#VoyageDenver

“I’m grateful for my struggle because, without it, I wouldn’t have stumbled across my strength.” | Alex Elle

VOYAGEDENVER FEATURE | DAILY INSPIRATION : MEET ERICA ADAMS

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Adams.

Hi Erica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up surrounded by beauty in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, I’ve always loved adventure and enjoyed capturing the moment with photography. After taking photography classes at Colorado Mountain College, I attended the Art Institute of Colorado for graphic design. From there, I began helping Colorado businesses market their small businesses. My journey of helping other entrepreneurs in Denver, Aurora, Fort Collins, and Steamboat Springs with their websites, social media, and marketing motivated me to start my own business. Mountain Girl Creative stemmed from my love of writing, photography, storytelling, and connecting with others. I’ve very grateful for the gifted and talented people who have encouraged, taught, and motivated me to get where I am today.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve always been a big advocate of enjoying what you do for a living, but with that comes the balance of sometimes taking on projects that aren’t always as creative as I like. Particular copywriting for websites, blogs, and articles can take a lot of out-of-the-box thinking to bring to life. I have also learned to value my time and know when to walk away from jobs or clients that aren’t appreciating my commitment. It can be challenging not to have a steady paycheck, meet tight deadlines, and communicate effectively when working for agencies. There is so much talent among creatives, so you must focus on your strengths and know when a project isn’t the right fit for your skills. Utilizing networking, coaching, and surrounding myself with other entrepreneurs encourages me to succeed. When you realize you never stop learning and can continually expand your industry knowledge, it allows you to step outside your comfort zone and grow. Once I became a mom, I realized you must set boundaries with your career. Like everyone has learned with Covid, working from home can be challenging to focus, but it allows me more time with my daughter, better mental health, and allows me to be more present with what is essential in my life.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My journey to opening Mountain Girl Creative is a unique combination of years of helping others grow their small businesses. While I was more marketing, photography, and social media based in the past, I found my true calling as a copywriter. I started blogging to share my story and connect and soon learned that writing was my favorite way to express my creativity. Today, my primary focus is writing copy for websites, blogs, and publications. My greatest accomplishment is getting to write for Ski Town Media, as I grew up reading those publications in Steamboat. Writing for the Steamboat Chamber has also been rewarding in sharing my hometown’s unique history and helping the Yampa Valley thrive. My main clients are national agencies, but I also offer marketing consulting for small businesses that need help growing their online presence. I would’ve never imagined I was strong enough to start my own business, and I am so glad I leaped. My dedication and passion for helping companies tell their stories help me thrive.

What does success mean to you?
My outlook over the years has changed dramatically with who I strive to be. I have realized it’s not about a title, position, salary, or outward accomplishments. It’s about finding what speaks to you personally. If you are blessed enough to love what you do for work, then it becomes something you enjoy doing every day. I strive to create a balanced life where success isn’t just dependent on my career. Money can’t make you happy, and things can change overnight, so be grateful for what you have today. People will never forget how you made them feel, so above all, be kind and vulnerable by sharing your story. The connection will draw others to you, so invest in what you can give the world, not just what to take.

Original feature published by VoyageDenver: http://voyagedenver.com/interview/daily-inspiration-meet-erica-adams/