Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Larry Walsh, Book Author and Founder of Cabin Fever Press, located in Mendham, NJ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am an author and a speaker. My target reading audiences are people interested in adventure travel, especially ultra-distance cycle touring and self-supported bike racing. My target speaker audiences are companies and organizations interested in a personal story of triumph overcoming adversity. A middle-aged man, out of work, trying to figure things out, embarks on two cross-country bike rides, traveling 7,300 miles through 18 states in a ten-month period from Sept '18 to July '19.
Tell us about yourself
Soon after returning home to New Jersey from my bike rides, I was asked repeatedly if I was going to write a book. My answer: No! I thought, why would anyone care about my bike ride? However, during the pandemic, I began to think differently, and once I reframed the question, I felt compelled to write my story. The question now became, "Why wouldn't everyone want to read what it is like to cycle through 528 small towns and experience seeing America on the saddle of a bike? With wide open eyes and a fresh viewpoint, I decided to hunker down and publish.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Revealing a personal and relatable story that readers find enjoyable and inspiring.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
With over 50 thousand books published each month, finding the right niche/positioning and then generating book awareness is very challenging.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Passion, persistence, self-belief.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Striking a balance between Craft and Commerce is essential to achieving success as a new author. Before considering the commerce part, I focused on the craft (writing the story). For my second book, I'm considering pre-launch tactics, positioning, and other important aspects of self-publishing while the book is written. Any new writer should think about both parts of the publishing formula.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://larry-walsh.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarryWalshC2CCycling
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larrywalsh1/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OneBeerLarry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencelwalsh/
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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