“I was born in beautiful Boulder, Colorado. I am a first generation Lao-American and I love everything about the great outdoors, including hiking, camping, snowmobiling, ATV and adventure. “
Colorado Caribou
Check out Amber’s website:
“With my passion for exploring, I decided to find ways to leave my job in order to become a writer and travel blogger. I hope to inspire others to spend their lives doing what they love.”
“It was a difficult decision to leave my profession in the finance industry. I spent a lot of time finishing college and working in a corporate environment, so I was scared that I wouldn’t be good enough to try to become a travel influencer.”
“It was hard when I couldn’t find any other Lao American influencers especially in the outdoor industry. So I took a leap of faith to leave what was "safe" and go on my journey alone.
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“Representation matters. If there are no other women that look like you in the industries you want to be in, it doesn’t mean that you don’t belong there.”
“Be bold and take chances, you have a place in this world, no matter what you want to be.”
Follow Amber’s journey on TikTok:
“I write locally, but in 5 years I want to have done more international travel writing. I want this to be my forever career, because I want to spend the rest of my life doing only what I love.”
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I learned where to create a space for myself. I taught myself how to create my own blog and pitch articles for local magazines to print.”
“I even taught myself how to self-publish my book on Amazon.”
Check out Amber’s book:
“There was no way I was going to wait for someone to publish me or wait for anyone to give me permission. If I wanted it, I was going to find a way to bring it into existence.”
“Going home is especially unique. When I took my parents back to Laos and Thailand, it was a trip full of heavy emotions. It is so strange how a place you weren’t even born in, can feel so much like home. I enjoyed connecting with relatives, walking through the street markets and smelling the familiar dishes mom makes, hearing the sounds of the Khene Lao flute, and speaking the native language with locals, it was all so heartwarming.”
“ Lao people are full of such rich culture, family values, unique food and old customs. I love gathering with friends to celebrate Lao cuisine. Food is a huge representation of love. It's just like when mom cooks for the family and you wake up to the smell of steaming sticky rice in the kitchen, that’s love!“
“I love the sense of community that Lao people give, everyone is always full of smiles and a warm welcome. We are not a large country, but Lao people come from a traumatic history of communism, this is what brought my parents here.”
