Literal and Literary Gems with Forbes’ Pauleanna Reid
Pauleanna Reid, Journalist, Author, Public Speaker, Ghostwriter, and Mentor
This is an interview I will never forget. Not only is her drive contagious, Pauleanna Reid’s journey is also genuinely inspiring. It’s a testament to conquering your goals, knowing yourself, and truly believing there is no such thing as a glass ceiling.
Always looking for ways to encourage others, she agreed to connect with me and share her gems with Ki Takeaway readers. If you aren’t rejuvenated to reach your personal goals after reading this interview, you may want to step away, regroup, come back, and reread it.
Tell me a little about your experience in your industry and how you got to where you are today? How did you find your passion for writing?
I knew I wanted to be a writer early in life; I understood my purpose from the time I started elementary school. I was bullied as a kid and I always felt misunderstood. More than kids my own age, I spent a lot of time alone; often journaling and writing down my dreams.
Pauleanna Reid, Forbes Senior Contributor
My parents had a different vision for me; one that was simple and safe. After dropping out of college my second year, I landed a desk job, but I knew there was something more for me. In 2010, I met two mentors who would change my life. One of my mentors suggested I start a blog; she said, “people need to see your work.”
My blog wasn’t perfect, but it was something I was proud of. A year later, my mentor was surprised I was still blogging. That’s how I got my first job with one of Canada’s largest publishing houses. She noticed my work ethic and referred me to the Editor-in-Chief at the time. I’ve written about a variety of celebrities, Olivia Newton-John, Lenny Kravitz and more. I was published in every major outlet across the country, which was really crazy for someone so young. I must’ve been 21 at the time.
After a few years, my list of mentors expanded. One of which wrote for Forbes. After years of paying my dues and I felt like I had enough experience under my belt, I decided to reach out to her to inquire how I could become a contributor. From the time I inquired to the moment I signed my contract was about a year and a half. Most people may assume it was just handed to me. It wasn’t. I had to work really hard to prove myself even after my mentor sent an introduction to the editor. Earning that position still required meetings, follow ups and flying to New York on my own dime to be in the rooms with key decision makers.
I’ve been blessed to have great advisors in my life. It's essential to have mentors and sponsors as you climb the career ladder. Of course, you need to spend time learning your craft, but if it wasn't for my mentors, I wouldn’t have been able to be in rooms to join those important conversations. Or maybe I would have but it would’ve taken a long time. I hustled, working a fulltime job, using my income to buy flights to get to NY and stay top of mind with some of the gatekeepers in the media.
If you could tell your younger self anything, what would it be?
Chase your dreams, don’t chase men. (laughs)
Pauleanna Reid, “You will not go further than you think.”
What has been the most essential ingredient to your success?
I sacrificed a lot in my 20s so I could live fly in my 30s!
What is the best advice you can give someone who is looking to join your industry?
Start before you’re ready. You don’t need to be cosigned by a major outlet and it's essential to build your own brand. A lot of outlets want to know what else you can bring to the table, and if you can bring your own audience, that’s even better.
What is your Ki Takeaway from your professional journey?
You will not go further than you think.
I’m now an author and own my own ghostwriting firm, WritersBlok. Journalism, public speaking, and freelancing aren’t the only way to pay the bills. You have to do the research; there are multiple ways to work within the media.
You can connect with Pauleanna and read her content on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and website.