interview with Alexandra Franzen

Each week, I’ll be doing an interview with people who are inspiring. They’re busy doing really cool stuff online and with their business, and each of them will be bringing something new to the table. If there’s anyone YOU think should be interviewed in the series, drop me a line {or better yet – leave a comment}

First up is the lovely Alexandra. She’s a quirky and lovable ass-kicking wordsmith that has a penchant for shining up drab web copy and personal resumes. If you’re in the mood for some random nuggets, be sure to visit the super cool hangout, Unicorns for Socialism. Oh, and she’s helping me create some shimmery copy for the upcoming release of my GUIDE SESSIONS. {more on that Monday!}

So, what’s a typical day-in-the-life of Ms. Franzen?

A couple months ago, I posted my Life Design for 2010 … I modeled it after four of my all-time heroes: Benjamin Franklin, Oscar Wilde, RuPaul and Hedy Lamarr. I try to align my day-to-day activities with that design … some days I hit it on the nail, some days I spend 18 hours poured over my laptop, and other days I refuse to do anything other than cuddle with my girlfriend and eat frozen yogurt with sprinkles. Ha! The life of a freelancer is a mercurial one, eh?

Who (or what) has changed the way you look at the world?

My earliest intellectual influences were Ayn Rand (especially The Fountainhead) and John Steinbeck (particularly The Grapes of Wrath). Did I mention I was an English major? I’m fascinated by the tension between capitalism and socialism. There’s value and truth to both systems … I’m constantly trying to educate myself about the intersection of money, power and social progress.

What’s the best money you’ve ever spent?

Well, the easy answer is my MacBook Pro laptop, cuz I use it every single day. But … I would probably say my trip to Dublin back in 2004. I was 19 years old, and it was my first international solo-adventure. I spent 10 days in Ireland with zero agenda, just meeting locals and riding trains and writing poetry and staring at the rain. It was magical and loose — it really cemented my sense of independence. Someday, I’d love to take a creative writing course at Trinity College — they offer classes inside the building where Oscar Wilde was born!

What are your creative habits?  What inspires you to be … well, you?

It may sound shallow, but I’m incredibly inspired by aesthetics and personal style. When I’m wearing an outfit that makes me feel like a rockstar, I write better, speak better and feel more productive. I love browsing through magazines to hunt for interesting color palettes, gawking at snappily-dressed people on the street, and scouring vintage shops for bowties, scarves and other trinkets.

Gimmie some of your favourites.  Books, people, internet hangouts: whatever comes to mind.

Books: Right now, I’m digging The Renaissance Soul by Margaret Lobenstine and The Fire Starter Sessions by the venerable Danielle LaPorte. I recently scored I’m Proud of You: My Friendship with Mr. Rogers for $2 at a used bookshop. In terms of fiction, I must admit that the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series by Laurel K. Hamilton is pretty amusing.

People: Is it cheesy to say “my family?” I’ll expand that and say…my genetic family, my glorious friends and my virtual tribe.

Web haunts: The blogs that I read every day, without fail, are: When I Grow Up, Nubby Twiglet, Gala Darling, Twelve22 and White Hot Truth. I don’t use social media too aggressively (blasphemy, I know!) but I can be found on Twitter … and of course, my own blog: Unicorns for Socialism.

Music: I feel compelled to note that I am OBSESSED with grungy, throbbing, outrageous hip hop music. Mainstream, indie, old-school, brand-new…it’s all good. Kid Sister,A Tribe Called Quest and Usher are a few all-time favs.

Every once in awhile there’s an idea that you slap yourself on the forehead and think: why the hell didn’t I think of that. Where do you wish you had beat someone to the punch?

Earlier this year, I had a BRILL idea: a mobile gourmet donut delivery truck called … wait for it … “Donut Stop Believin’.” And when it trundled around town, it would blast “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey. AMAZING!  I actually researched commercial food preparation laws in my county, and got some donut machine pamphlets. I was pretty possessed by the idea. Ultimately, I don’t think I’m cut out for a career in the food service industry … but I recently learned that someone else is starting a gourmet donut business in my ‘hood, so I’m happy for them. And happy for me, cuz I’ll get to enjoy their treats.

Let’s pretend it’s New Years Eve.  What’s your resolution for the next 365 days?

Do less. And do it better.

New Rule:  leave the world in a better place than you found it.  What’s your plan?

In the not-too-distant-future, my Epic Plan is to launch a program called Resumes for Revolution — bringing high-level resume design and branding resources to people facing severe and unusual job-hunting obstacles. I’ll focus on addiction treatment centers, shelters for victims of abuse, former inmates, political refugees and transgender workers, and lead targeted workshops to empower people to sell their skills … and lock down a meaningful gig. I want to secure corporate funding to make it sustainable, and eventually train other workshop leaders and expand it to a national level. Heck yeah!

What one piece of advice would you give to an entrepreneur?

Don’t isolate yourself. Magic happens when people can connect with you.

Any last thoughts? { Read:  promote the crap out of yourself here.  Feel free to include links to websites, social media, or your products. }

I love synthesizing personal branding (resumes, cover letters and bios) with promotions and marketing (webcopy, newsletters and press releases). So, I dig clients who need a broad swath of copywriting, editing and design support. I recently starting tackling grant applications and long-form personal essays, too … that’s a new world for me, but I’m feelin’ it.

My portfolio site has more info on my services and rates. And I offer free 15-minute consultation calls, too…huzzah!