Rising Stars: Meet Holly Chester

Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Chester. 

Hi Holly, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Ellijay, Georgia, and moved to Nashville in 2011 to attend Belmont University. Initially when I moved here, I was focused on becoming an artist and writing my own songs.

However, after releasing some of my music, I learned that most of my joy was found in the writing, not in the singing. As the daughter of two entrepreneurs, I love the business side of things, so I graduated with a BBA in Music Business and started working at a performing rights organization. After a few years, I had the opportunity to move into a role that allowed me to connect and support songwriters within the industry, but after a year in this role, 2020 hit and we all started working virtually. 

I’d started an Instagram account a year or two before under a pen name, so I could post my writings anonymously. I’ve always liked being mysterious, but to be honest, I was intimidated to put my art into the world. But the thing about being a creative is that your creativity will not give you any peace until you acknowledge it. With the world shut down, I no longer had the excuse of “I’m too busy” and I began writing again. I eventually revealed my identity and my page continued to grow. 

I know the past two years have been difficult and have tested all of us, but I believe there have been positive things we’ve experienced as well. I am grateful I had the time to slow down because it helped me realize that even though I enjoyed the music business, I was using it as an excuse to ignore my own creativity. 

A couple of months ago, I began owning the fact that I am a writer and it has opened up many doors, this interview being one of them. After almost seven years in the music industry, I’m transitioning into a completely different career as a freelance copywriter and a full-time poet. Here I am at 29, embracing the creative I always was, but didn’t always acknowledge. It’s thrilling and terrifying. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Discovering your gifts and using them is never an easy road. Several years ago, when I stopped pursuing the artist thing, I felt like a failure. The perfectionist in me didn’t like that I wasn’t doing what I came here to do. But I finally realized my dreams had changed and I’d outgrown the old ones and there was nothing wrong with changing my mind. It’s funny, because I’m discovering that those same passions are finding their way back to me in the form of different, reimagined dreams. Most of my struggles have been self-induced, so I’m learning to give myself some grace and enjoy life and the creative process. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I proudly call myself a writer, but that takes a couple of different forms these days. I’m a freelance copywriter, so I work with various companies to bring quality copy to their social media, websites, email funnels, etc. to help promote their brand and connect them to their ideal customer. I love to help people and connect them; I did that in the music industry for so long and I realized I can be a connector and encourager in a variety of roles. 

I also call myself a poet and I’m working on my debut poetry book. I’m really excited because I’ve always wanted to write a book. Like I said earlier, it’s funny how your childhood dreams sometimes find their way back to you. I think what sets me apart as a writer and creative is my desire to encourage and help others. Even if I’m writing heartbreaking poetry, I balance it out by adding a spin of positivity. If I’m writing copy, I help brands share their voice and products with the world. 

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
If you live in Nashville, simply telling people what you do is a great way to network. It’s such a creative city with so many talented individuals, odds are if you embrace who you are as a creative and start talking to people, you’re going to build connections faster than you realize. 

Contact Info:

• Email: copybyholly@gmail.com
• Website: www.hollychester.com
• Instagram: @hollychesterwrites

Image Credits
Gage Lance
Brandie Johnson