PEARL LEMON INTERVIEWS:
Lydia Sims
Lydia Sims- Native American, Mom of 2 and based in Michigan. Grew up in 4H and FFA being heavily involved with farms and animal husbandry. Used to be a power-lifter and kickboxer, currently more in tune with Yoga and hiking. She can be found easily either in a craft brewery, eating vegan pizza or hunting down an interesting vineyard to visit.
A Fireside Chat
I had the opportunity to have an amazing conversation with Lydia Sims at Pearl Lemon today. From talking about SEO for Websites, Lydia agreed to a quick interview.
She took the time to talk to me and answer some questions so I could get to know her better and hear more about the things that have helped shape her business success to date – let’s get stuck into it!
What Is The Book (Or Books) You’ve Given Most As A Gift, And Why?
Although I haven’t gifted it, “Simple Happy Kitchen” has had a great impact on my life. As a plant-based eater, the amount of information available is more overwhelming than helpful. This book gives a fun touch to reference material along with recipes and other health stats. I favor finding my micro and macronutrients through beans, nuts and veggies as much as I can, and this book has allowed me to have a quick reference to soaking dried items, seeing what has the most calcium or iron and more. When I have a passion, I like to find a book to tie to it. This is a must-have in my “Lydia Library” and has a home next to “Superhero Diet“, “Coffee Nerd“, and “The Chef’s Repertoire“.
What Purchase Of $100 Or Less Has Most Positively Impacted Your Life In The Last Six Months?
Not necessarily a physical item, but within the last six months, I started my son’s college savings on Acorns. This is my chosen investment method as I have a standard investment account, rothIRA, college account for Todd and will have one for Charlotte as well. Although I don’t think it is my duty as a parent to pay for their college, I know how crippling student debt can end up being without loads of scholarships. Even if these accounts finish around $5k, that is that much less in debt or can be used for an emergency fund. Personally, without scholarships, I probably would not have gone to further my education; paying off debt for a lifetime is not appealing by any means. As a parent, this investment gives me peace of mind knowing a bit of help is going forward to my kids. As an additional note, I set it, so $10 goes in a month to this account and have done a $75 one time investment to get that projected number.
When You Feel Overwhelmed Or Unfocused, Or Have Lost Your Focus Temporarily, What Do You Do?
I usually take a deep breath and pause for five minutes and see if it was a quick lapse or I need a rest. If a quick breather doesn’t help, it usually means swallowing my pride, shutting my screen and going “dark” for a bit. Laying down with eyes shut away from the screen for about a half-hour, get up, eat some fruit, 16oz water and a cup of coffee and then go back to it. Being remote for so long, I think overwhelm or focusing can be difficult, and it comes and goes in waves. There is no work and life space separation, there is no coworker or manager next to you to keep you in line, this type of work takes a level of self-discipline that a lot of other positions simply do not require. Other bits include asking myself if I am tired or simply am bored with a task. If I am tired, I allow myself a break, if I am simply bored, I find music that is energizing to trick myself into having a greater interest. Not every task is exciting, and that is simply life, I suppose, lol.
What Is One Of The Best Or Most Worthwhile Investments You’ve Ever Made?
Honestly, investing in myself. This is the form of actual monetary investments (see above about Acorns) and self-care. I have the horrid “curse” of being that person that will take care of everyone before myself and will attempt and fail at giving to myself from an already empty cup. Through the past few years, I have recognized in myself it isn’t selfish to work out to be happy, to eat in a way that makes me happy, and not encourage being an “imposter” to filter myself to everyone else’s needs. I have definitely become much more blunt and unapologetically myself in a way that I realize it is unfair to myself to have countless personalities to make everyone but myself happy. I invest my time in what I feel is productive and makes me happiest. If it does not serve me in the long run on my terms, I will get rid of it. This being clutter or cutting ties with people.
Stop under-selling yourself.
- Lydia Sims
When did you first become a rebel?
I don’t think there is a one set event, honestly. From the start, my parents even noted when I was 3, I did things my way, and anyone else telling me to do something just did not happen. One big event was dropping out of college after 2 years to take a year off before continuing. There was a realization that keeping a $27K scholarship wasn’t worth the toll on my mental health and how much I desired to travel and have world experience. Absolutely no one wanted me to. But, I did not say I was going to until I had already dropped out (after crying while studying for finals until 4 am, passing out and sleeping through them), listing my car to sell, and buying a plane ticket and paying rent for when I got out to Oregon. Sure I would have been done with my degree sooner, but the offset would have been knowing absolutely nothing aside from being a college student and working multiple jobs to pass the time. I think after that, I had a huge shift from wanting to make everyone proud to being completely “F*** You” and just doing what will make me happy and the likes. With this came 17 tattoos, frequent job-hopping, powerlifting and kickboxing and being vegan for a while.
What careers advice would you give to your 21-year old self?
Stop under-selling yourself. The fear of rejection due to underqualification should be ignored. If you really want that position, get it. Let them know your real worth and what you can do.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Being a Coffee Roaster- those that know me know this shouldn’t be surprising, but my love of coffee and the process would drive me to it easily. Or Bee Keeping- I have done this before, it is fun and interesting. Also, fun fact: bees smell like a tomato plant…yes, I smelled the box of live bees that came to the post office, and there is a strange joy in going to the post office to pick up a container of live bees.
What one song can you listen to every day non-stop?
I rotate through a top 5 that I listen to back to back nonstop almost daily. Volbeat- Still Counting, Highly Suspect- Lydia, Five Finger Death Punch- Lift Me Up, Korn- Coming Undone, and Kevin Gates- Really Really.
What's your favourite colour?
Orange, specifically burnt orange like oak leaves in the fall.
What's your favourite holiday destination?
Mackinac Island. This is a big personal favorite, it is close to my tribal grounds, has a ton of pubs (bangers and mash for life), and being surrounded by State Parks, Percheron Horses, and fudge can’t get much better.
What one thing in life do you consider to be overrated?
Flavored and syrupped coffee drinks. I do not understand how a cup of caffeinated diabetes can be enjoyed ahah. The only thing I add to my coffee is a few shots of espresso. I also get very excited about coffee beans and the roasting process and flavor profiles you can get through that, so covering that with milks, syrups, sauces, and other sweets is a crime.
What's your star sign?
Virgo – August 29.
What are you NOT Very Good at?
I’m horrible at package wrapping. I love gift-giving. But having to WRAP them is a whole ordeal.
About Us
Pearl Lemon are an SEO, PPC, PR, and B2B lead-generation agency. We are based in London but service clients around the world.
We have taken the time to interview entrepreneurs and experts (like Lydia) in this new series.
