Who is Noelle, the accomplished marketer & freelancer?
According to her LinkedIn profile, Noelle is a “B2B Marketing Strategist & Copywriter,” but she is so much more than that! Noelle has over 20 years of experience in the marketing world, serving as a Marketing Manager and International Marketing Director in the tech industry before starting her own business, Soleado Marketing, in 2003.
Noelle is a self-proclaimed “Queen of Content,” and what she’s most passionate about is helping clients tell their stories. “Every company has something special about it, and I love helping clients tell their authentic stories,” said Noelle.
Proud to be a freelancer!
After years of working in the tech industry, Noelle sought to find a better balance between her career ambitions and other parts of her life. While living in Atlanta, Noelle formed Soleado Marketing to create more professional flexibility and she’s been a full-time freelancer ever since! After building her business over a 7-year period, she moved with her family to Colorado, and her business came right along with her!
One of the aspects that Noelle loves most about freelancing is that she’s able to create teams of the best and brightest based on the unique needs of each customer. She’s forged amazing partnerships to round out projects – working with various designers, videographers, and more – since she focuses on content curation and writing exclusively. Whether she’s working on a website, brochure, presentation, or blog, she encourages clients to “get their message out daily.”
Starting her own business and being able to sustain it for 15 years, when most small businesses fail, is really what makes Noelle most proud. Noelle has created her ideal work/life balance through freelancing and still gets excited when she’s able to “roll up her sleeves” and help a client with a project.
Why does Noelle do what she does?
To say Noelle is a “people person” is an understatement. She’s the friendly, eager, seatmate on an airplane ready to strike up a genuine conversation and leave the flight only after exchanging business cards! Her outgoing personality, a knack for listening, and desire to get to know people also works for her business. From entrepreneurs to C-level teams, Noelle has worked with various clients on many types of projects.
Regardless of the size of the company she’s partnering with, typically in the tech industry, Noelle focuses on listening to the “great ideas and great intentions” that clients have. From there, she connects those with the real pains their customers have to help them craft a unique story for every product and service.
Why did Noelle join The Second Shift?
With 15-years of successful freelancing under her belt, Noelle believes that there’s still room for improvement. Her goal is to efficiently connect with good opportunities so she can focus on doing the “work,” not spending as much time pitching or selling her services. Noelle is “excited to find resources like The Second Shift because finding a high caliber of freelance work online can be a challenge. It’s amazing to see a resource of opportunities for professional women that empower us to find the work we want to do, connect with the employers we want to work with, and be compensated well for our talents.”
As a new contributor to The Second Shift blog, she hopes to help readers by sharing her experiences as part of the “gig” economy – the good, the bad, and the ugly. According to Noelle, “there are a lot of positives and I hope we can all share ideas, opportunities, and inspire one another.”
After 15 years, what keeps Noelle motivated?
As a freelancer, you can’t feel creative every moment of every day, but Noelle finds ways to stay productive even in those “off” instances. Here are Noelle’s own words of motivation:
- Tip #1: “I’ve created my own business and I’m proud of it! Knowing that I’ve put so much into it to and made it this far keeps me going strong. Of course, I take a break here and there when I’m feeling overwhelmed and having that flexibility is part of what keeps me committed.”
- Tip #2: “Some days you don’t feel creative and that’s okay. So, during those times, I’ll focus on book-keeping, client calls, or some other admin tasks. Knowing that you will have more creativity some days than others helps you accept it and plan accordingly to keep things moving.”
What does the “Queen of Content” do during her downtime?
Noelle is all about being outdoors – hiking, biking, camping, skiing – now that she lives in Colorado where it’s sunny and beautiful 200+ days of the year! She’s also added running to her repertoire and has competed in several half marathons. The outdoors life wasn’t always for Noelle, though, having grown up on the East Coast. Noelle added, “Running is a way for me to blow off steam. I also have 3 bikes…something I never thought I’d say. The old me would ask ‘who needs more than 1 bike?!’”
Of course, Noelle also loves to read. What “Queen of Content” wouldn’t?
Author’s note: The power of The Second Shift was palpable during my amazing interview with Noelle. Not only did we chat, trade stories, and laugh about our shared experiences, but she even eagerly gave me advice on my own freelancing business. With her 15 years of experience to my less than 1, I became a sponge, soaking up her veteran advice. This exhibits the strength we have as women when we connect and support each other professionally, which is why The Second Shift was founded and why I’m proud to be a member.
Want to get to know other members of The Second Shift content team? Don’t miss our interviews with Keara Piekanski and Chelsea Connor.