Today’s Meet a Mom feature is a local mom of 2 and runs her own business as a copywriter and editor. After a career in marketing and PR, Julie Blacklock is excited to be more focused on her favorite niche in her field of marketing communications. Julie helps businesses share their expertise so that people clearly understand the product, service or mission and find value in it. Her work extends to copywriting for websites, blog posts, company magazines, newsletter articles, social media campaigns and other creative initiatives. She loves when her written content allows the organization’s voice to shine through while connecting to their audience.
We sat down with Julie to talk about her business in copywriting along with all things mom life like how she can’t seem to bring herself to unload the backpacks and lunches after school, her favorite things to do in Katy, and how she believes seeing a therapist should more a more normalized part of self care.
Where are you from originally, and how long have you lived in the Katy area?
The Houston-area is home, but I lived in Little Rock, Arkansas, for most of my childhood. I attended the University of Houston and spent my early 20s living near Midtown and Montrose. In 2015, my husband and I moved to Katy.
How many kiddos do you have, and how old are they?
I have two daughters. Claire is four-years-old and Anna is 18-months-old.
abbylaine photogaphy
What’s your favorite thing about raising a family in Katy?
The people in Katy are incredible! From neighbors, to communities of faith and motherhood circles—the friendships are top-notch. It also helps that my parents and my husband’s parents live here too. We love having family nearby.
Least favorite mom job? (i.e. packing lunches, dishes, bath time, etc.)
This is possibly a strange answer, but I have nearly zero motivation to take the lunch boxes, backpacks and folders into the house after preschool pickup. It feels like the ultimate chore. I know that my future self will thank me for washing, sorting and organizing immediately, but maybe I could just wake up early and do it…tomorrow?
Best mom hack that makes life easier?
Thanks to 2020, we take advantage of curbside ordering everywhere. This isn’t a groundbreaking mom hack, but it’s helpful to skip the in-store shopping for a quick curbside order. I’ll pass on chasing two littles down every aisle!
What are your favorite local things to do in Katy? (with kiddos or just for mom!)
We keep several, local parks on a strong rotation during the cooler months. Many of the parks in Cinco Ranch have large trees with shaded areas, and we also love the updated environments at Exploration Park and Mary Jo Peckham Park. Give us a slide or swing, and we’re there.
We’re big on self-care for moms, as hard as it is to find the time, what’s something you do just or yourself?
To be honest, I go to therapy every week. I found my therapist in January 2020, and it was so helpful when COVID hit. We moved our sessions to Zoom for several months, but this remains near the top on my self-care list. I think moms need to hear that you don’t have to wait for something to be terribly wrong to go to therapy. I’ve loved seeing this practice normalized in recent years.
When did you begin working as a freelance writer and what was the inspiration behind that career choice?
After working for several communications agencies, I made the move to solo PR work in 2015. I hoped to find balance between my work and personal life before children entered the picture. I formed Blacklock PR and focused on copywriting, social media management and securing earned media for clients. After stepping back from my work for a short period of time, I decided to pivot from traditional public relations and go all-in on copywriting and editing. It’s my favorite niche within the world of marketing communications.
What services do you offer as a freelance writer, and how can you help businesses?
I help businesses share their expertise so that people clearly understand the product, service or mission and find value in it. This work extends to copywriting for websites, blog posts, company magazines, newsletter articles, social media campaigns and other creative initiatives. I also partner with teams for general proofreading and editing projects to ensure all written content is professional, stylistically correct and consistent.
What’s your favorite thing about what you do?
It’s really rewarding when clients are eager to share my work after a project concludes. I love when my written content allows the organization’s voice to shine through while connecting to their audience.
Best advice for moms who experience the inevitable and dreaded MOM GUILT? How do you balance having a career and being Mama?
Give yourself grace when life doesn’t happen as expected. Holding tight to expectations can really steal joy and create mom-guilt. I’m not sure I ever balance my career and motherhood perfectly, but I try to be intentional with my time. When my girls attend preschool, I give my undivided attention to the work in front of me. When my girls are at home, I attempt to plan a meaningful and interactive day. Things don’t always go smoothly but having a basic structure for each day really helps.
abbylaine photogaphy
When parenting gets hard, what’s something you tell yourself that gets you through?
I’ll often remind myself that this is a hard season of life, and all emotions are acceptable and normal.
Future plans for your business?
My clients are currently spread throughout Texas, and I’m eager to grow my business right here in Katy. I’d love to chat with anyone who needs help with writing and editing for blogs, articles, websites or newsletters. Let’s talk!
To learn more about Julie Blacklock, check out her website & follow her on social media:
Website: julieblacklock.com
Instagram: @julieblacklock
Contact: [email protected]