Meet Leanne Wickham from Red Pencil Ltd - an editor and book coach whose passion for words and proofreading allows her to balance her health and wellbeing needs.

What’s your biz?

I provide book coaching, editing and proofreading to new and established authors throughout New Zealand and around the world. I also provide editorial services to businesses in New Zealand and worldwide.

Who do you work with?

I have two ideal customers depending on what service they require. For authors my ideal customer has written a manuscript and requires editing services. They may be a new author and want to work with me in my capacity as an accredited book coach or their book has been edited and they require proofreading before it is published.

My other ideal customer is a business that doesn't have an editor in their business and needs editing and/or proofreading completed on a freelance basis. What sets me apart from other editors is my ability to take the fear out of sending your writing into the world.

My references speak of me becoming a friend and an encourager. My freelance business clients like that I can come in and complete the work on budget and on time.

What sparked the idea behind your business?

I had a major life-saving surgery that has impacted my ability to work in a public-facing business due to being immunocompromised. After my time recuperating I decided to use my strong editing and grammar skills to start my own business.

I needed a business where I could monitor my health and be around for my younger children (now adults). The idea of Red Pencil started once I received my qualifications in proofreading and editing. Since then I have continued to upskill myself and now offer developmental editing and book coaching.

What does a typical day look like for you as a business owner?

I have strict guidelines around my business and personal life. My day starts when everyone has left for work and I finish at 5pm when everyone arrives home and only work Monday to Friday. If anyone has an urgent job that will take away time from my family that is charged at a higher rate than usual.

What are some of the key milestones in your business journey so far?

There are so many accomplishments to share!

I love seeing an author publish their book that I have worked with them on.

Hitting the 10 years in business mark.

Having past clients refer new authors and businesses to me.

Completing an intensive course through Author Accelerator to become a fiction book coach while having a busy diary of author and business work to complete.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you've faced so far - and how have you overcome them?

My health has been the biggest issue to overcome but by monitoring my schedule and taking time off when my body tells me is the best thing I have done. I also share the cooking and cleaning duties at home with my husband and family.

What are you most excited about in your business right now?

What most excites me about my business is that the job I do enables me to become a digital nomad. I would love to travel and meet some of the authors that I have worked with.

I also want to continue to grow my book coaching business to help more authors see their books published.

What’s worked best for you to build brand awareness and get customers?

I have started a monthly newsletter and social marketing with a business on SOI.

I have blogs on my website and up to date information.

I always ask for references from clients and a copy of the cover of their book to build credibility.

I attend networking events to meet new people and try to add value when I speak to people.

What is one of the important lessons you've learnt as a business owner? What advice would you share to someone starting out?

Pay yourself first and always, always put aside money for tax from every job you do.

Get an accountant to help you at the end of the financial year to ensure you are claiming what you can.

How does being a part of She Owns It help you in your business journey?

I have made many friends from She Owns It. It is a community and everyone is going through or been through the same stuff you are.

⚡️ FAST 5:

1. One thing you’d tell your younger self starting out?
If you want to do it just do it. Don't let anyone talk you out of what you really want to do.

2. Your favourite biz or personal development books or podcasts?
Anything to do with editing or editors who have built a thriving business.

3. How many tabs do you have open right now?
About 10, varies from day to day.

4. What's your go-to power song?
I don't have a go-to song. I was born in the 80s so pretty much anything from that era puts a smile on my face and gets me working.

5. A quote you love and why?
You can't edit a blank page, think this is from Jodi Picoult. It is so true, words can be edited. You just need to start writing.