Meet Leann Woodley

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Leann Woodley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Leann, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My children are my EVERYTHING. I push forward even when I think that I can not push anymore, because I am the one that protects them and sets the example for them. They learn through me what to fight for and what to release.
I want my children and everyone to know that regardless of the hurdles that we face it is possible to find a happy and safe place. You are not alone.

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?

My name is Leann and I am a mom above all else. I live with my youngest children and our guinea pigs. I write and design. I have been writing for as long as I can remember. I began my writing page on Facebook in October of 2019. Since then my page has continued to grow and I’ve begun selling prints of my writing designs and doing designs and supplies for other small businesses and creators. There are now multiple creators and small businesses using my designs as their logos on Facebook and other social media outlets. There are also creators and small businesses using business cards, magnets, stickers, labels, and other supplies created by myself.
My page and business are named Painting with Words by Leann. I have been told numerous times that others find their voice in my writing. I have also been told that it helps them to feel less alone. That is the main reason that I created Painting with Words by Leann. I wanted to help others. Now I help them not only through my writing, but also with growing their own businesses. Some people strive for customer satisfaction, but I make sure that my clients love their designs.
It is my goal to one day publish a book of my writing designs and also to continue growing my work for other small businesses. I would like to eventually get my LLC and become a one-stop shop for small businesses.
As my business grows I plan to find a safe zone for my children and I. I also want to do online fundraising events to help other victims of domestic violence and the animals that help humans heal from trauma.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

My strengths are in writing, designing and being there for others.
I write in such a way that it can be translated by others to fit situations in their own lives.
I have taken requests for subjects to write about and done those, which the requesters were very happy with. When I write I paint pictures with my words.
When designing for others I ask a few questions about their preferences and creations. I design with their answers in mind. I want to capture the heart and soul of their creativity with designs. When I design I create pictures with their words.
My children and I are victims of domestic violence. They have survived things that no one should ever have to. My children are my heroes. They are far braver than I am and they are my biggest fans. I survive for them. I push forward trying to build our small business to prove to them that dreams can come true. We need things like a safe zone. Growing the business is how we work towards being able to afford those things.
My advice is to anyone starting out is to believe in yourself, believe in your goals and dreams. Be your own hero, because chances are, no one is coming to save you.
The best way to grow a small business is to grow with others. Interactions are very important. I have a group on Facebook called Painting with Words by Leann ~Small Businesses. It is a group to support other creators and small businesses that interest you. We grow stronger together. We support one another and help one another out. Collaborations, trades, sharing one another’s work, interactions on posts… It is all important in our growth. The good ones don’t compete, because their work and character stand on their own for them. We are not competition, we are a family.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

My professional page on Facebook has grown from me simply sharing my writing to me becoming a small business that does designs and supplies for other creators and small businesses. A year ago you could simply read my writing and share it. Now, you can order prints of my writing with customizations, and hire me to design logos, design posts, edit photos, assist in designing book covers, design pretty much anything and even order supplies such as cards, magnets, various stickers, order forms, bookmarks, jewelry care cards, tags, qr code cards, labels and much more. I tell potential clients that if you don’t see an item that you are looking for listed on my price list, simply ask me.
A year ago I was the only one using my designs. Now multiple creators and small businesses are using designs created by me.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Painting with Words by Leann

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