We were lucky to catch up with Chelsea Schreiber recently and have shared our conversation below.
Chelsea , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
In 2019, my life took an unexpected turn. I was fired from my job at a news station because I went into early labor with my son. It was a devastating blow, but also a pivotal moment that forced me to reevaluate my career path. I decided to take the leap and start my own business, focusing on a demographic I felt passionately about—small, women-owned businesses. These businesses often needed help with writing and social media services, and I wanted to provide them with the tools to amplify their voices.
Then, in 2020, COVID-19 hit, and the world as we knew it changed overnight. Local businesses were struggling to survive, and I hustled to help them pivot their operations online. I created content, wrote posts, and helped them connect with their customers in a completely digital landscape. It was a challenging but incredibly rewarding time.
At home with a one-year-old and navigating this new chapter, I found myself yearning for a creative outlet. That’s when the idea of the Lawndale Gnome King was born. It all started with a little gnome in our garden. A neighbor from across the street began leaving notes for the gnome, and I decided to write back. What began as a small exchange turned into something much bigger—soon, I was writing five letters a night to neighbors, many of them children. These letters became a source of connection during a time when the world felt disconnected. Kids wrote the sweetest and most heartbreaking notes, looking for connection in any form they could find. This simple act of communication grew into a community project, fostering joy and hope.
During that same period, I discovered rock painting and the Kindness Rocks Project. It’s a beautiful initiative where people paint rocks and leave them for others to find, spreading joy in unexpected places. Since then, I’ve painted over 5,000 gnome rocks. These little tokens of happiness have been found across the country and even as far as Iceland. Spreading joy has since become one of my life’s missions.
This year, I took that mission to the next level. After picking up a few random story assignments from the local paper I used to work for, I realized that being fired from my job for giving birth to my son didn’t make me any less of a journalist. I was still a journalist—just with a new perspective. I launched my website, Uplift South Bay, to focus on good news stories in my community. The timing was poignant. I launched the site the day after Trump was elected, a day when many people were seeking hope and joy. It wasn’t perfect, but I sent it out into the world and started asking for good news stories from my community.
The response was overwhelming. Within a day, I received 182 emails filled with good news—from small acts of kindness to significant community milestones. I’ve been writing multiple stories each week ever since, many of which get picked up and published in local newspapers and magazines. The traffic to my website has been incredible, and the steady flow of good news story recommendations has been both surprising and deeply fulfilling. The best part is that I’m surrounded by good news every single day now – and it really makes a difference in how I navigate the world. Instead of doom scrolling – I’m shining a light on the goodness in the world.
Through Uplift South Bay, I’ve rediscovered my passion for storytelling. I’m not covering crime or city council meetings anymore. Instead, I’m writing about kindness, goodness, and the extraordinary people in my community who make a difference. I’ve learned that I’m not defined by my job title or past roles. I get to define myself and my work, and that realization has been transformative.
Today, I’m proud to say that I’m not just a journalist—I’m a storyteller, a community builder, and a champion for good news. Uplift South Bay has given me the opportunity to connect with people, share their stories, and remind everyone that there is still so much good in the world. It’s been a journey of reinvention, resilience, and joy, and I’m grateful for every step along the way.
In addition to these endeavors, I have been actively involved in advocating for my community in Lawndale. The Lawndale Gnome Village, which grew from the initial gnome project, became a focal point in our efforts to oppose the proposed Metro C Line extension that threatened to cut through our neighborhood. Through canvassing and organizing, we utilized the connections fostered by the Gnome Village to galvanize community action. This grassroots movement has been incredibly empowering, demonstrating the strength and unity of our community when we come together to protect our shared spaces.
These collective efforts highlight not only my personal resilience but also the resilience of the Lawndale community as we strive to preserve the character and integrity of our neighborhood.
Chelsea , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My journey into my current work has been shaped by resilience, creativity, and a desire to help others. I’m Chelsea Schreiber, a journalist turned entrepreneur, social media manager, and community builder. My career began in journalism, where I spent years reporting on everything from city council meetings to breaking news stories. In 2019, however, life threw me a curveball. I was fired from my job at a news station after going into early labor with my son. That experience, while devastating, ignited a new path for me—one where I could combine my skills in storytelling with a passion for supporting others.
Determined to move forward, I started my own business focusing on providing writing and social media services to small, women-owned businesses. These businesses often lack the resources to amplify their voices in a crowded digital landscape, and I’ve made it my mission to help them succeed. My work includes creating compelling content, managing social media strategies, and helping clients connect with their audiences authentically.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, the need for digital presence became even more critical. I worked tirelessly to help local businesses pivot to online platforms, creating posts, videos, and campaigns that resonated with their communities. It was a time of challenge and growth, both for my clients and myself.
During this period, I also found a creative outlet in an unexpected place—a little gnome in my garden. This whimsical figure became the foundation of the Lawndale Gnome King, a community project where I wrote letters to neighbors and painted kindness rocks. What started as a way to connect with others during lockdown grew into something much bigger. To date, I’ve painted over 5,000 gnome rocks, spreading joy from my neighborhood to places as far as Iceland.
In 2024, I launched Uplift South Bay, a platform dedicated to sharing good news stories from my community. After spending years in traditional journalism, I realized that my passion lies in storytelling that uplifts and inspires. Uplift South Bay focuses on acts of kindness, resilience, and positivity. I’m proud to say that many of these stories are picked up by local newspapers and magazines, reaching even wider audiences.
What sets me apart is the heart behind my work. Whether I’m crafting a social media campaign for a small business or writing a story about a community hero, I approach everything with care, authenticity, and a commitment to making a difference. I believe in the power of stories to connect us, to inspire us, and to remind us of the good in the world.
I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built through my work. My clients, readers, and community members know they can count on me to share their stories with integrity and passion. I want people to know that Uplift South Bay isn’t just a platform for good news; it’s a celebration of our shared humanity and the kindness that connects us all.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My creative journey is driven by a mission to spread positivity and foster community connections through storytelling. As the founder of Uplift South Bay, I focus on sharing good news and celebrating acts of kindness within our community.
By highlighting these uplifting stories, I aim to inspire others and remind us all of the goodness that exists around us. This mission not only guides my work but also fuels my passion for journalism and community engagement.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
In 2019, I faced a significant challenge when I was dismissed from my position at a news station after going into early labor with my son. This unexpected setback compelled me to reassess my career path and led me to establish my own business, focusing on providing writing and social media services to small, women-owned businesses.
The following year, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, especially for local businesses striving to maintain their online presence. During this period, I dedicated myself to assisting these businesses in enhancing their digital engagement, creating content, and managing social media to help them connect with their audiences during lockdowns.
Seeking a creative outlet amid the pandemic, I initiated the Lawndale Gnome King project. It began with a simple gnome in my garden, which sparked a series of letter exchanges with neighbors, particularly children seeking connection during isolating times. This endeavor expanded into painting and distributing over 5,000 gnome-themed kindness rocks, spreading joy both locally and internationally.
In 2024, I launched Uplift South Bay, a platform dedicated to sharing positive news stories from our community. This initiative allowed me to return to journalism on my own terms, focusing on uplifting content that highlights acts of kindness and community spirit.
In addition to these endeavors, I have been actively involved in advocating for my community in Lawndale. The Lawndale Gnome Village, which grew from the initial gnome project, became a focal point in our efforts to oppose the proposed Metro C Line extension that threatened to cut through our neighborhood. Through canvassing and organizing, we utilized the connections fostered by the Gnome Village to galvanize community action. This grassroots movement has been incredibly empowering, demonstrating the strength and unity of our community when we come together to protect our shared spaces.
Reflecting on this journey, it’s remarkable how these diverse experiences—establishing a business, engaging in creative projects, returning to journalism, and community advocacy—have serendipitously converged. Each facet has equipped me with unique skills and perspectives, all aligning towards a singular mission: to effect positive change and bring joy to our community.
These collective efforts highlight not only my personal resilience but also the resilience of the Lawndale community as we strive to preserve the character and integrity of our neighborhood.
Contact Info:
- Website: UpliftSouthBay.com, HermosaSocial.com
- Instagram: @UpliftSouthBay @LawndaleGnomeKing @HermosaSocial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UpliftSouthBay https://www.facebook.com/LawndaleGnomeKing
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseasektnan/
