How A Career In Healthcare Led To An Editorial Side Hustle

It’s no secret that happiness lies in what excites you. That is apparent with Eucharia Remy-Kingsley. She mixed her passion for words with her career as a registered nurse to start an editorial side hustle that she runs from home. She is also a mother of three!

If you’re a parent, healthcare worker, or you’re interested in becoming a part-time proofreader and editor, you’ll want to read my interview with Eucharia below. Be prepared to get inspired by her enthusiasm, positivity, and energy!

Hi Eucharia! Can you tell us about yourself?

Hi Phon! My name is Eucharia Remy-Kingsley. My friends call me Eukay. I am a wife and mom of three amazing kids—Muna, Mandie, and Meze. Professionally, I’m a registered nurse and recently a copyeditor. My family and I make our home in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.

I’m originally from Nigeria. Growing up, one thing was clear to me: I wanted to help people, so that was how I chose nursing. I have been a registered nurse for 14 years, and despite the challenges, nursing remains dear to my heart as it has brought me the fulfillment I never would have dreamed of.

My childhood memories were mostly of me having a book wherever I went. I cradled novels as though they were babies. Reading brought me comfort, wonder at life, and immeasurable wisdom. I remember how my friends would laugh when I used those fancy words I got from novels. This earned me the nickname “grammarian”. I lived in a world of words and would go in their defense when they were used inappropriately. I went on sprees correcting a friend’s assignment, newspaper headlines—anything in sight! It was the coolest form of sport for me.

How did your career in nursing lead to you starting an editorial side hustle?

My editorial business is LOUPE Editorial Services, specializing in health communications—websites, blog posts, journal articles, pharmaceutical product descriptions, etc.

At the heart of my business is the drive to help people—to make a difference! So, I am passionate about helping writers, especially ESL medical writers, to achieve their dreams of being published by providing them with proofreading, copyediting, and writing services.

Being a registered nurse with a master’s degree in public health, I understand how catastrophic errors from unclear written medical communications can be, so I aim to marry my medical expertise and my meticulousness as an editor to make medical communications as clear as they can be by using appropriate language for the intended audience.

I am also the Contributing Editor of WSTAR Magazine—an international online magazine dedicated to empowering women from all walks of life.

How do you manage your time, in addition to having a family?

Of all the jobs in the world, motherhood is the most challenging and rewarding! I would be lying if I told you it’s all sunshine and rainbows. Here is what I know: Knowing my “WHY”—internal and external—has been the magic.

There are bad, great, normal, and overwhelming days. I’ll tell you what keeps me going— Yes, you’re right, my passion! I fall hard some days, breathe through that fall, get up, adjust my crown and life goes on.

I have found Bonsai and Trello extremely helpful for project management. I work at odd hours, and steal moments when my kids are in school and my newborn is asleep. I just make it work. Every win is a win.

What made you get into proofreading and copyediting?

I chose proofreading and copyediting because the skills come naturally to me. I have always had a flair for reading and a love for words. My aptitude for spotting and fixing errors is uncanny, and proofreading is a skill I deployed long before I had a name for it, so it is a no-brainer I would choose it over and before any other.

The flexibility this business affords me is another reason I said YES to this passion of mine. I am very family-oriented, so realizing this business would give me the flexibility to do what I love without giving up the time I spend with my family sealed the deal for me.

How did High-Level Proofreading And Copyediting Pro prepare you for running your editorial side hustle?

Doing something as a hobby is different from doing it as a business. The latter calls for taking it a notch or two higher and that means learning the MO of the industry and getting in-depth with the brass tacks.

High-Level Proofreading And Copyediting Pro filled in the blanks for me, making the transition from hobby to business a great one. It was not enough that I knew how to spot errant apostrophes and missing words…the program water-tightened my great detail-oriented skills by nourishing them with industry expectations and resources. It built my confidence and equipped me with the requisite knowledge to succeed.

Phon’s comprehensive lessons on style guides and style sheets helped me a great deal and I still refer to those modules from time to time.

FREE TRAINING

Are you interested in starting your own editorial side hustle? If so, catch our free masterclass to learn our 4-step framework for becoming a proofreader and copy editor. Sign up here to watch it.

What do you like best about working in editorial?

Helping others live their dreams! Being part of people’s successes. It fills me with a sense of accomplishment. Editing is a fine art. Taking a piece of…um…sometimes gobbledygook and, with love in every detail, turning it into a masterpiece, yet leaving no trace of having been there is art in its truest form.

Did you experience Imposter Syndrome when starting? How did you deal with it?

I did! I still do sometimes. What I do is:

• Remember Phon’s advice: “You don’t have to be a walking style guide or dictionary.”
• Use positive affirmations. My favorite is “Eucharia, you are enough!”

How has your editorial business impacted your life?

Amid the challenges of scaling a business, I find delight in the impact my little contribution is making. It has afforded me a strong sense of purpose and accomplishment.

What advice do you have for people who are considering starting a side hustle as proofreaders and editors?

Go for it! Yes, many people go by the “editor” title but here is what you need to know: Not one of them can make a mark the way you would. Not one. The difference between a good copyeditor and a great one is the underpinned passion. Get the necessary training—Phon’s High-Level Proofreading And Copyediting Pro was a game-changer for me.

With the training under your belt, start your business and be open to learning and unlearning. Keep an open mind, a healthy dose of patience, and a sprinkle of equanimity.

About Eucharia Remy-Kingsley 

Eucharia Remy-Kingsley is the owner of Loupe Editorial Services, where she helps medical writers, publishers, and small businesses put forward clear and consistent medical communications. When she is not working, she is busy raising her kids, spending time with friends, and trying her hands on a DIY project. You can find Eucharia on Facebook and Twitter @loupeeditorial.