I have always loved writing.
When I was younger, I wanted to be a journalist - an investigative reporter, the next Barbara Walters. But, when I started the journalism program at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, I quickly realized journalism just wasn’t for me. I switched my major to Mass Communication and finished with an honours degree in that field.
After that, I was blessed with great jobs.
I helped start up the Media Awareness Network at the National Film Board of Canada. After a two-year stint working with at-risk youth in the Dominican Republic ( I wanted to combine having an “international experience” and helping people at the same time), I ended up in Phoenix, Arizona working in a ‘staff development’ department for an eating disorder treatment centre. In the time that I was there I was able to move this department from a staff library full of books and resources to a full blown training and organizational development department.
When I came back to Canada, I landed a job at the Conference Board of Canada. I was blessed to be able to work with and have access to so many great leaders and organizations from across the country. I learned the art of facilitating, the skill of writing great reports and policy documents and I had access to an incredible depth of research around leadership, business transformation and organizational performance.
From there, I moved into leadership and organizational development first in oil and gas and then in health care. The most difficult job, but also the job where I learned the most, was when the 13 different health authorities from across the province of Alberta merged to become Alberta Health Services. We went from an organization of 30,000 to an organization of 100,000 literally overnight. It was chaotic, it was difficult, and many tears were shed. But the greatest lessons come from the greatest trials. And for that, I am so very thankful.
During this time, I also received my M.A. in Leadership from Trinity Western University. This time for me was more than earning my M.A. I was surrounded by a wonderful, supportive group of people who helped me through a tragic death of a loved one two weeks before I started the program. Through my thesis, I had the opportunity to explore what governance would look like if the concept of servant leadership were truly applied. And, I had the opportunity to challenge myself to become more of a servant leader in everything I did.
When I finally realized I needed to move on from health care, I did a year of contract work just to decompress and get my footing again. And after that, I did a stint as a leadership and organizational development specialist for a drilling company until the downturn in 2015.
Then the most amazing thing happened.
After years of trying and also years of despair, my husband and I got pregnant at 45 (naturally! By God’s amazing grace!) and delivered the most healthy, beautiful, amazing baby boy at 46.
Since then, I have focused on and have loved being simply “Brayden’s mom" - the best job ever.
As I have looked back at my career, I have realized there have been a couple important themes. I always loved writing and editing (literally anything!) and I loved helping talent succeed. Even as "Brayden’s mom", people have asked me to edit important letters, their c.v.’s and bios, their book projects. And, no matter what I am doing, I always feel I revert back to ‘coach mode’ to encourage people wherever they are at.
So, when I finally decided to throw my towel back into the ring and launch my own business these things - writing and editing and helping talent succeed - came up over and over again. I also wanted to be able to work from home and continue to enjoy watching our son grow up. So, after a few professional editing courses and some amazing things coming together, B.G. Eng Editorial was born.
I am excited. I love this work. I love helping people achieve their goals and realize their dreams. And, I am also thankful that I have also found the most amazing graphic artist and copy editor to work alongside me to provide end-to-end services for any writing project. I love these ladies and I am so excited to work with and collaborate with them. I am truly blessed.
So, I am discovering, when you combine what you love to do and what you are good at with and work alongside incredibly talented people you adore, amazing things can happen. Work becomes fun. You have energy, passion and drive. And that, translates into creating the most amazing products for your clients.
I can’t wait to meet you and help create that amazing product for you. I can’t wait to help you and your writing project succeed.