work is worth and to build those long-lasting partnerships.

LIFE IN THE FINGER LAKES

Life in the Finger Lakes for a Dominican Puerto Rican from Brooklyn is different from life in Sunset Park, or Santo Domingo, or even Maplewood, NJ, but I truly love it. After more than a decade of visiting, it has never grown old for me. For us.

We are choosing a better quality of life, in a stunning region, where I have met many beautiful humans and made friends.

Watching the sunrise from the FLX cottage.

These past few months – pretty much all summer up to now, have been insane and we haven’t enjoyed it as much as we normally would. Who knew uprooting and changing the course of your life would be so much work?

We hope to spend more time in nature, watching sunrises and sunsets, continuing to connect with our kids on a more personal level, something we have really enjoyed throughout this whole process. I want to hike more and be in the lake more and make more friends and really grow to be a part of this community.

In a world of so much uncertainty, with so much still left to the unpredictable, we chose to embrace the path that made us feel happiest, putting our faith in this region we have fallen so deeply in love with.

Many people ask me how I am adjusting, as a woman of color specifically in an area which in their mind, lacks diversity. And my response is always the same – I find my community. I regularly make an effort to connect with the diverse communities that live here. It is true that I, more often than not, enter a room and can be the only POC. But that isn’t exclusive to my life here. It is true that coming from a larger city such as NYC, where the sounds and flavors and colors of the world are everywhere, visiting any rural destination in America can seem like a major shift. However, I have also learned that if one walks away from here with the impression that there are no communities of color, that it is simply because they have not really looked. We are everywhere, and in some places, pretty prominently. My hope is that through my work, whether through my agency or personal platforms, I can help highlight those faces, voices, and stories more.

So, dear reader, I salute you from beautiful Finger Lakes, NY, and am excited to share our adventures from this wonderful region, and as we get ready to travel, from the road.

Hope you will stick around for the ride.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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8 Comments
  • Diana
    October 12, 2021

    Yayyyy I am not surprised and I am so excited for you… i was revelry there and it really is beautiful. I hope to go back one day w my family. I am so happy for you!!!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Diana
      October 12, 2021

      Now you have someone to visit when you do come back!

      Reply
    • Liz
      Diana
      October 12, 2021

      I know how much (and how very hard) you and your family have worked to get here. You deserve all the happiness and success, always. Congratulations, my friend!

      Reply
  • Nnenna Fakoya-Smith
    October 12, 2021

    Congratulations Carol 👏🏾 Taking the bold steps to fulfil a dream is usually a tough decision but as long as you have that inner peace, then why not! Really happy for you and your family. I dream of owning a home like yours – surrounded by the beauties of nature – one day soo . So thanks for inspiring us to believe we can surly have that home we dream of. Enjoy your new home and journey, Carol 😊

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Nnenna Fakoya-Smith
      October 12, 2021

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  • 2cupsoftravel
    February 28, 2022

    Stunning shots, I can see why you have moved there!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      2cupsoftravel
      April 28, 2022

      Thank you!

      Reply
    • Carol Cain
      2cupsoftravel
      April 28, 2022

      Thank you!

      Reply

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From Farm to Winery to Table in Finger Lakes, NY

About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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Hubby and I recently went to check out office spac Hubby and I recently went to check out office spaces for our business. We (I) started getting caught up in the perceptions of what other people might think about our business, or rather, how successful or serious it was with us operating it from our home. So, in order to keep up with the Joneses, we went out and searched. And immediately were like, "Nope."

One, it was an additional expense that we were taking on to convince other people of whatever we (I) thought they needed to be convinced of. And two, it felt like....well, like working out of an office, something which I personally haven't done in over a decade (almost two now) and which my husband just escaped from!

And lastly, we like to go out into the communities that our clients serve, but also that we live in, and get to experience it all ourselves. It makes us a great agency.

I share all of this because I am slowly coming to accept that there will always be those who will make a determination of who we are as people, as professionals, as a business simply from what they think they know, not from actuality...and..we (I) am still working on breaking down the toxic traits of corporate / professional influence and narratives.

As once a full-time travel blogger, I experienced first hand what it is to be dismissed and not taken seriously. But, because of my travel blogging work, I have visit over 40 countries (and still counting) and have been published and spoken on stages around the world. That doesn't just happen.

All this to say, as I (we) move away from renting an office in order to be taken more seriously by the corporate world...and save ourselves some money in the process...we are reminded to work on ourselves and on being our own biggest cheerleaders and advocates. Sure, we seek out support and mentorship and always work on learning and refining our skill. But can't pay attention to what others might be thinking. It will never be an accurate portrayal.

And a lesson to never, ever spend more money than we have to just to convince others how serious we are in our commitment to our work. In the meantime, our current office spaces are working out just fine.

#entrepreneur #smallbusiness
A band of misfits on a beautiful Finger Lakes nigh A band of misfits on a beautiful Finger Lakes night.

Life is too short and time too precious, so make sure to spend it with people who bring you joy and make you laugh. Whether it’s one person or more…it’s not the number of people, but the quality and kindness of their hearts that counts.

Here are some of the kind, sweet friendships we’ve been so lucky to have cultivated in our new home. Kisses and hugs @haejones32, @sarahloublagg, @nevetsretlaw, and @jerakahheady.

Till our next gathering! 

#friends #fingerlakeslife #fingerlakes
My happy place: the farmers market. It’s the sea My happy place: the farmers market. It’s the season for all the fresh, local, delicious goodness of the Finger Lakes to take center stage.

The region has a lot more than fried and fast food to offer locals and visitors. The vast amount of organic and locally sourced food is something that is really celebrated here. Even more so the fact that it is accessible and not exclusive to the privileged.

From cider to cheese to meats and veggies…all local, all from a passionate farming community. 

Oh, then, the artisans. *swoon* So much handcrafted beauty. For example, this beautiful hat from @easylivinghats. I have been wanting one of her hats forever and finally got not one but two! And her team, seen here, is so sweet and helped me find the right fit. Support local, shop small, be happy in the process. 📸@ithacafarmersmarket. 

#fingerlakes #myflx #farmersmarket #shoplocal #shopsmall
Hey, wanna come to a cool event in one of the cool Hey, wanna come to a cool event in one of the coolest places I know in Ithaca? (Read on!)

Today I took a stroll into the pavilion of the @ithacafarmersmarket. There was no market today, and though still a lovely space when empty, nothing compares when the market is buzzing with food purveyors and food-lovers! It is exciting and a favorite pastime of ours. Even more fun is when there is a special event happening!

And with that, I want to let you all know about the upcoming @tasteoftheflx taking place on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at the Ithaca Farmers Market and offer you a discount code for your ticket! Use BRAVE20 for $20 off of either ticket tier.

The event will feature 50 + vendors, music in 3 acts, and a full evening of celebration! Taste of the Finger Lakes serves the dual purposes of showcasing the dynamic Finger Lakes food and beverage industry while raising funds for 3 non-profits doing the important work of improving access to healthy food across the region. Local, good food for a good cause...the best combination!

If you already have your ticket or plan to take advantage of this discount code to purchase it, let me know! I hope to see you there!

#fingerlakes #tasteofthefingerlakes #flxfood #flxeats #farmersmarket #ithacany
Cheers and Happy Pride to this beautiful, inspirin Cheers and Happy Pride
to this beautiful, inspiring, proud community full of people that I love so much.

To my LGTBQIA+ family and friends, know I adore you, would fight for, and support you always. You make my life and the world a more beautiful place. I celebrate you today, this month, and always. 

Thank you for being you. 🌈

#pridemonth #loveislove
What a stunning day to be on the lake with my fam. What a stunning day to be on the lake with my fam. We missed spending time with each other and it was time for us to slow down and bond. Even the surly teens eventually gave in to the fun and smiled a few times. Have I told y’all how much I love our new life here?

#lifeintheflx #fingerlakes #lifeinthecountry #soflx #thisissoflx #Lakelike #myflx #keukalife #winecountry

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