Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jolie Chan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jolie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we talk about all of your success, let’s start with a story of failure. Can you open up about a time when you’ve failed?

In January 2020, I left my job in higher education due to personal reasons. The global pandemic would unfold merely two months later, and in a reactive state, I started my own business out of what felt like a necessity. Attempting to start and run a successful business from the ground up in a matter of a few months was not only ambitious, but one of the most spontaneous things I’ve ever done. When the only solution to growing my career seemed to be to keep moving forward, I felt like I was struggling just to find my footing. I was hyper-focused on maximizing all the extra free time many of us had while there was nowhere else to be other than our homes. I fell for messaging that promised quick fixes and $10k revenue months within 90 days. This led to me making rash decisions and significant investments. I pommeled my way through building an online marketing strategy by being constantly visible, in hopes of gaining viral traction because again, I thought this was my ticket to success. Somewhere along the way, I started to lose my sense of self and my purpose. I inevitably crashed and burned from exhaustion and minimal sales, so I decided to shut down my business and transition back into a traditional 9-5.

After giving myself proper time to reflect on that experience and process my emotions, I decided to not let the result of my first business stop me from trying again. It’s hard for me to ignore the entrepreneurial itch because deep down, I crave the flexibility to create something beyond the corporate boundaries. I know that my story, and the stories of other marginalized identities, are valuable – with more perspective, we have the resources we need to create a more equitable world. I’m excited to take the lessons that I learned from my first business failure to my freelance copywriting and content writing business. Most importantly: Trust myself, and always let my values lead the way, so that I can feel more assured and authentic in my journey forward.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a Copywriter & Content Writer, and it’s been a nonlinear journey getting here. My degree is in Communications, and my first job was in tech writing, which wasn’t exactly the most exciting path into writing for me. Feeling isolated right out of college, I craved meaningful connection with others, and found roles in education and wellness that allowed me to build in-person relationships and to provide in a more nurturing way. Ultimately, the global pandemic had me reflecting on what I want in this next chapter of my life. I realized that my desire to write never really went away even as my career shifted, especially as I found my own voice and encountered the stories of many others.

Now, I help purpose-driven wellness & lifestyle businesses who are struggling to connect with future clients by offering compelling copy to help them grow their businesses. The wellness industry has not always been the most inclusive space, and there are still growing pains. However, I believe that “We are not well until we are ALL well,” and that we need more perspectives in order to create meaningful change. When I write your content, I honor your vision alongside your essence so that you can connect with and book dream clients. I’m proud of my ability to make others feel seen and heard, which allows me to craft copy that helps others feel understood.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

When I started freelancing the first time, I thought I needed to be considered a legitimate business in my first attempt at entrepreneurship. So, I regrettably spent a pretty penny investing in software and resources that I probably didn’t need to invest in. I wish I had known about more affordable options, like AppSumo (with single purchase model) or Squarespace (with its built-in tools), that would’ve allowed me to run more lean as a self-funded business. It would’ve been more ideal to feel less pressure to make those investments seem worth it, and instead, focus that energy on shaping a business that truly aligned with my values and was more sustainable.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Being raised in a white suburban neighborhood in the 90s, I grew up feeling like no stories really reflected or mirrored my own as an Asian American daughter of immigrants. It made growing up particularly lonely thinking that if no one looked like me, then my own story didn’t really matter. As I reclaimed my own identity, found mentors, and advocated for my needs, I realized the importance of my voice and the impact I could make, just by being me. I’ve gotten lost many times trying to follow someone else’s narrative of who I am and should be because I felt like I couldn’t trust my own instinct or direction. But, I’m slowly unlearning the people-pleasing side of me, and creating a path that reflects my own interests, especially my creative pursuits. A few years ago, I suffered a loss that has also propelled me forward in taking that next step, so one day, when I look back on all of this, I know that I lived for me, and no one else.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.byjoliechan.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byjoliechan/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joliecchan/

Image Credits

Georgie Morley, Iara Santana, Jenny Rudin