Linda Verde is a professional editor in London, Ontario with a steady roster of clients including the College of Nurses of Ontario. She is editor-in-chief of two peer-reviewed journals, is editing her seventh book and is authoring another that focuses on empowering women through finance.

Her prosperous run at a full-time freelance business follows a difficult period when she cared for her father in his final year. After he passed away, Linda experienced mental health challenges and needed time to recover both physically and emotionally, returning to the workforce two years later.

Rising Up

She seized that moment, back in 2015, to build a career out of her true passions: editing and writing. While Linda had attempted freelance editing and writing on the side for 20 years while working an assortment of low-paying jobs, she decided to take the leap and pursue her passions full-time. She received a Rise loan as well as a mentor who helped her chart the course on what her business could become. Rise was one of Linda’s first major clients – she wrote this organization’s 2016 and 2017 annual reports.

In the midst of launching her business, Linda also had another important job: helping her college-aged daughter who was going through a difficult time with depression. This took considerable energy, yet Linda persevered and maintained much-needed optimism. Now, as much as her business is on the right path, so too is her daughter.

“Rise first helped me buy a laptop that I still use today, and set me up with an awesome mentor. Their staff responds quickly and warmly, and makes me feel supported. As my business grows, I want to return that support because I so appreciate their help and their whole reason for being.” – Linda