The Proofreading Business Podcast

031: After three decades in the pharmacy and insurance world, Amy found herself in a soul-sucking job. Between rising stress, health challenges, and the dream of returning to her childhood home in Panama, she knew something had to change.

That’s when she discovered transcript proofreading — and everything shifted.

In this episode, Amy shares how she went from working in the pharmacy world full-time in California to a freelance proofreader living in Panama — and why learning this skill gave her the freedom to live life on her own terms.

You’ll hear:

• Amy’s journey from a 30-year corporate career to running her own online proofreading business
• How she balanced a full-time job while studying transcript proofreading
• What she learned from failing her first exam — and how she came back stronger
• Why giving yourself grace matters when you’re learning something new
• How she made the leap to leave the US, move abroad, and still work with US clients
• What flexibility looks like now that she can build her schedule around her life 
• The freedom that comes from learning a real skill instead of chasing another “get rich quick” promise

Amy’s story is a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to start over and that learning a new skill can open doors you didn’t even know existed. She’s proof that freedom isn’t just a dream, it’s a decision. When you’re willing to take a chance on yourself, you can build a life that actually fits you — whether that’s working from home, living by the beach, or building a whole new chapter in another country.

🎧 Tune in to hear Amy’s journey — and find the encouragement to start yours.

Connect with me on

Instagram @theproofreadingbusinesscoach
Facebook @theproofreadingbusinesscoach

Or send me an email: [email protected]

030: After trying a handful of businesses that never quite clicked, Tracey Nichols discovered transcript proofreading -- and it changed everything for her.

In this episode, Tracey shares how she went from working full-time and feeling financially stretched to building a flexible proofreading side hustle that gives her freedom, peace of mind, and steady four-figure months.

You’ll hear:

• The moment Tracey decided to give herself one more chance after other ventures didn’t work
• What finally helped her push past fear and start marketing her business
• How proofreading took away the stress of wondering how to pay the next bill and gave her financial relief and control over her future (including retirement planning!)
• How making her own money through proofreading gave her a whole new level of confidence -- the kind that spills into work, family, and everyday life
• How she balances full-time work, family, and her side hustle

Whether you’re juggling a busy schedule, doubting yourself, or just wondering if this could actually work, Tracey’s story is proof that you can start where you are and build something life-changing.

🎧 Listen now and see what’s possible when you decide to believe in yourself.

You can connect with Tracey on her Facebook and her Instagram!

Connect with me on

Instagram @theproofreadingbusinesscoach
Facebook @theproofreadingbusinesscoach

Or send me an email: [email protected]

What if it does work out?

Ever wondered if you could actually make money proofreading? If you’ve been searching for a way to earn income from home -- without giving up your flexibility-- this episode is for you.

I’m chatting with Nerissa Hall, a proofreader, entrepreneur, and mom who went from working at a sheriff’s department to building a work-from-home business on her own terms. Her story proves that success isn’t about luck -- it’s about learning a skill, taking action, and making it work for you.

In this episode, we cover:
✔ How she transitioned from transcribing to proofreading (and why proofreading was the better choice!)
✔ Why financial security isn’t about a 9-5 job -- it’s about having skills you can rely on
✔ The power of starting small, taking daily action, and building something that fits your life

If you’ve ever thought, Could I actually do this, this episode will give you the nudge you need.

🎧 Hit play and let’s dive in!

To grab the show notes for this episode, including any links mentioned and the transcript, visit

theproofreadingbusinesscoach.com/episode029

Connect with me on

Instagram @theproofreadingbusinesscoach
Facebook @theproofreadingbusinesscoach

Or send me an email: [email protected]

028: Do you feel stuck in a dead-end job and wonder, Can I really build a new career from scratch? If so, you need to hear Sheila’s story.

Sheila joined my Transcript Proofreading Academy while working three jobs…and (spoiler alert!) she was able to quit them all and become a full-time proofreader!

Sheila is no stranger to reinvention and hard work.
✔️ She taught abroad in Japan and Brazil.
✔️ She owned a café with her husband for over a decade.
✔️ And when life threw yet another curveball her way, she relied on her resourcefulness and determination to create something new.

Now in her 60s, she’s thriving as a full-time transcript proofreader. She swapped long commutes and heavy lifting for mornings filled with coffee, work she loves, and the freedom to structure her days how she wants.

Sheila’s story is proof that no matter your age or how many jobs you’re juggling, you can start fresh and build a career that fits your life and makes you happy.

In this episode, Sheila shares how she made the leap and why it’s never too late to try something new. Tap here to listen! I can’t wait for you to be as inspired by her as I am.

To grab the show notes for this episode, including any links mentioned and the transcript, visit

theproofreadingbusinesscoach.com/episode028

Connect with me on

Instagram @theproofreadingbusinesscoach
Facebook @theproofreadingbusinesscoach

Or send me an email: [email protected]

027: What if I told you you could have a work-from-home business that fits your life?

We’re so used to (and tired of!) the idea of hustling to make an income while putting our lives, relationships, and happiness on the back burner.

Katie and I are here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way!

Today on the podcast, we’re discussing what a relief it is to have a proofreading business that fits around our lives.

Tune in here as my TPA grad Katie shares

• how to go from discouragement to growth
• the keys to success as an entrepreneur
• what it’s like to be part of my graduate community of proofreaders
• how much work there actually is for transcript proofreaders

…and so many other words of advice, encouragement, and a little tough love to make your goals happen!

Tired of the hustle? Want to know if you have what it takes to work for yourself as a transcript proofreader?

Whether you’re new to the idea of transcript proofreading or already a successful graduate, listen in for a reminder of how you can do work differently and create the life you want if you're willing to put in the work and stick with it.

It's so worth it -- and Katie wholeheartedly agrees!

To grab the show notes for this episode, including any links mentioned and the transcript, visit

theproofreadingbusinesscoach.com/episode027

Connect with me on

Instagram @theproofreadingbusinesscoach
Facebook @theproofreadingbusinesscoach

Or send me an email: [email protected]

026: You're thinking about proofreading...but you're wrestling with some serious imposter syndrome.

You keep asking yourself:

What if grammar doesn’t come easily to me? Can I still have a proofreading business? Will my clients take me seriously if they find out I'm not a grammar genius? 

Worse yet, how will I be able to get clients when I'm an introvert through and through and the idea of marketing makes my skin crawl? 

If those fears are nagging at you, this podcast episode is for you.

Joining me is one of my very first grads, Candace! In this episode, she slays those trepidations about not being good enough at grammar and hating marketing…because that was her when she started.

But even with those fears, she started her business in 8 weeks and has been a successful transcript proofreader for the last 3 years! 

Listen in as one of my OG grads shares what it was like to start her transcript proofreading business as a nurse, new mom, self-proclaimed okayest grammarian, and introvert…and how you can too 💪

To grab the show notes for this episode, including any links mentioned and the transcript, visit

theproofreadingbusinesscoach.com/episode026

Connect with me on

Instagram @theproofreadingbusinesscoach
Facebook @theproofreadingbusinesscoach

Or send me an email: [email protected]

025: If you’re like me, it's hard to start something new and not be instantly good at it. We go-getter people want to jump in and be the best right away. 

Take proofreading, for example. We want to know yesterday how to proofread, set up our rates, and get clients. And not only do we want to know how, we want to be really good at the snap of a finger.

That pressure we put on ourselves to be perfect right from the start? It’s real! 

In this podcast episode, I talk about the challenges of learning something new as an adult.

We're used to knowing what we're doing and being good at it! So when we pick up a new skill, like proofreading, it feels odd to get back into the mindset of letting ourselves be new.

Instead of realizing it’s okay to be a beginner, we start beating ourselves up over the impossible expectations we put on ourselves. 

If you’re feeling pressure to be perfect or frustrated because you’re not where you want to be yet, this episode is a reminder from me to you that progress takes time -- and that’s okay.

Listen in -- and be ready to give yourself all the grace you deserve.

To grab the show notes for this episode, including any links mentioned and the transcript, visit

theproofreadingbusinesscoach.com/episode025

Connect with me on

Instagram @theproofreadingbusinesscoach
Facebook @theproofreadingbusinesscoach

Or send me an email: [email protected]

024: Lisa Eldridge is a transcriptionist and transcript proofreader with over 20 years of experience owning her own freelance business -- and she's a homeschool mom of five!

In this episode,  Lisa shares her journey from being a young mom seeking a work-from-home opportunity to becoming a skilled transcriptionist and later transitioning into transcript proofreading.

Lisa discusses the differences between transcription and proofreading, the challenges of balancing work with raising children, and the rewarding aspects of building a home-based career. Lisa also offers valuable advice for other moms juggling similar responsibilities.

Tune in for Lisa's practical tips on managing family life while building a successful side hustle.

To grab the show notes for this episode, including any links mentioned and the transcript, visit

theproofreadingbusinesscoach.com/episode024

Connect with me on

Instagram @theproofreadingbusinesscoach
Facebook @theproofreadingbusinesscoach

Or send me an email: [email protected]

023: I have a surprise for you! One that’s been a long time in the making.

I interviewed one of my OG grads on the podcast this week!

That’s right – Renee is one of the handful of students who guinea-pigged my Learn How to Be a Transcript Proofreader course back when it was a live 8-week program! 

But that’s not all!

Renee was also an old-school court reporter! 🤯

From X-ray tech…to court reporting school…to retail and beyond, Renee knows what it means to commit and “do what you have to do” in the name of family and to discover what it is you really want – and then once you find out what you really want, being willing to just go for it. 

Ever wondered what a court reporter would tell you about working through my Learn How to Be a Transcript Proofreader course?

Listen in as Renee takes it all the way back to the beginning and shares juicy nuggets like:

• making mistakes and having imposter syndrome even as a pro
• building a transcript proofreading business alongside a full-time job
• what it’s like to be a former court reporter working with court reporter preferences
• and what the key to success is as a proofreader 🔥

and plenty more!

I could go on and on about Renee’s episode because I admire her so dang much, but I don’t want to spoil everything for you before you listen!

So listen in as Renee tells me all about her journey to (finally!)  finding fulfillment as a successful transcript proofreader ❤️

To grab the show notes for this episode, including any links mentioned and the transcript, visit

theproofreadingbusinesscoach.com/episode023

Connect with me on

Instagram @theproofreadingbusinesscoach
Facebook @theproofreadingbusinesscoach

Or send me an email: [email protected]

022: Am I the only one who does this weird thing where when you notice yourself feeling happy, you course correct to bring yourself back down?

As soon as you catch a break, experience a win, or have joy show up in your life, your knee-jerk reaction is to tell yourself, Well, this won’t last long.

When we stop to think about it and admit it out loud like that, it does seem silly that we do that, doesn’t it? 

(I’m saying we because I do the same thing!)

Why can’t we just let ourselves enjoy the moment?

It’s true what they say: We can be our own worst enemy.

The good news is if you need a happiness pep talk, I’ve got you covered in this podcast!

Hang out with me for a quick 20 minutes as I cover
- what it means to trust yourself to be happy
- and how to switch from doubt to trust to build a happier life

Get ready to fill up your happy tank!

To grab the show notes for this episode, including any links mentioned, visit

theproofreadingbusinesscoach.com/episode022

Connect with me on

Instagram @theproofreadingbusinesscoach
Facebook @theproofreadingbusinesscoach

Or send me an email: [email protected]