Today we’d like to introduce you to Karlie Muncrief

Hi Karlie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

I think the last time I filled you in about my journey, I was working as a freelance beauty copywriter – which I still am! But most of my life has changed since then.

Lets rewind a little bit…
I’ve always been a wordy gal. I remember sitting at my desk in room in elementary school, pages thrown about and a blackened hand from being a lefty. I had a raised bed, like a bunk bed, but instead of having a lower bunk, I had a desk. A variety of colored gel pens and pencils carefully organized in cups sat at the top of my desk, and I effortlessly worked on the opposite side of them. There, I’d scribble stories – mostly fiction – but what I had hoped would be my nonfiction someday. I wrote about what I imagined life as in middle school, high school, driving a car, having a boyfriend. And from there, I’d let my imagination take control and the stories would unfold.

As I got older, I found myself diving into book after book – getting lost in the world of physiological thrillers and tangled love stories. But from high school through college, my own writing revolved around course work and boring essays.

As it became time to decide on “what I wanted to be when I grew up,” I was clueless. After getting my degree in elementary education, I taught for a year – only to realize how skewed our education system was. After quitting, my mother in law offered me a job at her Med Spa, as a favor. And there, my creativity was allowed to blossom once again.

I constructed relatable emails to clients, captions that targeted emotion, and website pages that alluded to the fact that the reader absolutely HAD to come in for a service.

After a few years, the big CVD hit, and of course, that threw a curve ball at everyone and every business. I realized, then, that any position I held under the authority of another, was ultimately not promised as a ‘forever’ job. I needed more control over my ability to do what I not only loved, but needed to in order to maintain an income. And I wanted that income to primarily revolve around writing.

I had learned the world of beauty, aesthetics, and how to engage with that particular niche – and so I took course after course and learned how to master the world of copywriting.

I freelanced, building my portfolio, and put myself out for others to hire.

Then I got pregnant.

Throughout the 9 months, I still freelanced and took on as much as I could before the nesting took over. And once the baby came, my time became his and his only.

My husband and I had decided early on that I would be a stay at home parent and he would work. And that’s exactly what we did.

My baby came out wild and free – and when parenting book after parenting book didn’t apply to me, I decided to write about it.

I wrote a book.

In this book, I shared each month, milestone, struggle, achievement, and everything that I couldn’t find in any other book I had read. I wanted the reader, the mom on the other side, to feel seen, heard, and loved.

That’s where we are!

I wrote about my sweet journey as a first time mom for the first 6 months and now I await the next step in getting my book published to the world.

I’m also helping a dear friend write a beauty article for a local magazine each month.

So you can say my muse will always be beauty – but my newest form of inspiration comes from my bouncing baby boy.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

What success story doesn’t come with some struggles here and there? I think that’s what ultimately makes the journey, though. I mean, I started out not even knowing that I could turn writing into anything other than a passion or hobby.

You know the excited burst of desire and determination that attacks in the beginning of a new journey? You find yourself eager and nothing will get in your way. But once that fizzles out and reality hits – it can be scary. Especially as a freelancer, or even someone who is changing the course of their career.

That was me.
Going from being a teacher, to a med spa manager, to a med spa writer, to a freelance copywriter, and eventually an aspiring author…

SCARY!

Because of course, that pesky imposter syndrome whispers, “you’re going to fail.”

I would honestly say that the mental bumps in the road have been the biggest of struggles.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

Like I said, I still write as a freelancer, taking on small projects here and there. I’m currently working with a local medical facility, having redone their website copy. I also work on editing and rewriting for my friend who publishes skin care advice for a magazine. Oh! And a friend of mine and I also started a podcast.

I try and stay busy.

And let me tell you, a 1.5 year old baby boy will keep you busy.

But as far as my professional life – I do what I can, when I can, while also running the ship around the house.

As of right now, my book is my biggest success story – even though I’m still in the early stages of getting it published.

Whenever a friend announces a pregnancy, I always say, “I can’t wait for you to read my book!”

Fingers crossed I get it out into the world soon!

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?

My biggest advice is finding a community.

When I took the copywriting course, I was introduced to tons of people who were in a boat similar to mine. They were new to the role, but were excited to make it work.

Then, I branched out and networked through social media. Which can be an incredible tool! I found my podcast cohost this way, and we’ve been virtual, cross country best friends for almost 3 years! (Hey Bestie Podcast) Go listen! ;)

And as a writer, I was approached by a community on instagram. The group is called Quill and Cup, and it’s literally a group of writers, authors, and word wizards who come together to guide and support one another. This community alone is what drove me to finish my book!

You know how they say it takes a village to raise a baby? Well it also takes a village of empathetic supporters to push you to reach your career / passion goals. Find your village(s).

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sassybutrelatable/
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/36vxQ4c3mAqdbhgXk8hmWy