That’s what Susie Kuse told us when we connected with her to find out how Barefoot Living is treating her. Like so many, she’s faced everything from burnout to health challenges to the near-impossible task of juggling family life with business. And at every turn, writing was the answer. Read Susie’s story for a glimpse into just how fast a writing career can help overcome obstacles.
What was your background before you became a Barefoot Writer?
I spent the last 13 years in the spa industry as the owner of a medical spa, and then as a rep for spa and MedSpa products and medical devices. Prior to that, I was in sales in the high tech and software industries.
And how did you come into copywriting?
I started having some health problems toward the end of 2013 that just wiped out my energy and wouldn’t let me do my job as a rep.
In November of 2014, I decided I needed to find something I could do from home, and if necessary, from bed. Ask and you shall receive, right? An email from Barefoot Writer landed in my inbox, and I decided to check it out.
After seeing that, I knew I needed to move forward, but it was Christmas and money was tight. As luck would have it, I have a great brother who never knows what to get me for Christmas, so when he asked, I said, “How about this writing program so I can change my career?” He said yes to The Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting, and the rest is becoming history.
You’ve had a lot of success quickly. What was your secret to building a thriving writing career so fast?
I knew I wanted to move quickly when I started. In fact, I think I’ve been moving too slowly. And I also knew that accountability would be key for me. If there’s no one watching, I have way too much playing to do!
So after joining Barefoot Writer, I used AWAI’s Accelerated Program Companion Series with Katie and Rebecca, and then Joshua Boswell’s Launch Your Writer’s Life in a Day and his Simple Path to Success. These programs really helped me get moving and keep moving. I recommend them highly for anyone who wants to move fast or just stay on track when they’re starting out.
Now I’m a Circle of Success member, and looking forward to getting back to a six-figure income in 2016.
What’s been your proudest moment since you started freelancing?
After getting myself all set up according to Joshua Boswell’s Simple Path to Success, I recently attended the International Esthetics, Cosmetics, and Spa Conference in Fort Lauderdale.
My goal was to leave with 1-3 potential clients. I thought that would be a good start.
I left with 10!
Five are spa consultants who use writers all the time. The other five were spa manufacturers that are either looking for writers, or looking for a new writer. They were really happy to learn that I speak spa.
One of the biggest complaints they had was that training their current writers about the spa industry was difficult and time-consuming. But since I already understand the industry, I seem to be just what they are looking for.
Yay! And thank you AWAI and Joshua Boswell for making us choose a niche where we have some knowledge, speak the language, and have some contacts. Joshua said in his Launch Your Writer’s Life event, “You don’t have to write for this niche forever, but commit to writing for it for the next 12 months so you can get yourself launched more quickly.”
Best advice ever! It works.
Have you gotten any Glicken or bonuses since you started writing for the spa industry?
I am a product “junkie,” and I’ve received some really nice products so far. I also have a client who owns a medical spa, and I am working with her to “80/20” her client list so we can find her best customers.
We are going to promote her new Strawberry Laser, which helps fat cells release fat.
I lost 2½” in one (free) 20-minute treatment, and it has not returned. So I’m pretty happy with that.
Here’s our fun question of the month: If you could choose one, what superpower you would want?
Oh, I am developing my superpower — Persuasion!
What do you appreciate most about the freelance lifestyle?
I am so much happier with everything in my life since I’ve devoted myself to writing. I work my writing around my life, instead of working my life around my work.
I’m a night owl and it takes a few hours in the morning for my heart to start beating.
I know there are a lot of writers who start really early and are done by early afternoon, but I prefer to get my workout done in the morning and then write in the afternoons or evenings — or both. So the writer’s lifestyle is perfect for me.
