Meet Elaine Pofeldt | Independent journalist, author and speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elaine Pofeldt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elaine, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started my own business as a freelance writer and editor when I had three children under the age of four, including twins, and realized that even a very flexible corporate job was not flexible enough to accommodate the constantly changing needs of my family. At the same time, I wanted to continue working at a very high level–I had been a senior editor at Fortune Small Business magazine in the Fortune Group at Time Inc.–with colleagues I enjoyed. And I suspected I could do so, and still be a very present mom for my children, if I had full control over my schedule. That was in Oct. 2007, and my decision to start the business turned out to be one of the best I’ve made in my life. My business expanded beyond what I even envisioned, even as my family grew to four children, and I have branched out into areas I did not expect, such as content marketing, ghost writing and editing books for clients, and writing two of my own books “The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business” (Random House, 2018) and “Tiny Business, Big Money” (W.W. Norton, 2021). It’s been exciting to see the new opportunities that have opened up as a result of sticking with the business for a long time.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

I am a longtime business journalist who specializes in entrepreneurship. I got interested in the field as a fashion features editor at WWD, finding I was intrigued by the business of fashion. That led to editing at Success magazine and Fortune Small Business, before I went freelance. I have written for many major publications, such as Fortune, Money, CNBC and Forbes. While it was not easy to be a freelancer–being a freelancer comes with constant change–it was very rewarding–and it led to being a book author and speaker.

The number one lesson I learned is keep showing up. I learned the importance of that concept through CUT: through yoga and martial arts, but it applies to business, as well. If you stay in the game and make steady, consistent effort, the insights you need to thrive will arrive.

And as part of that showing up, it’s important to prioritize people. I’m still working with many of the same people I met in my early career, as well as many new friends. Although I like hunkering down and writing, I also really like collaborating, and that has led to many interesting projects.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d introduce them to my favorite yoga studio, Hot Yoga Revolution, in Cranford, N.J.; take them to Akai Sushi in Westfield and spend some time browsing at Watchung Booksellers and Montclair Book Center in Montclair.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I’d like to thank my literary agent, Leila Campoli at Stonesong, for spotting the articles I was writing on million-dollar, one-person businesses and letting me know about the potential to write a book on the topic. Leila has been a tireless champion and incredible sounding board for ideas.

I would like to thank Byron Kennard, a dear friend who is one of the founders of Earth Day and talented book author, for insisting on phoning me once a week so I would write “The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business.”

I’d like to thank Elizabeth MacBride, my longtime collaborator on many projects, for the countless conversations we’ve had about writing, journalism, the business of being a freelancer and more. I would not have had the staying power in my business without Elizabeth’s friendship.

Finally, I’d like to thank my children Anna, Emily, Sarah and Robert, who have been long time participants in my business, helping me in countless ways to numerous to list.

Website: https://www.elainepofeldt.com

Instagram: milliondollaronepersonbusiness

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainepofeldt/

Twitter: @elainepofeldt

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elaine.pofeldt

Image Credits
No credits needed–I own the rights.