Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sharifa "Akilah Trinay" Washington, Founder of Revision Publishing, LLC., located in Antioch, CA, USA.

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

Revision Publishing LLC is an indie publishing and consulting firm dedicated to guiding and educating authors through self-publishing. We are equipping aspiring authors with the knowledge and information necessary to get it right the first time! We work with authors who are new to the process and want to gain knowledge and experience about the business of self-publishing.

Tell us about yourself

I have spent most of my adult career as an educator. I started teaching in 2008 at Lawndale High School when I was only 22. Before transitioning to education, I worked as a publicist with a small boutique firm called Shannon Barr Public Relations in Manhattan Beach, CA. I originally went to college to work in public relations. I received my BA in Communications with an emphasis on PR. I worked with some great clients and learned much about the entertainment industry. I realized I was not operating with all my God-given gifts and transitioned to education.

I am most passionate about improving the current state of education and writing. I love helping aspiring authors fulfill their dream of becoming published authors. It is a significant accomplishment. I just realized when I got into education that I would accomplish a purpose that was bigger than me.

Throughout my time, I have questioned whether I was good enough, if someone educated me enough, or even possessed the qualifications necessary to determine if a student had what they needed to move to the next level. One day in class, I discovered many of my dreams and desires were bottled up inside of me. I told students they were capable and could achieve their goals and how to work hard to accomplish them while sitting on mine. At that moment, in 2014, I wrote and self-publish my first book. It was only one book, but it soon birthed a business where I could assist other aspiring authors in doing the same.

In 2016, I published my first novel, "Beyond the Hurt," and reignited another passion and gift–writing! I started my publishing company hoping to write more books. It wasn't until 2020, following life circumstances, trials and tribulations, and a world pandemic, did I make moves to become more serious about my passion work and infuse writing and education with Revision Publishing LLC. My work is now dedicated to educating aspiring authors about the self-publishing process. I am an Educational Consultant, Author, Entrepreneur, and Podcaster.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Within our first year, we published four books and are looking to publish three new authors in 2023. At twelve, one of our clients had significant success and is publishing their second book in a 3-book series as a co-writing duo. It has been an incredible journey, and looking forward to writing and publishing more books.

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

Time management and organization are the most challenging things for business owners. I am a mother and a doctoral student, and sometimes I have to sacrifice one role to ensure the success of them all. I recently walked away from my full-time job to pursue my business full-time. Besides owning a publishing business, I am also an educational consultant, which means it can pull me in a different direction at any moment.

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

  1. Research - Ensure you know the requirements for the industry you are looking to enter and have the knowledge to cover all your basics to create a solid business foundation.
  2. Patience and Grace - Give yourself time to build and grace when things don't work out how you believe they should. It takes time to build a business, and you must not wait to throw in the towel. You were given the idea, the gifts, and the talents for a reason. See it throughout to the end.
  3. Build a Team. Find other people who have the skills that you don't have to free up time and allow for more profit. The business will only grow if you do it with others. It would be best if you had reliable support. Outsourcing the work you cannot do will make a world of difference.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.revisionpub.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Revisionpub/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/akilahtrinay
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharifa-washington-m-ed-9775a725/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/revisionpubllc/
https://www.instagram.com/akilahtrinay/

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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