Meet Erica Buehler | Freelance Writer and Editor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erica Buehler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erica, what’s your definition for success?
My version of success is a blend of all the stereotypical definitions of success: notoriety, financial security, and an inner sense of accomplishment. I want to look back on my life and, without any hesitation, know that I worked hard, created amazing things with this brain of mine, and was a good person throughout the process. Success to me is overcoming obstacles beyond the bare minimum—not simply surviving or maintaining a steady paycheck while battling everything life throws at me (though that in itself is surely accomplishment) but taking those challenges and repurposing them to make me even more powerful in my career and self. I have always been ambitious, setting high goals for myself; deep down and even on my worst days, I know I am fully capable of achieving those goals and so much more. That’s the success I’m constantly chasing.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Thinking back to my pink bedroom and tiny desk and where I would write short stories and songs and poems, it’s pretty safe to say that writing has always been a part of who I am. It took a little navigating through different college majors and career fields to figure out that writing was what I wanted to pursue but becoming a freelancer happened essentially out of tragedy and necessity. A major, life-changing event that occurred while I was holding a full-time position forced me to rethink my values. It also forced me to learn that not every workplace or manager or boss will be kind, compassionate, or have your best interest in mind. For the second time in a year, I lost the security of a full-time job and had to immediately pivot to all that I knew how to do: write and talk to people. I frantically began pitching, building a portfolio, and doing whatever it took to avoid getting evicted. And, well, it’s been a full year and I’ve still got a roof over my head, groceries in the fridge, and a writing portfolio I’m really proud of. The journey didn’t come without hardship (or making my own stupid mistakes) but it’s all lessons learned in the end. Despite it not being the most consistent-paying or structured job, I wouldn’t trade what I have right now for any of the positions I’ve held in the past. I value my freedom and my family and I know what I’m worth—you can’t put a price on any of that.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If you know me and what I do, you know good food and drink will be on the menu, but day trips to mountain towns like Georgetown or Manitou Springs and poking around their shops or seeing their sights always come into play when friends visit (we have to show off the picturesque Rockies somehow). It’s also a must to walk around some of the touristy spots in the city, like Larimer Square or Union Station, where the restaurant options are plentiful and the photo ops are endless. Some of the first-ever places I visited upon moving here remain close to my heart—the Vietnamese iced coffee and bacon fried rice at Onefold or the hot, melty queso and perfect margaritas at Tamayo—and I will find ways to sneak some into an experience but my list of new places to visit gets longer every day and makes for an exciting meal for everyone, including me. I prefer to head to the busy and bustling places where you spot something new every time you visit, like walking around RiNo or up and down sections of Broadway. I’m still exploring this city myself, so pretty much every day presents something new and exciting. There is no shortage of good food, incredible art, and fantastic coffee here.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
While moving to Colorado has certainly presented its challenges, it also blessed me with an incredibly supportive network of writers, journalists, creatives, and deep-thinkers who keep me inspired, curious, and focused. The group of writers I joined nearly six months ago—my dear Writerinos—have become not just the highlight of every week but a passionate and extremely supportive collection of friends and mentors. I am accomplishing more than ever in my work thanks to them. I also would not be where I am in my career today without the help of friend and mentor Gina Barreca, Rebecca Treon, and Sarah Carpenter, who have encouraged me, pushed me, and helped me in ways that would take far too long to list here. Thank you. And of course, the original English major in my life, my mom. The personality you gifted and raised me with has made networking one of my favorite parts of this job.

Website: https://ericabuehlermedia.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e_buehler/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabuehler/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/e_buehler_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erica.r.buehler

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=aa82aaCZZ69wSzHiVO50qQ