As I reflect on 2022, I am blown away by the relationships I've made through this fun, online community, and opportunities that I have had!
I made a decision at the end of 2021/beginning of 2022 to take my page a little more seriously: start a written blog and seek out business partnerships. While I didn't do a great job of keeping up with this blog, I started that year as an influencer with Daytona Beach's own selfie studio, Studio 85 Daytona, and ended the year working on the social media team for MWR Tees. Along the way, I've been on local new stations twice (once with Studio 85 and once about Volusia schools providing free lunch), partnered with a local store for a Small Business Saturday gift card giveaway, was seen on a nationally aired episode of "DDD" while eating at Arepita Beach, and was highlighted as a working Mom on a national ad campaign with the women-owned office brand, Multitasky. While I'm proud of the "business" side of Instagram that I accomplished in 2022, that does not take into account the incredible people I have met along the way. Ms. Kathe at Gathered in Ormond Beach always makes me feel so welcome and like a rock star when I walk into her store! She's the one that introduced me to Ally Cat of MWR Tees, who offered me a position based on Kathe's word! Victoria & Erica from Studio 85 Daytona also helped connect me to other IRL influencers in Daytona and even invited me to a sneak peak of a "selfie motel"! Melissa from "Divinely Gifted" is so sweet and the world's best cheerleader. She makes you believe you can do anything! Melissa from "A Hand in Health" massage and Melanie from "Pedi Politics" have been my go-to ladies for relaxing spa days. Augusta from Coastal Donuts, Breanna from Daytona Vintage, and Will & Kaila from VaPour Beverages always have a smile and greeting when I see them out around town... I know I'm missing names and businesses here but the point is that I love how this corner of social media has been a place for me to truly be social and connect with the greater Daytona Beach community! In "Posting Peace," author Douglas S. Bursch says, "the immediacy, ease, and relationally disconnected nature of social media devalues how we communicate with each other. Many have become far more concerned with sharing opinions than forming relationships." I hope that the only opinions you'll hear rambling on about are on how great Daytona Beach's people, places, events, and businesses are consistently and that my relationships with will grow in this new year. Cheers to 2023!
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While Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" was making his tour of Volusia County this past summer, my daughter and I had the pleasure of eating at Arepita Beach! You can watch our portion of the episode here: https://bit.ly/3xyV7oa
On Monday, Fox 35's "Good Day Orlando" came to visit Studio 85 Daytona! As they toured the sets with owners, Victoria and Erica, I demonstrated my poses for both my own camera and Larra Wanders Photography. You can watch the compilation of the morning show below! To book your own time in the studio, visit https://www.studio85daytona.com/ and use promo code "CassGo10" for 10% off! It's time for another map! I've compiled some of my fav local shops on the MapHub below. You can click the picture for an interactive tour of some of the best places to shop in Volusia County!
I had a hard time picking my favs, so I started with those that I have bought from in the past year. Bonus points if it is a local shop where you can also buy from smaller local vendors...like at Gather to Grow! Where do you go to shop local? It's February 1st and the start of Black History Month! Since moving to Daytona Beach, I've been learning more about the rich history here. Last year, my family made it a point to visit all of the landmarks on the Black Heritage Trail. Click the trail map below to see our stops from last year and make a plan to visit them for yourself this year!
I visited Stock Brew coffee on beachside Daytona Beach yesterday and really enjoyed meeting with one of the owners, Ryan, to hear more about the vision for the shop. I love how multi-purpose the business is: coffee shop, financial literacy help center, wine bar, local hang out spot, etc. It's so great to see new, fresh businesses coming to Daytona!
Ryan suggested a cool idea for me to compile some of my Instagram posts into an interactive map, so here's my first one! I plan to do this for several categories of businesses that I frequent, this first one is just for coffee shops or places where I remotely work while sipping coffee. Click the map to interact! P.S. I linked each shop's website, but be sure to check me and all of them out on Instagram, too! I love Daytona Beach! The people, the businesses, the history, all of it! But we have got to step it up with the family parks around here! Sure Tuscawilla Park (corner of Nova and ISB) has a great disc golf course that my husband plays and Samuel Butts Archeological Park (off of Bellevue) has beautiful nature along sidewalks, but where are the playgrounds? Where are nature paths away from the road? Where are the splash pads? I have to get these kids out somewhere! ;)
Over the winter break, my family and I visited several of the city parks in Ormond and Port Orange. I was both impressed by them and sad for my city. Below is a picture of paddle boarding in Central Park in Ormond. The South Ormond Neighborhood Center is another great park with ball fields, a playground & splash pad. Nova Community Park has the Magic Forest Playground that my kids love, too. To the south in Port Orange, we visited Riverwalk Park with it's beautiful views, playground, and splashpad, and All Children's Park off of Spruce Creek Rd. with similar amenities. We've always loved the Dunlawton Sugar Mill ruins gardens as it feels secluded from the noises of the town. Even little Holly Hill sandwiched in the middle of these cities has several lovely waterfront parks! They're currently renovating the pier at Sunrise Park, but you can still use the playground and fitness court there. I know I sound like a broken record with the "playground" and "splash pad," but those are two of the easiest free things to do with kiddos. We'll keep going to the City Island Library and play yard and Sun Splash park, but I'm really hoping the City of Daytona Beach expands it's free, outdoor activities for families in the year to come! We moved to Daytona Beach in 2018 to center my husband's college campus ministry and our family near BCU, in the Midtown community. I love exploring local businesses and parks in and around Daytona Beach. My friends and I like to joke that I am our "cruise ship activities director" and so that is what this Blog and my Instagram @cassgoarounddaytona are all about...sharing these local finds with you! Recommendations and partnerships are always welcome!
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About CassMy family and I followed Jesus to Daytona Beach and, specifically, the Midtown community. I am passionate about local businesses, events, schools, and people! Archives
January 2023
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Photo used under Creative Commons from Traveloscopy