Hera Hub is excited to share Startup Stories from our members in honor of National Entrepreneurship Week. Each day this week we will interview incredible business women from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. Our goal is to share our members’ wonderful stories with the public.

Lindsey O’Connor is a writer, editor and storyteller. She works with business owners who want to share their story, brand and voice online through engaging written content and compelling (read: not corny) video marketing.

“Whether you are just opening your real-life or virtual doors for the first time, or you’ve been a business owner for a while, your story and content needs to be shared in a way that makes people feel super connected and invested in your brand. I’m here to help you share your business with the world in a way that is unique, genuine and totally ‘spot-on’.”

Lindsey has been a member of our Mission Valley, California location for one year. Here is Lindsey’s Startup Story:

I had a very specific lifestyle that I wanted to create: one that included location independence, time freedom and loving the work I do on a daily basis. I was very focused on that vision and I used the skills and talents I had as a writer, editor and storyteller to create a business that supported that kind of lifestyle.

My clients are all kinds of awesome. But, more specifically, I work with business owners who want to authentically share their story, brand and voice online through engaging written content and compelling video marketing. Whether my client is just opening their real-life or virtual doors for the first time, or they have been in business for a while, I help them share their story in a way that makes people feel connected and invested in their brand. Not only does this authentic storytelling create lifelong fans and an engaged customer base, it also increases profits. (Which, let’s be real, is kinda important in the biz world!)

My business is all about trust, love, honesty, humor, fun and passion. These are very much my own personal values as well. I value kindness, honesty, following your heart (+ taking your brain with you!), going for it and honoring your soul’s calling. I’m open-minded, welcoming and friendly and I want to create a business where people feel like they’re working with a mentor, as well as a friend. Someone who is on their team and helping them share their passion, drive and story unapologetically with the world. In my eyes, they’re a rockstar and I want them to feel valued.

After going through a few business names, I actually settled on, well, my own name! I found that more and more people were coming to me (via referrals and word-of-mouth) because they wanted to specifically work with me. Not because I was the best copywriter or storyteller in the world, but because they appreciated how I worked with and valued my clients and they connected with my personality, energy and humor. I am very much my brand and my clients get to know me well through our work together, whether it’s with copywriting or branding/marketing videos.

Location independence and time freedom! I can work from a coffee shop down the street in my neighborhood or an AirBnB in Seville, Spain (which I did for 6 weeks in 2016!) I have flexibility and time to see my family and friends and I love the work I do. I also get to meet and work with some amazing and inspirational people.

Playing small and allowing fear to get in the way. As a business owner, each day you are forced outside your comfort zone. Or should I say, “presented with the opportunity to go outside your comfort zone?” Fear and limiting beliefs can hold you back and keep you safe (i.e. stuck) and your business will not grow. Each day you have to keep encouraging yourself to take a deep breath, go for it and grow! Even if it means doing something scary or something “big.”

Keep growing and working with more business owners to share their story via written word and video. I want to travel and live abroad at least once a year…where I can enjoy some time off, but also take advantage of being able to work from my laptop and wi-fi. I also have a YouTube travel series called, “Travels with Lindsey,” where I highlight unique destination points for both locals and tourists alike…my goal is to keep growing this series and have episodes come out on a weekly basis.

Never give up! There will be days when you curl up in a ball and cry- and that’s ok! But let yourself feel, then keep going for it and keep your vision strong. Surround yourself with an inspiring, supportive and driven community of other entrepreneurs – that is SO important. Never be afraid to ask for help or support either. My business grew exponentially when I realized I didn’t have to figure it all out on my own.