In this edition of Workflow, we have Stephanie Zhong, a marketing & brand storytelling coach, copywriter, social justice advocate and the founder of Dear Anne Media.
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Describe what you do: I’m a marketing and brand storytelling coach, copywriter and social justice advocate. I help do-good companies and thought leaders from underrepresented backgrounds find and tell their unique brand stories to grow their impact in the world.
How do you like your coffee: I’m a tea person and love a steaming cup of chai. Earl Grey tea with milk when I sit down to write.
Device(s) you use: iPhone, iPad and MacBook Pro.
Describe your working style in one sentence: My work style is like jazz: a playful blend of structure and improv.
What does your workspace look like: My home office is small room I designed to feel like a tiny house: it’s modern with rustic and repurposed pieces, very wall and nook used for maximum functionality.
The right side of the room of my workspace includes a large desk surface and a dark broad corkboard that goes up the entire wall. The left wall is the Library, with floating shelves to make the room look bigger, and wallpapered with pages from recycled books.
Next to the books in the corner is a teal-colored reading chair, with a clear acrylic coffee table for magazines (clear furniture also makes rooms look bigger).
Across from the reading chair is a small upright piano. All the office storage and equipment are organized in the closet and hidden behind an orange curtain.
How does your workspace affect your creative process: The environment is so important to my creative process. I believe to activate creativity you need yo activate your senses in different ways.
I pin up quotes and art on my corkboard to inspire new ways of thinking and seeing. The library wallpaper of the book pages, even touching them sometimes, reconnects me to the craft of writing.
I’ve got certain music I listen to when I work, and will also turn on a little aromatherapy diffuser with eucalyptus oil when I need a little extra energy.
Do you have a favourite playlist for work: I made a playlist called Unshakeable for working during COVID. I also will listen to the Hamilton soundtrack or my Future Is Female playlist when working on something that needs me to be more risky or brave.
Who would you like to nominate for the next workflow interview: Octavia Goredema is an excellent career coach for senior leaders. She has given me great suggestions and I’d love to hear about her process more.
Ariel Hoffman is a wellness and fitness coach who has some innovative ideas around managing stress and overwhelm with nutrition and exercise. She’s very knowledgable about the science of the body and helps busy executives (especially working moms) find balance, attain better sleep, more focus and achieve greater performance.
Before you go…
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