Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Charlene Lazewski. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Charlene, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I found my purpose by finally learning to stop feeding my ego’s self validation, and feed into my self worth instead. By doing this, I not only work towards my purpose which is clear to me now, but I also get to live my personal and professional life while staying completely true to my authentic self. The way I came to this realization is by taking the time to dig deep into my inner child wounds, and experiences and how they shaped me as an adult. From ages 0-7 you imprint all the experiences that will make up your adult self. So, if anything warped or blinded you as an adult, you have to do deep mental and spiritual work to align, and restructure until you come face to face with your true calling and purpose.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I started my career in corporate publishing. But I quickly realized the corporate setting wasn’t for me. It was a cage for a creative spirit like mine. My husband and I started our family, and after I had my first child, I began my freelancing journey. I started helping clients with freelance writing services, and quickly expanded to many other areas of content. By the time I had my second child, I had clients from all over the world, and was helping them with content strategy, content marketing, copywriting, editorial management and written content. For the most part, my clients are in the Fashion, Beauty, Wellness, Travel, and Lifestyle niches — those are my industries of expertise.
A few years ago I started my brand, Charlene & Co. Media in order to provide clients with a larger variety of content related services.
I have also branched Charlene & Co. to be a hub for Entrepreneurial Lifestyle. Since I have been a Solopreneur for more than 10 years, I have gained so much knowledge on being successful in your personal life, and entrepreneur life. There is an art to meshing both, and giving new meaning to the phrase “work/life balance”. Basically, you CAN eat your cake, and have it too. Therefore, I provide aspiring or current freelancers, solopreneurs, and entrepreneurs with consultations on how to succeed at life and work fully, and never feel stressed or unfulfilled again.
Later this year I will be launching a digital product boutique that will sell products/tools that helps creators boost or transform their brands or businesses easily and seamlessly. It will be called Creator’s Atelier.
Later this year, I am also going to be launching the first ever Entrepreneur Lifestyle digital magazine. Think of it as if Elle and Entrepreneur Magazines had a baby.
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?
While having clients that are disrespectful and rude is obviously not ideal, it was their narcissistic abuse that pushed me towards setting more boundaries as a professional, and to put an end to people pleasing.
Unfortunately, not all clients are created equal. There are kind, respectful, and grateful ones, and then there are the rude energy vampires.
Setting boundaries for my clients helped me regain peace, which then increases my happiness, which then increases my motivation and creativity. You don’t always need to say yes to their requests, especially if they are illogical requests. Remember, you’re the expert, that is why they hired you. So, their requests may come from lack of knowledge because they’re not the experts.
If they continuously contradict everything you say, and address you in a condescending manner, it’s time to set the ultimate boundary — fire them. Just like in dating, in the client world there are also plenty of fish in the sea.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am looking forward to launching my Podcast later this year. It will be a place to have deep chats with creatives, solopreneurs, and entrepreneurs that are winning in every sense of the word. The purpose of the podcast will be to provide people with a blueprint, and a wealth of inspiration towards stepping into their purpose as an entrepreneur or solopreneur. I would like to start organizing my podcast guests — so, if you think you’d be a great fit, please email me at [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.charleneandco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charleneandcomedia/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlenelazewski/
- Other: My Entrepreneur Magazine, Bloom Zine that will be launching soon – Bloom-Zine.com
Image Credits
All images are taken by me.
