Meet Leah Stine | VA turned Copywriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leah Stine and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leah, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
The most important lesson my business has taught me is that failure isn’t really a thing if you are learning and evolving.

I started my business almost four years ago, it has grown and evolved over the years to be what I really want it to be. This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t felt that pang of failure throughout it.

I had considered myself a VA for a long time, but in reality, I have always been a copywriter. I have been writing sales copy, marketing materials, blogs, and website content for over eight years. When I first started out I was a VA doing all the miscellaneous things I know how to do, and I rarely said no to a task, even if I didn’t really enjoy it. A little over a year ago I worked with a mindset coach and she helped me see that I really didn’t like my business model, and she also helped me build my confidence in myself.

I pivoted my business to focus solely on writing. I had never called myself a copywriter because I always considered copywriting ‘sleazy sales.’ I realize now that past experiences have built that thought process in my mind, and it doesn’t have to be manipulative copywriting to be copywriting. I also realized that I love copywriting and helping entrepreneurs reach their goals by helping them get their thoughts in writing. Not everybody is comfortable or confident writing their own copy, and that is where I come in to help!

I felt failure when I tried to niche down, worked hard on it for almost a year, then decided I wanted to pivot a little more. If I hadn’t felt that failure, figured out why I felt it, and pivoted again to where I truly feel comfortable and confident, I would still be doing something I didn’t enjoy and that doesn’t fit the life I want to live. This is definitely the most important lesson my business has taught me; failure is not the end, it is a just a learning curve to something better.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have always been a very creative person. Writing has been my passion since I was a child, and as I have gotten older, I have honed my skills and consistently create the copy that my clients need. One of the things I am very proud of is being able to reflect my client’s voice in their copy. Whether it is on their website, lead magnet, or email sequence, it won’t sound like somebody else is writing it.

I got to where I am today through determination and failures. Failing in certain aspects allowed me to grow and learn from my mistakes and reach out for help when needed. When I first started my business I had no idea where I wanted to be in my business, or really what I wanted to do, so I did what I knew and it quickly led to burnout and unhappiness. I didn’t realize I was feeling this way until I spoke with Jomana Elaridi and she helped me get out of that spot and figure out what I truly wanted.

I was challenged again and again with things in my personal life, and I came across Rita Suzanne who helped me navigate the life/work balance and growing my new business model. I have been determined to build my business into the best it can be while maintaining the life I want to have. I have learned that boundaries are vital to avoid burnout and VIP-days have helped me maintain the life I want to have and the business I love. My VIP-days not only allow me to schedule client work according to my personal life, but they give my clients a set day that they know their copy is the only thing I am working on and they don’t have to wait behind a line of clients.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Spotsylvania county in Virginia and while I haven’t lived here long, there are definitely some spots I would recommend! This is a very historic area and offers a lot of battlefields and places to discover more information about the Revolutionary War and Civil War. We frequently walk from our house to a battlefield near us to enjoy the field and read about the battles from years ago. As a homeschooling family, we enjoy different types of educational outings.

The first place we would go for sandwiches and ice cream is the Battlefield Country Store. Their sandwiches are amazing, and their ice cream is delicious! The next stop would be Miller’s Farm Market who offers fresh produce and meats. As a family run farm, it is a great place to pick up items for dinner.

Alum Spring Park has an amazing playground and also nature’s playground while you hike through the woods and by a creek. Loriella Park offers an easy hiking area and plenty of space for the kids to play as well.

With such a variety of places to see and things to do in our area, every day will be an adventure!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people and things that have attributed to my experiences in my business. The main two people who have truly helped, guided, and inspired me are Jomana Elaridi and Rita Suzanne. Both of these women have been an amazing help and inspiration in my journey. I also want to recognize Jen Sincero and her BadAss books that helped me through my mindset journey.

Website: https://bookme.name/Leahstine/ and www.LeahStine.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/leahstinewriting

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-stine/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/leahstinewriting

Other: https://www.leahstine.com/write-an-amazing-lead-magnet