Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Richardson.
Hi Lori, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story has taken quite a few twists and turns, but looking back, I can see how everything I’ve done has somehow led me right back to where I started: being creative, expressing myself, and telling stories. Apparently, creativity wasn’t going to leave me alone. 😂
I’ve always had a creative streak. As a teen, I wrote poetry and books, and I mean actual books! My biggest literary accomplishment back then was a 200-page story called *Problems for Two*, about a high school senior determined to finally get the boy she’d had her eye on for all four years. I also wrote a full-length feature film screenplay, somewhere between 200 and 300 pages, about a woman who absolutely could not stand the man she worked with, only for him to eventually win her heart. Apparently, I had a thing for complicated love stories, stubborn women, and men who had to work a little harder to get the girl! 😂 Clearly, I had a flair for drama and romance long before I knew what to do with it!
I attended Morgan State University, where I graduated in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in English and a concentration in Writing for Television (scriptwriting). During college, I wrote television sitcom scripts and performed in plays. Interestingly enough, acting wasn’t originally part of the plan. One of my professors suggested taking acting classes because understanding a script from an actor’s perspective would make me a better writer. Well, I took that advice and fell in love with acting. I loved being able to step into someone else’s world, take on their personality, and be as dramatic and expressive as I wanted. All that personality, and somebody was actually encouraging me to use it? Sign me up!
In 2003, I packed up and moved to New York City to pursue acting professionally. I spent the next 15 years pursuing that dream while doing what so many creatives in NYC do: figuring out how to pay the bills while chasing something bigger. For me, that meant waitressing, proofreading, and participating in consumer panels and focus groups. And if you know anything about New York, you know those bills do not care about your dreams!
Around 2011–2012, I transitioned into proofreading professionally full-time. My English degree and natural attention to detail came in handy, and I built a career doing something I was genuinely good at. I worked as a proofreader until 2017, when the company I’d been with for five years was acquired by a larger company, and I was laid off. That unexpected detour led me into professional pet sitting, which I did from October 2017 until the pandemic hit in 2020. I took that year off, then returned to proofreading in 2021, where I spent another four years before being laid off again in October 2025.
Now, getting laid off once is one thing. Getting laid off twice? Okay, universe, I hear you! 😂
I started job hunting, but let’s just say the job market wasn’t exactly rolling out the red carpet. I was sending applications, waiting, following up, and getting nowhere fast. Eventually, I decided that instead of waiting for another company to give me an opportunity, maybe it was time to create one for myself.
I landed a contract proofreading job, but I also started exploring user-generated content (UGC) creation. I’d been seeing ads on social media about the UGC industry and the growing demand for creators in my age demographic. As a Gen X woman, that caught my attention. I was intrigued by the idea that brands wanted real people, with real experiences and perspectives, to create content about their products.
The more I learned about UGC, the more I realized it was practically a combination of everything I’d been doing my entire life. Acting? Check. Writing? Check. Trying new products and forming opinions about them? Oh, I can DEFINITELY do that. Add video editing, which I discovered I actually love, and suddenly all these seemingly unrelated chapters of my life started making sense.
So, I invested in a course to learn the business and got to work. And by “got to work,” I mean I entered an entirely new world of scripting, filming, lighting, editing, marketing, building a portfolio, developing a personal brand, and figuring out which platform does what. Whew! Nobody mentioned how many hats I’d have to wear. I thought I was becoming a content creator, not an entire production company! 😂
The learning curve was definitely steeper than I anticipated. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed, questioned whether I was cut out for it, and wondered if I’d gotten in over my head. But I kept learning, experimenting, and figuring things out. Eventually, I scripted, filmed, and edited my portfolio videos, launched my portfolio, joined creator platforms, and developed my personal brand, **Lori’s Angle**. Because when you’re someone who naturally has an opinion and a perspective on just about everything, you might as well put it to good use!
Today, I’m still working in proofreading while building my UGC business. I’m learning as I go, and I can already see the improvement in my content, my creative process, and my production quality. Every video teaches me something new. I’m finding my voice as a creator, discovering what works, and getting more comfortable putting myself out there.
One of the things I love most is having creative control. I get to bring my own ideas, personality, and perspective to the work, and I have the freedom to pursue collaborations with brands that genuinely interest me. I’ve also met some amazing people in the UGC community who have been generous with their knowledge, encouragement, and support.
What’s funny is that I spent so many years pursuing acting, then built a career in proofreading, and for a while, those felt like two completely separate parts of my life. Now, here I am, using my writing background, performance experience, editorial eye, and love of storytelling in one place.
I’m still at the beginning of this particular chapter, and I don’t pretend to have it all figured out. But I’m proud that I took a chance on myself, especially at a stage in life when people sometimes think they should already have everything settled.
As it turns out, starting over doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. Sometimes, it means finally putting everything you’ve learned to work in a way you never imagined.
And at 47, I have a lot of life experience, plenty of opinions, and quite a few stories left to tell. I’m just getting started!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? Not exactly. But I wouldn’t say it’s been completely rocky either. More like a road with a few potholes, unexpected detours, and moments when I wondered if my GPS knew where it was taking me! 😂
One of my biggest challenges has been navigating the financial side of starting something new while still having grown-woman bills to pay. And those bills? They are remarkably consistent, whether my income is or not! After being laid off in October 2025, I had to figure out how to support myself while investing in an entirely new career path. I couldn’t just throw caution to the wind and focus solely on building a business. I still needed to work. Between proofreading contracts, pet sitting, and learning how to become a UGC creator, I had a lot on my plate. Finding the time, energy, and financial resources to do everything was, and sometimes still is, a challenge.
Then there was the learning curve. Whew! I knew UGC involved creating videos, but I don’t think I fully appreciated how much goes into producing a good one until I started doing it myself. Coming up with concepts, writing scripts, figuring out lighting and camera angles, filming, editing, creating engaging hooks, understanding what brands want, marketing myself, and building an online presence. And that’s just the creative side! There’s also the business side of pitching, networking, learning platforms, and positioning yourself in an industry where you’re competing for attention.
At one point, I remember thinking, “Wait a minute. I thought I was signing up to make videos. Why do I suddenly need to be a writer, director, producer, editor, marketing department, and CEO?” 😂
The technical side was especially challenging in the beginning. Learning video editing software, understanding how to put together B-roll, syncing audio, and figuring out how to make a video look polished without having an entire production crew at my disposal took some serious patience. Sometimes I’d spend what felt like forever trying to figure out something that probably takes an experienced creator five minutes. And when you’re naturally detail-oriented, like I am, it’s very easy to get caught up in making every little thing just right.
Another challenge has been managing my own expectations. I’m someone who likes to do things well, and I can be pretty hard on myself when I’m not immediately good at something. That’s not exactly the most helpful mindset when you’re a beginner! I’ve had moments when I compared my content to creators who were further along, questioned whether my work was good enough, and felt overwhelmed by everything I thought I should already know. I’ve also had to learn that having a bunch of ideas floating around in my head and actually turning them into finished content are two very different things. Sometimes, the hardest part isn’t doing the work. It’s figuring out where to start.
And consistency? That’s been another lesson. When you’re juggling multiple jobs and trying to build a business, it’s not always easy to show up creatively on demand. Some days, I have the ideas but not the energy. Other days, I have the time but my brain has apparently decided to take a personal day without notifying me. 😂 I’ve had to work on creating a process that fits how I naturally think and work instead of trying to force myself into someone else’s formula.
There’s also been the challenge of putting myself out there. Now, I spent years pursuing acting, so you would think being on camera would be the easy part. And in some ways, it is. But there’s a difference between performing as a character and showing up as yourself. When you’re acting, you have a script, a role, and someone else’s personality to step into. With UGC and building my personal brand, I’m the personality. My opinions, my humor, my expressions, my perspective. There’s no character to hide behind. For someone who’s naturally introverted, that has been an interesting adjustment.
But one thing I’m learning is that I don’t have to become somebody else to succeed at this. In fact, the more I lean into my own personality and creative instincts, the more I enjoy what I’m doing.
I’m also learning to give myself room to be a beginner. I don’t have to master every aspect of this business overnight. I can improve one video at a time, experiment with different approaches, and make adjustments as I go. What takes me three hours today might take me 30 minutes six months from now. At least, that’s the plan!
I’m still figuring out how to balance everything, and some days I still feel overwhelmed. But I can look at my earliest videos and the ones I’m producing now and see real progress. My editing has improved, my ideas are getting stronger, and I’m becoming more confident in my creative decisions.
If anything, this experience has challenged me to become more comfortable with not having all the answers before I begin. That’s a big one for me.
So no, the road hasn’t been completely smooth. But it hasn’t been a disaster either. It’s been a learning experience that has required patience, flexibility, creativity, and a willingness to keep going even when I don’t feel particularly confident.
And perhaps the biggest lesson has been realizing that I can be a work in progress and still be making progress.** I don’t have to wait until I’m an expert to put myself out there. I just have to be willing to learn, improve, and keep showing up.
Preferably with fewer tabs open in my brain, but we’re working on that! 😂
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Professionally, I wear three hats these days: proofreader, professional pet sitter, and UGC creator. One career involves catching mistakes, making sure everything is accurate, and paying attention to the tiniest details. Another involves caring for people’s beloved pets, earning their trust, and making sure their furry family members are happy, safe, and well cared for. And the third involves storytelling, creativity, expressing my personality, and bringing products to life on camera. Three seemingly unrelated professions, right? Well, apparently, I’ve never been one to stay in just one lane! 😂 But I’ve discovered they have more in common than you’d think. All three require attention to detail, communication, creativity in solving problems, and the ability to understand what people need. One just involves a lot more fur, and another gives me a little more room to be dramatic!
I’ve spent more than a decade working professionally as a proofreader and editor across industries including healthcare, advertising, marketing, and financial services. My work has involved reviewing everything from marketing campaigns and digital content to financial reports and healthcare materials. I specialize in catching grammatical, spelling, formatting, and consistency errors, maintaining brand standards, and making sure the final product is accurate, polished, and ready for its intended audience.
And when I say I’m detail-oriented, I mean I notice things most people probably wouldn’t think twice about. An extra space? I see it. Inconsistent punctuation? I see that, too. A number that doesn’t match somewhere else in a 50-page document? Oh, we’re definitely going to have a conversation about that! 😂
Over the years, I’ve developed a reputation for being thorough, dependable, and having a sharp editorial eye. I’ve worked on high-volume projects with tight deadlines, helped reduce errors before publication, and maintained accuracy and consistency across hundreds of pieces of content. I take a lot of pride in knowing that my work helps protect the quality and credibility of whatever a company puts out into the world. Good proofreading is one of those things people rarely notice when it’s done well. But when it’s not? Oh, everybody notices!
Then there’s my work as a professional pet sitter, which has been another rewarding chapter in my career. I started pet sitting professionally in 2017, and what began as a career transition turned into something I genuinely enjoy. I’ve always loved animals, and getting paid to spend time with them? Well, there are certainly worse ways to make a living! 😂 But pet sitting is about much more than playing with adorable dogs and cats. People are trusting you with members of their family, their homes, and their peace of mind. That comes with a lot of responsibility.
I provide personalized care for pets while their owners are away, whether that involves walks, feeding, visits, companionship, or maintaining their routines. Every animal has its own personality, preferences, and quirks. Some are affectionate and want all your attention, some need time to warm up, and others would prefer you simply acknowledge their existence and then mind your business. Cats, I’m looking at you! 😂 Learning how to read their behavior, respect their boundaries, and make them feel comfortable has taught me a lot about patience, adaptability, and building trust without forcing it.
One thing I particularly appreciate about pet sitting is the relationships I’ve built with both the animals and their owners. There’s something special about becoming a familiar, trusted presence in a pet’s life. And when an animal who was initially shy or cautious finally decides you’re one of their people? That’s a pretty satisfying feeling.
Now, alongside proofreading and pet sitting, I’m building my UGC business under my personal brand, **Lori’s Angle**. UGC, or user-generated content, involves creating authentic, relatable videos and other content that brands can use in their marketing, advertising, and social media. My focus is on wellness, food and beverages, everyday products, and tech and productivity tools.
What drew me to this industry is the opportunity to combine my professional skills with my creative side. I get to write scripts, develop concepts, perform on camera, experiment with different filming techniques, and edit everything into a finished piece of content. And, of course, I get to give my opinion about products. Anybody who knows me knows I have a few of those! 😂
My approach to UGC is conversational, expressive, and grounded in real-life experiences. I want my content to feel like someone sharing a genuinely interesting discovery with you, not like you’re being subjected to a commercial you can’t skip fast enough. I love creating content that makes people curious, gives them something useful, or makes them laugh a little. Ideally, all three.
And as a Gen X woman, I bring a perspective that I think deserves more visibility in the creator space. We’re an entire generation of consumers with purchasing power, life experience, established preferences, and plenty to say. We don’t suddenly stop discovering new products, enjoying technology, or being influenced by advertising because we’re over 40. We just might be a little harder to impress! 😂
What sets me apart is the combination of skills and experiences I bring to the table. My acting background helps me feel natural and expressive on camera. My writing background helps me develop engaging concepts and scripts. My proofreading career has trained me to be meticulous about details, accuracy, and brand consistency. Pet sitting has strengthened my ability to adapt to different personalities, build relationships, and earn people’s trust. And my life experience helps me approach products and storytelling from a perspective that feels relatable and believable.
I’m also a naturally curious person. I like understanding how things work, why people respond to certain messages, and what makes one product or experience stand out from another. I don’t want to simply tell someone a product is great. I want to give them a reason to care about it. What’s interesting about it? What problem does it solve? How does it fit into someone’s actual life? And, most importantly, why should they believe me?
I’m not interested in creating content that sounds like I’m reading a list of product benefits off the back of a box. People can read the box themselves! I want to bring some personality, perspective, and actual storytelling to the experience.
As for what I’m most proud of, there are a few things.
First, I’m proud of the proofreading career I’ve built. I’ve worked with talented teams, contributed to projects across multiple industries, and developed a skill set that has allowed me to earn a living doing something that comes naturally to me. Proofreading may not be the flashiest career in the world, but there’s something satisfying about being the person who catches what everybody else missed. It’s a little like being a detective, except the suspects are misplaced commas, inconsistent numbers, and questionable sentence structures.
I’m also proud of the trust I’ve earned as a pet sitter. When someone leaves their pet in your care, they’re trusting you with someone they love. That’s not something I take lightly. Being able to provide that peace of mind, establish lasting relationships with clients, and get to know so many different animal personalities has been incredibly rewarding. Plus, I’ve had some very entertaining coworkers over the years. Some have four legs, some are a little demanding, and a few seem convinced that I’m actually the one working for them. Honestly, they may have a point! 😂
And perhaps most personally, I’m proud that I decided to pursue something new instead of limiting myself to what I’d already done. Starting a UGC business in my 40s wasn’t on my original life plan. Then again, neither were two layoffs, professional pet sitting, or becoming my own video production department, so clearly my life has never been particularly interested in following a script!
I’m proud that I invested in myself, learned unfamiliar skills, and created a portfolio of work from the ground up. There was no production team, no creative director, and no editor waiting to put everything together for me. I had to learn to do those things myself, and I did. Am I where I ultimately want to be yet? No. But I’m a lot further along than I was when I started, and that’s something I can appreciate.
I think the biggest thing that sets me apart is that I’m not trying to fit into a particular creator mold. I’m not the loudest person in the room, and I don’t need to be. I’m observant, expressive, witty, opinionated, and genuinely interested in connecting with people. I can be polished and professional without being stiff, and funny without turning everything into a performance. I like content that has some substance to it, even when it’s lighthearted.
And that’s really what I want Lori’s Angle to represent: **a fresh perspective from someone who’s lived a little, learned a lot, and isn’t afraid to have an opinion.**
Ultimately, whether I’m proofreading a financial report, caring for someone’s pet, or creating a video for a brand, I want to be known for being thoughtful, dependable, and genuinely good at what I do. The work may look different from one day to the next, but the foundation is the same: paying attention, understanding what’s needed, and delivering something of value.
Because whether I’m catching an error, figuring out why a cat has suddenly decided we’re no longer on speaking terms, or sharing my thoughts on a product, one thing is pretty consistent: **I’m going to notice something, and I’m probably going to have something to say about it!** 😂
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Absolutely! While I’m proud of the work I’ve put into building my career and starting my UGC business, I certainly didn’t get here entirely on my own. I’ve been fortunate to have people in my corner who have shared their knowledge, offered encouragement, opened doors, and sometimes given me the push I needed when I was busy overthinking everything. And trust me, I can overthink with the best of them! 😂
First, I have to give credit to **UGC MA (UGC Master Academy)**, the program where I began learning the ins and outs of becoming a UGC creator. The academy provides a wealth of educational resources, training, and tools to help creators develop their skills and navigate the business side of the industry. But one of the things I appreciate most is the community they’ve built. Having access to other creators who are learning, experimenting, sharing experiences, and supporting one another has been invaluable. When you’re entering an unfamiliar industry, it helps to know you’re not the only person staring at your screen wondering, “Okay, but HOW do I do this?” 😂
My friends **DJA Horry and Natascha Hardee** have also been phenomenal resources throughout this journey. They’ve shared their knowledge of filming techniques, camera angles, transitions, video editing, and so many of the technical details that go into creating good content. There have been plenty of times when I’ve had an idea in my head but absolutely no clue how to execute it. Being able to turn to people who understand the creative and technical sides of production has made a tremendous difference. I appreciate their willingness to share what they know, answer my questions, and help me figure things out without making me feel like I should already know the answers.
I also want to recognize **Sheaquann Datts**, who played an important role in my proofreading career. Sheaquann helped me get hired for my first full-time professional proofreading position, which opened the door to a career I’ve now been building for well over a decade. Sometimes, one person recognizing your abilities and helping you access an opportunity can change the direction of your professional life. That opportunity gave me a foundation of experience that I’m still drawing from today, including in my UGC business.
Then there’s my family. My niece, **Grace**, and my brother, **David**, have been incredibly supportive of me and my creative pursuits. And I mean supportive in the way that makes you feel like you have your own little cheering section! They’ve encouraged me, shown interest in what I’m doing, and reminded me that what I’m building is worth pursuing. When you’re stepping into something new and occasionally questioning your own abilities, having people who believe in you can make a world of difference. Sometimes, you just need someone to say, “Keep going,” especially on the days when you’re not entirely convinced yourself.
I also owe a very special thank-you to **Derric Bethea**, who provided the initial financial support that allowed me to begin my UGC journey. Investing in a new career path isn’t always easy, particularly when you’re managing everyday financial responsibilities. His contribution helped make it possible for me to take that first step, invest in my education, and begin developing the skills I needed. I’m genuinely grateful for that support because it helped turn something I was interested in exploring into something I could actually pursue.
And then there’s **Lakita Dunkers**, a fellow UGC creator who has become a remarkable accountability partner. Let me tell you, having someone who understands both the excitement and the challenges of building a creative business is a gift! We can share ideas, discuss our progress, encourage each other, and provide that little nudge when one of us needs to get moving. Because sometimes the motivation is there, and other times it’s apparently gone on vacation without leaving a forwarding address! 😂 Having someone who understands the process and helps you stay connected to your goals makes the journey feel a lot less isolating.
What I appreciate about all these people is that they’ve supported me in different but equally meaningful ways. Some shared their expertise. Some opened professional doors. Some provided financial support. Others offered encouragement, accountability, or simply the reassurance that I didn’t have to figure everything out by myself.
And one thing this experience has taught me is that **being independent doesn’t mean you have to do everything alone.** I’ve always taken pride in being resourceful and figuring things out, but I’m learning that there’s a lot of value in allowing people to help, teach, and support you along the way.
I’m still in the early stages of building Lori’s Angle, and I know there’s plenty more to learn and accomplish. But I’m grateful to have people who see the potential in what I’m doing and are willing to contribute to that journey.
Because behind every person who’s brave enough to try something new, there’s often a handful of people saying, “You’ve got this!” And occasionally, “Girl, stop overthinking it and just post the video!” 😂
I’m fortunate to have both!
Pricing:
- Basic UGC Package — $75: [15-second runtime, scriptwriting, B-roll enhancement, subtitles/captions, usage rights, 2 revisions]
- Standard UGC Package — $100: [30-second runtime, scriptwriting, B-roll enhancement, subtitles/captions, usage rights, 2 revisions]
- Premium UGC Package — $125: [60-second runtime, scriptwriting, B-roll enhancement, subtitles/captions, usage rights, 2 revisions]
- Custom Projects: Pricing is available upon request for brands seeking tailored content, multiple videos, or additional creative services.
- Brands interested in collaborating can view my services, package details, and pricing on Fiverr at www.fiverr.com/lorisangle.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ugcwithlorisangle.my.canva.site/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ugcwithlorisangle
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-richardson-57b839443/
- Twitter: https://x.com/ugclorisangle
