A Note from Julie, the Greenhouse Curator:

Earlier this week, my husband and I took our beagle, Harley, on a sniffari around the grounds of Graylyn Estate and Conference Center in nearby Winston-Salem. In the middle of the long driveway that curves toward the beautiful stone building, we noticed a small sign: Speed Limit 17.

We laughed, wondering who chose that number—and why. It’s whimsical, unexpected, and it makes us smile every time we visit.
 

That little sign got me thinking: What’s the “Speed Limit 17” sign in my business? In yours? 

Proofreaders and editors aren’t always seen as playful, but adding a touch of whimsy can make our work feel more human and approachable while still keeping it professional.
 

Here are a few ideas:

Sometimes it’s the unexpected touches that people remember most.

I’d love to hear your ideas: How have you added a touch of whimsy to your business (or how would you like to)?

Last week, I asked Leaflet readers and LinkedIn followers to share their “how it started” stories—the seed that planted their love of proofreading, editing, or words. 
 

Here’s a chart that shows the response percentages:

A. A teacher or professor inspired me.
 

B. I’ve loved reading, language, and all things related to words since I was a kid.
 

C. My career path led me here (e.g., writing, publishing, communications, academia).
 

D. Other
 

And for those who are curious, here's my origin story. 👇🏻

The seed for my career was planted early. As a little girl, I dreamed of being a teacher. I even turned our basement into a classroom with old textbooks and made my younger brother be my "student.”

Here we were in the early 1980s: the “student” and the “teacher” 😊

By eighth grade, that seed had started to grow. I enjoyed English class so much (mostly due to my amazing teacher) that I was inspired to narrow my focus to that subject in particular. Grammar came naturally to me. I loved reading (especially mysteries), and I enjoyed writing. Choosing English education for middle and high school students felt like the right path, and after college, I spent 13 years teaching junior high and high school English.

 

In 2016, a new seed began to sprout. I’d caught the entrepreneurial bug and wanted to build a business using my grammar skills while having the flexibility to attend my son’s events and be present for my family. One day, while scrolling Pinterest, I came across transcript proofreading. I didn’t know anything about transcripts or the legal system, but I knew I could proofread. I completed a course, launched my business, and started working with clients that summer.

 

After several years, I began dreaming of something more—a community for proofreaders and editors and a way to share what I’d learned from running my own proofreading business. That’s when the seed for The Proofreader Greenhouse was planted, and in 2023, it officially bloomed.

 

In many ways, my desire to be a teacher has come full circle. Only now, my “classroom” is filled with proofreaders and editors eager to grow. 💚

Here are three posts I enjoyed reading on LinkedIn recently:

A leech is a parasitic worm that attaches to a host and feeds on its blood. To leach is to drain or wash away a substance, usually by water filtering through something. 💡

 

Eileen's Proofreading & Editing Services

 

I recently visited a marsh boardwalk about 25 minutes from my house and captured lots of photos of these Indian Lotus plants. Aren't they beautiful? 🪷️

Let's keep growing together!

What did you think of today's email? I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, or feedback. Email julie@theproofreadergreenhouse.com

 

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