Tampa Bay Profile – Jasmine Stephenson of JasmineWanders.com
The Tampa Bay area has spawned many large, nationally known businesses like Raymond James Financial, Hooters, AVI-SPL, College Hunks Hauling Junk, PODs, and Ideal Image to name just a few. But there are also a cadre of individuals, entrepreneurs, authors, musicians and artists that help define Tampa Bay’s personality. Our people are a Tampa Florida Attraction!
One such remarkable Tampa Bay native has made her mark on the world by taking to the road. Jasmine Stephenson is a slim, 26 year old (HAPPY BIRTHDAY JASMINE!) young woman that decided the 8-5 work-a-day lifestyle wasn’t for her, sold everything she owned that didn’t fit in her backpack, and hit the road.
Where's Jasmine Wandered?
There was no warning at all that the bulk of Jasmine’s 20s would be spent in hostels around the world. She attended Hillsborough County public schools where she did well academically, played the violin, and developed a strong interest in the working of the human mind. She attended the University of South Florida and graduated with a degree in Psychology, expressing an interest in working in prisons and drug rehab. After graduation, Jasmine decided on a radical change of scenery and headed to Phoenix, AZ. This was the first small hint she’d been bitten by the travel bug.
Jasmine at Fox Glacier in New Zealand
In 2007, Jasmine sold it all…everything that made the trip to Phoenix, got a work visa for New Zealand and hit the road. And no, she didn’t know anyone there, have a great job lined up, she didn’t “always want to go to NZ”, it was just a 7,000 mile away start.
Jasmine on the Equator
At first Jasmine’s journeys were funded on the spot with bartending gigs and promotions work. She developed a pattern of working for a few months, travelling, then working again, travelling, etc. While she was doing this, Jasmine was also working on her travel blog, Jasmine Wanders. Since this start, she’s become one of the most popular travel bloggers in the industry, developed another travel site, South America Tourist, and is published in International Living Magazine. Jasmine now funds her world travels through her websites and freelance travel articles, which is a dream of many of us!
Jasmine on the Mekong Delta:
Jasmine just finished a short break with family in Trinidad, and is now on the road again. She’s currently in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Mexico and is making her way back to her favorite destination so far..Colombia!
Jasmine - Salento Colombia
If you’re interested in Jasmine’s travels you should go to her websites listed above and join her on Facebook, where there are some more amazing photos.
Learn more about Tampa Florida Attractions, it’s people and businesses by subscribing to our RSS feed, or stay in touch on Facebook.
