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

Laura, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Picture it: cleaning the house at 5 AM and finding whiskey in the Klarbrunn cans, liquor and beer bottles hiding in the closet, bathroom, waste baskets… after the umpteenth time they said how great it feels to be sober. The day prior, a client called asking about their insurance coverage while their partner was asking them why they were lying to me, and why wouldn’t they mention [specific policy-changing information]. I was done. I was done with all of it.
I had spent decades as a salesperson or business owner for the wrong people or in the wrong places for too long, and my personal life wasn’t any better. If I didn’t choose change, I knew I would be living out the definition of insanity.

So I changed everything. And in my new apartment four hours away from that scenario I left, I asked myself who the hell I really was and what was I going to do with my life, now that it was mine again. The answers? I’m colorful. I’m loud. I’m a writer. And I’m bisexual. When I came out as a writer and bisexual at the same time, no one was surprised. My family and friends said I’ve always been a writer and of course I was bisexual.

Award-winning sales experience + writing passion = copywriting. That took off quite well, very quickly.
And then I wrote a gender-neutral Interchangeable Action Novel© (choose-your-own-adventure style book) about an insurance agent acting like a secret agent called, “Licensed to Sell.” Now I’ve been hired to write another IAN for a trans client. It’s a fictional take on their real life experiences and what they needed to happen instead of what did/does. This. This right here. This incredible career helping people heal and share their powerful stories is exactly what is worth the risk to change everything.

Laura, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Each year and half year I tend to fine tune and recalibrate what I do to better live out my purpose and better help people. The more I lean in to my LGBTQ+ community, locally and across the globe, the more I realize my purpose is to celebrate LGBTQ+ voices, driving creativity, progress, and equitable opportunities. It’s happening.
It’s by no accident that I have ten more beautiful, talented, inspirational guests lined up for my new ✨Be the Glitter ✨ podcast. Radiant rebels wasted no time to get on the schedule. These stories and words of wisdom must be shared so this gorgeous inspiration ripples out wide.
In addition to this, I keep working on this incredible book. Yes, it’s an Interchangeable Action Novel© but it’s going to be nothing like, “Licensed to Sell.” We’re turning the IAN on it’s head, amplifying the voices, diving deeper into emotional intelligence, submerging the reader into real life experiences with intensified textures, and challenging ourselves to provide more happy endings than sad, because they are possible if we just keep supporting each other.
Look for my workshops. I host a few different kinds. A Mission & Vision online workshop for those who need to work/rework theirs. A Relationship Solar System workshop, for entrepreneurs who need to work out who is hurting or helping them with their mission. And writing workshops, usually helping people overcome their inner critic and find healing stories for themselves.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

It’s not about me and it’s all about me.
Happiness is far more important than chasing the income.
Purpose is essential for that happiness. And I’m not using a Hallmark version of happiness here. I’m talking deep inner happiness that lifts your chest and makes you feel like butterflies are going to help you fly. I didn’t know that’s how happiness felt until I started my life all over again, for me. For the love!
And what helps you find that purpose is finding your intention. How do you intend to make your life count? What is the intention you bring to your presence when you show up anywhere? How can you be as YOU as you can be?

I had to unlearn working for income. I had to turn off the drive for prizes, awards, and recognition. I had to learn that my work is not about me or some stupid crystal trophy. My work is about my clients. And not their bottom line, solely, but their mission. Their intentions to make the world a better place. By helping others, I’m helping myself. And I can’t help others unless I love myself and take good care of myself.
It’s a symbiotic relationship.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Art is essential.
The process of making art is so crucial to a healthy brain and effective problem-solving.
And you don’t have to be “good.” You just have to make time for it, allow yourself to play, and embrace the beauty of imperfection. Enjoy the process of making the art, without worrying so much about the art itself.

Staring at CRMs and spreadsheets and webinars all day only gets you so far. Yes, take that walk too. I think we can all agree we need exercise to get more oxygen in the brain. We got it. There’s a gym near you. Good.

Art gets pushed aside yet that is absolutely a must-have in life. Truly.
You’ll learn so much more about yourself, you’ll unlock trapped ideas, you’ll surprise yourself, you’ll help your mind and heart, and you might even find a new way to connect and understand someone you wouldn’t have if you had not made art an essential part of your life. Your life will be richer in ways you just forget to value right now.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.waamwritesllc.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurapaisleybeck/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WaamWritesLLC
• Other: https://waamwrites-newsletter.beehiiv.com

Image Credits

Glenda Mitchell Creative, photographed my profile photo.