We’re looking forward to introducing you to Codi Chen. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Codi, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Honestly, right now I’m finding so much joy in the simple shift of the seasons. Living in Austin, we don’t always get dramatic weather changes, but even that slight dip in temperature feels excellent. It’s a promise of cooler mornings, cozy evenings, and the return of sweaters and blankets, which instantly puts me in a happier, more grounded headspace. I thrive on those seasonal rituals that remind me to slow down and take notice of the moment.
Books are my ultimate comfort. There’s nothing better than curling up with a blanket, a cup of coffee, and getting swept away in a story. Lately, I’ve been devouring all kinds of romance novels. Give me the banter, the tension, the spice, I’ll take it all! I balance that out with all types of literary fiction, magical realism, and fantasy, which feeds a different side of me. Reading brings me joy because it’s both an escape and a spark. It keeps me inspired, curious, and always a little bit more in love with creativity in general.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m the co-owner of HeartWorks Writing, a creative company I run with my wife, where words are at the heart of everything we do. We help people (authors, entrepreneurs, or nonprofits) share their stories in ways that feel authentic, compelling, and true to who they are. From copywriting and content creation to book coaching, editing, and ghostwriting, our work is all about taking the overwhelm out of writing and turning ideas into words that actually connect.
Together, we bring both professional expertise and personal passion to the table. My background as a lifelong writer and storyteller, paired with my wife’s business acumen and experience, means we understand both the creative and strategy sides of communication. We’ve worked with clients across the world and across industries, but our mission is always to create writing that resonates, builds trust, and makes an impact. At the end of the day, we believe words have power, and helping people harness that power is what lights us up.
Right now, we’re preparing to launch digital products that support entrepreneurs, VAs, and freelance writers who want to earn more without falling into the trap of “salesy” or repetitive marketing. Our goal is to show you how to share your products and services in a way that feels authentic to your voice.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When I was in my early teens, I had this incredible opportunity to travel through France with my grandfather, who fought in WWII, along with my mom, some of his army buddies, and their families. We retraced parts of the route they had taken over half a century earlier, and I’ll never forget what it felt like to stand in those places with the men who had lived that history. At community gatherings, we met French veterans, too, and hearing their stories (sometimes joyful, often heartbreaking) was one of the most profound experiences of my life.
It wasn’t just about history, though. For me, it was the first time the world cracked wide open. Suddenly, I was immersed in another culture, surrounded by architecture older than anything I had ever seen, tasting foods I didn’t even know existed, and meeting people whose lives looked nothing like mine. I remember sitting at long tables, trying dishes I couldn’t pronounce, and thinking, there is so much more to the world than the little piece I know.
From that point forward, I knew I wanted to spend my life exploring. Not just the places on a map, but the ways people live, the traditions they carry, and the stories that shape them. I wanted to climb mountains, wander through cities, and sit with people from all walks of life to understand what makes us different and, just as importantly, what connects us.
And at the heart of all of that was my love for storytelling. I didn’t want to travel just to collect stamps in my passport. I wanted to absorb those experiences and let them shape the way I write and the way I see people. That trip taught me that stories are everywhere, etched into old buildings, spoken at dinner tables, and tucked into memories of those who lived through extraordinary times. It gave me this burning desire to use writing as a way to honor those stories and to connect with humanity on a deeper level.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
For me, giving up on writing was never an option. Writing has always been my art, my outlet, my way of making sense of the world. I’ve been telling stories since I first knew how to put words together, and I always knew it would be at the center of my life. But I also knew I had a lot of living to do before I could become the kind of writer I truly wanted to be.
I made a conscious choice not to chase writing as a career too quickly or box myself into a degree that might dim my passion. I didn’t want to risk turning something I loved so deeply into something that felt like homework. So instead, I earned my BS in Travel & Tourism and chased experiences. I poured lattes as a barista, waited tables, worked as a camp counselor, served as an administrative assistant, and even spent time teaching English overseas. Each of those chapters gave me stories, perspectives, and lessons that would eventually find their way into my writing.
It wasn’t until 2014 that I dipped my toes into freelance writing, and by 2018, I had built it into a full-time career. Over the years, my work has spanned just about every corner of the writing world, from grant writing to technical writing, resumes, articles, travel itineraries, copywriting, content creation, editing, ghostwriting, and even designing writing courses. Some of those roles lit me up, while others were simply stepping stones. But even on the hardest days, I’d take the variety and freedom of writing over the confines of traditional 9-5 employment without hesitation.
The truth is, writing has always been less of a career choice and more of a lifeline. It’s how I connect, how I create, and how I make meaning.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. The version of me you see publicly is the real me. I’ve always believed that one of the most powerful things you can be is yourself, plain and simple. Authenticity isn’t something I try to put on because it’s the core of how I move through the world.
Of course, I’m always evolving. We all are. That’s part of being human, and I think it’s something worth leaning into instead of resisting. Every stage of life offers a new chance to discover pieces of yourself you didn’t know existed, and I want to experience that fully. I want to see others experience that fully as well.
I don’t have children, and I think that gives me a little more room to take risks, to be bolder with my choices, and to chase some of the wild or impulsive ideas that spark my creativity. And to me, that’s part of living authentically too – saying yes to the things that light you up, even if (or especially if!) they don’t always fit a traditional path.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m definitely doing more of what I was born to do than what I was told to do. Growing up, the message I heard over and over was to work for someone else, earn a good salary, get a pension, vacation days, benefits, the whole “safe” package. But the truth is, those kinds of jobs aren’t as common these days, and none of them ever lit a fire in me.
I’ve worked a lot of different jobs over the years, but mostly to make money and gather life experience, not to climb a corporate ladder. Even when I did work full-time for someone else, the salary and perks were often minimal, and I had to juggle multiple side gigs just to make ends meet. Those experiences taught me a lot, but in the end, what has endured is writing.
Writing is where I feel alive. Sure, it comes with ups and downs, but I’ve realized that there’s just as much risk in working for someone else as there is in creating your own schedule. At least when I’m building my own path, every challenge, every late night, every triumph belongs to me, and it’s deeply aligned with who I am and what I was meant to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://heartworksw.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/codielizabeth ; instagram.com/heartworkswriting
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/codielizabeth8
- Other: HeartWorks Writing Page: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580848297301
