Debbie’s Nugget: “Failure isn’t “Failure”.”

Debbie Weil of voxiemedia.com

Debbie Weil is the mom of a dear friend of ours. We loved hearing her nuggets of wisdom because they show us that life is long and figuring out what we want is part of the process and, more importantly, part of the fun. Debbie admires her daughters for being able to do it all (we do as well), but, we just want to take a moment to point out that Debbie has been able to do it all as well: She’s a mom of three, grandmother of two,  veteran blogger, and Web pioneer… (Debbie, FYI: You’re not so bad yourself. In fact, even though your daughters might wince, I’m going to say it out loud and in print: you’re a pretty cool.)

PenTales Lessons is focused on going out into the world and collecting people’s life lessons. The idea is that we’ll all be bit smarter if we share our nuggets of wisdom. Got something wise you think we should all know? We’d love to interview you! Write us at writepentales@gmail.com  today!

1. Who is your hero and why?

My heroes are my three children, but especially my two daughters. My daughters are living the dream I had for them: of becoming whatever they set their hearts on professionally no matter how challenging. One is a physician, the other is in her third year of medical school.  It is still harder for women to combine 100% commitment to work with having a significant other and a family.

2. What was your dream job when you were a child?

To be a writer. Then a little later on, to be a reporter and foreign correspondent for The New York Times. We didn’t have blogging back then.

3. What do you wish you’d known 10, 20 and 30 years ago?

Ten years ago I wish I’d appreciated how “young” 50 is. Twenty years ago, I wish I’d understood that finding myself professionally was going to be an amazing adventure and that it wouldn’t follow a set path. Thirty years ago? That I was going to be able to do it “all” – meaningful work, kids, husband – but it would take time and wouldn’t happen simultaneously. I was ferociously ambitious and had a hard time reconciling how to spend time with my young children and also work flat-out as a journalist. I’ve since changed careers, of course. That’s part of the story.

4. Is there any motto you follow? What’s something that you think always holds true?

Now that I’ve finally realized I’m a creative entrepreneur, my current motto is to take risks. Failure isn’t “failure.” It’s part of the process.

5. What’s something your parents told you that turned out to be right?

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This is financial advice from my dad, but it also works for a lot of other things.

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Debbie Weil was named one of the Most Influential Women in Technology by Fast Company and a DC Top 100 Tech Titan byWashingtonian. She recently launched Voxie Media, a boutique publishing imprint.