As someone who only started writing at the sweet age of 41 in a second language without any background in writing, it feels surreal to have thousands of people subscribe to my newsletter.
Today, I reached 3,000 subscribers after 15 months on Substack.
In the past 30 days, after I launched the Personal Brand Studio and the monthly webinars, I gained 1,000 subscribers, 27 of whom are paid. Thank you ππΌ
This is why this matters to me.
My dream is to make a living from writing, and although Iβm not there yet, every day I take one small step that brings me a little closer.
The power of one step.
However, this article is not about tips and hacks to grow your newsletter.
I already shared my Substack Strategy, and I keep doing the same thing, week after week, putting in my reps. The Post is fully FREE because I want to help you amplify your voice and message.
The only thing I will add is that consistently creating high-value FREE content and treating your newsletter like a startup is a bullet-proof strategy.
200% of your paid subscribers are free subscribers who upgrade. Thatβs where you have to dig to find your gold.
You Can Steal My Substack Strategy But You Canβt Steal My Croissants
Todayβs Post is different. Itβs a little intro so that you get to know a bit about the woman behind The Lemon Tree Mindsetπ³π
Upgrade now for 20% off on your annual subscription to celebrate my birthday π
The early days
Hola, Iβm Veronica and Iβm a citizen of the world.
My upbringing was colorful and unconventional.
I was born in the Canary Islands, Spain. However, due to my dadβs job, we had to move to a new country every 4 years. By age 14, I had already lived in Spain, France, Brazil, and Holland. I later went to uni in Spain and Italy and continued traveling the worldβ¦
From a very young age, I fell in love with traveling, cultures, and languages. Thatβs why I speak six languages fluently. Deep down, I just wanted to be like the other kids and belong.
The Asian adventure
In my early 20s, my life took an unexpected turn.
My dad suddenly passed away, leaving behind a young widow, 2 orphans, and not only broken hearts but also a broken bank account. We went bankrupt. We didnβt own a home and I finished my studies and bought my first computer thanks to scholarships and state support.
Those were hard times, but in my heart, I never felt broke. I knew I had everything in me to be successful, and I was not going to stay in the lobby, waiting to be invited to live my best life.
When you donβt have much, you seize opportunities as they come because you might not have a second chance. So, when I was offered an internship to work in China for the Spanish Government in 2003, I said yes and left with a one-way ticket and a small brown-leather suitcase filled mostly with hope.
I first lived in Taipei, Taiwan to study Chinese and then in Shanghai for 3 years. Being a Western single woman in the Red Giant back then was pretty rare, and I have many good stories from those days.
In 2007, I moved to Hong Kong. I never planned to stay on the island for long, but life had other plans for meβ¦
I fell in love with Dave, an Aussie pilot, and together, we continued traveling the world, from Japan to South Africa, Vietnam, Thailand, and more. In 2017, we got married in Ibiza, the White Island, and we have built a lovely little nest with 2 beautiful daughters, and a Frenchie called Django.
They are my home, wherever we are in the world.
Influences
My writing is a reflection of my life.
I have worked in many different companies, but Apple is the one that shaped my thinking and made the biggest impact on me. Itβs reflected in my approach to writing and running my business: simple, positive, and always people-focused.
I also fell in love with triathlon and have completed over 100 races across 4 continents, including 5 Half-Ironman, 1 full Ironman, and a World Champs of Half Ironman.
Everything I do in life is inspired by the world of sports. Exercise is one of my big passions, and I keep running and racing in my 40s. In 2023, I ran 2,244 km just because. If you are into sports too, I would love to connect on Strava.
Locked abroad
In 2021, my life took yet another unexpected path.
I was locked abroad during the pandemic with my 2 daughters and wasnβt able to go back home. We ended up living on the Gold Coast in Australia, away from our home, Dave, and our dog, waiting for things to get betterβ¦but they didnβt.
I donβt remember how many CVs I sent. What I do remember is that they turned into a big pile of nos.
After 6 months of rejection, I realized that something needed to change in my life: my mindset.
If Iβm not able to find a job, I will create one myself.
If I donβt have a network, I will build one from scratch.
If people donβt see my value, I will find new ways to share it.
In June 2022, I took the first step. I published my first post on LinkedIn and started using my voice online. Shortly after, I started speaking on podcasts and writing on Medium.
Once I unleashed the writer in me, I knew it was my calling, and I never looked back.
In February 2023, I self-published my first book, The Lemon Tree Mindset, and launched this newsletter to support it.
In May 2023, I self-published Conquering Your Burnout.
In December 2023, I published my memoir, The Flight Home, with an indie publisher. It won my first literary award. If you like my newsletter, this book is for you.
Earlier this year, I signed a deal with the worldβs top publisher, Penguin Random House, for my new book, The Anti-Procrastinator (out in January 2025). Full story here.
During that time, I used my work and life experience to launch a business as a public speaker. I created an ecosystem where writing and public speaking together help me make a bigger impact.
People tell me I achieved a lot in a short period of time. Iβm very proud of it, but I have worked my ass off and made many sacrifices along the way. I wake up at 4 am every day to something Iβm passionate about. I write every single day because I crave using a voice that hadnβt been heard for a long time, and I want to help others do the same.
Iβm not afraid of putting in 200%, regardless of the outcome. Even if I only help one person a day, that means thousands over the course of a lifetime, and thatβs a win in my books.
This is what The Lemon Tree Mindset is all about.
When life gives you lemons, donβt make lemonade;
Use the seeds to plant your own lemon tree π³π
Cheers from Croatia! ππ·
Veronica
Lemons & Lemonadeπ³π
A lot of my work is FREE because I believe in adding value and growing together.
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There goes one more annual sub. π
You inspire me. Love your story!