An Interview with the Lorraine Reguly: Freelance Writer, Editor, & Coach at Wording Well

Name: Lorraine Reguly
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Business Name: Wording Well
Established: 2014

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WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS?

My name is Lorraine Reguly and I am an author and a certified English teacher-turned-freelancer for hire.

I run Wording Well, where I offer 4 services:

1. Writing
2. Editing
3. Coaching/Mentoring/Consulting
4. Author Assistant Services

My blog provides various tips for bloggers, writers, freelancers, authors, and other entrepreneurs. Check out the Resource Kit page on Wording Well for freebies as well as productivity and success tips!

Because my life journey is motivational and inspirational, I wrote a book called FROM NOPE TO HOPE, which is a self-help book that contains a built-in workbook and is designed to help anyone who wishes to lead a happier life, especially if they suffer from suicidal thoughts or depression.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

I began blogging on a free platform called WordPress.com and wrote several blog posts that ranked on the first page of Google. I also started earning money from writing for others (which I never set out to do!) and so I started offering my writing and editing services to others.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR INDUSTRY OR NICHE?

I have always loved working with words and it made sense for me to build a business around my passion!

DO YOU DO THIS FULL TIME? IF YES, WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THIS? IF NO, WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO?

I taught high school Math and English for about three-and-a-half years. I also worked as a prostitute, for years. Each of those jobs had their perks, but none offered me as much freedom as being an entrepreneur does!

I love what I do now. It's also a respectful job. Plus, working part-time supplements my disability income (I was in a bad accident in 2005 and nearly lost my right leg).

DID YOU GO TO COLLEGE? IF SO, WHAT DID YOU STUDY?

I went to university and studied Math, English, and Psychology. I obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Education degree. I also took a course in Conversational Spanish in college, because I love the language. It came in handy when I took a trip to the Dominican Republic in 2016!

HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR? WHY OR WHY NOT?

Actually, no. It never crossed my mind!

I have, however, always enjoyed helping others. I still do.

My business allows me to serve others in many ways. Being an author does, too.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST LESSONS YOU’VE LEARNED SINCE STARTING YOUR BUSINESS?

I have learned many lessons about freelancing, running a business on my own, and about myself, in general.

When I decided to buckle down and finish writing FROM NOPE TO HOPE, I learned that discipline pays off. I am almost ashamed to say that my life was void of goals and discipline before I began running my business!

In the last two years, I discovered that I loved editing more than I love writing for others (although I still and always will love writing poetry), and so I now earn the bulk of my income by helping others edit (and format) their books. Helping others become authors and making their dreams come true is definitely rewarding!

I have also learned that the old saying is true… if you love your job, you'll never have to work a day in your life! However, that's not ENTIRELY true because there are many responsibilities when it comes to running an online business (including maintaining a strong social media presence, marketing your business, keeping on top of all of the emails and notifications, etc.). But I've learned to hire help when I need it!

WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU THE MOST ABOUT ENTREPRENEURSHIP?

The most surprising thing is the amount of work there is to establish an online following. Starting a business is easy. Growing a business is harder. You have to constantly keep working at marketing your business online, across ALL social media platforms. There are many responsibilities to this and it's time-consuming! However, the flexibility of working from home and having certain freedoms entrepreneurship allows is REMARKABLE.

WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS?

Aspiring entrepreneurs should be prepared to work hard during the first couple of years, and NEVER GIVE UP, even when things are tough. Persistence and patience are the keys to success!

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH SETBACKS AND IMPOSTER SYNDROME?

I keep going.

I realize that setbacks are temporary, that life happens, and I accept it.

If I get down or depressed or feel like a failure, I take a moment to look back on all that I have achieved. This gives me the pat on the back that I need and it motivates me to keep going!

WHAT DO YOU LOVE THE MOST ABOUT BEING A CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR AND DOING WHAT YOU DO?

I love the flexibility and the freedoms it offers. I can set my own hours and work whenever I want. I am a nighthawk and love working at night when it's quiet. I also love working from home, especially in the winter (I live in Canada, in a city where it is cold for most of the year). I don't have to commute or brave Nature's nasty elements!

IF YOU WEREN’T A CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?

I would likely be resting six feet under my grave. Haha!

WHAT DOES SUCCESS MEAN TO YOU?

Success = freedoms… the freedom to do what you want, whenever you want. By this definition, I am largely successful.

WHAT IS YOUR WHY?

I love helping others and I love working with words. I am blessed to be able to earn an income from doing what I love to do and would encourage ANYONE with a passion to find a way to earn a living from using it!

IMAGINE IT’S A YEAR FROM NOW AND YOU’RE CELEBRATING WHAT A GREAT YEAR IT WAS FOR YOUR BUSINESS. WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE ACHIEVED?

In a year from today, I will be celebrating! I will be able to say that I created a course on how to do what I do (How to Become a Freelance Editor), I published a book of my own poetry, I published the book about Canadian poetry that I wrote while I was in university, and that I helped a few more people become authors (and assisted them in realizing THEIR dreams!).

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL/WHO DO YOU LOOK TO FOR INSPIRATION AND WHY?

I don't have a particular role model but I do admire a few people. One such person is Maxwell Ivey, Jr. He is an author, an entrepreneur, a podcaster, an online media publicist, a coach, and a true inspiration because he is blind. If he can do all he does without having the ability to see, then I certainly don't have any excuse for not reaching my goals! Max is known as The Blind Blogger and aptly named his podcast “What's Your Excuse?” He also lost a lot of weight. He used to be 512 pounds. He now weighs around 250, which is a great weight for his 6-foot-something frame! We should all aspire to be that awesome and successful!

WHO HAVE BEEN THREE OF THE BIGGEST SUPPORTERS ON YOUR BUSINESS JOURNEY?

1. Maxwell Ivey, Jr. is a huge fan of mine. Of course, I am his editor, too.
2. Elna Cain is a freelancer who lives in my city and I met her online after she signed up to my email list. When she received her free e-book, she noticed my address and reached out to me! We meet regularly at Starbucks to talk about our business and we learn from each other.
3. My online friends, colleagues, and followers are also very supportive. I'm blessed to have them and appreciate each and every one!

WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO?

I'm sure this won't come as a surprise but I like reading and writing! I love reading murder mystery novels (paperback ones!) and I enjoy writing poetry.

I also like playing cards with my parents, watching TV and movies, swimming, painting, talking to friends, and eating. (Send pizza and chocolate, please!)

WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS AN INTROVERT OR AN EXTROVERT? HOW DO YOU THINK THAT IMPACTS YOUR BUSINESS?

I am definitely an extrovert. I love talking to others and helping them, in any way I can, whether it's with a personal or a professional problem. I'm great at solving problems and guiding others to the right path. My skill-set in this area has enabled me to charge higher prices for coaching because clients see results!

DO YOU HAVE TIPS FOR STAYING PRODUCTIVE WHILE WORKING FROM HOME?

It's important to maintain a healthy work-life balance and I do exactly that. I follow the tips outlined in my freebie called How to Find a Good Work-Life Balance.

A FEW OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS

WHAT IS A BUSINESS TOOL YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?

Google Docs is amazing. It has a phone app that allows you to work offline (without Internet access) and is great for note-taking. I love it because I can write/record ANYTHING wherever I happen to be. I also use the speech-to-text option when I don't feel like typing or entering my thoughts using my phone's keypad. It's a FANTASTIC tool. Plus, it's free (if you have a Gmail account).

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR AFFIRMATION?

Albert Einstein said, “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” This is important because people will remember you for WHO you are, not WHAT you are. (No one likes @$$holes who have tons of money. They like real, helpful people who possess integrity!)

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PODCAST?

No. I don't actually listen to many podcasts, although I have appeared on many! Becoming Your Greatest Self (Chris Burns' podcast) is pretty great.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BLOG?

I love Elna Cain's writing. I also love Leslie Tucker's. Elna is found at ElnaCain.com and TwinsMommy.com and Leslie's blog is Up and Forward on Purpose.

Both write from the heart and are extremely helpful and motivational… with different target audiences. Check them out. You'll love them, too!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BUSINESS OR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT BOOK?

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill is great because it outlines the principles of success.

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