Welcome to the Forty Over 40 blog. Every week we spotlight one of our honorees and their thoughts on reinvention, mentorship and momentum…plus a peek into what makes them tick.
This week’s Q & A is with Paula Froelich, Yahoo Travel’s Editor-At-Large. Paula is a New York Times bestselling author of the novel, Mercury in Retrograde. She developed her editorial experience as a senior writer at Newsweek, a freelance journalist covering politics, travel and pop culture, as well as the former Deputy Editor of the New York Post’s “Page Six.” Under her leadership Yahoo Travel has become the largest travel content site in the world.
1. What was a pivotal moment of reinvention for you?
When, at the ripe old age of 36, I quit my high profile job, ditched all of my success, for the great unknown — without another job waiting.
2. Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?
I have had several — all women. My first boss, Clare Longrigg was invaluable, and I have a close circle of friends who are all successful in business.
3. What is your biggest goal right now?
To turn “A Broad Abroad” into a nationally recognized brand/series and make Yahoo Travel a daily read for everyone.
4. How did you get your first job? How did you jump to your second job?
I was living in England and cold called every single features editor of every single paper – only the assistant to the features editor at The Guardian was too polite to not hang up on me. In the States I got a job covering interest rate swaps and over-the-counter derivatives at the newsletter division of Institutional Investor and was then recruited out by Dow Jones as they didn’t have anyone doing that at the time.
5. What time do you typically wake up? What do you do every morning?
I wake up at 5 but don’t get out of bed until around 7 — I use that time to dream, think and thank the universe. I get up, walk and feed the dog, have breakfast, take a shower and go!
6. How did you feel on your 30th birthday? What were you doing at that time?
My friends threw me a huge 30th birthday party and it was great except I imbibed too much and gave myself a raging hangover the next day as a present. My 40th was way better — I took myself to Egypt to see the Pyramids and Luxor. By myself. No hangover.
7. How do you unplug? How often do you unplug?
Not as often as I should. I unplug on planes… and by reading. A lot.
8. What’s the best networking contact you’ve made? How did you make it?
I’ve had several people change my life just by meeting someone who knew someone…the thing is: always be nice. Always be courteous and remember Manhattan is a small island.
9. What challenge / achievement are you most proud of?
All of them. Every. Single One. Even my failures (which have been spectacular), because I did them on my own. And learned from them all.
10. What was the last business book you read?
Wars, Guns and Votes by Paul Collier (I think it’s a business book).
11. What cause do you most want to advance?
Feminism. Which, I don’t know if you know this, but just means EQUALITY.
12. What song can’t you get out of your head?
Depends on the day. I once went to KMart and a Muzak version of Richard Marx’s “I Will Be Right Here Waiting For You” was on – I dreamed about it for a year. I haven’t been back to KMart since.
13. What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
It’s all going to be fine. Just keep doing what you believe in.
14. What is your “keep me going” quote?
If I am a little down, the “Just keep swimming” scene from Finding Nemo has saved me. More than once.
15. Who on the list of prior Honorees would you like to meet?
All of them.
Check out Paula Froelich’s full 40 Over 40 profile here!
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