Today we’d like to introduce you to Callie Revell.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m the Young Entrepreneurs Leader for the National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs (NACWE). This newsletter is the first of many for young entrepreneurs. It’s meant to provide encouragement to the newest generation of entrepreneurs who are exhibiting courage and tenacity by striking out into the unknown and starting their own businesses.
I live in Dallas, Texas and run my own media and web services company. I also do some writing on the side and offer personal organization services for those in the Dallas area. I’ve been married to my husband, Sam, for five and a half years, and we just celebrated the birth of our first child, a baby boy named Greyson, in June.
My business has evolved over the years. I started freelance editing in 2009 while I was still in college at Hardin-Simmons University studying English and Communications.
After I graduated, I spent a year working in an office environment as a secretary before deciding the 9-5 life wasn’t for me. I needed creative freedom and the ability to work for myself, so I officially founded my editing business in 2013.
I also spent several years serving as a freelance writer for a local magazine. From there, I worked on dozens of book manuscripts, resumes, and websites before branching out further to include web management, social media management, and video editing into my repertoire. Now, I use the term “media and web services” to briefly describe the many entrepreneurial branches that have sprouted from that original tree.
Has it been a smooth road?
I was 24 years old when I abandoned my guaranteed income and struck out on my own, and it has been an exciting journey full of ups and downs. I’ve loved making my own hours, working from home, and controlling what I do and when I do it. I’ve also had to learn how to say no, how to ask for the money I deserve, and how to discipline myself to work surrounded by distractions. I’ve spent some days in stressful tears, and other days in relaxed bliss. I’ve watched all my peers begin their corporate careers, and I’ve wondered if I’ve done the right thing. I’ve faced challenges like finding health insurance, negotiating my own salary, and navigating maternity leave. I have friends and family who don’t understand what I do and have asked if I have a “real” job or not.
However, I wouldn’t change a thing. I love working for myself and being my own boss, and although each month and each year are not guaranteed, the hard work and dedication are more than worth it!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Callie Revell Media Services – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I don’t have a brick-and-mortar business. All the work I do is done at home, on the road–wherever I am at the time. I specialize in editing book manuscripts, but my clients know me better for my “all-inclusive” skills when it comes to books. On top of editing, I offer formatting (turning a document into a designed book with page numbers, headings, etc.), indexing, and publishing assistance (eBooks and print). Some of my clients call me a “jack of all trades” because my other services vary widely. I organize offices, polish up resumes, manage websites, and even run social media pages on Facebook and Twitter. I also design social media graphics, edit blogs, piece together YouTube videos, and much more. I gather my skills into a “toolbelt” to give a comprehensive experience to my clients who feel overwhelmed by technology and media and don’t know how to accomplish their goals online or on paper. I’m proud of the personalized experience I can offer my clients, and my one-on-one approach sets me apart from my competitors.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love Dallas! Although I work with clients from all over the world, Dallas is the perfect location for me for several reasons. It’s centralized (and in the Central time zone!) so travel isn’t difficult and it’s easy to communicate with my clients in real time. There are places all over Dallas I can go to work remotely if I feel cooped up in my home office. It isn’t difficult to make local connections because people are usually friendly and willing to help and refer you to others. I wish we weren’t so sprawled out in the metroplex because it makes it harder to travel.
Pricing:
- For work measured by the word (editing), I use a tiered pricing system based on the total word count of the document. The higher the word count, the more of a discount you receive. Pricing starts at 2.5 cents per word and decreases from there.
- For all other work, I charge by the hour (currently $30/hr).
Contact Info:
- Website: callierevell.com
- Phone: 432-934-9317
- Email: callie.revell@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/callie_revell
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/callierevelleditor
- Other: www.linkedin.com/in/callierevell
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
