Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaleigh Sullivan.
Hi Kaleigh, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The Kaleigh Edit started during a time in my life when I was craving more community, excitement, and a sense of purpose outside of my everyday routine.
After having my two children, I found myself doing the same things weekend after weekend. I’ve always been someone who thrives on structure and routine, but I started to realize that I needed something more. I wanted to get out of the house, try new things, and create experiences with my kids instead of letting every weekend look the same.
I remember hearing people talk about how much life changes once you have children and how certain experiences become harder or more limited. But I actually started to feel the opposite. Seeing the world through my children’s eyes gave me an entirely new appreciation for things I might have otherwise overlooked. Watching them experience something for the first time made it feel like I was experiencing it for the first time, too.
What started as a way to get myself out of a postpartum funk quickly turned into something I genuinely loved. We started exploring more of what the DMV area had to offer, from local attractions and hidden gems to seasonal events and weekend adventures. The more we explored, the more I realized how much there was to do right in our own backyard.
Eventually, I wanted to share those experiences with other moms. I knew I couldn’t be the only parent who sometimes felt stuck in the same routine or overwhelmed by the thought of planning something new. I wanted to show that you don’t have to travel far or plan something elaborate to make meaningful memories with your kids.
That’s how The Kaleigh Edit began to take shape. What started with local family adventures gradually expanded into sharing our travels, vacations, honest recommendations, and experiences beyond the DMV.
Today, I’m balancing a full-time career, motherhood, and growing The Kaleigh Edit. Along the way, I’ve had opportunities to connect with other families and collaborate with brands and local businesses, but the most rewarding part is hearing from parents who have tried something new because they saw it on my page.
Looking back, I started this journey because I wanted to bring more excitement and purpose into my own life. I never imagined that sharing those experiences could encourage other families to do the same.
And I think that’s what I love most about The Kaleigh Edit. It’s not just about finding things to do. It’s about making the most of this season of life and realizing that having kids doesn’t mean the adventures have to stop. Sometimes, it’s where the best ones begin.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a completely smooth road, but The Kaleigh Edit has always been something that brings me genuine happiness rather than stress. I started it because I loved exploring new places and creating memories with my kids, and I’ve been intentional about keeping that at the heart of what I do.
One of my biggest challenges has been finding balance. Between a demanding full-time career, other business ventures, and motherhood, life is already pretty busy. Finding the time to research new experiences, plan outings, film, edit, and create content while still being fully present for my children isn’t always easy. I’ve had to learn that not every moment needs to be documented and that sometimes the best memories are the ones where the phone stays in my bag.
Another challenge has been navigating the world of social media itself. It’s surprisingly easy to get caught up in the likes, shares, comments, and excitement of a post going viral. There are moments when I have to remind myself that none of those things were the reason I started. My goal was never to chase numbers. It was to get out of my own routine, experience more of the world with my children, and hopefully encourage other families to do the same.
I’ve learned that success doesn’t always look like thousands of views or new followers. Sometimes it’s a message from another mom saying she took her kids somewhere because of something I shared, or simply watching my own children light up during a new experience.
At the end of the day, I never want to become so focused on sharing our adventures that I forget to enjoy them. The Kaleigh Edit is an extension of the life I’m creating with my kids, not the reason we’re creating it. Keeping that perspective has been one of the most important lessons along the way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Through The Kaleigh Edit, I create content centered around family travel, local adventures, and motherhood. My goal is to help families discover new experiences, explore more of the world around them, and create lasting memories together.
A large part of my content focuses on family-friendly activities throughout the DMV area, from hidden gems and seasonal events to attractions, restaurants, and weekend adventures. Over time, I’ve expanded into sharing our travels beyond the DMV, including cruises, theme parks, road trips, and family vacations.
What I think sets The Kaleigh Edit apart is that everything I share comes from our own experiences. I’m not just recommending places to visit. I’m actually taking my kids, experiencing these places firsthand, and sharing the details that other parents genuinely want to know. Whether that’s pricing, parking, age recommendations, or simply whether an experience is worth the time and money, I want to make planning easier for other families.
Another important part of my content is encouraging moms not to let their circumstances hold them back from experiencing new things with their children.
I’ve taken my kids on adventures both with others and completely on my own, starting when they were toddlers. I’ve driven eight hours to Myrtle Beach and Vermont, taken road trips to Niagara Falls, explored New York City with two young kids, gone on cruises, and navigated amusement parks without another adult.
And while I’ve done all of those things, I certainly haven’t always felt confident doing them. There have been plenty of moments when I’ve been nervous, questioned whether I could manage everything, or wondered if I was taking on too much. But I did it anyway, and I’ve never regretted the memories we made.
Not every trip or adventure is solo, but I’ve learned that going alone doesn’t have to be a limitation. Whether you’re a single mom, have a partner who works long hours, or simply don’t have someone available to join you, I want to encourage other moms not to wait for the perfect circumstances to start making memories.
As someone balancing a demanding full-time career, motherhood, and other business ventures, I also understand how limited time can feel. I want families to see that meaningful experiences don’t always require elaborate vacations. Sometimes they’re found just a short drive from home.
What I’m most proud of is the community I’ve built and the connections I’ve made with other parents. Hearing that another mom visited somewhere I recommended, planned a family trip, or felt inspired to try something new because of my content is incredibly rewarding.
I’ve also enjoyed opportunities to collaborate with brands and local businesses, sharing experiences that genuinely align with our lifestyle.
Ultimately, I want The Kaleigh Edit to be a resource parents can trust and a source of inspiration for families who want to experience more together.
If there’s one thing I hope other moms take away from my content, it’s that you don’t have to have everything figured out, feel completely confident, or wait for someone else to join you. Sometimes you just have to go, figure things out along the way, and trust that the memories will be worth it.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I think community and connection are incredibly important, and that’s really what The Kaleigh Edit is all about.
If you’re a mom looking to get out more, meet other parents, or discover new experiences, my advice would be to put yourself out there. Reach out to friends, join local Facebook groups, connect with other moms, and find people who share your interests. There are so many opportunities to build friendships and find a sense of community.
At the same time, I think it’s important to remember that you don’t need someone else to get started. If there’s somewhere you want to go or something you want to experience with your kids, don’t let the fact that you don’t have someone to go with stop you.
When it comes to content creation, I certainly wouldn’t consider myself an expert, but I’ve learned a lot along the way. I’ve built two very different social media accounts, including a real estate page with over 100,000 followers and The Kaleigh Edit, which has been more of a passion project that I’ve consistently grown over time.
For anyone interested in creating content, I think there are so many opportunities to learn and connect with others. Reach out to creators, ask questions, share experiences, and take advantage of the resources available. I’m always happy to connect with someone and share what I’ve learned, just as I appreciate learning from others.
My biggest advice would be to find something you genuinely enjoy and be consistent. Social media can become overwhelming when you’re constantly chasing numbers or trying to keep up with trends, but when you’re sharing something you’re already passionate about, it feels much more natural.
One of my favorite things about The Kaleigh Edit is that it’s become a digital memory book of my children’s childhood. I love being able to look back at our adventures, see how much they’ve grown, and remember all the experiences we’ve shared. That alone makes it worthwhile to me.
Ultimately, my goal with The Kaleigh Edit has never been to teach people how to become influencers or content creators. It’s to build a community, share experiences, and hopefully encourage other families to get out and make memories of their own. If someone discovers a new place, makes a new connection, or feels inspired to try something because of my page, that’s what matters most to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thekaleighedit.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekaleighedit
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577073952902
