Professional Speaker, Award-Winning Author, Bestselling Substack Creator, Ironman Triathlete, Polyglot (6 Languages), and Mom of 2 Beautiful Girls
Dear readers and writers welcome to my new interview story, which introduces an accomplished writer and a business woman. I enjoy interacting with people from diverse cultures, countries, and professional backgrounds. I have been interviewing professionals for a long time. I wrote this from my secondary account to find new readers for these interviews. For those unfamiliar my main account is Dr Mehmet Yildiz (Newsletter).
On this platform, I specifically enjoy interviewing writers. Each writer’s interview is special to me as each person is unique. My goal is to introduce them to my audience so that they can meet another interesting/relatable person on this planet and explore their work. I discussed the Importance and Remarkable Benefits of Interviews in My Professional and Personal Life.
In this interview, I’m delighted to introduce you to one of my favorite authors and inspiring collaborators Veronica Llorca-Smith on Medium, Substack, and LinkedIn for several years. I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Veronica.
Based on my experience and the testimonials, I can confidently say she is a consummate professional, a team player, and an approachable, supportive community builder. These qualities have contributed to her success as a businesswoman, a best-selling author, and a top Substack creator, where she continues to inspire writers and delight her readers.
Like many influential writers, including David Gerken, William Spivey, and myself, Veronica faced challenges in growing on Medium for reasons that remain unclear. However, she gracefully moved on to other platforms where she has truly thrived. Despite this, she continues to contribute to my publications on Medium and actively engages with her fellow writers.
Given her remarkable leadership skills, I am excited to introduce Veronica to my audience, and I am grateful she has kindly accepted my invitation. I will introduce you many more great writers like Veronica as we are a diverse, inclusive, joyful, and supportive community.
Meet Veronica Llorca-Smith
Hi Veronica, please tell us a bit about your background.
Hi Dr Yildiz, thank you for the invitation and this great opportunity. If I had to choose an SEO keyword for my life, it would be change.
From the age of 5, I started moving countries with my family due to my dad’s job. I’m originally from Spain but I have lived in France, Brazil, Holland, Italy, Taiwan, China, Australia, and Hong Kong, the place I call home, sweet home.
This has shaped the way I am and see the world and those around me. I love diversity and cultures and although I speak 6 languages, my favorite one is the language of inclusion.
My career has been just as colorful: I have worked for the European Union, Fortune 500 companies (Apple and Estée Lauder) and start-ups in various leadership roles across Asia Pacific. During COVID I found myself unemployed and that’s when I decided to start a new path as a writer and public speaker.
It’s been 2 years and I love what I do. Besides writing online and coaching, I’m a public speaker and an author. I have published 3 books (1 with an indie publisher) and I just signed a deal with Penguin Random House to publish The Anti-Procrastinator in January 2025.
It’s been a wild and fulfilling journey and writing has become my second favorite job.
My number one is CEM: Chief Executive Mom of 2 beautiful girls and a little Frenchie.
What are your hobbies or what excites or entertains you?
I love fitness and my big hobby is triathlon. I’m an amateur triathlete and like to push myself physically and mentally. It gives me clarity and confidence. I have been doing it for over 10 years and have participated in over 100 races including 1 Ironman (3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42km run) and a World Championship of Half Ironman.
People think it’s cool, crazy, and often both. The cool part, though, is that when I started I could barely swim and my last bike had a basket in it. Sports has taught me that we all start from zero and we can all achieve amazing things.
My other hobby is traveling. I have visited over 50 countries and I love discovering new cultures, languages, and ways of living. This summer, I spent 2 months in Europe and I was able to write and work remotely while spending time with my family.
What are the top three books affected your life?
1. Le Petit Prince: I always studied in French schools and this book was a literary reference growing up. I read it again as an adult and it helped me reconnect with my inner child and look at the world with fresh eyes.
2. The Alchemist: I was a teenager living in Brazil when I first read it for the first time and it helped me understand the importance of creating your own path at a time when I was struggling to define my identity.
3. Atomic Habits: this book influenced me as a self-improvement writer because it gave me clear and actionable tools to implement the learnings. I take a lot of inspiration from James Clear’s approach to writing and he’s my number 1 reference in the personal development space.
Why do you write on Medium?
I started writing on Medium because it gave me two things:
First, a voice. I was unemployed at the time and Medium allowed me to express my ideas and reach people from all over the world.
Second, hope. Medium enabled me to earn my first writing dollar (it was 2.15US$ pre-tax), and that opened a world of possibilities as a new writer.
Since then, things have changed though, and Medium has evolved in a direction that doesn’t give me the wings it once did. The distribution has become more random, the Boost program lacks transparency and my following (5,700+) doesn’t translate into growth.
I still enjoy the platform and my own publication, A Smiling World, helps writers spread messages of positivity and self-improvement but I have evolved as well and have built my own community on my terms.
Do you write on other platforms like Substack? If so how do you find them?
I launched my Substack, The Lemon Tree Mindset, in February 2023 to support the launch of my book with the same name. My vision is to help people turn their passion into a lifestyle by lifting their mental anchors and unlocking their potential.
I had no idea what I was doing for the first 6 months but I loved having a direct channel of communication with my readers and it was refreshing to write for people and not for algorithms.
However, after one year, I wasn’t seeing the results I wanted and my growth was steady but marginal. That’s when I decided to change my mindset and started thinking like an entrepreneur.
I launched a 360-strategy, rebranded my publication, crystalized my content pillars, and went full-on in Notes. I decided to take risks and launched new services for my paid subscribers: monthly webinars, digital courses, coaching for Founding Members, and a group chat with Challenges.
I elevated my Substack from a newsletter to a real community and it paid off. In July 2024, it became a Substack Bestseller (100+ Paid Subscribers) and I recently hit 5,000 subscribers and my first 10,000 US$ in subscription revenue. I believe I can grow it into a 6-digit business and I want to help my members do the same.
What are your values as a writer?
1. Transparency
I admire people and communities that promote transparency and I try my best to walk the talk as a writer and as an individual. I share my solopreneur journey openly, with the wins, the losses, and everything in between. I lift the curtains and invite people to my backstage to see not only the medals and the glory but also the sweat and frustration that goes beyond the scenes.
2. Positivity
Thinking positive has allowed me to overcome life challenges, from losing my dad at a young age to conquering my burnout and reinventing myself when I was lost. I believe every one of us can achieve great things and it starts with your mindset. This way of thinking is reflected in every single one of the 600+ articles I have published in 2 years.
My motto is: “When life gives you lemons, don’t just make lemonade; use the seeds to plant your lemon tree.” That’s how The Lemon Tree Mindset was born.
3. Community
When I started writing, I wanted readers. Now I want a community. I want to make an impact that goes beyond me and my words. The Lemon Tree Mindset is all about collaboration, partnerships and collective knowledge, and growth.
For me, success as a writer is something much bigger than followers and subscribers. It’s about creating a tribe that connects people through a common vision and passion.
How do you connect with your readers?
I send 2 weekly newsletters via Substack and I re-purpose my free content on Medium to amplify my message.
I’m very (very) active on Notes and post 1–3 times daily and spend one hour a day on average engaging, responding to comments, and supporting other writers.
I also have an active Chat for my Paid Subscribers where we share goals and challenges, and encourage collaboration.
Why did you join ILLUMINATION and how do you find it so far?
ILLUMINATION is one of my favorite publications and I have published over 100 articles there. I joined because although it’s a big publication, it’s very welcoming and inclusive, and I feel that its doors are always open and the editors want to set you up for success.
Who are some writers you follow on ILLUMINATION?
Jenny Alexander — Great advice on self-publishing based on her experience with 8 ebooks on Amazon.
Angelina Radulovic — Lovely storyteller with an inspiring multicultural background.
Sarina Chiu— Honest, transparent and no-BS advice to help you make money online as a solopreneur.
What are your top five stories that you want to share with your audience and why?
Why Introverts Make Good Writers: A deep dive into the often misunderstood introverts’ world.
You Can Steal My Substack Strategy But You Can’t Steal My Croissants: The article that helped me and my subscribers grow on Substack.
How I Got A Book Deal With The World’s Top Publisher Penguin: The Sexy Story (And The Unsexy One):
Are You A Writer Or A Content Creator? Fast Food Or Fine Dining?: About the importance of switching hats when you are writing online.
The Real Reason Your Writing Is Not Making Any Money: A thought-provoking article about the importance of marketing.
What are the success factors for you as a writer?
My number one weapon is clarity. I always try to cancel the noise and focus on what matters and what will move the needle. That means learning to say no so that you can focus on what you say yes to. I like distilling complex ideas into simple words and this approach resonates with my readers.
Number two is strategy. I spend as much time on strategy as I spend on writing. Whenever I publish an article or post on social media, I think bigger and look at the big picture. I’m constantly sharpening my value proposition and refining my digital ecosystem to make a bigger impact.
Number three is taking risks. Early on I learned that following the masses leads to average results. I love experimenting, challenging the mainstream, and finding my own way to do things. I focus on a vision rather than a niche, I embrace versatility and I’m not scared to go in front of a camera or speak to 100 people on a stage. I always tell myself, “It doesn’t need to be perfect, but it needs to get done.”
What do you recommend to the new writers?
I always recommend getting used to talking to the wall.
No one starts on a stage performing to a standing ovation. We have to show up even when no one does. My first Substack Notes had 2 likes. It took me 12 months to get momentum and now many get hundreds and I have over 40,000 views a month but I talked to the wall for a long time. You have to show up for yourself first.
Play to play.
Write to write.
That’s the win.
What are your plans as a writer or as a professional?
My big project is the launch of my new book, The Anti-Procrastinator. We are currently finalizing the editing and preparing for the pre-launch. I just did a book cover that I will reveal for my subscribers soon.
Regarding my Substack, I’m working toward 20,000 subscriptions by the end of 2025 and I have some exciting launches coming up for my paid subscribers.
Coaching is becoming a big part of my offering and I want to help my members earn their Substack Bestseller’s Badge.
Last, I love change and I know that I will implement new things and take new risks but I don’t know what they are yet. And that’s the beauty of it!
Many thanks to Veronica making time and giving us a glimpse into her exciting and impressive life. You can connect with her on Medium, Linkedin, and her Substack: The Lemon Tree Mindset
The Lemon Tree Mindset 🌳🍋 | Veronica Llorca-Smith | Substack
I help you build an ecosystem to turn your passion for writing into your lifestyle. When life gives you lemons, use the…veronicallorcasmith.substack.com
Veronica also collaborates with another of my favorite writers, Sinem Günel, whom I had the pleasure of interviewing in 2020. I plan to re-interview Sinem soon, as she, like Veronica, has made remarkable progress. I hope you enjoy this insightful conversation on Substack between these two wise and inspiring businesswomen who continue to captivate their audiences.
Turning Your Passion For Writing Into Your Lifestyle: A Live Chat with Sinem Günel
Now we have a great plan for our Substack Mastery of ILLUMINATION Community I drafted the plan on my website and look forward to your feedback and engagement.
ILLUMINATION Substack Community Support – Dr Mehmet Yildiz
This is a summary of 3-tier service offerings for creators, freelance writers, and content entrepreneurs on Substack…digitalmehmet.com
I recently wrote a book titled Substack Mastery. It already became a best seller on Amazon. If you are interested, I decided to share the early version as one chapter a day for my beta readers. Here is the first chapter for beginners.
Yesterday, I published Chapter 6, focusing on the important topic of privacy for Substack newsletters and how it impacts audience growth. I share my content across multiple platforms because Medium’s algorithm, possibly viewing Substack as a competitor, doesn’t distribute it widely. However, since Medium’s leadership has affirmed Substack as a collaborator, I confidently build a bridge between these two great platforms.
Here is the link to free version on my website, on my newsletter on Substack called Content Strategy, Development, & Marketing Insights, and the link to Medium version below:
Substack Mastery Book: Chapter 6
How to Configure and Maintain Privacy of Substack Publications with Compelling Reasonsmedium.com
Today I wrote about my monthly progress on 8 different platform to give an idea to fellow writers. It is an independent review and could be valuable for aspiring writers.
An In-Depth Performance Review of 8 Major Platforms I Contributed to This Month: Key Insights and…
Discover an independent and comprehensive analysis of my contributions and performance across multiple platforms…medium.com
Please explore some leading newsletters featured by ILLUMINATION-Curators in episode 11 released earlier today. It is an excellent collaboration tool for growing your Substack profile and newsletters.
Substack Mastery Featured Newsletters: Episode 11
Curated newsletters of writers contributing to the Substack Mastery publication on Medium for joyful collaboration and…medium.com
Links to Previous Interview Interviews
I interviewed other writers on this platform. The following links will allow you to easily access them. Follow the writers who resonate with you.
Interview James King, Interview Lauren Grawert, MD,InterviewJerry Keszka, Interview Davor Katusic,Interview David Gerken,Interview Claudio D’Andrea, Interview William Spivey,Interview James Boylan, Interview Ruby Noir, Interview Brother Bhunru, Interview Joshua Mason, Interview Michelle Mariscal, Interview Tim Denning, Interview Wendi Gordon, Interview Elle, Interview Waleed Mahmud Tariq, Interview Bill Petro, Interview Sylvain Zyssman, Interview Matthew Bamberg, Interview Øivind H. Solheim, Interview Abhishek Biswas, Interview Payal Koul, Interview Matt Lillywhite, Interview Genius Turner, Interview Shirley Willett, Interview David Mokotoff, MD, Interview Martin D. Hirsch, Interview Gill McCulloch, Interview Adelia Ritchie, PhD, Interview Dr. Lutz Kraushaar, Interview Tim Denning, Interview Lorwen Harris Nagle, PhD, Interview Matt Williams-Spooner, Ph.D., Interview Pernoste & Dahl, Interview Luay Rahil, Interview Melissa Kalt, MD, Interview Ayodeji Awosika, Interview Dr. Preeti Singh, Interview Dr. ADAM TABRIZ, Interview Dr John Frederick Rose, Interview Yogesh Haribhau Kulkarni (PhD), Interview Hakima T A N T R I K A, Interview Mark Sanford, Ph.D, Interview Raymond M.E. Aguirre, Interview Keri Mangis, Interview John D. Leavy, Interview Sinem Günel, Interview Toni Koraza, Interview Annelise Lords, Interview, Mike Zillo, Interview Aurora Eliam, CMP, Interview Charles Roast, Interview Libby Mitchell, Interview Timothy Key, Interview, Christopher D. Connors, Interview Desiree Driesenaar, Interview Jill Ebstein, Interview Bill Abbate, Interview Anita Lesko, Interview John Cousins, Interview Ali Qutmiera, Interview Roxanna Azimy, Interview Karen Madej, Interview Celtic Chameleon, Interview Maïa Belart, Interview Kevin Buddaeus, Interview Rasheed Hooda, Interview Julia E Hubbel, Interview Suntonu Bhadra, Interview Aisha Yusuf, Interview Sharon Hurley Hall, Interview Angel Joy, Interview Tim Maudlin, Interview Mallika Vasak, Interview Yannis Dokos, Interview Lawson Wallace, Interview Chelsea Renee MAT, Interview Earnest Painter, Interview MaryJo Wagner, PhD, Interview Phil Truman, Interview Martine Weber, Interview Michael Patanella, Interview Tree Langdon, Interview Holly Jahangiri, Interview Aric D Mayer, Interview Chris Hedges , Interview Paroma Sen, Interview Jeff Hanlon, Interview Chowa Sekai, Interview Marianna Saver, Interview Annelise Lords, Interview Amy Cottreau, Interview Sabana Grande, Interview, Agnes Laurens, Interview P.G. Barnett, Interview Liam Ireland, Interview Jith
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
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I publish my health and wellness stories on EUPHORIA and share distilled versions on SUBSTACK. My posts do not include professional or health advice. I only document my reviews, observations, experiences, and perspectives to provide information and create awareness.
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