Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellena Balkcom.
Ellena, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Some years ago, I was a Global Internal Communications Specialist at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. I had a young family and was happy living the dream, which was writing for one of the most admired companies in the world. To say I was comfortable with my suburban life and “good job” with benefits would be an understatement. But after nearly six years of being there, my then husband’s job prompted a relocation. And just like that, I was shaken out of my haze of comfort and forced to examine what I really wanted my next chapter to look like and how I wanted to continue showing up in this world.
So, I got busy planning and strategizing the launch of my independent consulting boutique, Written on Purpose Communications. I’d draw from my years of Corporate experience and become an outsourced resource for companies not yet large enough for in-house communications support or larger corporations needing specialty consulting in areas of Organizational Change or Crisis Comms.
This was the plan, and it was a great one until life happened. Three months after “launching,” I was in a car accident requiring emergency surgery and rendering me immobile for close to a year. The other monkey wrench was that my first referral wasn’t a Corporate Comms client, it was a Ghostwriting project from a small publishing company. This wasn’t exactly the plan. I was still in a hospital bed in my home, but I had all my senses and a brand new Mac, so I wrote and kept writing, and when it was time to fly, I used wheelchair assistance and flew. The rest is history. I’ve now written, co-written or heavily edited nearly ten manuscripts and published books and journals, several of which are with an internationally reknown speaker and best-selling author. The majority of these projects are with corporate executives looking to further establish themselves as subject-matter experts in their industries or on a particular subject. This is my passion and what I know I’m called to do.
I also continue to work with Corporate Communications clients on various types of projects, as well as one on one with groups and individuals who just want to be better communicators. Despite all of our constant social interactions and clutter, I’m convinced that we need coaching in this area even more today. So, since that near-fatal day in 2011, when another car collided with mine, I’ve fought my way back to mobility, independence, business success and God’s purpose for my life. And I can honestly say, I’ve never looked back! This is my passion and what I know I’m called to do. In the recent words of the great Oprah Winfrey, I truly believe, “I am living inside God’s dream for me, and I’m fulfilling that dream through my physical being.” It doesn’t get much better than that.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t. I’ve mentioned the car accident and physical limitations the first year. Beyond that, I’ve experienced divorce and the financial ebbs and flows of entrepreneurship since launching my business and am a new empty-nester, so life continues to happen after you’ve laid great plans and are attempting to build something monumental.
My career was spent in big corporations primarily, so it was also an adjustment getting used to being my own assistant, accountant, marketer, strategist and thought partner at times. There are still times that I miss the collaboration and camaraderie of a bigger corporation, but I can honestly say I’ve never been more at peace or more hopeful about my future. Watching my business continue to grow and blossom, often outside of my effort, has brought a joy that I can only compare to mothering.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Written on Purpose Communications – what should we know?
Written on Purpose is a boutique communications agency launched in 2011, specializing in Ghostwriting and Internal and External Business Communications. We offer specialized consulting services for companies experiencing large-scale organizational change or those in need of Crisis Communications.
Our clients come in search of help with a book manuscript or needing professional comms support when the company is in dire need of clear, concise and timely communications on their behalf with employees or media. These are often situations where fear and emotions are high. We are known for bringing calm and hearing beyond what the client is saying with their mouths to deliver a message or book that sounds like their heart, not just their words.
I believe words have wings and they soar and land just where they are intended to. I’m most proud of the many books published with our assistance. Our work will live forever through these projects.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I’ve been blessed with high EI/EA (Emotional Intelligence, Awareness). The wisdom and insight that comes with this have and continues to take me far. Again, I hear beyond what’s being said and have a way of digging to the heart of a matter. This has been extremely valuable in building lasting relationships. These relationships have led to referrals, and ultimately, my success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.writtenonpurpose.com
- Email: ellena@writtenonpurpose.com
- Facebook: Written on Purpose
- Twitter: @Writtnonpurpose
Image Credit:
Isocandid Photograpy (www.isocandid.com)
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