about
Peggy Jordan loves words.
She started reading and writing at age five and never stopped, and the fact that she now makes a living at this proves that being a geek can really work if you stick with something long enough. Peggy founded Working Words to further the cause of straight talk in marketing communications and business writing, providing compelling copy and meaningful content for clients ranging from major corporations to sole proprietors.
To help entrepreneurs and consultants capture their passion on paper — and prove that they really do know what they’re talking about — Peggy has been leading a series of business-book writing workshops that provide the structure, support, and accountability to actually write that book instead of just talking about it. The method, developed over the course of several sessions, is working so well that she is even using it herself (!) and has nearly completed her own book called…well, Write That Book…Instead of Just Talking About It.
Not only is Peggy a writer and book-writing coach, she is also in demand as a trainer and speaker. Her seminar, “Words That Work: Business Writing Basics was hosted by the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce in April 8, 2008. Along with co-presenter Jill Giese, she developed and delivered a presentation called “Beyond the Elevator Pitch: Introduce the Real You!” for Keller Williams Realtor training that was so popular they’ve been asked back for three encore performances.
Background
Prior to launching her own business, Peggy spent five years in the marketing communications and technical literature departments of iLevel by Weyerhaeuser, formerly Trus Joist. Having worked at the same company through two major reorganizations gave Peggy real-world experience with the ins and outs of branding, stakeholder management, and clear communication during stressful transitions.
In addition to being much in demand with several key management people as their personal writer-in-the-pocket, her various positions at iLevel included marketing communications specialist, technical writer and editor, and the Canadian division’s customer marketing/field development coordinator.
Community Involvement
Peggy Jordan periodically serves as a community volunteer mediator for Ada County Small Claims Court, helping litigious adversaries find mutually agreeable solutions to their disputes other than lawsuits and judgments. A passion for communication can take many forms other than the written word, after all. Peggy finds it endlessly satisfying to see how even distressed people can become creative problem solvers when they feel that they’re in a safe place and that they’re finally being heard.
Education
Peggy holds a B.A. in English, Technical Communication Emphasis as well as a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from Boise State University. She graduated magna cum laude in May, 2004.
She has also completed continuing education training in Small Claims Mediation, Workplace Mediation, Community Sounding Board, Domestic Violence Issues, and Organizational Conflict, and earned the Toastmasters International Competent Communicator Award in April, 2008.
Community and Professional Associations
- Capital City Communicators, former board member
- Treasure Valley Consultants Network
- Log Cabin Literary Center
- Toastmasters International, Capital City Club
- Idaho Mediation Association
- Women of Color Alliance (WOCA), member and project facilitator
- Idaho Mountain Recreation, trip leader
Past-Life Experience
Before returning to college in mid-life to study English and communication, Peggy spent more than 23 years working as a professional musician. As a bassist, guitarist, and singer, she performed with the Jazz Ratz, The Elements, The Pegheads, Rebecca Scott Decision, Bonafide, Sirah Storm and the Blue Tail Twisters, The Santa Fe Trio, The Skatzenjammers, and John Hansen, among many others.
Peggy appeared on Kate Wolf’s award-winning final album Poet’s Heart, and produced her own album, Is it Art Yet? to rave reviews in 1990. Being a founding member of the original Divas of Boise, she cleans up surprisingly well when glamour is called for.
Peggy Jordan is originally from Huron, Ohio. She began her musical career in the greater Boston area and then spent a number of years in southern and central California before moving to Boise in 1992.
She was an extra in the first Blues Brothers movie, has “ridden to hounds” with the Galway Blazers in Connemara, Ireland, and knows all the words to “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
