Influential Woman · Marketing and Communications
Miranda Okonek
Copywriter / Owner, Miranda Writes in Cursive
St. Paul, MN 55106
Her Story
About Miranda
Miranda Okonek is a published author, journalist, copywriter, and communications professional whose career reflects a deep passion for storytelling and community engagement. Based in the Greater Minneapolis–St. Paul area, she has built a reputation as an innovative writer who believes that compelling stories create meaningful connections and foster shared understanding. Her professional journey began in broadcast journalism and radio before evolving into roles in marketing, public relations, communications, and content strategy. Today, she is the founder and owner of Miranda Writes in Cursive, a successful freelance copywriting business where she creates SEO-driven blogs, website content, email campaigns, radio advertisements, Substack articles, and marketing materials for a diverse range of clients.
Throughout her career, Miranda has combined creativity with strategic communication expertise. As a Communications Specialist for Tree Trust, she managed print and digital communications, public relations initiatives, social media campaigns, website content, and storytelling projects that highlighted environmental stewardship, workforce development, and community impact. She also serves as a longtime freelance writer and editor for the Dayton’s Bluff District Forum, where she amplifies the voices of local artists, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and underrepresented residents through thoughtful, community-focused journalism. Her experience spans nonprofit communications, digital marketing, SEO and AI search optimization, graphic design, publishing, and editorial leadership, making her a versatile communications professional.
Miranda’s academic achievements further underscore her commitment to excellence. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Writing from Metropolitan State University, graduating summa cum laude with a perfect 4.0 GPA and earning induction into the National Society of Leadership and Success. She also holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Music and Broadcast Journalism from Brown College. In addition to her professional work, she remains actively involved in volunteer and community initiatives, including neighborhood journalism, environmental projects, and roller derby programs. As a published fiction writer and photographer, Miranda continues to blend creativity, advocacy, and strategic communication, using storytelling as a powerful tool to inform, inspire, and connect people.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Miranda
01What do you attribute your success to?
I owe my success to a couple of mentors who shoved me past my comfort zone.
My first boss spent thirty years on the radio before becoming a marketing director. She put me live on air before I was ready. Handed me a mic and pushed me on stage to introduce bands. Scared the crap out of me. And somewhere in there, I did a bunch of things I never thought I could. She's one of my best friends now.
More recently, a marketing consultant taught me SEO copywriting, which is how I make my living today. I still text him all the time. Talked to him just last night. When a client question stumps me or I want a gut check on best practices, he's who I go to.
That's the thing about this work. Staying close to people who do what you want to do isn't a nice-to-have. It's everything.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My best career advice? A few things.
Kill them with kindness. One of my old bosses taught me that, and it still works on even the toughest clients.
Take the leap. If you're not doing something that scares you, you're not thinking big enough. When I left a full-time job with benefits to work for myself, I was terrified. Everything was suddenly month-to-month. But I trusted myself and went for it. Even when it's scary, keep going.
And build a real network. I'm still in touch with just about everyone I've ever worked with, and a lot of them are clients now. When you leave a job, leave on good terms. You never know where the next one's coming from.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My biggest piece of advice? Don't be afraid to have a voice and push forward. Marketing and writing can feel like a man's world, but women's perspectives are needed, genuinely needed. We see things differently. We bring something to the table that changes the conversation. So don't shrink. Take up space. You belong there.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Confidence, trusting myself, was huge. Imposter syndrome was real, especially at Tree Trust. I wasn't sure I knew how to do everything, and it turns out I didn't. And that was okay, because I figured it out as I went. I learned. I worked with people. I got comfortable saying, I'm not sure how to do this, can you help? Or what classes can I take to get to the next level? Just being honest about what I didn't know, and trusting that I could still do it.
The same thing applies now, especially with writing, and everyone suddenly panicking about AI. I'm good at what I do. I also have two degrees in writing and 20 years of experience behind me. I don't need to be afraid. I just need to do what I do and keep moving forward.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Environmental stewardship, for sure. And kindness, being a good person, being understanding, being honest and direct. Kind candor matters deeply to me. I treat everybody the same, from the executives in the room to the people cleaning it. I don't change how I communicate based on who I'm talking to, and I'd hope people would extend me the same respect. I think you really see who someone is when things don't go right. That's when your true colors come out. Something didn't work, okay, how do you work through it? That's when you learn the most about yourself and the people around you.
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