Today we’d like to introduce you to Zack Lamothe.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Travel has always been ingrained in my life from an early age; whether it is regional road trips or larger family vacations. As I got older, travel continued both locally, stateside, and abroad. Concurrently, my career as a published writer began in 2013 with the release of my first book, Connecticut Lore: Strange, Off Kilter, and Full of Surprises. My second book, the sequel, More Connecticut Lore: Guidebook to 82 Strange Locations was published three years later. This corresponded with the birth of my first son. Becoming a dad, I soon realized that my travel-centric lifestyle would be more difficult. After a bit of self-reflection, I came up with the idea of Backyard Road Trips, focusing on meaningful travel on the local level. Soon the website and brand began in earnest. Although the idea of “local” is a bit stretched, the backyard road trips are not only New England-based but have expanded to other states throughout the country. I have released two other books, “Classic Restaurants of Boston” and “A History Lover’s Guide to the South Shore” and my next is slated for release in 2023, “Distilled in Boston.” Backyard Road Trips expanded to include a podcast in 2020, which is currently on its fourth season. I co-host the podcast with Jim Wheeler, and many of the episodes have guests including authors, business owners, or fellow bloggers. One of our most recent episodes featured two individuals from Cincinnati, Ohio, Jon Hnatiuk and Beth Himburg. We talk travel, craft beer, and parenthood along with plenty of harebrained banter.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Certainly, there have been bumps. I always stayed away from website writing and felt more comfortable with writing for books and magazines. Watching the progress of the website can be difficult as well; some months traffic is high and some lower than expected. Trying to balance all of it while having a family, a day job, and not trying to lose money on the endeavor can also be challenges as well.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am known as a writer of books and from my website, Backyard Road Trips. I am proud of all of my published work; releasing my first book at age 30 was an accomplishment. I believe my work sets me apart due to its accessibility of it. This means when I travel, I am not getting comped grandiose hotel rooms in Caribbean resorts but instead am staying in a hotel room that I paid for with my family. So, the advice I give is 100% real, there are no major kickbacks except maybe the occasional cup of coffee or pint of beer.
What does success mean to you?
Success is doing what makes you happy and feeling satisfied about what you are doing.
Pricing:
- Connecticut Lore book $16.99
- More Connecticut Lore book $16.99
- A History Lover’s Guide to the South Shore book $24.00
- Classic Restaurants of Boston book $21.00
- Backyard Road Trips trucker hat $25.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.backyardroadtrips.com
- Instagram: @backyardroadtrips
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/backyardroadtrips
- Twitter: @Backydroadtrips
- Youtube: @backyardroadtrips4532 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi16Exe3WXvSIjj8sKkvHoQ?app=desktop
Image Credits
Zack Lamothe
Linda Lamothe
Jaclyn Lamothe
Jocelyn Moschella
Jim Wheeler
