Debt Free by 30 UPDATES: A Best Friend's Response

November 18, 2007

A Best Friend's Response

Melanie Bess..............

WOW!! and if I had a larger font option I would make that bigger!!!!!!!
I have to say that for the first time I am speechless, but at the same time filled with so many emotions that the only way I can share them with you is written over an email!!! I absolutely had chills dancing over my body while reading every word of your email. It put a smile on my face adrenaline in my veins and tears in my eyes. I can say I am humbled and proud to be your best friend; reminded again of what an amazing and strong person you are (not only benefiting yourself but effecting thousands of others that surround you) and how fortunate I am to be apart of your life; dedicated to helping you achieve your goal and I have to admit saddened because I can hear your desperate plea for financial help and know the weight it bears as I have felt that same hopelessness. This is a truly brilliant idea....and you have far surpassed what I was expecting (although in true Melanie fashion I am not surprised)!!!! You have created a movement...one that will cross over the nation and world....one that will without a doubt touch the lives of people everywhere and will be more rewarding than paying off every dollar of the 150,000 necessary to pay off your debt....not to mention a possible book deal with the numerous stories you will receive. You are an inspiration...and the hope that enables everyone who reads your message and the others that will contribute to it will fuel their desire to know they can succeed in any dream imaginable!!!

(and this is what I was feeling before even opening up the images)

Each image chosen stands strong and creates a statement similar to each carefully chosen word in your email. Some of the images I already know the story and some I am anxiously awaiting the bio as the picture really does speak a thousand words!!!! I am eagerly awaiting the progress of "Debt Free by 30" and can say confidently that my best friend will be, without a doubt DEBT FREE BY 30!!!!!!

I have the chills again and can relate to the feeling you must have been experiencing while trying to write down your ideas while going 80 on an open road with nothing but endless opportunities!!!!!!

I am so very proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Allison Birkmeyer - 1st Degree
San Diego, CA

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About Me - Melanie Bess Hogan

I was born October 28th, 1978 and raised in Southern Oregon, in the small, lovely town of Applegate, located just west of Medford. With three siblings and many cousins living within a mile stretch, most of my childhood was spent outdoors. Whether we were riding bikes, building forts, playing tag, trying to catch crawdads in Thompson Creek, swimming in the Applegate River, sleeping under the stars or helping out with the farming chores, it was an incredible time. My Gram's property stretches just over 600 acres, and 19 of those were certified a Century Ranch in 2003, receiving recognition as being owned and operated as a working ranch for 100 years within my family. I feel so fortunate to have grown up with such history, not to mention the freedom and encouragement to explore the wide-open spaces of the countryside that my family has maintained through hard work and perseverance! I love being a country girl!

I knew I wanted to be a photographer since I was a junior in high school and applied to Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California. Art has been something I have always enjoyed and still-framing moments to later watch come to life again in the darkroom had me completely intrigued! How can you not love it? It is such a magical process! I was forever hooked when I took my first photography class at Southern Oregon University, while also taking the general education classes required to officially enroll at Brooks.

The reality of the financial requirement to follow this passion of photography sank in, and I made the decision to put off going until I could save more money. This is when the notion of becoming a nanny was put in front of me, and within two weeks of checking into it, I was on a plane to meet a family back East. After two years with the same family, and a little money tucked away for Brooks, I had yet another reality to choose, and that was whether or not to see the world. Brooks or the world? This was a no-brainer, as I have always been one for adventure. So I put off Brooks again and spent most of 2000 back-packing overseas. This was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I've ever made, and if you get the chance, DO IT!

Using up all the money I had saved for Brooks while traveling, I was back to square one. So with nearly another two more years of nannying, serving up lattes at Starbucks and saving, I was ready to start. I arrived in Santa Barbara on my 24th birthday and began Brooks just days later. It was a goal set and a goal achieved, well worth the six-year hiatus it took me to get there!

I graduated cum laude three years later with a Bachelor's Degree in Photography, double majoring in Commercial Advertising and Advertising. Even while attending school I was freelancing, along with maintaining my position at Starbucks and being a part-time, live-in nanny. Since graduating I have shot weddings, portraiture, fine art, worked as a studio manager for Door 9 Studios, and had the great privilege of working as the Photo Editor for America's Underwater Treasures, a book put out by Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society.

I jumped at the opportunity to exchange palm trees for pine trees in July 2007 and moved to the Inland Northwest. My move, although partly to escape the high costs of living in Santa Barbara, was to assist my sister Jennifer with her brand new coffee stand, Droolin Dog Espresso, located on Ramsey Road in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Perhaps I wouldn't have thought of this project had I not been on that road trip back from Jackson Hole, and that wouldn't have happened had I not made the decision to share in my sister's new adventures. I am grateful for both!

My goal, besides successfully completing this project and being Debt-Free by 30, is to inspire others! I want to travel, and being a destination photographer is the way to make two of my passions a reality. On the road getting there and when I finally do, need always come my desire to be true to myself and true to others, and in that comes inspiration!

November 18, 2007

A Best Friend's Response

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