We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laura Gagliardi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laura below.

Laura, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

It usually happens while I’m sitting peacefully with my cup of decaf latte or tea. I could be at home, watching the ocean from my window, or at a Starbucks watching cars and people going back and forth. I think of the pros and cons of being my own boss now and I wonder what it would be like to once again having to drive for hours from one corner of LA to another, to work a 9 to 5. Don’t get me wrong; I appreciated the routine, but I always dreaded setting the alarm to wake up. My brain would just stay awake waiting for that beeping sound and now, I don’t need it. For whatever reason I wake up by myself, at the right time, usually around dawn, and I have all the time to walk my dog, feed her, take care of myself and then start the day. Meetings, calls and the projects I am working on, helping clients, are there waiting for me. Not vice-versa.
I sometimes crave the stability of a regular job, because it would probably help with having that 9-5 consistency and all those guarantees that, for example, a bank would require for a mortgage, a new car, and all… but then, again, I find myself holding my drink and I sigh. I see the freedom I have. I see the time I sometimes waste doing nothing. I should probably not even consider it a waste at all, since it’s time for me to recharge.
So, I would not trade my freedom for… a 9 to 5, a boss, coworkers, traffic. No. Many think this is crazy, because you get the financial stability and all its perks. But once you learn that you can still make it while shakingly walking a fine line, you’re all set. I noticed that more doors open for you when you dare to do what most people are scared of: own your truth.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve been given many labels and roles throughout the years, and eventually we landed with a few simple words that define what people like me provide to others: we’re content designers, the strategists behind what you see in what you use on a regular basis, the writers that made it possible for you to have a great experience with this or that product.

I embarked on my career in the field of content design and UX writing with a passion for making technology and the world around us more accessible and user-friendly. My fascination with language, psychology, and technology converged to lead me down this rewarding path. I’ve always been a wordsmith at heart, and my journey started with writing for various online platforms and publications, honing my skills in crafting compelling narratives and user-focused content.

Everything I do for work revolves around crafting a product that enhances what you, us, aka users, experience on our day-to-day. Among other things, I create content that guides customers intuitively through digital interfaces, ensuring clarity, consistency, and engagement that resonate with the audience. I craft microinteractions, -you know those buttons you tap on when you’re using an app, or a website ..?- they’re not there by chance. There’s a thought process behind everything. If you want a better user experience, then the strategy behind that product needs to change.

Basically, I help businesses get better for their customers. I help them bridge the gap between their offerings and their audience by ensuring that the right message is delivered at the right time, leading to increased user satisfaction, engagement, and conversions, just to use some technical verbiage.

You asked, what sets me apart. Hmm. Well, my adaptability, I’d say, is my key strength. I can seamlessly integrate into various industries, from tech startups to e-commerce giants, to provide tailored solutions that fix the issues I was “hired” for, on a contract basis. So far I worked with private companies, schools, beauty brands, small brands and big brands like TikTok, Amazon, Snapchat, Verizon… and they keep coming; it’s all in my resume.
Maybe even the fact that I speak multiple languages and that my cultural background is pretty broad and diverse could be included too.

In terms of achievements I am actually pretty proud of being able to assist businesses and organizations, like those already mentioned and many others, in improving their user experiences and expanding worldwide, because once my contribution is settled, you can really tell where things have improved and how successfully well-thought it all turned out to be. You can freely take a look at my portfolio if you need to have a more visual representation of my collaborations.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Hmm, there are so many. But since you specified “impacted my management and entrepreneurial thinking” I’ll focus on just a few: 1. “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries – This book has been instrumental in shaping my approach to entrepreneurship. It emphasizes the importance of validated learning, iterative development, and quick adaptation—all of which are critical in the ever-evolving world of technology and user experience.

2. “Design of Everyday Things” by Don Norman – This was actually suggested to me by one of the people I worked with and was such a great read. Don Norman’s insights into -design thinking- and the importance of user-centered design are spot on. It’s a classic that emphasizes the significance of intuitive and user-friendly interfaces on really EVERY little thing you can see around you!!

3. “Show Your Work!” by Austin Kleon – This resonated with my creative side. It advocates for sharing your creative process and work with the world, which is valuable for building a personal brand and connecting with audiences in various creative fields.

4. “The Art of Possibility” by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander – This book explores the concept of possibility thinking and encourages creativity, innovation, and seeing opportunities in unexpected places, which has informed my approach to problem-solving and content creation, let me say it, big time!

5. “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron – This had a profound impact on my creative philosophy. It emphasizes the importance of nurturing creativity through practices like journaling, artist dates, and morning pages. It has helped me maintain a creative mindset across all my endeavors. Almost literally.

6. “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg – Understanding the science of habit formation has been crucial in my work as a content designer and UX writer. This book has helped me appreciate the significance of user behavior and how it relates to design choices.

7. “Creativity, Inc.” by Ed Catmull- this is written by one of the co-founders of Pixar Animation Studios, provides valuable insights into fostering creativity within teams and organizations. It has influenced my approach to collaboration and innovation.

Are 7 books enough? I could go on. But let me close this with a movie that will ALWAYS be at the foundation of my passion for writing: “Dead Poets Society”. A celebration of the power of education, individuality, and the arts. It reinforces the idea that creativity and thinking differently can lead to personal growth and transformation. O Captain, My captain! (W.W.)

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

Oh well. That’s a great question because I’ve been thinking about it, lately. At the beginning I thought it was a great idea. Then, as an artist and a creative person myself, I changed my mind. Let me tell you why. First, let’s look at what we thought the pros of NFTs were. Yes, you can empower creators with these pieces because they provide a new revenue stream for digital artists, musicians, and other creatives, without the need for intermediaries.
We can also, technically, trace ownership giving artists control over their work. Ok.
At the beginning the whole idea even sparked innovation in the artistic world and expanded the definition of what can be considered art…
…and here we go. The Cons. Can you already see where I’m going? People think that LITERALLY anything could now be considered art to transform into an NFT.
Many NFTs are built on energy-intensive blockchain networks, such as Ethereum, which contribute to carbon emissions. What does this mean? That it exacerbates climate change. Boo, I can already hear some of you out there. But while many would disagree because, bla bla, it’s all a hoax, we still have to give the benefit of the doubt that it may very well be true. After all, we’re still studying all these phenomena.
Also, all the speculation and the hype. Ugh. NFTs have attracted so many speculative investments, leading to price bubbles and volatility. This speculation can drive up prices to unsustainable levels and create a financial risk for many buyers who still don’t really know what they’re dealing with here. Just think about that celebrity that I am not going to mention out of respect, who bought one for I don’t remember how many millions and it is now worth probably a few hundred bucks. If that much.
Plus, the NFT market is highly unregulated, right now. It can lead to scams, copyright infringements, and legal issues, you name it. Because as much as you can trace the author of the NFT itself, you can’t tell if that person actually stole intellectual property from someone else. Without proper oversight, artists and collectors may face risks and uncertainties and, as an artist, I would never risk it, to be honest.
Let’s just say that I believe it’s essential to approach NFTs with caution now, and at least to advocate for a more responsible approach and better practices within the NFT world to protect everyone’s “artistic” soul.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lauragagliardi.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/lauraandella
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/lauragagliardi