Emma McMillan | Write way – how she built a successful freelance business for greater flexibility

What She Did Next

Emma McMillan loved many things about her job as a high school teacher but 12 years into her career, she was burnt out. As head of the drama and dance department, the additional night-time and weekend rehearsals on top of a heavy day-to-day workload had simply become unmanageable.

When she fell pregnant with her son, a year of mat leave was the perfect opportunity to explore what else might be out there for her… and when she couldn’t find a job that she wanted, she decided to create it herself.

Dreaming of a more flexible work life, Emma enrolled in some short courses to learn about copywriting and starting a business, before deciding to make the leap to work for herself.

Six years on, she’s built a successful business as a freelance copywriter and copywriting coach, helping people become more skilled and confident writers.

In this episode, Emma chats with host Jacqui Ooi about:

· How she knew teaching wasn’t her ‘forever’ career

· The steps she took to make her career change

· How she financially planned for the change and got her business off the ground

· Navigating the identity shift that can come with making a career change

· Her best tips and recommendations for aspiring career changers and business owners

For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up to our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/

LINKS

Australian Writers’ Centre – Copywriting Essentials course: https://www.writerscentre.com.au/store/courses/copywriting-essentials/

She Mentors: https://www.shementors.com.au

Emma’s book recommendations:

‘Passion Purpose Profit: Sidestep the #hustle and build a business you love’ by Fiona Killackey

‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear

CONNECT WITH EMMA

Visit her website: https://www.emmamcmillancopy.com/

CREDITS

Creator, host and producer: Jacqui Ooi

Associate producer: Catherine Cavill

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What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

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