Anti 9-to-5 profile: Leslye Wood
March 6th, 2007
The anti 9-to-5er: Leslye Wood, Seattle (featured in The Anti 9-to-5 Guide!)
My job: Freelance marketing communications — strategy, messaging, copywriting since 1997.
What makes my gig anti 9-to-5: Within the scope and timeline of each project, I can work whenever and wherever I like. I can choose my clients. The profits from my corporate work fund the pro-bono work [freebies] I do for organizations and causes I’m passionate about. After nearly 10 years, the freedom of this still astounds and delights me.
What I did in my former 9-to-5 life: In my corporate incarnation, I went from an eager first-time manager who loved my work to a burned-out executive zombie in 12 progressively more stressful years. As I worked my way up to Director of Marketing and Sales, the work required me to be increasingly disconnected from the things I loved to do and increasingly engaged in the things I didn’t love to do. The hours got longer and the satisfaction thinner. I woke up one morning and realized I was miserable.
How I made the anti 9-to-5 leap: In classic “best thing that ever happened to me” style, I lost my job and found my passion. I was lucky enough to have a modest severance package, which allowed me the luxury to not rush into my next chapter. Even so, I had only set my sights on a similar position in a less crazy company. But through sheer synchronicity, while interviewing and hoping for the perfect job offer, I stumbled on the opportunity to try some freelance corporate communications. I was hooked. When the job offer of my dreams came, I turned it down and jumped off the cliff into entrepreneurship.
My biggest obstacles: I was recently divorced, had one kid in college and another to follow shortly. I had a big mortgage and no guarantee of freelance work. I didn’t really even know what a copywriter was. It didn’t matter. I knew I had discovered a gift for writing and a strong pull to create a business. I felt that if I turned my back on the opportunity and played it safe, I might not get another chance. A lot of people have told me how much they admire the courage it took to make this decision. But frankly, although I went through the motions of evaluating the job offer, it really didn’t feel like a decision. I just knew I had to do it.
My tips for other cubicle expats:
- Find a niche or two where you can really shine.
- Hone your craft continually.
- Build relationships and empathy with your clients — understand their daily pain points and become someone who helps relieve them.
- Be more than a writer — offer expertise in strategy, ask hard questions and challenge assumptions, stay on top of your clients’ industries.
What’s that link again? My business site: ljwood.com. My current pro-bono work in Nigeria: blog.ljwood.com and SweetCrudeMovie.com.
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Entry Filed under: Anti 9-to-5 profiles
9 Comments Add your own
1. Barbara Gilday | March 7th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Congratulations, Leslie! So good to see Leslie up there. She is a gem. We were roomies on our Nigerian journey in 2005.
I too jumped ship last year after my return from Africa, and am finding new life at an age when most people don’t expect it.
To all of us courageous souls who choose to follow their passions and find a richer, fuller life! Hurrahhhh!!!
2. Nance Daiker | March 7th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Hi Friend!
Loved seeing your words expressing your passion and going for it. You are an inspiration to so many of us.
I followed my passion these last 5 years working with homeless women and my only regret was I didn’t find my passion sooner. I’m still a 9-5ver, but it doesn’t seem to matter.
I also realize that I have more than one passion and will be pursuing other ventures in my retirement in July. I’m so excited and feel that I have so much more to give. What a great time to be alive!!!
Keep inspiring us girl friend!!!
3. Noah Wood | March 7th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Way to go Mom!
We were proud of you then, now, and for all that is to come. The story keeps getting better.
4. Glenn Olson | March 7th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
I can vouch that Leslye a) is great to work with, b) asks the tough questions, c) doesn’t take easy answers, and d) delivers great results. Glad she found her passion!!
5. carol rabin | March 7th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Your passion , perseverance enthusiasm and glowing smile is catching !
I am so proud of you.
Carol
6. Michelle Goodman | March 7th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
ahhhhh, this is what every anti 9-to-5er needs: friends and family cheering her on. way to go, leslye’s F&F (and of course, leslye)!
7. Susan Hartman | March 7th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
I knew you when you were a 10th grade girl writer. And now you’re such a savvy, grown-up one. Looking forward to what you do next…
8. Patsy Stewart | March 13th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Leslye,
You’re bringing me along into the information age; this is the first time I’ve responded to a blog. I guess that confirms that you are good at motivating people.
9. Barbara & Jerry Ackerman | March 24th, 2007 at 11:57 am
We are so very proud of all you have achieved. We are not surprised however since you were always highly intelligent with a free spirit and a strong sense of what is right and wrong. We admire your efforts on behalf of Nigeria but then you were always a very giving person. We remember, with admiration, your trips to Appalachia and other places in the country helping underprivileged people. Keep up your wonderful work Leslye the world needs people like you. We love you very much.
Mom & Dad
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