Meet Willow Paule | Content Creator
We had the good fortune of connecting with Willow Paule and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Willow, what role has risk played in your life or career?
My life wouldn’t have been nearly as interesting if I hadn’t taken risks. I never related to the idea of fearlessness, though, because every time I make a big decision, I get incredibly scared. But then, I work past the fear.
In high school, when I couldn’t go to the country I was planning to as an exchange student, I decided to accept a last-minute opportunity to go to Thailand instead. I didn’t know the language at all, but I learned it.
I’ve said “Yes’ to travel in countries around the world, Through these experiences, I’ve learned a lot about communication, and that “common sense” is really more about culture.
While living in Indonesia, I invited an American traveler to stay at my place. She raved about Jeju, Korea, so I moved there for two years. Other travel highlights were when I rode on bus rooftops in Bangladesh, or when I balanced huge bags of groceries on motorbikes in Indonesia.
About a decade ago, I gave notice to my boss at an old job. I decided to head to a new city, and I was bemoaning the fact that I had to pack. She said, “But you wouldn’t have to pack if you didn’t decide to move.” That comment has always stuck with me. A stationary life works for some people, but it wouldn’t have been fun for me, especially in my 20s and 30s.
And when, in 2018, I needed a job I could do online, I decided to invest time and effort into figuring out what type of work to do. What started as a virtual assisting business is now a thriving content creation and repurposing business, that could not have come into existence without my openness to risk.
For me, taking risks has been instrumental in leading a fulfilling and interesting life.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I want to meet the person who says building their own business was a piece of cake! Personally, my business was built out of necessity. I was living overseas, needed income, and could only work online. Luckily, I had grown up around entrepreneurs (my parents) and had also owned a photography business in the past. So I had those experiences to draw on.
I want my clients to enjoy content creation–I want them to have fun expressing themselves because it’s just more sustainable that way. Most of my clients work for themselves, so I figure, they should get as much enjoyment out of what they do as possible!
My goal is always to tell my clients’ stories and share their purpose in a distinct, creative way so they can have more: more leads, more connections, more time – to focus on their business, their big goals, and (most importantly) so they have time away from their computer.
I’ve discovered that the social part of working from home is the toughest part. Although I’m solidly an introvert, I get isolated. I have to make an effort to be part of coworking groups and catch up with other business owners. Talking with my own clients also helps.
Once I get my social aspect taken care of, it’s much easier for me to make decisions about my business, and to not despair. There are definitely ups and downs, and that’s why human interaction is so important to me.
Also, I want to offer an alternate way of looking at struggles. I think every business owner encounters them and will continue to. It’s not like once you reach a certain level of success or income, the struggles go away. But the more times you handle those struggles, the more adept you get at it.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mom has always encouraged my curiosity and given me the freedom to make my own choices. She and my dad were also my role models when it came to entrepreneurship. I grew up in their home-based clothing business.
Despite growing up in a different era, my mom has always been quite independent–taking trips by herself, making choices in the small business she owns now, and getting involved in local causes she’s passionate about. She hasn’t been afraid to live life on her own terms, despite how it went against the grain of the norms in her family. She has instilled a sense of freedom and always supported me in exploring my creativity.
Website: www.willowpaule.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowpaulecreative/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willow-paule-101/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willowpaulecreativethatsme
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
