Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura K. Wise.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Laura K. Wise. I’m a writer, speaker, and content creator dedicated to helping women rethink work.
I’ve done many things in my life, all of which have led me here today, however, here are four that I believe are most relevant to what I’m doing today:
1. I’ve successfully run my full-time consulting business, ContentWise Communications, for the past four years.
2. I’m the founder of The Black Female Freelance Network, also known as The BFF Network. We are a community of Black women freelancers sharing tips, tools, resources, and stories—and creating a hiring pipeline.
3. I currently sit on the board of the Freelancers Union. Freelancers Union is the largest and fast-growing organization representing almost 60 million independent workers across the United States.
4. Most importantly, I’ve been a freelancer for 12 years.
I was born and raised here in Dallas, Texas, before heading off to Hampton University for college. After graduating in 2009, it was my dream to work in the fashion industry, so I moved across the country—from Virginia to California— to pursue more schooling at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.
After graduation, I landed my dream job as a designer at an apparel company. I was living the dream until one day I wasn’t. The company never fully recovered after the financial crisis of 2008, so unfortunately, I was let go.
I was 23 in L.A. by myself. Rent was due and I had to figure out how I would support myself.
Soon after, a friend hooked me up with work, but it wasn’t permanent. It was project-based. So, I basically started ‘freelancing’ before I ever knew what the term ‘freelancing’ meant. That was in 2010, and I’ve been freelancing ever since.
It’s now 2022, and I work with numerous brands to build communication strategies and tell brand stories in a digital world. I also create content to help freelancers, contractors, and consultants build—and scale—profitable freelance businesses.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I started freelancing more than 12 years ago.
I knew I was a good writer, so I started writing—first small writing assignments, then larger writing assignments. Writing was my first marketable skill.
I then expanded my freelance business to include more general communication services. I took on any project that I could that fell under the communications umbrella: PR projects, social media projects, and design projects. I wasn’t clear on my value and therefore I wasn’t delivering the best final product I could to my clients—my business was a mess.
I had to take a step back from everything I was doing to get clear on who I was and how I wanted to show up in the market—and I had to do it in a way that felt authentic to who I am and what I’m naturally good at. I had to get back to writing.
I was scrolling through Instagram one day recently when I came across this quote: “Self-confidence is a superpower. Once you start to believe in yourself, magic starts happening.”
I can tell you from experience that this is true. However, I’ve learned over time that to build a successful freelance business, you have to get crystal clear on who you are and what you have to offer.
To do this, you have to get crystal clear on what you’re really, really good at, turn that into a service, and start marketing your business before you can make any money as a freelancer, contractor or consultant.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Consulting
I’m the founder of ContentWise Communications (CWC), a boutique branding and communications agency that works with brands to build communication strategies and tell brand stories in a digital world. Throughout my consulting career, I’ve worked with dozens of leading brands on the development of social impact strategies, communication plans, and in support of storytelling efforts.
Writing, Speaking, Content Creation
As a freelancer for the last 12 years, I’ve built a life that I love—on my own terms—and I’m dedicated to helping women everywhere rethink work. I believe that work should support the changing seasons of life. I also believe that work should be flexible so that you can build a life that you love. My work is devoted to sharing tips, tools, and resources that support Black women freelancers (and friends) in growing and scaling profitable freelance businesses.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
I have many fond childhood memories from church. I grew up attending St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church where I was quite active as a child.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurakwise/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurakwise
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPN4Kg0y6rhyQAqTBJxFJjQ
Image Credits
KB Photography
FemForce Brand Photography
