Meet Danielle Beckford | Content Creator & Media Executive

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danielle Beckford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve always been attracted to various facets of the arts, from photography and writing, to theatre and content curation, so a creative career came naturally. I believe it’s important to tap into what makes us feel alive, gives us purpose and brings us joy, and that’s the rewarding side of a creative career for me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a part-time content creator and full-time Advertising Sales Executive at one of the top media companies in the US. My exposure in different markets (Barbados, Canada and now the US) certainly has it’s benefits and has given me a wealth of experience in the advertising space over the past 12 years, from the agency side to PR and sales. I’m proud of my tenacity and how far I’ve come- but it was by no means easy let me tell you! I was born in Canada but raised in Barbados, and just before turning 30, I decided it was time to utilize the opportunity afforded to me as a Canadian citizen and move ‘back’ to Canada to expand my horizon and find something new. While I was excited to take on this new life, it was quite an adjustment and learning curve navigating through the Canadian ad agency space, as I pivoted from advertising sales in Barbados to the agency world in Toronto. Everything was faster, training was minimal and people expected you to know how to execute tasks you were learning for the first time- it was rough. But I stuck it through until I could do better or until life took a necessary twist. Amidst the challenges, I was gaining experience along the way, which aided me in securing my current post in Houston- and lo and behold, I found myself back in sales (lol) but I love it. While working through my 9-5, I was still pitching to brands on the side and scheduling photoshoots for my content creation business, Travelbug Becks- that’s been a passion of mine for the last 7 years and it’s allowed me to express myself creatively, while finding the escape we all need at times. My brand tells the story of a Caribbean woman, making her way through the world, with all the bumps along the way but milestones that serve as reminders of the hard work and dedication paying off. My content is often light, educational, entertaining and sometimes serious- but life is hard enough so we try to keep it humorous around here :). From travel and fashion to food and lifestyle, my content has allowed me to work with a range of brands in the hotel & tourism, restaurant, retail, skincare and beauty industries. Some followers tell me I’ve inspired them to move overseas and seek out new opportunities as I’ve done- I love that I can help others by just being me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve lived in Houston for a year and love that there’s so much to do- I’m still learning and discovering new places but here’s a list of fun/interesting spots I’d recommend to a visitor:

Bungalow Downtown Dining- I’ve been to this restaurant too many times- the food is amazing (brunch and dinner). They also have a speakeasy I’ve been meaning to try. They’ve got the cutest decor and great cocktails!

Lombardi Cucina Italiana- I feel like I’m in Europe every time I dine there. The aesthetic and vibe are top tier and food is pretty decent.

Savior Houston- French cuisine in a photo-worthy space is music to my ears! Can you tell I’m a sucker for good food and a well-decorated space? 🙂

City Centre Houston- from the shops to the restaurants and scenery, it makes for a nice hang-out spot even if you just want to stroll through on an evening or weekend. A very family-oriented space and perfect for groups of friends/couples.

20th Street in the Heights- bar hopping in full effect, as the street is lined with bars and food spots- the music and drinks are lit!

Galveston- about an hr drive from downtown Houston, this island city on the Gulf Coast of Texas is a must-see. The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is quite picturesque and a nice weekend getaway option. I’m looking to go back to visit the museums and more of the city.

Chapman & Kirby on Sundays- Brunch and R&B is always a vibe- no explanation needed lol.

Space Centre Houston- You can’t come to Houston and not visit NASA! We took our parents when they visited- was an educational experience to say the least.

Museum of Fine Arts and Houston Museum of Natural Science- both innovative, creative, inspiring and educational spaces I love.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve been blessed to have the support of my parents (even if they didn’t always understand my unconventional path), my husband who has always believed in my abilities, as we invested in my craft over the years, and friends who have cheered me on along the way. I’m reminded by the words of my secondary school teacher Mr. King “I always knew you were destined for greatness”- after he learned of me attaining my Masters degree in Marketing. It’s those hidden figures and subtle reminders that keep me going.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelbugbecks/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-beckford-2833b83a/

Image Credits
Kristopher Streek, Alexander James and Yannic Blackman

Please note the relevant photographers’ names are labelled on the image file names.