We had the good fortune of connecting with Bianca Foti and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bianca, how did you come up with the idea for your business?

Next Edition started out as a side hustle in 2016 that I was doing while I was working my corporate job. I wanted to make some extra money and it was an easy gig for me to juggle at the time. Writing was something I always excelled at. I studied it in college and it was one thing I was sure I could do better than the average person. I really grasped on this self-confidence I had about my craft because it would eventually drive me to leave my corporate job in 2017. I started out by working full-time as a freelancer and then as things got busier, I transitioned into a boutique agency.

The idea for Next Edition started out as a practical venture. Writing was my strong suit, so why not explore the freelancer life? But as I started working with more clients, I quickly saw how much businesses needed this type of support. It was then that I realized writing was only one part of it. The real value was in getting to know my clients and taking the time to understand who they are and what they stand for. Building meaningful connections with the people that I work with is the fuel that drives this business. It’s what sets us apart and it’s definitely what gets me up in the morning.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

I think what makes Next Edition different is how we work with our clients. As a service-based business, I never wanted this work to feel transactional and cold. Everything we do is structured so that we’re building meaningful relationships with every business and founder we work with. This allows us to know our clients better and on a deeper level, giving us greater insight into who they are. When this happens, we can craft copy that is authentic and from their unique point of view. We also only work with purpose-driven businesses — teams who are passionate and inspired about what they do and who are motivated by things beyond money. That’s key for us.

Next Edition started with just me freelancing in 2017 until Fall 2019 when I decided to hire help and shift the way we were operating. I wouldn’t call being an entrepreneur easy — it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. However, it never felt hard. Challenging at times yes because when money isn’t coming in, that saboteur in your mind can keep you up at night with hundreds of reasons why you should “get another job for extra cash” or “quit” altogether.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned, which sounds like an alliteration, is prioritize the paperwork to protect the business. Make sure you consult with a lawyer and get all of your contracts in order. Make it an integral part of your onboarding process. Always take a deposit before you begin anything. This will immediately demonstrate a potential client’s level of commitment from the very start of a project.

There is something spiritual and sacred about any craft. The creative energy it takes to generate anything — whether it’s copy or design — isn’t something that is promised every single day. We can’t be creative all the time. That’s why these efforts should only be reserved for the clients who are committed to us.

One thing I want people to know about Next Edition is that it represents my personal desire to build a life I want and a career that I love. Next Edition is always changing. Our focus is inspired by what our team is passionate about and motivated to work on. This continuously renews and reinvigorates our purpose on a daily basis and makes us excited ALL the time about our work and our clients.

We currently specialize in tech, health care, women’s health and wellness, fashion and beauty, and financial services including investment management and banking, and private equity real estate.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

If my best friend was in town, we would start with an early morning walk or run along Will Rogers State Beach. It’s nestled right on the PCH with the most breathtaking Pacific ocean views. I am someone who goes to bed looking forward to their morning coffee, so we would definitely venture through LA hitting up some of my favorite coffee shops like Blue Bottle Coffee on Abbott Kinney or La La Land Kind Cafe in Santa Monica (also one of my favorite places to get work done!)

I love to shop so I would definitely bring them to Abbott Kinney for their iconic boutique shops (Flannel being a personal favorite) as well as Platform LA, Montana Ave or Melrose if they want to splurge. I would make it a priority to be outside at all times, whether its a beach day in Malibu or Venice (with a picnic from Erewhon including my favourite turkey wraps) or a hike at Runyon Canyon or Topanga Canyon.

Now, the most important part of their trip. The pinnacle which all of our plans would be based on: the food! It’s non-negotiable that one of our meals would be in Malibu so we would definitely do Malibu Farm or Nobu before sunset. Gjelina on Abbott Kinney for dinner one night, The Butcher’s Daughter for Brunch and for something quick Fresh Corn Grill has the best salads.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my right hand and senior writer, Mirella. Her unwavering dedication, support and hard work at Next Edition has been integral to our success as an agency and none of it would have been possible without her. Teamwork makes the dreams work!

Website: www.nextedition.ca

Instagram: @nexteditioncopy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nexteditioncopy/

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/nexteditioncopy/

Image Credits
For the Premama Wellness Shots (I’d like those to be side by side) – Photo Credit: Erin Leydon, Leydon Photography. 2021. For all of the photos of me, Photo Credit: Nicole Lewis, Nicole Lewis Photography. 2019-2020. The photo of the other girl is Mirella Totera – she is on my team and who I dedicated this too!

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.