Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in publishing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Joylynn Ross, Founder of Path To Publishing, located in Las Vegas, NV, USA.

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

Path To Publishing serves two markets: Individual Writers & Authors, as well as Businesses & Corporations. We help writers and authors navigate the writing and publishing process, as well as increase book sales and catapult their literary careers. We do so by providing the guidance, support, and services needed to write and publish books and the education, consulting, and coaching needed to turn their book into a business.

With books being the new business cards and proof of authority, Path To Publishing helps business owners, CEOs, key staff, and those in leadership positions share their messages via written content. We do so by helping them write (including ghostwriting) books and publications that add value to their readers' lives and credibility to their own expertise. We also help them craft selling bios and compelling personal narratives and design and write informative and engaging corporate brochures. Why do people come to Path To Publishing for these needs? Because, again, professionally, well-written stories are not only memorable, but they inform and educate, which leads to sales. Storytelling is indirect selling through educating. Explaining in a way that sticks to consumers who your business is, what it does, and why.

Tell us about yourself

As a national best-selling and award-winning author, as well as a Master Literary Educator and Publishing Coach, I started Path To Publishing to help people tell their stories, share their testimonies and deliver their messages. Everyone has a story to tell, but the problem is that most people don't know how to get started with the process. At Path To Publishing, we help you get started and finish the finish line being achieving writing and/or publishing success.

When people attempt to travel the writing and publishing journey alone, they tend to run into problems and challenges that they can't always find the answers to. What gets me up every morning is finding the solution to what's keeping my clients up at night.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Rhonda Gatlin sold five times the number of books the average author sells at book signings after working with a Path To Publishing Literary Consultant. Monique Chandler sold more books within one month of attending Path To Publishing's annual "Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business" conference than she had her entire literary career. Norma McLauchlin launched a successful publishing company with two publications becoming international bestsellers. Kim Bullock-Hennix was named one of the "Top 50 Most Influential Women in Business" by Yahoo Finance.

The accomplishments listed above are what make me proud of my business. My clients' accomplishments - big or small - are my biggest accomplishments. No, they aren't my accomplishments personally, but when the people I help win, I win.

I've achieved certain measures of both literary and financial literary success. I've received awards from the American Library Association, scholarships for writing residencies, and so many other things I'm proud of. Path To Publishing received a customer service award from the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, was a finalist in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 2021 Dream Big Awards, and was one of 200 finalists in the 2021 NAV Small Business Awards - out of thousands of applications. But my greatest reward comes from helping others.

I thought success would have my name on it - on checks, on plaques, and on bestseller lists. But now I know my passion lies in assisting others in achieving their literary goals. That's my true legacy. And that will always be my biggest and most celebrated accomplishment in life and in business.

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

Overcoming doubts and fears - if business owners are being honest - is probably the hardest thing that comes with being a business owner. I can't tell you how many times that brilliant idea, resolution, and solution that I feel is the greatest invention/development since sliced bread, only five minutes later, is the dumbest thing that anyone could have ever thought of.

"That will never work. What was I thinking?" That question is the result of both doubt and fear: doubt that I'm not smart or experienced enough to come up with anything so genius or so simple that it's genius, fear that it's so genius that it actually will be successful. Thank goodness that I'm a wise enough business owner to invest in coaches, consultants . . . and therapists.

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

  1. Define what success is to you and determine your own personal measure of success.
  2. Have patience because overnight success takes a whole lot of nights.
  3. Don't just plan your business and have a business plan, have a business mindset. Whether you are solo or have a team, constantly think like a business. Constantly ask yourself, "What would a business owner do?"

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.pathtopublishing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PathToPublishing/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blessedselling_author_enjoy/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathToPublish/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/enjoywrites/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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