Intro: This is The Proofreading Business Podcast with Elizabeth Wiegner. For more, visit TheProofreadingBusinessCoach.com.

Elizabeth Wiegner: All right, we are here with Candis today. Candis is one of my transcript proofreading graduates, and she -- I feel like she just encompasses everything that you want to talk about proofreading about. Candis has either done it, been there, thought about it. She’s a mom. She’s a nurse. She’s a wife. She has a million other side projects going too, and she managed to figure out how to fit in time to learn how to be a transcript proofreader and then go out and get clients. So some days she’s even so busy that she’s shared work because she’s had so much to do.

So Candis -- I have all these questions that I wanted to ask her, and I feel like I could keep her here for days, but we’re not going to do that. We’re going to cover some things, and I am so excited for you to hear from Candis because you hear from me about how much I love transcript proofreading and how much it has changed my life and how many different ways I’ve been able to expand.

Like when I started my proofreading business, I never imagined one day I would be sitting here talking to Candis about her proofreading business. And Candis has a similar story with how her proofreading business and her background has just impacted her life in ways. And hearing it from other people helps, so it’s not just me. It’s like, okay, Elizabeth. We know you like transcript proofreading. So hear others who enjoy it too. Candis is one.

So, Candis, thank you so, so much for making time to be here today. I really appreciate that.

Candis Lee: Thanks for having me. I’m happy to be here.

Elizabeth Wiegner: Good. Well, so one other thing about Candis too is she is actually my community support manager inside both of our communities. So when you join the transcript proofreading course, there are two communities. One is for students as you’re learning, and then one is for graduates. It’s kind of like the elite, exciting group to get into once you pass your exams and get in there.

And Candis is the manager over there to make sure that everybody gets their questions answered. They’re supported. I mean, I’m inside there. Kat, our assistant, is inside there as well. And Candis is the -- she helps make everything a well-oiled machine in there and makes everybody feel loved and supported.

So if you’re already a student or a grad and are listening, you’re like, oh yeah, I know Candis. And if you’re not yet, then you will definitely get to know Candis too when you’re inside the community.

So, Candis, I would like to kick this all off by asking you: How did you get interested -- transcript proofreading is such a unique niche. Most people have never heard of it before. So what made you interested -- like, when you heard about it, what made you be like, I think I could do this?

Candis Lee: Well, I thought about proofreading for a while and general proofreading. And my background is in nursing, so I’m an RN. But I know I didn’t want to go back to that and those hours, and I couldn’t at the time. So I was looking for something remote, flexible that could work with my family’s schedule on things like that.

And then I stumbled upon your Instagram randomly, and I was -- how you described it, I think I watched that intro video. I was like, yes, this sounds perfect. The only thing was I don’t like to read for fun.

Elizabeth Wiegner: Okay. I think you’re the first proofreader I’ve ever heard who said proofreading is not my thing. So tell me more about this not liking to proofread -- or not liking to read for fun.

Candis Lee: Yes. So free time -- I like to cross stitch or do little crafty things while I watch TV. That’s how I unwind, not necessarily reading for fun. But when it comes to finding errors, spotting errors, that’s what I really love to do, and I love proofreading for friends and things like that. So I knew I had the ability to do it but not necessarily read as a hobby.

Elizabeth Wiegner: That makes sense. I mean, it is different, but it totally makes sense. So tell me, when you’re sitting down and proofreading, does it feel like you’re reading, or does it feel completely different? How does your take -- since you don’t like reading, how does that feel when you do that?

Candis Lee: It feels like I’m a sleuth with a magnifying glass, and I’m unraveling a mystery. What is happening in this transcript? But also like, okay, is this correct? Is this not? So I like that hunting for errors type of thing.

Elizabeth Wiegner: Do you feel like you’re -- did you read Nancy Drew growing up when you were little?

Candis Lee: Yeah, Boxcar Children, Nancy Drew, my total faves.

Elizabeth Wiegner: So do you feel like you’re channeling your inner Boxcar Children/Nancy Drew when you’re doing this?

Candis Lee: Yes. I always wanted to be Nancy Drew. I am the Nancy Drew of your transcript.

Elizabeth Wiegner: I love that. I feel like Nancy Drew was -- she was a dream that I could be when I grew up, and we’re pretty -- I mean, now we’re close to it. I feel like we’re even cooler than Nancy Drew because we are real, to begin with, and we’re still getting to put our sleuthing skills to good use but inside transcripts too.

So what made you pick transcript proofreading over general proofreading where you get to -- I had a previous podcast episode on what is the difference between transcript proofreading and general proofreading because there are -- they are very different. So what made you decide transcripts are where I want to be as opposed to books or blogs or websites?

Candis Lee: You know, I really like the specificity of it, and it’s a very known quantity. I feel like with general proofreading, it felt overwhelming. Like where would I start? Who would I apply to? You made it so clear that there is a target audience for this, and so I think that was the major draw. Like, okay, this feels doable and not overwhelming.

Elizabeth Wiegner: That makes sense. So you mentioned earlier that you were a nurse, and nursing and transcript proofreading are very different. Obviously, yes, with nursing it’s not as flexible because if you’re in the hospital, you’re obviously not at home with your kids. But how do you feel like -- because a lot of people, they go to college, and they put all this -- nursing school is not -- I’ve not been to nursing school, but it’s not a lot -- it is a lot of work. It takes a lot of time. How do you feel like you’re still using your nursing without completely leaving nursing behind but you’re in transcripts now?

Candis Lee: Oh my. I feel like I use it all the time, and it’s been such a good way to market. If they know they have medical depos they need to do, or they just know I’m familiar with the terminology. It can come up and things like that. And so I think that base of knowledge has been super helpful in a lot of different ways. And I feel like I do use it every day in my proofreading, so I’m glad that I got it even though it was hard. And yeah, I’m so glad that it’s something that I could bring into my proofreading.

Elizabeth Wiegner: That’s a good point about medical depositions because there are a lot -- I mean, there are so many malpractice suits or even not a malpractice suit, but even some of the most basic transcripts are car wrecks where you’re talking about how you got in a car wreck. But if they’re talking about the medication they’re on because of the -- in the car wreck or talking about all their different injuries, or the doctor is coming in and talking about a car wreck, I don’t have a nursing background, and so I am Googling like crazy. I don’t know how to pronounce any of these things. You don’t have to pronounce them, but it does help as you’re reading to think about it. So I can imagine being a nurse. It’s like, oh, I’m right at home with this.

Candis Lee: And doctors seem to speak a certain way or people in the medical profession, so kind of knowing the vernacular and how they are going to put together their sentence makes it easier to be like, okay, this is fine and not be like this is grammatically wrong.

Elizabeth Wiegner: This makes no sense. And they talk on and on, and so it’s kind of like, oh yes. And some attorneys are even doctors turned attorneys, and then so you’ve got attorney talk with the doctor talk, and it’s like oh.

Candis Lee: That’s exactly my reaction.

Elizabeth Wiegner: Yes, which, for those listening who don’t have a nursing background or an attorney background or a doctor background, that doesn’t mean that you can’t proofread transcripts. There are plenty of transcripts that don’t have nursing or medical knowledge in them.

And, I mean, I don’t have a nursing background, and I proofread plenty of transcripts with tons of medical info. But saying all that, having a nursing background is so handy. How much I have to Google compared to, I’m sure, you Google when you hear a term, you’re like, oh, I got this, and you just go. And I’m like -- I mean, I know on Lives before, you’ve been like, let me help you pronounce that medication right now because…

Candis Lee: But that’s the thing. You can use anything from your background, and it’s going to be helpful to understand something.

Elizabeth Wiegner: So true, yes. And I like how in your -- like even in your email signature that you send to court reporters, you have that you’re an RN in it. It’s just a subtle way to be like, hey, I’m here for you if are doing a lot of medical work.

Candis Lee: Yes, my subtle flex.

Elizabeth Wiegner: Hey guys, pay attention to this signature here. And I love that you can use -- because I know sometimes people, they spend so much time in college, and then they realize it’s not for them, and that’s totally fine. It’s better to have done it and realize it’s not for you than to wonder for the rest of your life. But I love that you can still use something. You spent a lot of time and I’m sure a lot of money on, a lot of stress on and are able to use it. That’s just really -- and you can do that with so many different backgrounds with proofreading. That’s a good point.

So when you were going to start your business, you heard about transcript proofreading on my Instagram. You watched the free workshop. You were like, okay, yes. Even though I don’t like to read, even though I have a nursing background, I can figure out how to apply and make this work. So knowing you want to do it plus starting your business are two very different things.

A lot of people want to do things but don’t actually follow through and do them. I mean, I’m sure you’ve done it. I have definitely done it. So what made you -- what were you most worried about starting your business. And it’s a twofold question: What made you decide -- what helped you overcome that kind of trepidation? Or maybe you weren’t nervous. Maybe you were like, this is it. I’m going to do it. But tell me all the things.

Candis Lee: I think time was the biggest thing. Am I really going to have time to do this? Am I really going to have time to proofread once I do finish? I went in guns blazing, and I was very determined to finish as quickly as possible. But I think prioritizing time, and it was something that I had to kind of learn and grow with as I figured out how fast I could proofread, how fast it will take to do the course and things like that.

Elizabeth Wiegner: I love you mentioned time because I feel like that is one of the biggest reasons -- I mean, all of us, especially as adults, a lot of times when we’re planning our career, it’s in high school, and we’re going into college, and we’ve already made time for school for years. It’s just I’m just going to add four more years on.

But as adults, when -- especially if you have a significant other or you have kids or you already have a career and adding in something else, it’s like how in the world? So I love that you said that you prioritized your time. So can you give some examples of kind of -- you’re a mom. You have three kids. You’re married. Can you give some examples of how you made a point to prioritize your time even with all the craziness in your life going on?

Candis Lee: So I have three kids under 6, so it is a busy time. They’re all two years apart, so -- I mean, all moms are busy, one, two, three to however many. And it’s all busy. It’s all time-consuming. So what I made sure was, was to carve out time. So I knew naptime and after they go to bed is going to be non-negotiable. I’m going to have an hour or two here. I’m going to have for sure three hours here and really guarded that time, I guess, to say this is for this only, taking breaks of course here and there, but tried to be really diligent about that.

Elizabeth Wiegner: I love that you said it was non-negotiable and you guarded it. It’s like -- a lot of times people -- well, as a mom, I’m sure you have your non-negotiables. You’re going to feed your kids in the morning before they go to school or before they get to playing around the house or whatever. You’re going to make sure they have their bath or whatever. I mean, you have your things that you’re absolutely going -- and you wouldn’t be like, I’m not going to do that today. I don’t feel like it.

So I love that you decided this is non-negotiable too. I’m going to make it and guarded that. You found time to do it still with your kids, but you made sure it was a priority because that’s -- that takes discipline to do. That’s not just something where you’re like, I might do it. I might not do it.

Candis Lee: But your course is so engaging that I was like -- I was hooked every time. I was excited to get back in.

Elizabeth Wiegner: Well, thank you. Good, I’m glad. That makes me happy to hear. So with having three kids under 6 and trying to balance all that, did you ever have those feelings where I feel selfish taking time to sit down and do this? Or did it -- I mean, or did you feel like this is the right thing to do? Did you ever have feelings, maybe not selfish, but any misgivings about spending time on it?

Candis Lee: Sure. You know, I kind of came to a point as a mom where I was like, I need to do something for me. It doesn’t have to make money necessarily, but that’s a really good perk. So I was like, it is for them because it’s to help our family financially eventually, but it really -- I needed something for me that was separate from the kids. And it was like a form of self-care really to be like this is mommy’s time. Mommy is working. You need to go back to your bed.

Elizabeth Wiegner: And stay there.

Candis Lee: Yes.

Elizabeth Wiegner: Well, I love that you said that too. You communicated what you were doing. I feel like a lot of people want you to be mind readers, and I’ve fallen into that habit too. I don’t tell Jonathan, hey, I need this time to focus on this, and then he comes “bothers me.” I’m putting that in quotes. And then I’m like, don’t you know I have work? Well, he can’t -- I mean, we are on the same wavelength, but it doesn’t mean he can read my brain that I need it.

So I love that you said that you communicated with them and so that they knew it was important to you and that they needed it. Did you find that -- was your spouse supportive through it too, or did you -- okay, he was.

Candis Lee: Yes, yes, very, and that’s a big reason why I’m able to do what I can do because if I have an immediate job and I need to get this done and he’s willing to take the kids for a few hours so I can get my work done, that’s huge. So having some kind of support with the kids I think is helpful, not that you -- whether that’s daycare, whether that’s a family member, or a spouse.

Elizabeth Wiegner: That makes sense. So when you were starting transcript proofreading, was that a conversation that you had with him where you talked it through it? Or were you like, I’m going to go do it, and he was like, yes, I’m here for the ride? Because I know sometimes -- everybody has different approaches. Sometimes people are like, they are absolutely not on board. Some are like, I have no clue what you’re doing, but go ahead. How was it with Dan when you were like, I’m going to do this?

Candis Lee: He was a little -- scratching his head a little bit. He didn’t know what this was, and I was coming off of something else that I tried as a side hustle. And he was like, okay, if you think this one’s going to work.

Elizabeth Wiegner: You do you, Candis.

Candis Lee: Yeah, it was a little bit of that at first. And then fast-forward to I finished the course. I’m in my first week of working and marketing, and it was going great. And he’s seeing the money come in. He’s like, oh, this is for real. I was like, yeah, honey, it is.

Elizabeth Wiegner: I knew this. I was just waiting for you to catch up.

Candis Lee: So I was like, he’ll see. He’ll see.

Elizabeth Wiegner: Seriously, when money hits the bank account, that is when the -- even for yourself. You can even be kind of doubting in yourself the whole time. I mean, you sound confident with it, but sometimes as we’re going through and we’re working on something, it’s like, man, I sure hope this works out. But that time you get your first invoice, whether it’s 20 bucks or 200 bucks, it just feels like, wow, I learned to do something and I did this.

Candis Lee: On top of the world. I joke, but he’s super supportive. He was always like, this is mommy’s time to work. He’s like, I’ll get them if they come down from bed, and he was just amazing.

Elizabeth Wiegner: I love that. That makes such a huge -- when you have someone in your corner whether that’s a spouse or maybe your kids in your corner, or we have the community that we’re in. And I mean, you have all these students and grads in your corner supporting you. It makes a huge difference as opposed to trying to do it all on your own. That’s a really good point.

Candis Lee: Yes, for sure.

Elizabeth Wiegner: So you had mentioned right before -- you said you had tried out another side hustle you had, and then you went into transcript proofreading. That -- I love that. I’ve done that too. I mean, I don’t even know if I can count the number of side hustles that I’ve tried. What -- I know that trying other businesses, learning other things whether we actually try to start our business or not can sometimes affect -- not sometimes, usually it does -- affect our perspective of any new business that we start. It’s like, well, is this going to be the last one where I didn’t do well, or I had big plans and it fell through, or I didn’t give myself a time.

There are a million reasons why they don’t work. Some are our fault. Some are not our fault. Some just weren’t good fits. So how did you overcome the feelings of I just spent time and money on the last side hustle, but I’m going to make this one work? How did you feel like there was a difference? How did you push through for that?

Candis Lee: I think the difference that I really felt was the fact that it’s remote and flexible. I felt really confident that I could fit it in with what I was doing. And other side hustles that I tried, I was like, this is going to involve me being out of the house a lot, or this is going to involve a lot of preparation that I don’t know if I have time for. And then -- but I feel like with proofreading, it was a very known quantity, and so it was like, okay, I think this will work.

Elizabeth Wiegner: And you just went for it.

Candis Lee: Yes, and that’s the thing. I feel like I wouldn’t have known unless I tried it, and it felt like, okay, the amount for that first phase, I was like, I think that is a reasonable amount to figure out if this is what will work for me. And if it doesn’t, then it’s just something else I can cross off the list, and it’s like -- if it’s even just decreasing my list of possibilities, that’s helpful.

Elizabeth Wiegner: I -- I’m going to have that sound bite and just replay it because I feel -- and that is a really common concern. I mean, everybody has that concern. I mean, I have -- I started a million side hustles, and I still think when I think of new side hustles to start, I’m like, well, am I going to like it? Is the money worth it?

I mean, I’ve spent anywhere from 5 bucks for a little ebook to thousands of dollars for courses that I’ve never used before. But that feeling of I tried it and maybe I don’t like it, but I’d so much rather know than sit there and wonder because that lives in your brain. It takes up space wondering, and you wouldn’t want to go through life just what if I had done that.

Candis Lee: And that was living in my head for two weeks while I was looking at your course. I was like, do I? Don’t I? And I’m so glad that I did.

Elizabeth Wiegner: When you finally did, you’re like, okay, I’m going to do this. So everybody has their own pace for working through the course. It is a self-paced course, so you can get in. Like if you need a year to work through it, take the year. If you need -- I mean, it’s not going to take a couple weeks, but if you need -- so how long for you? I mean, three kids, married, you’ve got stuff to do. I know it’s been a little bit, but how long did it -- if you can remember -- did it take you to go through the course?

Candis Lee: I think three to four months is how long it took just doing a few hours a day.

Elizabeth Wiegner: Nice, all right, like when the kids are in naptime or after bedtime, fitting it in. That makes sense. And you were really into -- you had mentioned before it was non-negotiable. You were going to do it.

Candis Lee: Yes, and they were intense work times. It wasn’t multi-tasking at all.

Elizabeth Wiegner: That’s a good point too because you can’t -- multi-tasking just doesn’t cut it if you’re going to try to focus. That’s a good point. So after you graduated the course, you passed your exam, and then you -- so after you passed your exams, you have to get your business set up, learn how to market. After you got that part done, how long did it take you to -- thereabouts did it take you to find your first client?

Candis Lee: I think a day or two. It was pretty quick.

Elizabeth Wiegner: That’s fast, nice.

Candis Lee: Yeah, it was quick, and it was a lot at first. And so my first week was kind of like a record-high week in my proofreading career. So I was like, kind of a deer in headlights, but it was fun. It was really fun, and I realized you know what? I’m really going to enjoy this. If I’m getting this much work and I’m working this much and I’m not dreading it but I’m excited to work, that was the first time I’ve ever felt like that with work. It was a revelation.

Elizabeth Wiegner: I love that, just the feeling -- you’re busy, but you know you don’t -- I mean, not dreading work. That is one of the best -- you can’t put a price tag on that feeling.

Candis Lee: No, seriously priceless.

Elizabeth Wiegner: And, I mean, it was priceless, but you were also making great money. Didn’t you make back -- I can’t remember. You had posted something about -- I think you made back the cost of the course in the first week or two or something.

Candis Lee: Yes.

Elizabeth Wiegner: That is amazing.

Candis Lee: I was like, oh, and then Dan was like, wow. Look at this!

Elizabeth Wiegner: It works. Well, I love that you did it and then -- because a lot of -- part of the fear of starting your own business, which we all have that fear whether you’ve been doing it forever or this is your very first business you started is putting yourself out there is -- it can be kind of intimidating because you’re like, I hope people like me and want me and understand how good I am. But you, it just took you a day or two, and you’re like, oh, people do see how awesome I am.

Candis Lee: Well, I definitely led with my -- that I had my RN, and I feel like people can lead with any skills you have that you can bring to the table.

Elizabeth Wiegner: I agree, yes, 100%. When you talk about what you can give instead of -- I mean, yeah, it is about you in the sense that you are an RN, but you’re not just talking about I’m the best RN there was. You’re talking about how you being an RN is helpful to your client. That’s such a switch on, yes, it’s about me, but I have skills that help you. So had you had any marketing experience before this, or was this your first time really trying to go out and get clients?

Candis Lee: I’m laughing because I have no marketing skills whatsoever. I have never tried, and no, no, none. You don’t really have to do that in nursing. They’re begging you to come work.

Elizabeth Wiegner: You have got a point there, yes.

Candis Lee: But I think everything I learned through the course, it was very simple and just laid out easily. So I was like, I’ll follow steps one, two, three, put it up there, and the biggest fear was just like, oh my gosh, what if nobody responds?

Elizabeth Wiegner: Yes, yes.

Candis Lee: But otherwise, it was pretty painless.

Elizabeth Wiegner: Good. That’s good. And would you consider yourself an introvert?

Candis Lee: Yes.

Elizabeth Wiegner: You’re like, obviously.

Candis Lee: I mean, I’m maybe like a more 50/50 split, and it depends. But I definitely need my time.

Elizabeth Wiegner: That makes sense. I feel like people think that to market well and to get clients that you have to be really bubbly, outgoing, love people, always extroverted, and that’s not the case.

Candis Lee: You just turn it on for that five minutes you’re at your post.

Elizabeth Wiegner: Yes. Oh my goodness, yes. And then you can go back and relax and be like, okay.

Candis Lee: That’s how it felt.

Elizabeth Wiegner: My heart rate can go down.

Candis Lee: I can breathe again. I posted it. It’s over.

Elizabeth Wiegner: And the nice thing is, I mean, you can do in-person marketing, and I cover all that inside the course in detail so that you aren’t left trying to figure it out on your own. But a lot -- most of marketing is done online, so it’s not like you have to be super happy or perfectly dressed, perfect makeup all the time to market, which I would be like, eh, no.

Candis Lee: Exactly, same.

Elizabeth Wiegner: So what would you say -- I mean, I feel like you have touched on a lot of what you like about transcript proofreading throughout this. But what would you say is your -- if you could pinpoint, I’m always saying my favorite part of transcript proofreading, like, yes, Elizabeth. You’ve said that of, like, 20 other things. But if you could pinpoint one thing that you just have felt like it’s just the perfect thing for you, what would that -- I’m kind of throwing that question at you as a surprise. But -- how -- what would you say is your favorite, if you could pick, or your top three if it’s hard to narrow down?

Candis Lee: Top three about proofreading?

Elizabeth Wiegner: Yes, being a transcript proofreader.

Candis Lee: I would say for sure relationships, so relationships in the community. It was really a lifeline for me and just such a great place to be, so love the communities and now love working in the communities. And then relationships with the court reporters. I love that aspect as well, feeling like I’m really needed, I’m really a valuable asset to their team, and developing that long-term relationship. I really loved that when I was a nurse as well, like more long-term kind of stuff. So -- and I think the last thing would be that sense of accomplishment like when you finish a transcript and you turn it in. I’m one of those people who really likes crossing things off on my list.

Elizabeth Wiegner: Same.

Candis Lee: It’s like, oh, got that done. Yay! Finished that transcript. And so -- and with that, just contributing to my family’s finances. It’s opened a lot of doors for us to think about moving or a different house or things like that. So that’s been super helpful too.

Elizabeth Wiegner: I don’t know if I could pick my favorite of those three that you…

Candis Lee: It was a lot.

Elizabeth Wiegner: No, the -- forming the relationships and feeling needed and appreciated, I mean, think of how many jobs you’ve had in the past where it’s like you just felt kind of like a cog in the machine or you were there -- there’s nothing wrong with being at a job just to collect a paycheck. There is -- I mean, that is literally the reason you have a job is to make money. A lot of people shy away from that, but that is for real the reason. And being able to do something where you feel fulfilled and make a paycheck and feel appreciated, I mean, that just makes you want to keep doing it and keep doing a good job.

Candis Lee: Yes.

Elizabeth Wiegner: And then, of course, the money part, having -- being able to expand your options, especially like in today’s economy where options can feel really limited or difficult, that is such a good feeling to know.

Candis Lee: Living the dream.

Elizabeth Wiegner: Yes.

Candis Lee: Dream job, makes you feel like you’re living the dream for sure.

Elizabeth Wiegner: I love that too. Man, I have all these little sound bites. I’m going to be like, and listen to this on repeat. So what would you say -- what advice do you have for someone who is considering transcript proofreading? Like if somebody was asking you about it or they’re like, I’m a mom and I have kids. I don’t know if I’m going to have time. Or I don’t know too much about this. I don’t know if I’m going to like it. I don’t even like to read. What advice would you have to somebody who’s thinking about transcript proofreading but hasn’t taken the leap yet into trying it out?

Candis Lee: Something I tell my kids a lot is you don’t know until you try it. And I say for good things, for good things. I don’t want to eat my words later.

Elizabeth Wiegner: Mom, you said…

Candis Lee: So take a try. You don’t regret it. If you’re not sure, take the leap. And then if you figure out at the end of phase 1 it’s not for you, then that’s okay. Like we said earlier, you cross it off your list. But you might find that you love it, and that’s what happened to me for sure.

Elizabeth Wiegner: I love that and your note of caution. Don’t do everything. But that’s so true, and that’s one of the reasons why I have my course in phases so that if you get in and you’re like, nope, then it’s no hard feelings. I’m not going to be offended. I would much -- I mean, I’ll have people email and be like, do you think I’d be a good fit? And if I don’t think you are, then I’ll tell you. I don’t want you in there disappointed over yet another side hustle that you tried. And if you aren’t sure but you think it might be, then why not?

Candis Lee: Yes.

Elizabeth Wiegner: I have -- some people have -- a lot of work-from-home businesses are -- and there’s nothing wrong with this, so I’m not pointing -- looking down on any type of side hustle. But a lot of -- when people think of working from home, it’s you sell a certain product and you have -- like multi-level marketing where you report to a boss, or you try to get other people to be proofreaders as well. Do you -- how would you differentiate -- I don’t know if you -- I mean, a lot of people have tried different multi-level marketing things, and they’ve loved it, and they’ve excelled at it and been amazing. And other people have tried it and been like, if this is what working from home is, then it’s absolutely not for me.

So I actually do get a lot of questions like is transcript proofreading like multi-level marketing. And so I know you’ve gotten that question before. How do you feel it’s different? How does it feel I guess maybe not as intimidating or maybe -- how would you differentiate it?

Candis Lee: I think the main thing is like you really are your own boss. You’re working for the court reporter, but you have the autonomy, freedom to reject jobs, to find someone else for a job, or to set your terms. I really feel like I’m the owner of my business, and I’m not answering to anyone. And so…

Elizabeth Wiegner: I love that.

Candis Lee: I don’t know if that’s bad or wrong. I just really like that part.

Elizabeth Wiegner: That is a huge one. I don’t like being told what to do. I never have. It’s been a -- I was told it was a problem when I was growing, and now I’m like, that’s a strong point now. But that’s such a good point. If you don’t like being told what to do or having somebody else dictating your schedule, then that is such a good point, yes. You really are. I mean, you have responsibilities. It’s not like you just don’t do your work if you get a job, but…

Candis Lee: With integrity, yes, you can be your own boss.

Elizabeth Wiegner: So I like you brought that point up about being your own boss. If you haven’t owned your own business before, and you hadn’t before this, then it can feel intimidating to be your own boss and know that you have to set your own schedule and show up, and especially with kids where sometimes life isn’t always how you plan it. So how do you -- how are you intentional?

Now that you are a business owner -- you said you love the freedom. It’s not an intimidating part of it. It can sound intimidating. I’m a business owner. But how do you make sure that you show up and you aren’t stressed and you have -- I don’t really necessarily like the term balance because life isn’t always balanced. There are times you can’t -- you have to focus on your proofreading business over everything else, and it can feel a little lopsided. I guess that’s a two-part question. I’m sounding like an attorney here with my questions that just go and on and on and keep going.

Candis Lee: Well, we read about -- we read them all the time.

Elizabeth Wiegner: How do you, for one, feel like you balance -- balance -- how do you feel like you get everything done as a business owner without feeling like proofreading overtakes your life? Because proofreading is meant to support the life you want to have. It’s not meant to encroach on everything.

Candis Lee: Yes. I mean, it’s a give and take. Sometimes I do feel like I’m proofreading a little more than I thought I would be this weekend. I wish I had more time with the kids or something like that. But something we talk about in the groups a lot is boundaries, and I think having healthy boundaries, knowing when to say no -- I’m definitely someone who wants to say yes and does not want to disappoint -- so I took every single job that came my way for I think the first few months and never said no, and it really bit me in the butt sometimes.

And so I think I learned through the process, okay, I have this coming up. I need to plan ahead, and so really protecting my schedule that I already have and then not feeling so bad to say no.

Elizabeth Wiegner: That’s good for us people-pleasers because it does feel like saying no is like disappointing somebody. But when you say no, I mean, how is that feeling when you say no now that you have learned to -- okay, this is my line I’ve drawn? Does it feel framed? Does it feel disappointing, a little bit of both?

Candis Lee: Definitely mixed emotions, but knowing that I have other proofers in my back pocket. I’m like, hey, I can set you up with someone then. And then it’s not a disappointment. It’s like, oh, she’s still trying to take care of me. They feel like I’m still in their corner, and that’s what I want.

Elizabeth Wiegner: I love that, a proofreader in their corner, yes. And then that -- it feels -- like when I -- I did the same thing as you when I first started proofreading. I mean, I still kind of do this. Years later I’m still working on it, wanting to say yes to every job and afraid to disappoint. But if you’re saying yes to everything and you’re affecting your quality of work, then it affects the court reporter, and they don’t want that.

And if it affects your family life, that’s not what -- you didn’t get into this job to be stressed all the time. That’s -- and that is -- you’re very right. That’s something we do talk about inside the communities about how to balance that. And it’s so nice knowing that there are other grads who can do a really good job and take care of your court reporters, and you’ll get your court reporters back. It’s not like you’re giving away clients and never going to see them again.

Candis Lee; Right.

Elizabeth Wiegner: Well, Candis, is there anything else? I mean, I feel like this is just a -- so much helpful information for people thinking about transcript proofreading or are currently working through it and in the middle of it all. If you could leave with one piece of advice, what is -- I know that’s a lot -- or several pieces.

If you have your favorite, maybe it’s a hobby horse or something that you really wish, like if you could just speak so openly and honestly to somebody who’s thinking about it or is in the middle of it and dragging their feet because, hey, we’ve all been there. What would you say if you could just sit down and be like, hey, this is what I need you to know? As a proofreader who’s done it, I’m successful, what is it that you would say?

Candis Lee: I would say if you put in the work, you will see the results. And if you put in the effort you’re going to see something great at the end, so don’t give up. I think it’s easy to want to give up. And maybe for some people it’s not the right fit, and that’s okay. But if this is something you feel like you’ll be passionate about and will fit in your schedule like it did for me, it’s worth it. It’s really worth it.

Elizabeth Wiegner: I love that. Don’t give up. Keep going. I know it feels like it. Keep the long-term goal in mind. That’s so good. Y’all, I hope you enjoyed talking to Candis as much as I did. I mean, I talk to Candis just about every day because we work on the team together, but just getting to sit here and listen to her talk about her business, it inspires me. I’m like, oh, I need to go find a transcript to proofread. I love it.

So I hope you are just as inspired as I was and to realize that if you have a goal and you want to make it happen, you absolutely can. It takes some discipline. It takes some hard work. This is not a get-rich-quick business where you snap your fingers, and it’s so rewarding and so satisfying. So thank you so much, Candis. I know your time is valuable. Like we talked about, you’re a mom. You’re busy. Thank you for taking the time to hang out with me and the rest of us, and thank you so much. I appreciate it.

Candis Lee: Thank you.

Elizabeth Wiegner: Want to learn more about transcript proofreading? Then check out my free workshop: Is Transcript Proofreading the Right Money-Making Business for Me? It’s less than an hour, and it answers lots of FAQs around transcript proofreading so you can decide if this is the perfect side hustle for you. You can check it out on TheProofreadingBusinessCoach.com/workshopregistration.