Matador Goods editor, Lola Akinmade; Photos courtesy of Lola Akinmade
Do you know the names behind Matador’s blogs? In this new series, we’ll introduce you to the people who keep the Matador machine humming.
After resigning from a cushy 10+ year job as a System Architect and 14+ years in the GIS industry Lola Akinmade takes a few minutes to tell us about herself.
Name:
Lola Akinmade
Side note: My full first name is 15 letters long.
Role at Matador:
Editor of Matador Goods
How You Found Matador:
Back in 2007, I was searching for online travel communities and resources to help me plan a round-the-world trip. Stumbled across Matador Travel through a Google search and was instantly hooked.
I’d begun planning a RTW trip that same year and the trip was to commence in 2009, but life had other, more important plans.
How You Got Brought on Board as an Editor:
After milling around the community for awhile including writing two articles for Matador Traverse, I was interested in writing an article for Matador Goods to review the Keen Womens Targhee II hiking boots which helped me through the Inca trail without a single blister.
I sent CEO and founder, Ross Borden an email. Ross’ response was, “Your timing is great, actually. Would you like to help me with the gear blog?”
And that was it.
Other Projects You’re Working On For Matador:
There are tons of exciting projects in the works, most notably our Travel Photography course which I’m working on with Matador contributing editor and photographer extraordinaire, Paul Sullivan.
Can’t divulge too much right now.
I’m also on the lookout for travels, authors, photographers, filmmakers, and all around cool people to feature on our popular, What’s In Your Backpack? series.
Where You Live:
Currently splitting time between Stockholm, Sweden and the Washington, D.C./Baltimore area.
Your Next Trip:
Shifting base again to Stockholm this December and maybe a trip to Morocco in January. Also traveling up to Northern Sweden not too far from the Arctic circle. Fun times.
What You Do When You’re Not Working on Matador Stuff:
I write for a variety of travel publications and try to do as much photojournalism work as I can. I recently launched three projects:
Lemurworks – which is my official company that provides GIS consulting and programming/development services.
Art By Lola – which features some of my oil paintings and past exhibitions. I took a hiatus in 2009 to focus on travel writing and photography, but will be back on the canvas in 2010.
Office Supplies, The Comic – my comic strip centered around office supplies and their take on life. This comic strip is certainly my baby and labor of love project.
I truly love photojournalism work with NGOs and will be looking for more assignments and opportunities to collect impressions and document field projects in 2010. (hint. hint.)
A Favorite Travel Memory:
Pushing a van stuck in mud deep within the remote jungles of Fiji. Those weeks I spent with my fellow volunteers on the island were surreal.
Community Connection:
Want to read more from Lola? Here are two of my favorites:
Julie Schwietert
Julie Schwietert Collazo is a writer, editor, researcher, and translator currently in New York, formerly of Mexico City and San Juan. She is Matador's managing editor and is the lead faculty member of MatadorU's travel writing program.
Connect with Facebook
Pingback: Meet a Matador Team Member: Andy Hayes
Pingback: Online Travel Resources: Scandinavia for Free