Why I Love My Job

I love my job. They say if you do something you love, you never work a day in your life. Well, let me tell you, I work my butt off! And I love it. Read the article I wrote about my job here.

Did you see me? I was on WFRV Channel 5 News.

This is one of the three clips I was in that aired yesterday.  Thanks Channel 5. (It's the one about Owens)



Too bad they spelled my name wrong. I'm not "Tara Fletcher."

Ode to Owens, Inc. - The Passing of my "Day Job"

This is not how I pictured this day to be. There was no pomp. No circumstance. No great feeling of liberation. No symbolic leap taking.

I expected someday to write a blog post exclaiming that I had finally quit my day job. I imagined how that would smell, taste, and feel. There is no glory. No feeling of relief or grand accomplishment. The doors just closed.

I came to Owens as an optimistic 21 year old. I brought a fresh perspective and willingness to learn. I started entering daily production information 20 hours a week. The list of what I’ve done and learned since then is long. Professionally- I’ve grown immensely.

I became the resident Excel guru and proofreading extraordinaire. I was the keeper of data. The go-to girl. If you needed a graph or chart of sales for the last five years sorted by state and specie and profit margin and color-coded to match the salespersons’ hair color- you came to me. I dabbled in customer service and marketing. I did my time answering phones. I even filled-in on the production line, sanding doors. I could tell you the standard labor and overhead rate for a square foot of finished flooring. I could tell you the Kanban quantities that were set for French door mullion.

Personally- I’ve changed. Since I’ve been working with Owens my tastes and hobbies have grown. I’ve come to know myself better. (I now understand why they say the human mind isn’t fully developed until age 25.) I’ve rekindled my love for writing and started freelancing. My husband and I bought a house. We had our first child.

For five years I was a dedicated Owens’ employee. I hardly ever said no. I faced challenges and new assignments head-on. I’ve taken classes and attended meetings. Owens was a good place for someone like me. Someone that doesn’t do well if they get bored. Someone that needs more work than they can handle. Someone that always wanted to learn.

Now, I’m asking, “What’s next?” I have such a mix of conflicting feelings. I’ve given a lot of myself to this company. Owens was a good company that made really good products. I can’t say I’ll miss the year-end inventories that had me working (on one occasion) 18 hours straight. I don’t think I’ll miss all the sawdust. Of course, many of the people there I will miss.

When I was pregnant I thought about how nice it would be if I could work from home. For a little while I thought I was close to realizing that dream. Then things changed. After selling so many articles so fast, suddenly no one was hiring freelancers any more. I never lost the passion for writing. It got buried away a little bit, but would always resurface.

I think this entrepreneurial spirit must be in my blood. There really is no logical explanation for someone to start their own business. It must be genetic. I witnessed my parents’ business ventures and all the hassles and headaches that came with them. For some reason, that is what I want. And I have a strong desire to see businesses succeed.  Maybe that's why I like business writing so much.

I always thought someday, in my own sweet time, I’d quit that day job. Now unemployment has been thrust upon me. I didn’t take the leap, but I was nudged. The question is, “Do I jump?” All these clichés and metaphors are coming to me now. Sink or swim. Taking the leap. No there was no press release, no going away party, no well-wishers, no investors. It’s just me. Me with a pen and a little more time to do my thing.



*Thank you Owens for five great years and for this fresh start.

Special on Writing Services!

I’m running a special on writing services for the month of December. If you sign up for a free subscription to my blog you’ll get 10% off any writing services contracted during the month of December 2010. Services do not have to be completed during the month of December, but the contract must be signed within the month. Please call or email with any questions. I can be reached at 715-584-6773 or terra@fletcherfreelance.com.

Benefits of Hiring a Freelance Writer

Affordability

Most small and mid-size businesses don’t have the need to hire a full-time writer. In addition to the payroll costs, consider the taxes, benefits, and office space that would be required to employ another person. Ad agencies also charge rates that are outside the budgets of many companies. A freelancer has very low overhead and can reflect that in their rates.

Quality

Freelancers live or die by word-of-mouth advertising. They work hard to create quality copy so you tell your colleagues about them. Freelance writers also produce copy for a wide variety of industries and are able to bring a fresh perspective to your business. A freelancer becomes an extension of your marketing team.

They know what works and require very little of your direct involvement. Your time is better spent doing your thing. However, if you need personal attention and additional advice a freelancer is more likely to be in a position to interact with you. Small and mid-size businesses have to compete with large corporations to get attention from ad agencies. Unlike an agency, when you work with a freelancer you have the benefit of directly interfacing with the person that is producing your copy.

Turnaround

Freelance writers want to work and are almost always available. Most freelancers are not tied down to a strict 9 to 5 schedule. I’ve gotten phone calls at 8pm and I’ve done writing on Sunday afternoons. If I don’t work, I don’t get paid. Freelancers are highly motivated entrepreneurs. A freelancer can’t afford to hold on to a project for long periods of time. If they don’t do their work, no one else will do it for them. If you are really in a rush, a freelancer’s rush charge will be significantly less than that of an agency.

Picture of Me!

I was just checking out Kristy's website. She's got a picture of me on there! I haven't gotten my proofs back from her yet, but I guess I got a sneak preview. She also did one-year-old pictures of my son. (That's him on her photography page.) C'mon, you know you're curious! Go check it out.

Thanks Kristy!

Valley of the STARZ

I’m very excited to be working with Teo from Valley of the STARZ. Teo has an impressive business background. A few years ago he decided to start an entertainment agency. Valley of the STARZ features quality musicians, professional impersonators, comedians, and actors. Teo has hired me to help with the content on his site. If you are looking for some entertainment for your next event, be sure to check out Valley of the STARZ.

Don’t forget to check back as I transform Teo’s website!