Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in publishing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kim Eley, CEO of KWE Publishing, located in Prince George, VA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
How many of you have always wanted to write a book but don't know where to start? Nice to meet you—YOU are my people! I take writers from ideas to published books. My awesome author clients are speakers, trainers, doctors, CEOs, coaches, consultants, and enlightened children's book authors.
Tell us about yourself
I'm living proof that an English major can find employment! After 20 years in IT as a technical writer and project manager, in 2014, layoffs at work inspired me to write and publish my own book. After others asked for my help with their books, becoming a writing coach and publisher started as a side hustle and bloomed into my full-time gig in 2017.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Every time a book launches and I see the joy in my author's faces, I light up like a Christmas tree! Earlier this year, in addition to my KWE Publishing business which does guided self-publishing, I was asked to become the Morgan James Publishing Kid's Publisher. Becoming a part of this traditional publishing company and collaborating with its amazing team is incredibly exciting and rewarding! I love giving my clients fantastic options.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Switching gears! Business owners know we have to change from working in our business to working on our business constantly. Sometimes that can be difficult.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Forget the advice, "leap, and the net will grow to catch you." Yes, take the leap! But before you do, figure out how you will make it through the initial lean times when you are still building your business. Next, get a great business coach. My business coach, Mary Foley, absolutely rocks, and we navigated the twists and turns of COVID and its impacts together. And the last tip is to trust your gut. If you are leaning towards taking on a client or project, but your gut is telling you to say no, listen! There is likely a reason it is warning you. Heed your gut's advice!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Inevitably when you start your own business, you will have failures. Learn to embrace them. Yes, it sucks to fail! But when you do, examine what happened. What lessons can you learn from this failure? If you look at mistakes or failures as opportunities to learn and do things differently, you will grow and expand.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://kwepub.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kwepub
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kwepub804/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3orF32u
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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