Heart and Hustle Can Turn Dreams into Reality

Heart and Hustle Can Turn Dreams into Reality

A few years ago, I began a writing and editing business, Writing Help KC, LLC. It was a side gig inspired by a friend who had asked for help with his grad school application. Supporting his dream was a fun process that led to a light bulb moment—I could freelance as an editor and writer! A lucrative hobby never hurt anyone. Plus, writing and editing was a meaningful way to feed my educator soul.

Hustling certainly had some rough learning curves. So, I read business books, attended networking events, studied quality writing, and took editing classes. But all of those efforts fortuitously led to my first stable clients, Wesley Hamilton and Marisa Wiruhayarn. They are both truly inspirational individuals. I’m grateful that they trusted me to bring their visions and goals to fruition. Beyond trusting my work, they believed in me. We collaborated on blog posts and improved brand awareness. Their success became my success, and we grew together.  

Running a side gig on top of a day job can be exhausting. But I always pushed through. I believed in the connections I was building and the power of my clients’ projects. I’m proud to announce that I’m embracing my talents and my potential to continue growing. February 2020 marks a big milestone as I transition into running Writing Help KC full time. This entrepreneurial pursuit is a culmination of my lifelong interests in language, entrepreneurism, community, and the written word.

I’ve always been a language lover. From eighth grade through college, I studied English, writing, and Spanish. I studied abroad in Greece, focusing on global citizenship and travel writing. And I completed a Spanish language program in Granada, Spain post-undergrad. Later, I had the humbling and rewarding experience of teaching English while I received my Master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language. These experiences taught me the power of language. Language connects us to new ideas, inspiring individuals, and fascinating cultures.

My entrepreneurial spirit emerged at a young age. I set up multiple “stores,” carefully priced parts to maximize profits for craft sales, and even convinced a few people to buy my baking experiments. As an undergrad, I studied business and was a leader for a club focused on community service with an entrepreneurial twist. It was energizing to bring socially responsible projects to life across the globe.

The written word has always played a critical role in my life. I had an affirming moment when I rediscovered my childhood notebooks where I had dreamed up plots and characters. I also smiled while reading middle and high school newspapers where I had feature news articles. And like any good bibliophile, I have a growing collection of books that inspire me. I even shared my love for the written word when I taught reading and writing to eager English language learners.

My own writing style has varied through the years from creative writing to academic papers, and from work documents to marketing content. All of it has deepened my understanding of written communication. I firmly believe we all have thoughts we want to—and should—share. Yet, we often lack the skills and confidence to communicate effectively.

My goal with Writing Help KC is to fill confidence and skill gaps to optimize my clients’ communication. Regardless of the client type—business owners, academics, job seekers, creative authors—I feel invigorated to enable their focus on their interests and expertise. My inner nerd is satisfied when tackling the language challenges of my clients’ projects. They can focus on the big ideas and leave the nitty gritty details of grammar and mechanics to me. And if my clients need help bringing their ideas to fruition for influential marketing or storytelling, I’m here.

Pursuing my dream of running my Writing Help KC full time would be impossible without my loving husband, supportive family, encouraging friends, and inspiring clients. I’ve also had some remarkable educators and mentors whose lessons stick with me to this day. My heart is overflowing with gratitude, joy, and excitement for this venture.

In our complex world, we need to embrace language for the powerful and positive connections it can create. I put heart into my hustle, and I’m ready to hustle for you. Let’s grow together.

Join the Writing Help KC Launch Party on Saturday, February 15, 2020 from 2–4pm in the Event Space at Reece and Nichols in Parkville. There will be food, trivia, activities, and door prizes. I’d love to celebrate this milestone with you. Launch party details can be found here. I hope to see you there!

Cheers,

Val Cervarich