We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Allison Ulloa. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Allison below.
Allison, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Being a writer and working for myself has often meant being surrounded by people who don’t understand what it is that I do or what some of the challenges are that come with it. As a result, I discovered early on the importance of finding like-minded people to connect with and reach out to for wisdom. This has meant coffee dates with friends of friends, Zoom calls with colleagues living in other states, and even starting a group for Christian women on a mission to pursue their business and creative goals.
After discovering just how lonely working for yourself can be, I started connecting with friends who I knew were starting and pursuing similar endeavors. One was a writer, another started a charcuterie business, another launched an organic mattress company for babies. We were all relatively early in our creative/business journeys, eager to learn, and valued community. And so, with the help of a friend, we launched “Create / Connect” which meets once a month to discuss anything from marketing to taxes and everything in-between.
Our group has continued to grow through word of mouth. This summer, in lieu of our regular meeting time, we are getting together for monthly “work days” — I.e., an excuse to get out of the house, grab coffee, and work alongside friends who understand the struggle (and benefits) of pursuing dreams. No matter how much is on my schedule or how much work needs to get done, meeting each month always proves fruitful and encouraging. New friendships have been forged and business ideas encouraged. Everyone brings something different to the table, and it’s been such a blessing to learn from each other!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a writer and editor specializing in content creation for Christian authors. My career started in children’s ministry at a large church, then through a long process of trying and failing at various creative projects, decided I wanted to use my ministry education and Bible degree to write. For years I nannied and took on side projects until 2020 when I was able to go full-time as a writer. I’ve helped write books, blogs, web copy, marketing emails, and curriculum for various authors and non-profit organizations. Through the process I have discovered that this career I have forged for myself is the perfect mix of admin/organization and creativity.
This fall I am in the process of re-launching my website and blog, dearandlove.com. For years I have felt called to not only share my own writing, but the words, stories, and encouragement of other Christian women on a mission. I currently have a small band of women writing blogs about parenting, homeschool, navigating transitions in all seasons, and the importance of good food. I can’t wait to continue connecting women of all stages and season of life on a mission to pursue God with all of their lives, whether they are moms, college students, running a small business, or working toward a professional goal.
Those interested in contributing a blog are welcome to submit an inquiry at www.dearandlove.com/getinvolved.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The things that have helped my most in my journey are 1) humility, 2) eagerness to learn, and 3) someone to help me navigate bookkeeping and taxes.
To start something new, you must be willing to fail and also ask questions when you don’t know what you’re doing. People have been surprisingly more gracious and understanding than I would have thought, probably because I have a tendency to be hard on myself! Asking questions has taught me most of what I know, but I also made a point early on to take writing classes and learn as much as I could about my industry, There is still so much for me to learn, but a few years into my journey, sometimes I realize that I know more than I think I do!
Imposter syndrome is a real battle that I continue to fight regularly. If this is something you struggle with, then I encourage you to learn as much as you can, but also remember that there is room for you in whatever creative/business endeavor you are pursuing. People need graphic designers and help with SEO — you might be exactly the person with the talent, skills, and personality they are looking for, so don’t miss out on the opportunities ahead of you. Consider each job an opportunity to learn and get better for your next client.
Also, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of working with someone who can help you with bookkeeping and taxes. If you keep your system simple and do it right from the start, it’s actually not as complicated as you think.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
If you are a Christian woman on a mission to pursue God’s call on your life, then let’s talk! I would love to encourage you, connect you with other women, and share any wisdom you have on my website. Learning from other women has helped me in countless ways, so I’d love to do that for others through blogs, books, and personal connections.
And if you’re someone looking to turn your story into a book or Bible study, then I’d love to help make that happen. Check out my services page at www.dearandlove.com/getinvolved or email [email protected].
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dearandlove.com
- Instagram: @dearaliulloa
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-elizabeth-ulloa/
- Other: https://allisonulloa.contently.com/
Image Credits
Stephanie Russell Rise Photo Co.
