Meet Karen Lombardo

We were lucky to catch up with Karen Lombardo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Karen, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I am not sure how I found my purpose. I think my purpose found me.

My husband, Chip, passed away suddenly in July 2021. I was thrust into running his two businesses and my own, and I had no time to grieve or really think ahead. There was too much to do. I eventually sold and closed Chip’s businesses and now left to my own devices; I built up my business and costing, catching my breath, and being open to what was ahead.

Three years later, I started to think about writing a children’s book series to fund and support some of the causes important to Chip and my family. I enjoy this very much, and this is what I am meant to do now. The first book, Silly Lily Saves Miss Tillie, will be available next month.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Losing someone close to you changes you; it has to, by definition. I don’t describe myself as a widow first, but it has become an active part of my being and sometimes defines me.

On a positive note, it has changed how I work with clients and new business opportunities. I look for more rewarding and fun projects rather than financial ones. Start-up businesses need more time and attention than larger agencies can give them— and I love to do it.

Writing resumes for college grads or people looking for a career change is deeply satisfying. They are often so upset and almost scared, and it makes me happy to be able to give them some confidence as they begin the job search.

Wedding vows and best man speeches are the best—they bring laughter and fun even when the memories of my wedding to Chip seep through. In a way, they help me find the joy in it.

After losing my husband, Chip, in 2021, Miss Tillie, our English bulldog, and I have lived through some complex and challenging times. Some days, I do not know who rescued who.

Chip and Tillie Books LLC was created to write and publish books that tell meaningful stories, aiming to entertain, engage, and help children see themselves in the characters. Writing this book is a thankful tribute to my husband, who rescued Miss Tillie for me because a house is not a home without a dog. The book’s purpose is to show children that everyone is afraid of something, and most of the time, you just need a buddy to get you through it.

A significant portion of the profits will be allocated to support students who need financial assistance to attend college or university. Miss Tillie asks that a donation be made to a few other organizations and rescue shelters so all pets can find a forever home.

All in all, it is not easy, and I remind myself every single day that I ‘get to’ do the things I love, enjoy my two children, and witness their lives.

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?

Find your pack. It can be a pack of one or four. I had a great cheerleader in my husband, and in his absence, I have a pack of amazing and loving friends. We support each other every day.

Coffee. I can brew coffee in five ways, and that keeps me focused. As my kids say, it keeps others safe! Coffee is a luxury and joy that I embrace every morning before 5 a.m. I smell and taste it in the quiet of the day; it is even better on the lake.

Emotions. Why we hesitate to show emotion or why we always think negative emotions first is interesting and concerning to me. To write, you need emotion, the whole range of emotions. I blog and copywrite for all different types of people and businesses. I have done six obituaries and one eulogy in the past six months. I do them, not for payment, but for the people who are so saddened and broken that they need to tell the story out loud, and then hopefully, I can capture it for them. Empathy is a gift I inherited from my mother and my grandmother Amelia..

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

I chose this question because I think being overwhelmed plagues us all. We either ignore it or fear discussing it. But it’s important to remember that it’s okay to feel this way and to reach out for support when you do.

Being overwhelmed is part of life. Getting by depends on how we overcome obstacles and rise above them. We are not and can only sometimes be 100% successful on our own, which is okay. That is why our pack of friends and colleagues is there without judgment or scrutiny. Find your people and be that person, in turn, to the group that supports you.

We should never be afraid to ask for help and say we don’t know- we cannot possibly know it all.

When all else fails, make a strong pot of coffee and invite a friend or work associate to sit down and brainstorm with you on what you need. The comradery alone will soothe the soul.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thevirtualcopywriter.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_virtual_copywriter/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-virtual-copywriter/

Image Credits

Photos by Susan Blackburn