For the past year, I’ve been discerning what I would do once my youngest child entered kindergarten. Should I search for a stable office job, and would that even be practical, given that I’ve been out of the traditional work force for some time now? What position would offer the right balance of flexibility my life requires? How could I best blend the skills I’ve acquired over the past years with other life commitments?
A vision began percolating nearly a year ago when I attended the annual communications conference for the National Federation of Press Women in San Antonio, TX. Gathered with other communicators from around the nation, I had a growing awareness that I was among my own, that this was where I was meant to be. Not in San Antonio necessarily (though I did enjoy my stay immensely), but firmly planted in the world of communications. Even though I was not attached to a particular business as many of the other conference attendees were, I’d held my own as an independent through the years and even had garnered some awards, including the one I was there to accept.
In the following months, throughout the school year – in between soccer games and homework sessions and school programs – thoughts on how I might approach my future began to come to the fore. Many details of my vision began to rise up, becoming clearer each passing week. But the outline was still hazy. How would I package all of it? What would it look like exactly?
Enter Delila. Last week I wrote about her, “The Lady Who Fell Out of the Sky.” And I promised I would tell more about the fruits that grew from my initial meeting with her.
After quickly divulging the highlights of our lives that afternoon in the coffee shop, Delila and I pulled out our notebooks. We sat across from one another and brainstormed together what a business headed by Roxane Salonen might look like. Delila took the lead, I followed. The nuts and bolts were already in place and in motion, but how would it be presented? This step was essential for moving forward.
So Delila set about grilling me, asking what moves me, what I consider my greatest skills and what I would like to do with my life, even if the whole dream can’t be immediately fulfilled. The result? Beauclair Communications, a venture that continues what I’ve been doing for the past 20 years but pulls it all together and offers it in a more tangible form. You can read more about how I chose the name and some of the services I’ll be offering on the website itself, and I’ll look forward to sharing more about this “new” venture in the coming weeks.
For now, suffice it to say that even though I had the dream somewhere inside me all along, it took Delila’s nurturing touch to set it more assuredly in motion. Sometimes, we just need people like Delila to reflect back to us what we’re about, and what we’re here to give to the world. Sometimes, we need others to help us put to words our greatest desires. Sometimes, we just need a little help from our friends to go more pointedly in the direction we were headed all along. This is what Delila offered me, and it’s what I plan to offer my clients, whether editors, fellow business people, or other writers looking for someone to help guide them.
I want to thank Delila publicly, again, as well as you, dear readers, for being there. I come here each week to share insights about the writing life so that you, too, can be encouraged and continue to discern just what it is you’re here to do.
Q4U: Have you had any revelations recently about how you’re to spend the remaining years of your life? If so, what started the spark that helped you see more clearly?
A HUGE congratulations, Roxane! This is SO exciting!! Blessings & best wishes!!
Roxane–how exciting and a great big congratulations to you!! When one lives the life of their dreams–they live the good life! Blessings and prayers your way!
Excellent, Roxane! Write down this date – the official launching.
I am very happy for you and proud of you! This is YOU! Go and pop that cork of your celebratory bottle of champagne or sparking cider!
May God bless your endeavors!
Donna-Marie
Congratulations Roxane – prayers and best wishes for you as you embark on this project!
Congratulations Roxane! I wish you nothing but the very best!
What a thrill to see your completed site! So excited for you!
When I read your site, it’s evident how much time and thought you’ve put into this venture. You have a crystal clear (clair) vision and palpable passion. I know your clients will get a super deal. They will be in excellent hands.
I especially like how you explain why someone who knows how to write, technically, should hire a writer — might as well tackle that right away. I also appreciated that you pointed how that independently you’re able to be a lean machine, working without overhead and with greater focus. Those are very real assets –and so true.
I’ll remember today as the day you launched the site…the beginning of so much to come! CHEERS!
Hello to all of you, and thank you for stopping by to help me celebrate. It would be pretty dull journey without the support of fellow writer friends. You gals are awesome, and all unrepeatable blessings. Happy writing to you!
Congratulations, Roxanne. Your skill and ingenuity shine through. You are offering a service that I know there is a need for.
You are so right when you say that everyone has a story to tell. That’s what I told people when I was mining for stories to include in the “Amazing Grace” series. But so many people with great stories would never get back with me even though they had assured me they’d send in their story. I learned that most people either hate to write or are insecure about their writing. Once I realized this, I began taking phone numbers and ghost writing their stories for them.
I’ll keep you in mind if I hear of anyone looking for a writer. I’ll also say a prayer that it’s a great success.
God bless,
Patti Armstrong
Congratulations, Roxanne. Your skill and ingenuity shine through. You are offering a service that I know there is a need for.
You are so right when you say that everyone has a story to tell. That’s what I told people when I was mining for stories to include in the “Amazing Grace” series. But so many people with great stories would never get back with me even though they had assured me they’d send in their story. I learned that most people either hate to write or are insecure about their writing. Once I realized this, I began taking phone numbers and ghost writing their stories for them.
I’ll keep you in mind if I hear of anyone looking for a writer. I’ll also say a prayer that it’s a great success.
God bless,
Patti Armstrong
Roxane, from today’s Scripture readings: “To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord” (jeremiah 1) — how perfect is that for launching a communications business? Blessings, blessings, blessings on you and your great project, mi amiga!
Wow, Roxane, this is super exciting!!! I’m glad to finally know what your hints were about! I’m checking our your website now. Congratulations and many blessings!!!
Maria, that is great. I love it, and it’s the way I’ve been trying to approach this — with total faith. The way things have been unfolding lately, I do feel that I’m being guided by a Divine hand. But thanks for putting that to words!
And Laura, sorry to have kept you in the dark. The timing needed to be right, and it’s exciting for me to realize that time has finally come. Thanks for your sweet comment. 🙂
Oh, and Patti, double thanks! 🙂 It’s been so nice crossing paths recently — I look forward to more of that in the coming year.
Awesome, Roxane!! I’m thrilled that you’ll get to do something you’re passionate about and skilled at! Not everyone gets to do that! So it’s a huge blessing! Will look forward to hearing more in the days and weeks to come!
Wow, this is so exciting! Your new website is beautiful. I’m so happy for you! Congratulations!
I also wish to congratulate you on your new company. I know you will do well and can’t wait for more of your insights into writing. You definitely heard your calling.
Jody, Jennifer and “Fox Lake,” loved having your presence on my blog. And appreciate the kind words/encouragement. 🙂
Congratulations! Many prayers to you on the new adventure!
Thanks for sharing your writing life with us. I have always enjoyed reading your posts. Best luck to your new adventure.
Best wishes for your new adventure.