From Freelance Writer to Multi-Business Entrepreneur: A Journey of Growth and Transformation

Embarking on a career as a freelance writer was just the beginning of an incredible journey that has led me to become a multi-business entrepreneur and business coach. My path has been full of challenges, learning opportunities, and moments of self-discovery.

In this blog post, I’ll share my personal story of business growth and transformation, outlining the key milestones that allowed me to diversify my services, offer a range of creative and administrative solutions, and establish a successful business coaching practice.

Writing From the Beginning

As a budding freelance writer, I delved headfirst into the world of words, eager to connect with readers through compelling content. I started with romance novels and magazine features.

Writing isn’t just a job for me; it’s a passion that allows me to express my creativity while making a living. My former clients ranged from small businesses seeking blog posts to individuals needing personal essays and web content.

Each project challenged me to adapt my writing style, research diligently, and maintain strict deadlines.

In those early days, I struggled with self-doubt and the fear of rejection. However, with every positive feedback and repeat client, my confidence blossomed.

I learned persistence and continuous improvement were essential in freelance writing. I took writing courses, attended workshops, and actively sought feedback to enhance my skills.

I’ve continued this pattern of growing and adapting, constantly adding fresh courses and coaches to my repertoire of business knowledge.

Expanding into Different Writing Services: Unleashing Creativity in New Ways

As I established a foothold in the freelance writing market, I realized that my expertise could be utilized in various ways beyond traditional content writing.

Ghostwriting presented an exciting opportunity to collaborate with individuals who had fascinating stories to tell but lacked the time or writing skills to put them into words. This new venture allowed me to immerse myself in diverse topics, from memoirs to business books, fiction, and self-help titles.

Expanding into the realm of persuasive copywriting and content marketing proved equally rewarding. Helping businesses craft their brand message and engage with their target audience allowed me to witness the direct impact of my writing on their success.

Additionally, I started working on website copy, sales funnels, and email marketing campaigns for businesses, recognizing the significance of persuasive and conversion-focused writing.

I discovered that writing wasn’t solely about expression; it was a powerful tool to influence and inspire action.

Diversifying into Administrative Services: Organizing Chaos and Streamlining Processes

As I built strong relationships with my clients, I gained insight into their daily struggles. Many small business owners find themselves swamped with administrative tasks, pulling them away from their core business activities.

Recognizing an opportunity to fill this gap, I started offering administrative support as an extension of my writing services. I embraced new responsibilities, such as managing emails, organizing schedules, and handling customer inquiries.

The shift not only diversified my income streams but also deepened my understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs. Providing administrative support allowed my clients to focus on what they did best – growing their businesses – while knowing that I was handling the essential back-end tasks efficiently

Becoming a Virtual Assistant Resource: Empowering a Team to Thrive

As demand for administrative services increased, I realized I couldn’t handle everything alone. Rather than turning down clients, I saw an opportunity to expand my business further.

I began recruiting and training a team of virtual assistants, each skilled in different administrative tasks. Delegating responsibilities allowed me to take on more significant projects and serve a more extensive client base.

Leading and mentoring my virtual assistant team was both challenging and fulfilling. It taught me valuable leadership skills and reinforced the importance of effective communication and delegation. Together, we developed a seamless workflow, providing clients with a collaborative and comprehensive approach to their business needs.

Venturing into Graphic Design: Adding Visual Appeal to the Narrative

As a writer, I understood the persuasive power of words, but I recognized the need to go beyond text to fully engage today’s visual-oriented audiences.

This led me to explore the world of graphic design. I immersed myself in learning various design tools and techniques, developing an eye for aesthetics and visual storytelling.

With my newfound graphic design skills, I started offering clients visually appealing graphics that complemented their written content. Whether it’s social media graphics, website banners, or marketing materials, I discovered that the fusion of written and visual elements elevated the impact of their messaging. Clients appreciate the convenience of a one-stop solution for their content and design needs.

Creating and Selling Digital Products: Sharing Knowledge and Inspiring Others

As my reputation as a multi-faceted creative entrepreneur grew, I began receiving inquiries from aspiring writers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners seeking guidance. Realizing the potential to monetize my expertise beyond client services, I ventured into creating digital products.

I’ve authored e-books and developed online courses covering content creation, digital marketing, and entrepreneurial strategies.

These resources provided me with passive income and helped establish me as an authority in my niche. The positive feedback from users who found value in my materials further motivated me to expand my educational offerings.

Visit my shop and blog for more digital goods.

Becoming a Business Coach: Empowering Entrepreneurs to Thrive

With a growing portfolio of digital products and a thriving multi-service business, I discovered my passion for mentoring and coaching others to succeed.

Many clients who purchased my resources sought personalized guidance to apply the concepts effectively in their businesses. Recognizing this demand, I embraced the role of a business coach.

I offer one-on-one consultations, group coaching sessions, and online workshops. My goal is to empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and confidence they need to overcome challenges and achieve their business goals. Seeing my clients flourish and witnessing the impact of my guidance on their journeys has been a profoundly fulfilling experience.

Embracing Growth and Creating Lasting Impact

My transformation from a simple freelance writer to a multi-business entrepreneur and business coach has been a remarkable journey of growth and self-discovery. Each step I took allowed me to explore new horizons, embrace change, and seize opportunities that expanded my skill set and diversified my business.

From the written word to graphic design and administrative support, I learned that the power of words extended far beyond expression—it was a bridge to connect, influence, and empower. With a dedicated team of virtual assistants and a wide range of creative and administrative services, I cultivated an environment where innovation thrives, and clients feel supported on every front.

Today, as a business coach, I find joy in sharing my knowledge and experiences, paying forward the mentorship and guidance that played a pivotal role in my journey. My mission is to empower entrepreneurs to dream big, embrace change, and create lasting impact through their businesses.

With every new client success story, I am reminded of the power of transformation and the potential that lies within each of us to grow beyond our wildest imaginations. The journey is ongoing, and I am excited to see what the future holds as I continue to evolve, expand, and inspire others to follow their entrepreneurial dreams.

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5 Tips for Small Business Owners to Avoid Burnout

As a mom of multiple kids of multiple species, I’m used to feeling exhausted, lost, and confused. And as a writer, I’m used to experiencing overwork, blank page syndrome, and a stubborn muse.

But when you’re a business owner, you don’t have the luxury to call into work at the last minute, or skip making something, or ignoring your clients. Doing any of that would result in zero clients and no money! As a business owner, your entire goal is to get customers – paying––that want to buy what you offer.

There are unique challenges for being a work from home business owner compared to a brick and mortar business. It can get lonely when you’re a solopreneur, leading many to seek like-minded business owners on social media. And for most of us, we end up sucked into the black hole that is animal videos, hilarious memes, and life hacks that make us feel xennial and Gen-X folks feel like dumbasses!

5 Tips to Prevent Small Business Burnout

Tip 1: Prioritize Self-Care:

As a small business owner, getting caught up in the day-to-day demands of running your business is easy. However, neglecting your own needs can quickly lead to burnout. That’s why it’s important to prioritize self-care. This means taking time for yourself to do things that help you relax and recharge, such as exercise, meditation, spending time with loved ones, or engaging in a hobby you enjoy.

By making self-care a priority, you’ll be better able to handle the stresses and demands of running a business.

Tip 2: Set Boundaries

It’s important to set boundaries between work and personal time to avoid burnout. This might mean creating a schedule for yourself and sticking to it, avoiding work-related tasks during certain hours of the day, or taking breaks throughout the day to give yourself time to recharge.

By setting boundaries, you’ll be better able to manage your time and avoid overworking yourself.

Tip 3: Delegate Tasks

As a small business owner, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to do everything on your own. However, delegating tasks to others can help lighten your workload and free up time for you to focus on other aspects of your business or personal life.

Consider hiring additional staff, outsourcing certain tasks, or even asking friends and family for help when needed. By delegating tasks, you’ll be able to focus on the things that matter most to you.

Tip 4: Take Time Off:

It’s essential to take time off from work to prevent burnout. This could mean taking a vacation, taking a long weekend, or simply taking a day off to recharge.

By taking time away from work, you’ll be able to come back refreshed and better able to handle the demands of your business. It’s important to remember that taking time off is not a sign of weakness, but rather a necessary part of maintaining your mental and physical health.

Tip 5: Seek Support:

Running a small business can be challenging and lonely at times. That’s why it’s important to seek support from others who understand what you’re going through.

This might mean joining a business networking group, finding a mentor, or even seeking out a therapist or counselor if needed. Having a support system in place can help you stay motivated and avoid burnout.

Prevent Your Small Business From Slowing Down Due to Burnout

In summary, by prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries, delegating tasks, taking time off, and seeking support, small business owners can avoid burnout and maintain their motivation and passion for their work. It’s important to remember that taking care of yourself is not only essential for your own well-being, but also for the success of your business.

The Battle of Summertime Blues

Summertime blues:

At the beginning of the summer, children are ecstatic. School is out. They have the freedom to do what they want all day, without worrying about homework or getting ready for school the next day. They stay busy and active. But after a while, that freedom starts to lose its appeal. Children go from “I’m having so much fun!” to “Omg I’m going to die of boredom.” pretty quick.

You can wait until they hit this peak before you intervene, or you can cut the head off the snake in advance and start implementing these fun tips early on in your summer vacation. Regardless of when you use them, these five tried and tested ideas will help keep your kids entertained and chase away the summertime blues for you, and them.

“There ain’t no cure for the summertime blues.” … Until now.

1. Scavenger hunts

Scavenger hunts are a great way to keep your kids busy for an extended period of time. These can be tailored to your child’s age, interests, and locations. You can do a scavenger hunt in the house, looking for various items, such as pencils, an item that begins with the letter C, or something blue. The prizes can range from a piece of candy to chore passes to stickers. I often use Amazon to find ideas and purchase prizes. These are usually inexpensive and worth the money.

Helpful hint: you can also use these prizes for other things, like completed chores or homework, or a good behavior report from school. Children often repeat behaviors if they are rewarded for them in some way, shape, or form. Even with just praise. Try it out and see.

To really get your children involved in the scavenger hunt, let each of them design their own. Then each kid gets a turn hosting. This is often good for older children, who may get a bit bored with just finding things over and over again. And it allows them to use their imagination and be interactive.

Make your scavenger hunt educational, or to help your children learn to focus on details, such as when you go to the grocery store or the zoo. They’ll be learning life lessons and having fun at the same time. And you get to look like the genius super mom that you are! It’s a win-win.

2. Interactive theater

Interactive theater is fun for all ages and can be done a bunch of different ways. As a group, let your children pick out a short book that they then must act out. They can then decide if they want to act out just one scene or the whole book. If you want to get creative, let them design their own costumes to go along with the story. Or just use one prop and an imagination. These can be recorded for them to watch as they’re older and to preserve memories of a rare moment in time when the kids are all actually getting along. Ah, the tranquility of no bickering and squawking! And if you’re on a budget, costumes aren’t required for this activity.

This activity helps children use their imagination as they decide on the voices and behaviors of the character they want to play. It improves their memory. It boosts their confidence and improves their speaking skills. Depending on the age of your children, this activity might be something where you can be hands off, which allows you the joy of getting to be surprised by what they’ve come up with. Lights, camera, action.

Walt Disney Pictures (Image: Walt Disney)

3. At home movie theater

For the sake of your mind, be willing to surrender your living room (if the children don’t have their own private area like a playroom) for a movie marathon. You can participate or you can use the downtime to relax and read a book or if you’re like me, work. Pop a couple of bags of popcorn, make some snacks that will stand up against time, and pick a theme. Then select three or four movies and let the kids go wild.

Decorate the room to fit that theme. Design snacks to match. Wear themed clothing or costumes. Let the kids dress up as their favorite characters. The possibilities are endless with this. If your kids can’t agree on all the same movies, then allow each child to pick out one.

This is a great way to introduce your children to different cultures or time periods. You could pick a Chinese theme and show Mulan, Kung Fu Panda, and The Karate Kid. Serve Chinese food. Movies about animals? Let your kids show off their favorite animal with a picture or costume. Introduce them to classics like Homeward Bound and Wild America. Craft animal-themed snacks.

And if you really want to keep them interactive, give them a scavenger hunt or a pop quiz designed around the movies they’ve watched. Maybe what’s one Chinese word you heard? Or what’s something you learned about Chinese culture from watching these movies? Allow them to pick their own questions and have movie trivia. If you’re concerned about your children wasting time with technology, this is a good compromise. They get their TV time while you get to make sure they’re engaging and learning.

4. Art show

Let your kids do an art exhibit. Let them be as creative as they want, or that you can afford. Allow them to draw, sculpt, or paint based on a theme, such as the beach or the desert. Then allow your child to set up their own display. Maybe place the item front and center on the table. Or propped up on the mantle. This may require a little help from an adult or older sibling. Once all of the art has been placed around, have a pretend art exhibit where you walk from piece to piece. Have your child tell you about what they’ve designed, their inspiration for it, or how it was done.

Have your other children participate as well offering their opinions on their siblings’ work. You may have to warn them at first to be nice if you have teenagers and younger children as I do. But I have found that this is a great way to influence my kids to say nice things to each other instead of always fighting and insulting. On a few occasions, my older children would even offer to help teach their younger siblings something, which always warms my heart. Art truly is a thing of beauty.

5. Hide and seek

Hide and seek is a great way to keep your kids active. While it can be played indoors, you’ll want to make sure there are some rules that way it keeps an even playing field and keeps the kids out of sticky situations. My child once got stuck in the washing machine because she wanted a good hiding spot and I didn’t warn them to stay within certain parameters. That was a fun phone call to my father asking for help. When possible, it’s always more fun to let the kids do this outside. And as with all the other suggestions I’ve provided, this could be interactive as well. Perhaps the kids can only hide around something that starts with a T or a certain color.

This activity allows your children to get exercise, work on their numbers if they’re young enough to need to practice counting, and be observant as they’re having to really pay attention to the rules of the game. My kids are always finding new ways to add a new element to a basic game. As I type, they are playing hide and seek cartoon freeze tag, which apparently is when you hide and if you are tagged before you get to the base, you have to freeze and say a cartoon’s name and wait to be tagged before you get to try and run home. Instead of fighting over who’s next, they’re going in a consistent rotation and they seem to be having a lot of fun!

Show those summertime blues who’s boss!

Parents, I hope this list of activities is something you and your children are able to enjoy. Tailor them to suit your lifestyle, your children’s interests. Chase away those summertime blues. Be happy. Be active. Be thankful for this time with your children. As I learned just yesterday, there are only 18 summers between the time your child is born until they are grown. Make the most of them.

Flipping calendar — The days just fly by in the blink of an eye

Your turn

Do you have ideas for a fun activity that keeps your kids entertained? Feel free to share! We can never have too many tricks up our sleeves when it comes to kids.

Freelancing: How to make it work

Working from home:

Wanting to work from home is nothing new. Thousands of people have fallen for scams that promise to replace your corporate salary, without ever leaving your home. But as that old saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. I took some time off as a writer while my life was falling apart. Now, like a phoenix that’s risen from the ashes, I’m back and revamping everything about myself.

New edition:

While I was once a novelist, I have recently switched to writing articles. Of course, trying to find clients on your own can be a nightmare. So I did tons of Googling. I learned some pretty neat tricks, like just searching for “Write for Us” pulls up tons of websites that offer freelance submissions. Not all were paid for. Well, that can be fun, if you’re wanting to spend days or even weeks waiting on a response, which means no payday.

So, to supplement those long stretches of time, I decided to look up websites that hire freelancers right out. Of course, there is a website called Freelancer.com. And it can be okay for getting jobs but you have to bid against other freelancers and wait to see if you’ve been picked.

Another website I have been using quite frequently is iWriter. Now, this website allows clients to submit the details they want their article to be about. A writer sees it in the cue and accepts the job. Once they have written the piece, they submit it and wait to see if the client accepts it. If they do, you get paid. If they don’t, you may have to do some revisions or you may just not get paid at all. So far, I have not yet had an article declined so yay me.

This is also a great way to build up a clientele, as if the client liked your work enough, they might send you special requests, which means you get even more earnings than you would be selecting it through the lineup. I’ve managed to get a few different steady clients and it seems to be working well. If you’d like to see a sample of what I can write, check out these four articles: Article 1; Article 2; Article 3; Article 4.

Need a writer?

From now on, you can also order articles directly from me. Simply send me an email and give me your proposal. I will be developing a price list soon to post for easier reference. Satisfaction is guaranteed and all work will be 100% original and plagiarism free. All topics are welcome. Let me see what I can do for you!

Be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win a free 500-word article. And don’t forget to follow me on social media! And if you’re a music lover, check out my hobby blog. I also run promotions and contests there.

Music in Memphis

The gorgeous Beale Street, home of the Blues.

Hey everyone,

Take a minute to shoot over to my other blog Musicjunkie85, where I talk about all things music. You’ll find lists of great covers, famous artists who are from Memphis, Tennessee, and so much more. I’m always interested in featuring new people so if you’d like to guest blog to talk about music, shoot me an email.

Or if you’re a band or singer and you want some help promoting, let me know. I’d be happy to work with you. With nearly 15 years of practice self-promoting and marketing, I have a good idea of what you’ll need to get your name out there. I’ll be setting up a price list soon on both blogs. Don’t forget, I do guest blogging and article writing as well. And, I don’t cost a fortune! Pass it around. Help get new artists names out there. And if you haven’t already, follow me on social media. I’ve got them all.

Check it out!

Hey everyone,

Man’s Best Friend

A horrifying fight between a cobra and two Dachshunds, also called wiener dogs in some areas for their long lanky bodies and short legs, was recently caught on CCTV. Snakes aren’t an uncommon sight in areas like the Philippines, but that doesn’t make it less terrifying when you see one trying to enter the room where your infant child is sleeping.

download (2) — **Miley (black) and Moxie (white)**(Image: ViralPress)

A parent’s nightmare:

Jaime and Pauie Selim returned home from work one day and received quite a shock when they learned that their four-year-old dachshund, Miley, had passed away from poisonous venom. In addition, Moxie, their two-year-old dachshund was now blinded. The two dogs had served their owners well, protecting their home from a deadly invader.

Caught on camera:

After hearing the story from the babysitter, Jaime and Pauie checked their security system and watched in horror as their two tiny dachshunds, a small breed of dog, go head to head with a poisonous cobra, who had found its way into the garden. Just feet from the chaotic fighting, one-year-old infant Skye was napping in her room.

download (3) — **Parents Jaime & Pauie Selim with daughter Skye** (Image: ViralPress)

The graphic video catches the moment that two-year-old Miley noticed the snake and began to bark and attempt to scare the creature away. A streak of black flashes across the screen as four-year-old Moxie rushes in and captures the cobra in her small jaws. The cobra strikes repeatedly but Moxie and Miley continue attacking, corralling the fierce reptile in a safer area.

Final act of heroism:

The fight lasted over a minute as Miley and Moxie worked to get the snake out of the garden and away from their tiny, sleeping master. In the end, the snake was defeated and shortly after, poor Moxie passed away from the snake’s bites. Miley survived the attack, however, she was permanently blinded by the venom.

download (1) — **Heroic Miley and her enemy the cobra**

These two brave ladies showed that dogs aren’t just man (and sleeping infants) best friend, but also their protector, their guardian, their savior, and their hero. Miley may be in doggie heaven, but she’ll continue to be remembered as one little girl’s guardian angel.

Dirty Dozen Weekend

For this weekend’s Dirty Dozen, I decided to post a piece from my completed, yet unpublished novel, A Woman’s Revenge. In this novel, a demon is getting revenge on cheating males by making them pregnant! Paranormal and Demonic Research arrive at the newest crime scene to try and stop her. Instead, she ends up impregnating one of the agents. Here’s a scene between pregnant man Jaxon Diego, and Healer/Empath doctor Mandi Thompson.

~~~

“Oh, sorry about that. It’s a morning thing. I hope you don’t think,” he cut off before he could finish the sentence.

Mandi thrashed her head back and forth. “That would never occur to me. I’m not that type of woman.”

Jaxon pulled her around to face him, oblivious to her discomfort about his arousal and his state of near undress.

“I thought last night went a long way to show you how desirable you are.”

Mandi shrugged. “It’s your condition.”

“The only condition I have around you is horny.”

~~~

Though this book is not yet on sale, I do have one available for 99 cents until December 1st. Heart Over Mind is a paranormal romance e-book which has all types of mythical creatures, great sex, and a life or death situation. You can also buy it in paperback on Amazon.

Be sure to check out other participating authors at http://weekenddirtydozen.blogspot.com/

One lucky commenter can win a free copy of Heart Over Mind. All you have to do is follow this blog, like my fan page, like the Dirty Dozen fanpage, and comment on this post!

Six Sentence Sunday

This Six Sentence Sunday is not intended for children. If you are under the age of 18, leave now.

Cool air touched her skin and she looked down to see her dress inching down her body without anyone touching it. She looked at Gabriel, startled. He wore a smug grin.

“You’re not the only one with telekinesis.”

Nala giggled. The sound turned to a gasp as the dress dropped to a puddle of fabric at her feet, leaving her standing there in a pair of lavender thongs.

If you enjoyed this snippet, you can purchase book at Amazon, for paperback, or Smashwords, for ebook versions. For a limited time, you can purchase Heart Over Mind, ebook version for just 99 cents! Don’t wait. Use coupon code, XQ65F.

Be sure to check out other Six Sentence participates by visiting the official website.

No blogging today!

Sorry my loyal followers, but I ain’t blogging much today. That’s great, you’re so devoted to NaNo, yeah I’ve heard that. HAHA. I wish that was my excuse. Nope my absence will be due to the game of the century, LSU vs Bama! We are throwing down and partying hard. Then, I hope I’ll do NaNo after. I’ve gotten a bit done but I need a lot more to get me back on track.

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