Since childhood, I have always had a deep love for reading and writing. Books opened doors to other worlds and adventures while writing empowered me to create worlds and share them with the world.
This led me to participate in poetry contests during my high school years and writing programs for teen girls during the summer breaks.
One such program that changed my life was The True Body Project, a summer program created for teen girls and young adults, centered around collaborative creative expression through writing, meditation, and art.
It was there that not only did I find a community of kindred spirits, but I also discovered just how powerful, and impact creative art could have. To me and many others, even now, the program was more than just a creative outlet, it became a force for connection, advocacy, and healing.
The First Step
In 2018, while serving in the Navy for about seven years, that was when I first decided to try freelance writing. While I had written college papers for my BA in General Studies (with minors in Business Administration and Management), my Navy career was my focus.
But deep down, I knew that I wanted to use my writing skills and business expertise to carve out my path in freelancing. I got my first writing on Upwork and it taught me quickly how to handle clients and gave me the experience to try out many niches and jobs.
You can view my profile to see the jobs and testimonials I’ve received from there here.
Deployment 2019
During my deployment in 2019, with the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, I continued to nurture my passion for writing. Despite being attached to the ship and taking a pause from freelancing, I contributed to the ship’s newspaper -The Penny Press, and won the Woman at Sea Essay contest.
I also ran creative writing workshops and co-ran the creative writing group on the ship for over 5,000 Sailors onboard. The program itself also led to open mic nights and poetry slams.
Sailor Turned Entrepreneur
In April 2020, during the wake of the pandemic, I established Denesha Smith -Magical Ink! LLC in San Diego, transitioning from an active-duty freelance writer to a CEO. And despite the lockdown measures, it was the perfect time to do so.
The Struggles
As a solopreneur and active duty, I faced my fair share of challenges. For the first time, I truly understood what it felt like to be a leader. I was responsible for everything that went on in my business.
From financial management and dealing with clients to balancing business responsibilities with my Naval obligations, this path demanded me to be resilient and adaptable.
On top of that, in 2021, while stationed in Belgium, I had to put Denesha Smith -Magical Ink! LLC on a hiatus sadly. However, I saw a great opportunity to pursue higher education, earning my MA in Executive Leadership in August 2023.
The Wins
Every milestone, no matter how small, felt like a major victory to me. From landing my first client to supporting other Black-owned businesses and getting involved with my community, to receiving positive feedback from happy customers.
One of my biggest achievements was my article “Eight Ways to Be Successful in the Navy” being published in the U.S. Naval Institute’s Proceedings Magazine, which you can find here.
Moving Forward
Looking to the future, I’m excited to relaunch Denesha Smith -Magical Ink LLC. My goals for DSMI includes collaborating with clients on exciting projects, expanding my niche expertise, and connecting with other writers and creatives.
Final Note
Ready to bring your ideas to life through the power of words? You can find more information about my freelance writing services here and let’s create something extraordinary together!
About Denesha Smith
Denesha Smith is a SEO freelance writer for small businesses and solopreneurs and is the owner of Denesha Smith -Magical Ink LLC. She’s been featured on Proceedings Magazine, QueenEx Literature, and Gamers Decide.