We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bridget Willard. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bridget below.
Hi Bridget, great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.
How did you develop your ability to take risk?
It’s true that taking risks is, well, risky. Psychologists like to categorize us as risk-averse or risk-tolerant. So, the people in their cubicles going to work every day with their safe job are supposedly risk-averse while those of us who are out on our own are risk-tolerant.
What’s risky, however, is highly personal. It might be safe for me to be out on my own and risky to take a 9-5 job. And the office worker feels their choice is risky since all of their eggs are in the corporate basket – a basket that could be taken away at any time.
Developing a tolerance for risk is an important component of normal human development. We learn risk tolerance in our early, formative years. Do we climb on the jungle gym at the park? Do we run for 8th Grade School President? Should we try out for the high school track team?
As we make decisions, we learn – sometimes the hard way – the consequences of our actions. Yes, we may fall from the jungle gym. We might have lost that election. We may have to quit the track team. Guess what? That’s life.
The more you take a chance in life, the more you’re rewarded. You’re rewarded with risk tolerance. You’re rewarded with essays that win a contest. You’re rewarded with a great new job. You’re rewarded with life experiences that make us who we are.
There’s a saying, “it’s better to have loved and lost than to not have loved at all.” This is the essence of taking the pros and cons into consideration. Sure, when you take a risk there are potential downsides. But what about the risk of NOT doing that positive thing?
I always tell my coaching clients and friends, “Say ‘yes’ to yourself.” Worried about applying for a job? What’s the worst that could happen? They say ‘no.’ But if you choose not to apply, then you say ‘no’ to yourself. So, say ‘yes’ to yourself and do the thing.
When my dream job went south, I applied for other jobs. My intent wasn’t to run my own company. I quickly found, however, that other jobs simply didn’t pay enough. I was a widow at this point with no life insurance – a risk we should have been insured against.
I didn’t have a choice.
In other words, the pain of change wasn’t as great as the pain of staying the same.
Like a salad bar, I chose my ingredients. A small client here, a big client there, a few medium clients.
The risk of freelancing allowed me to spread the financial risk among a client base. When you lose your job you lose 100% of your income. When you lose a client, you could lose 50% or more, but you have some other source of funds.
Developing the ability to take a risk isn’t something you do overnight. So start small. Take a dance class with the risk of looking silly. Ask that girl to dinner. Update your resume. Start writing articles to submit to publications. Those are small risks. You insulate yourself by doing it with a friend. No friends in your area, well then you have an opportunity to meet some.
Changing careers at 42 and then being in business for myself for the last 6 years is risky to some and I have been called “brave,” or “inspiring.” Honestly, I just want to be my best self. I want to look in the mirror and be proud of who I am. I want to build a life that gives me time to spend with my friends and family. I want to be healthy enough to enjoy hobbies like kayaking, swimming, and dining with sunsets.
The risk of not being myself is greater than the risk of being me.
And being you is worth it.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I see myself as a Marketing Manager’s BFF or a CEO’s dream addition. My company offers SEO copywriting (website content and articles) as well as X Platform (Twitter) management. My approach deviates from keyword research which is really for PPC. Instead, we write informative articles that answer questions and can be used in the pre-sales process.
My writing partner, Warren Laine-Naida, and I published a series of three books called “The Only Online Marketing Book You Need” in 2021 and we’re updating them this year. The small business and nonprofit books are updated and we’re updating our school book for September.
My favorite part of my job, however, is coaching and marketing consults. I love being able to offer specific advice to business owners that help them achieve their financial and personal goals. You can really see their faces light up when they get it. It’s when I feel like the best version of myself.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Perseverance, Curiosity, and Vulnerability characterize me and how I build my business. My clients become my friends. We’re all in a business community, so why not help one another?
You will face adversity. Your husband will die. You might get evicted. You may have to file for bankruptcy. You may need to get diagnosed with ADHD and find the cash for the meds. You have to keep going. Part of being emotionally mature is the ability to persevere. It doesn’t mean it’s not hard. It doesn’t mean you don’t feel like quitting. It means you go forward anyway. You write anyway. You perform anyway.
Curious people are life-long learners. They connect the dots between slime mold and AI in WordPress Hosting speed. They want to learn why cats purr and only meow to humans. Curious people want to understand why a website isn’t performing. They strive to solve problems for their clients in a new way. Your curiosity is a gift. Nurture your curiosity by watching documentaries, reading nonfiction, and learning things outside of your main career focus.
I’m an open person and recently started a video series on my YouTube channel called Balcony with Bridget. I don’t do my hair and makeup. I’m not in great lighting. I’m just in my pajamas, drinking coffee with my cat on my balcony, giving some business advice.
Of course, sometimes I’m more dressed but 95% of this series is just me being me. I’m talking to people about my struggles and how I’m overcoming that one issue — today. I’ve gotten a lot of great feedback but more traditional people say they wouldn’t work with me because I have to sell dishes to buy a couch. Guess what? They’re not my audience.
Vulnerability is a risk — it’s my superpower. In my heart of hearts, I don’t think anyone can develop business connections without some openness. So try talking about some of your interests at the next Chamber Mixer and see where the conversation leads.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is a Director of Marketing or Marketing Manager. They’re overwhelmed with all they are in charge of and the meetings with sales and finance. Contracting with me for regular blog writing (2-4 articles a month) and Twitter management helps keep their company focused on marketing goals and relevant to their customer base. I help make them the hero and we all win.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bridgetwillard.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgetmwillard/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bridget.willard/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgetwillard/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BridgetMWillard
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BridgetMWillard
- Other: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/bridgetwillard.com
Image Credits
Sarah Phillips
