We recently sat down with West Palm Beach native, Tatiana Bido, who currently works as the Features Editor at leading beauty publication, NewBeauty. Below, she shares how she got her start in journalism, her proudest career accomplishments, and where she sees herself in five years.
How did you get your start in journalism? Did you always see yourself being a journalist?
I actually began my career writing Catholic curriculum for children and that was my entry into publishing in general. I wrote and edited elementary books and worked closely with graphic designers and artists to create beautiful, vibrant pages that helped explain religion and spirituality to young children. I did that for about a decade, but on the side I would run off to the nearest beauty counter to test out and whatever I could get my hands on so I could write about it. At the time, I had a blog that I hadn’t made public, it was really just for self-expression. But looking back I can see I was flexing the beauty editor muscle long before I actually became one. I’d often come back to work from my lunch break with a rainbow of lipstick swatches on the back of my hand. I wouldn’t say I’ve had the most traditional career trajectory, but I’m a big believer in if you do what you love everything will fall into place one day.
What is an accomplishment you are most proud of in your career?
I’m grateful for every story I get to write and being able to help other women make decisions about something in their lives designed to make them feel and look beautiful, whether it’s an eye cream, a laser or a surgical procedure.
What advice would you give to an aspiring journalist?
There are so many things I wish I knew when I was starting out. For me, I do my best writing when I’m not sitting in front of the computer screen. I might write something and walk away, take a shower, take the dog for a walk and four more intros will pop in my head or I’ll come back and find see that I missed a point somewhere that I really need to hit on. So my best advice is to sit with something for a little while before hitting the send button—unless you’re past your deadline! Then you better send that draft!
What are you doing when you’re not writing?
Spending time outdoors with my 7-year old son. We love the beach, pool or going out on the trail for a run or bike ride. I think it helps us both get our energy out.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Working on my first novel, hopefully writing from a remote location like Tuscany or the South of France. One can dream!
Wild Card: What is the last book you read?
Madness Under the Royal Palms by Laurance Leamer—It’s pretty scandalous but and I loved reading about so many places I know so well because it’s set in Palm Beach. There are a lot of early days of Palm Beach historical references mixed in with more modern day Mar-A-Lago type stories and scandals.