Meet Lisa Summers, a Baltimore native, wife + mom of two, travel content creator, and the founder of the Memory Makers Community, @itssummerssomewhere
After a rough year, a big surgery, and being laid off from her job of 10 years, Lisa started a social media account showing her passion for travel and helping others make more memories with their friends and families.
ONLY 13 months later, It’s Summers Somewhere has grown to a community of over 143K on Instagram and 14K on TikTok! Lisa’s mission is to empower the community to find incredible experiences and to shine a light on businesses that truly deserve recognition.
Lisa shares how she highlights local businesses, ideas for teaching your kids on the go, and her passion for traveling the world one continent at a time!
Tell us a little bit about you and your family! Where did you grow up? How long have you lived in the area? How many kids do you have?
Hi, I’m Lisa Summers! I was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and moved away at the age of 5 to Richmond, Virginia. I came back every summer to be with my grandma and cousins and those were the greatest times in my life. I have two children, ages 4 and 6, and have been married for 12 years in May.
You’re the fun mom behind @itssummerssomewhere showing off family fun, date ideas, and travel in Maryland and beyond. Tell us how you got started!
Ever since I was little, I couldn’t wait to explore new places! I wasn’t a fan of just doing the same stuff everyone else did or going to the same places over and over again, I need variety. I loved finding secret spots and unique adventures, like hidden gems or fun festivals. My friends all knew this, so they called me the “Fun Plug”. I was the one who always had the best ideas for weekends and big trips! But then life threw me a curveball.
We had a rough year with a house deal that didn’t work out causing us to go into bankruptcy, a big surgery, and I even got laid off from my job of 10 years! Yikes! But guess what? Even when things were tough, a new idea popped into my head. What if I could share my love of finding awesome places with everyone? Sharing travel tips and hidden gems seemed like the perfect way to focus on making more memories. My vision extended beyond just exotic destinations. I saw a vibrant community of local businesses, brimming with brilliant ideas but struggling to be seen. There were hidden gems right under our noses and established businesses with under-appreciated experiences. That’s how It’s Summers Somewhere was born.
My mission is twofold: to empower the community to find incredible experiences, and to give well-deserving businesses the spotlight they deserve. I don’t write reviews – I spotlight the best experiences. You might think I love everything I feature, and that’s because I do! I wouldn’t showcase anything I wouldn’t wholeheartedly recommend. Even if it’s not my thing, I understand everyone is different and it may be for you!
In only ONE YEAR, you’ve grown your following to 150K followers! This is SO impressive! How did you do it? Do you have any tips for us?
This journey has been incredible. I took some classes and courses on how to share and did what they said! I believe learning from others is a great tool when you really decide you want to do something. The best tip is to keep going and trying different things to learn what will be the best for you. In just 13 months, It’s Summers Somewhere has grown to a community of over 142,000 on Instagram and 14,000 on TikTok. I created the Memory Makers Community, a core group of people who want to go out and prioritize making memories in their lives. I am incredibly grateful for this success, and I can’t wait to see what’s next! How do I do it? It’s tough having a full-time job, being a full-time creator, and having a family but I try to give all 3 of them their equal share. I have a passion for traveling the world – I’ve been to over 25 countries and 5 continents but I want to conquer them all!
What’s next for Its Summers Somewhere?
Exciting news! In the next month, It’s Summers Somewhere will be launching something special for all you Memory Makers! My amazing newsletter subscribers will get the inside scoop first, so be sure to join the fun by subscribing! Here’s a tiny hint: It’s all about making date nights (or outings with friends, family, or even yourself!) a breeze. No more endless scrolling or arguments about where to go next! I can’t wait to share more details soon, and there’s even more in store for It’s Summers Somewhere in the coming months! Stay tuned!
How has your job shifted your perspective of Motherhood?
I prefer to teach on the go – I see that they learn better in real-life situations. For example, we went to the beach with jellyfish. We got to see them up close in person and have a lesson on how they live and what they can do. I would love to do this full-time so I can world-school them more!
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I met my husband online from a website called tagged.com and we only lived 4 blocks away from each other! Another thing is that I am a huge introvert! I do not do well with small talk and new people but I love being out and around people for different events and activities.
What’s something you love that’s just for you?
Eating crabs….and reading a book. Before I became a content creator, I read over 75 books a year but now I am down to maybe 30. Having crabs and something cold to drink is one of my best times in life.
Best mom hack that makes your life easier.
Take the kids out of the house so the house stays clean!
Name something you hope your children look back and remember about their childhood and you as their mama.
I hope they remember I always made things fun and showed them new places, making them open to new experiences and adventures of their own.
What’s your favorite family activity to do in the area?
Going to the beach! I love the water and my children love the water and sand so it’s a win-win!
What have you learned from your children?
Patience.
Greatest gift about being a mom.
Watching them grow up and seeing who they become.
Best advice for mom guilt.
Take time for yourself so you can recharge and be the best mom you can be. You can’t help others on an empty battery.
Who has most influenced you to be the mom you are today?
My mom…she showed me travel at a young age and how to be a BOSS!
Lisa Summers is a mom of two and travel content creator from Baltimore, Maryland. You never know where Lisa Summers will go next – she’s always finding amazing things to do! Lisa handpicks thrilling activities and escapades in Maryland and beyond. Plan an unforgettable and romantic date night, take the kids for a day of fun and excitement and discover hidden and unique events to enjoy with friends.
Become a Memory Maker and follow @itssummerssomewhere to plan your next unique experience and fun place to go! Subscribe to The Memory Makers Community newsletter to be the first in the know!
Let Lisa help you get the word out – quickly connect with her active and engaged social media community to inform them about your product, destination, or service. For partnerships and collaborations, contact Lisa:
We love to support local businesses! What are your favorite places in the Maryland area to:
Go on a date night: Illusions Magic Bar
Go out for a girl’s night: La Familia in Baltimore has a ton of events like Poetry, Hip Hop Karaoke, etc.
Go out to dinner as a family: Wendy’s lol
Shop for your kids: Tot Swap and Wee Sale Consignment are my favorites
Favorite place to cool down in Summer: Sykesville, MD’s Millard Cooper Park Splash Pad
My husband’s favorite event: The Baltimore Bike Party
My favorite event: Wonderfly Arena for Adult Night
My kids favorite place to play: Storyville in Woodlawn Library
Photography by: @deehardaway1
