Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in publication but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sue Seserman, Creator, Author, and Illustrator of Epilectra LLC., located in Denver, CO, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I'm in the business of offering possibilities. More clearly, 25% of us are diagnosed with a disability of some sort in our lifetime. For many, that diagnosis robs us of our dreams. That doesn't need to be the case. Epilectra demonstrates how one's disability can, in fact, be a source of empowerment. Epilectra is a modern superhero and the protagonist in my series of graphic novels. She transforms her disability, epilepsy, into a super-ability to make the world a better place, and she leads a team of other superheroes who, like her, have different disabilities they can turn into superpowers they use to assist in her efforts.

Tell us about yourself

I know more than I ever planned to know about disabilities because I manage two very prevalent ones daily -- epilepsy and type 1 diabetes. After being diagnosed and coming to terms with my epilepsy almost ten years ago, I spent a lot of time volunteering with epilepsy patients in hospitals. Two things struck me from this experience,

  1. These patients were shocked that someone with epilepsy would leave their home alone to do volunteer work.
  2. Most of the patients had given up a dream of some kind because of fear of having a seizure in public.

It seemed to me that this group was in need of a role model that wasn't afraid to live their life to its fullest, and that's where my idea for Epilectra came from. Yes, she still struggles with her epilepsy, but it doesn't stop her from taking on villains and righting wrongs. I've always considered myself a writer, and earlier, my career was focused on public relations. I had prominent positions with Edelman Worldwide in sports marketing and with LucasArts Entertainment Company as Director of Public Relations. Children came along, and I freelanced for many years until health issues cropped up. But in a weird way, developing epilepsy was a gift because it led me to Epilectra, and bringing her to the world is what I truly feel I'm meant to be doing.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The Epilectra graphic novel series isn't out yet, but she has a big presence on social media, and I've been talking about her a lot. Here's a short story that exemplifies what I feel is my biggest accomplishment thus far. My husband and I were at a social gathering talking to another couple that we'd just met. The wife became distracted in another conversation. The husband said to me, "I'm one of them, one of the 1 in 26 (the number of people who get epilepsy). I've never told anyone this before besides my wife, and she's going to die when she finds out I told you." People are talking to me, asking me questions, confiding in me, and it's an honor.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

I feel an enormous sense of responsibility to my audience. I want to be accessible with accurate facts and be able to communicate them in an understandable and entertaining way. But more than anything, I want to be sure my audience feels they have a friend beside them regardless of whatever disability, ability, or caregiver stress they are dealing with.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Learn current social media! That's the best way to reach the most people for the least investment of cash.
  2. Love what you do! If you're going to be living and breathing this for most of the hours in the day, it better be something you're passionate about.
  3. Ask for help and accept it! You probably can't do it all, so find people that can help you and listen to them.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Thanks for asking! I've been talking a lot about epilepsy, but I wanted to take a moment and give the nod to the other disabilities represented in Epilectra.

Type 1 Diabetes: Insulator has T1D, and so does 1 in 100 people (1 in 10 have T2).

Autism: Aupticus has Autism, and so does 1 in 54 children.

Cerebral Palsy: C.P. has Cerebral Palsy, and so does 1 in 323 children.

Endometriosis: Endo-Girl has Endometriosis has so does 1 in 10 women of childbearing age.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.epilectra.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Sue-Seserman/100069185334768/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epilectra/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/epilectra
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sueseserman/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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