We’re continuing to share a different story each week of how a past student has been able to significantly grow their freelance business by applying the concepts they learned from Double Your Freelancing (check out last week’s with William Durkin).
Judy Helm Wright owns a publishing company, Artichoke Press and recently launched Death of My Pet, which is in the “pet grief” niche. Judy’s also been a speaker and trainer on family relationships for the last 25 years.
I am a creative, intuitive wise woman who likes to learn and earn in various ways.
We have owned a number of small businesses and found that I really did not like to boss people around. I expected them to have the same work ethic and drive I did. I wanted them to be as committed to my ideas as I was.
However, when I was working in Corporate America, I found that I really hated being bossed around. I was a lousy employee and was much like the ones who had worked for me.
Building my websites, blogs and landing pages to attract customers. I have more authority, ideas and experience than cash, so it is difficult to find talented people who will do the techy stuff on a consistent part-time basis.
I have found using interns from the University of Montana to be good in some instances. Some of them come ready to learn and be mentored. Some need to be re-parented.
Two years ago a group of interns were in my office whining about not being able to get jobs and that they would have to stay in college forever, or until they could teach. They were afraid if they got out of college, they would have to start paying for college student loans and they were unable to land exciting jobs in their fields of training.
The result is a great book called, How To Make Fast Cash—Fun And Legal Ways To Earn More Money In A Weekend. It is available at Amazon and also on Welcome Abundance.
Of course, but I have a “calling,” not just a career. My calling is to be an “Auntie Artichoke” (an honorary title given to me in Hawaii—it means wise woman who loves unconditionally).
I was trying to decide if I wanted to keep marketing parenting and family relationship books or switch emphasis to pet bereavement.
I also had a marketing brochure made that describes what I do. It forced me to really focus and drill down on what I do best.
After working with low income and court appointed families for 25 years, I had to recognize and realize that not everyone is broke.
I have moved my mindset and customer base to high-end consumers who want and need tribute books written about their pets and coaching for their grief process.
An unbelievable opportunity to expand my reach and focus, and make some serious bank for my talents and skills.
I did a deep evaluation of my business in January of 2015. I have over 20 books on Amazon and have published four books for other clients. However, the best selling of all my books is one called, I Lost My Best Friend Today- Dealing With The Loss of a Beloved Pet.
It was selling two to one of any of my parenting and relationship books. So I meditated, prayed, pondered and prepared to shift my niche to being a Pet Grief Coach and writing pet memoirs and coaching grieving pet parents.
I am excited to do a number of online classes, webinars and teleclasses on this subject and perhaps even start a Pet Coaching Academy, giving certification to those who undergo training.
Judy H. Wright has owned Artichoke Press for the last 20 years and has been a speaker/trainer on family relationships for 25 years. Recently, she launched a passion project, Death of My Pet, which offers grief recovery support for pet lovers.
Judy also offers personal coaching and guidance, pet loss support groups, pet tributes and memorials, therapeutic resources, podcasts, and books. Feel free to connect with Judy via her website or by emailing her directly.