Larissa Soehn, founder of Next Page Publishing. (Credit: Courtesy of Next Page Publishing)

1,000 Stories

She Can Help You Write A Book

Larissa Soehn guides writers through the publishing process through her press, Next Page Publishing.

July 17, 2024

By Victoria Flexner

In 2021, Larissa Soehn published her first book with a vanity publisher – a labor of love following a miscarriage and a bout of extreme depression. Soehn had been promised big things when her book came out – but much to her dismay, not much took place at all. The Red Deer, Canada-based author and entrepreneur decided, amid her disappointment, that she would do better on behalf of other authors, and launched Next Page Publishing to that aim. So far, Soehn has helped over 60 authors write, publish and market their books – and has felt good knowing she is putting power back in the hands of authors. 

Here’s our lightly edited Q&A, from The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project.

How is your business different from others in your industry? 

We support authors from the first word they write, until the day their book comes out – and beyond. Everything we do is tailored to the author and their goals, quite literally, as our programs are all customizable. 

Tell us about your biggest success so far. 

We have helped over 60 authors publish and market their books. They have gone on to book international speaking engagements, and write more books.

What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?

Sales is always tricky. I struggle with not wanting to be too pushy, so to assist me in striking the balance I have hired a coach.

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Have you experienced any significant personal situations that affected your business decisions? 

In 2020, I suffered a mental health breakdown after the loss of a pregnancy. It shattered my entire world. I was hospitalized out of fear for my safety and lost two years to depression.

I can now say that it was a blessing in disguise, because it changed my entire outlook on life, as well as the direction I was going.

What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs? 

Do it for yourself first, and others second. You cannot please everyone – and you shouldn’t try to. There will be days when you beg for someone to just tell you what to do, but you have to trust that you have the answers inside of you. If you don’t, you are smart enough to find them elsewhere.

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How do you find inspiration on your darkest days?

My writing. I love to write. It is my safe space. I know when I am starting to feel depressed, I need to hide away and write. Everything looks better when I do.

What is your go-to song to get motivated on tough days?

“Savage Daughter” by Sarah Hester Ross.

Who is your most important role model?

My daughter. She is 6, and is destined to change the world. She is the most incredible human being that I know.

Facebook: @NextPagePublishing
LinkedIn: @LarissaSoehn

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The post She Can Help You Write A Book appeared first on The Story Exchange.

Ginni Saraswati got her professional start in radio, but noticed the ways in which podcasting and autonomous listening were eclipsing the medium years ago. In 2017, to make the most of that, she launched her company, Ginni Media. She says that hers is the first female-owned company to strategize, plan, launch and produce cutting-edge, award-winning audio shows. Today, the New York City-based entrepreneur has helped launch podcasts from all over the world – from those made by individuals with unique ideas, to offerings from corporations and magazines who wanted to branch out into new mediums. 

Here’s our lightly edited Q&A, from The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project.

How is your business different from others in your industry?

We’ve been 100% remote since the company began – way before the cool kids started doing it because of the pandemic. This means we’re an international, diverse team, with team members across 14 countries. It’s the multicultural collaboration that brings in different perspectives, and our wide range of content benefits from that. We are women- and minority-owned, and have operated since the beginning with zero investor funding.

Tell us about your biggest success so far. 

We’ve launched over 500 podcasts, and our revenue has grown by 200% from year to year, between 2018 to 2022. We even got into the content game last year by launching our first original audio drama series, “Fear, A Love Story.”

What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?

Media can be very competitive at times, and there are a lot of long-established big dogs in our field. Finding acceptance as a niche production company run by a gay female immigrant hasn’t always been easy. But I made the decision to stand in the space I know and represent different voices. That has become our signature – hence the Ginni Media tagline, “Made offbeat.”

Have you experienced any significant personal situations that have affected your business decisions?

During the pandemic, I got a call from my sister in Australia informing me that our mother was at the end of her life. Australia had incredibly strict quarantine restrictions in place at the time, so I had to endure 14 days of isolation in a hotel when I landed in Sydney before I could see my mother, knowing she could “go” at any minute. Work kept me sane during that time, however, as soon as I was out, I had to completely switch off and be present with my family. 

This taught me that work-life and personal-life have to exist harmoniously. Balance is a myth. There are times when the pendulum must swing in one direction or the other, and we all need to create understanding around those shifts.

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What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs? 

Hire a bookkeeper within your first year of business. It makes life so much easier to know where your cash flow is, and if any pivots need to be made.

How do you find inspiration on your darkest days?

By leaning on my community. Contrary to what my comfort on the mic may indicate, I’m generally a private person. I turn to my community privately first before sharing something publicly. For me, it’s like speaking from healing, rather than open wounds.

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What is your go-to song to get motivated on tough days? 

“The Greatest” by Sia.

Who is your most important role model?

There are many, and all have admirable and exceptional traits: actress Mindy Kaling, media mogul Oprah Winfrey, my mother – even the hard-working lady down the street finishing her shift at 7 in the morning.

Instagram: @Ginnimedia
YouTube: @GinniMedia

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The post Podcast Production Services for Cutting-Edge Voices appeared first on The Story Exchange.

Los Angeles-based entertaining experts DeAnna Kane and Leslie Callaway are passionate about party planning, and wanted to share their tips and tricks with the public. When they launched Heart of Hospitality in 2019 to do just that, they quickly stumbled into a bigger goal: to build a community for people who love to cook, host and plan, but who don’t feel the need to be perfect at it. Today, their magazine features colorful images paired beautifully with step-by-step instructions on planning menus and more. But they also encourage readers to have fun, to laugh off inevitable mistakes, and to celebrate the act of bringing people together.  

Here’s our lightly edited Q&A with Kane, from The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project.

How is your business different from others in your industry? 

We go beyond what many magazines show their readers – we love that we can include some of our failures, to highlight that life is sometimes messy. 

Once, while hosting a birthday party, the person holding the cake zigged while the cake zagged – and it fell to the floor. Instead of breaking down and feeling horrible about the situation, we laughed and turned it around. We share stories like this with our readers to show them it’s OK to have mishaps, and that you don’t need to lose your confidence as long as you control the atmosphere. 

Tell us about your biggest success so far. 

Just a few months after publishing our first issue, the entire country shut down due to Covid. Trade shows, events and conferences were all canceled and we had nowhere to promote our magazine. 

We hit social media – hard. We shot some of our issues entirely in the backyard.Through it all, we grew an audience of thousands with readers in 22 countries! We have come such a long way from where we started: a few dozen subscribers, most of whom were friends and family. 

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What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?

It has been difficult getting our name out there and getting people to know who we are. We would love a more extensive subscriber base to fund bigger issues. We have no paid ads in our magazines – we tend to give away free ad space for women’s businesses or those struggling financially. We would love to be able to expand that part of our business.

Have you experienced any significant personal situations that have affected your business decisions?

Finances are a considerable concern when making all business decisions. Much of what we do is personally funded at the moment.

What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs? 

Make sure from the get-go that you are in business with the right people. If you are having a bad day, you should know that your business partner will be there to encourage you. Our friendship is almost 30 years strong, and our business hasn’t gotten in the way of that. We both love what we do, and we laugh all day long when we’re working. When the struggles seem too much to bear, we pray and encourage each other to take that next step forward to avoid throwing in the towel.

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How do you find inspiration on your darkest days?

Deep prayer and faith in God. We also have faith in each other.. When the dark clouds loom overhead and the rain comes down, we grab a cup of coffee and a warm blanket, and sit on the porch to watch the water clean the ground before us. The next day, the sun always seems to be shining. (Chocolate always seems to help, too!)

What is your go to song to get motivated on tough days? 

We have a whole playlist. We listen to a lot of inspirational worship songs, some Carrie Underwood, and a lot of 80‘s pop rock and 90’s country. We are a very musical office.

Who is your most important role model?

We love how publishers such as Hoffman Media, Magnolia, and The Pioneer Woman all tend to build a relationship with their readers while enhancing their lives and helping them thrive at home and work. We want to encourage women, and to be a fun and supportive resource for their daily routines.

Instagram: @heartofhospitalitymag
Facebook: @heartofhospitalitymagazine

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The post Their Hospitality Magazine Aims to Build an Imperfect Community appeared first on The Story Exchange.

After graduating from college, Annafi Wahed spent 4 years working in finance. Though her job came with steady pay and security, she sought greater purpose. During the 2016 Presidential Election, Wahed took on work as an organizer, and saw firsthand how polarized those on the “right” and “left” had become. Inspired to help make a difference, Wahed launched a daily political newsletter, The Flip Side, in 2017. Each day, she and her Pittsburgh-based editorial team comb through dozens of news sources – liberal, conservative and centrist – to create thoughtful, well-articulated summaries of an individual issue as viewed from numerous points of view. The success of The Flip Side is in the numbers: Today, Wahed reports nearly a quarter million subscribers. And she expects to see that figure grow. 

Here’s our lightly edited Q&A, from The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project.

How is your business different from others in your industry? 

Our newsletter focuses on one topic per edition, to encourage in-depth discussions, and begins with a summary of liberal and conservative viewpoints. Each issue is prepared by our cross-partisan team. For each topic, we also have conversation prompts that encourage community members to speak from their personal experiences, rather than solely relying upon others’ talking points.

Furthermore, our algorithm prioritizes cross-partisan engagement instead of overall engagement. For example, a post with three “helpful” votes from left-leaning members and five “helpful” votes from right-leaning members will be ranked higher on our end than a post with 10 votes all from left-leaning members. 

Tell us about your biggest success so far. 

I’m most proud of the fact that our audience spans all 50 states – as well as the whole political spectrum. We have everyone from Democratic Socialists, to center-left liberals, to Never Trumpers, to hardcore Trump fans. Plus, we have a growing number of folks who have otherwise disengaged from politics altogether who tell us that we’re the only media outlet they trust – and even look forward to reading!

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What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?

We still only have three full-time employees, including myself. We were told it would be impossible to build a large audience with such a small staff, but we went for it anyway. Over the years, we’ve had dozens of unpaid interns and contributors who have done a great deal of work to make sure our newsletter gets out at 6 a.m. on the dot. To recruit them, I have visited nearly every college in my immediate vicinity, and even engaged some while riding the subway! You must constantly put yourself out there, even when it’s exhausting, so that the right people find you.

What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs? 

George Bernard Shaw wrote, “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world – the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” Every founder I know is persistent, or stubborn, depending on your view – and certainly beyond what one would call “reasonable.” If you’re not willing to go the distance for what you believe in, you’re probably not going to like being a founder.

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How do you find inspiration on your darkest days?

Remember to take care of yourself and invest in things that will make your life easier, whether that’s a meal delivery service, weekly therapy sessions, or a snazzy desk setup.

What is your go to song to get motivated on tough days? 

 “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten.

Who is your most important role model?

It’s hard to pick just one. Right now, it’s Oprah. Her story is incredible, and 25 years on, she’s still able to connect with her guests in a way that’s awe-inspiring.

Facebook: @theflipside
Twitter: @theflipside

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The post Her Daily Newsletter Presents Both Sides of Today’s Biggest Issues appeared first on The Story Exchange.

What started as an idea in the middle of the night has evolved into the biggest online platform for women in India. Shaili Chopra is the founder of SheThePeople, a site that is filled with content by and for women. Articles cover politics, the news, culture and the arts. There’s also op-ed pieces, videos and even virtual chatbots for information and resources on sexual and reproductive health. Chopra counts the creation of ‘Doctor Didi’ — a virtual and non-judgmental chatbot users can speak to about sexual health — as one of her biggest successes. This project was particularly important to Chopra as, “Conversations about sexual health are considered taboo in India.” Today the Mumbai, India-based entrepreneur is motivated by the women she hears from everyday and the sisterhood she has created.

Chopra’s story, as told to The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project:

What was your reason for starting your business?

The day I wrote the name #shethepeople at 4 a.m. on a tissue paper on my bedside table back in 2008, I was sort of clueless as to where this would go. I put the tissue in an old purse and forgot about it. In 2014 I saw it again when I was cleaning my closet and emptying out purses. I was expecting my first child at that point and was a few months into the pregnancy. I told myself, starting two unknown projects together sounded like a disaster. But in less than two weeks, the company was incorporated, in three months there was a brand name and plan, in nine months there was a website and a baby. In 2022, we crossed the 6-year milestone. And women across the world wrote back about how we were a force for good in their lives. Today, SheThePeople is the voice of millions of women and is changing how they think of themselves and their potential. When I think of achievements and success, I think not of myself, but of all those people whose lives we may have touched in tiny and small ways.

Each day my DMs fill up with stories of struggles, stereotypes and how women are beating them one day at a time. What I also get in droves are deep issues women are suffering from, and that’s a reminder of the road ahead for our team. So far my 2022 has been about focusing on how women feel and how women do. Women and money, women and health, women and their voice. Stay with me, sisterhood!

So as I look at 2022, I tell myself, “Ideas that look small are sometimes crumpled and hidden in purses. They often don’t look like the next ‘big’ thing. But they are.”

How do you define success?

My definition of success is going through the ups and downs of building something new and coming out more experienced. If I don’t take a chance on myself, then who will?

Tell us about your biggest success to date

One of my biggest successes to date is the efforts we have put into creating the world’s first multilingual chatbot to simplify women’s health, Doctor Didi. Conversations about sexual health are considered taboo in India both in rural and urban areas. We have developed a tech-enabled non-judgmental and friendly chatbot for India’s 450 million young women to access critical information about their health and body.

Our aim is provide access to and knowledge of sexual health and reproductive rights for the community of women who currently have limited access. By using technology and bringing social impact together, we are aiming to enable access to a chat based solution for women and link them to medical experts for no cost.

69% of women in India do not have access to or actively seek, medical help or guidance on sexual health. Designed and produced as a free service, the Doctor Didi chatbot addresses a critical issue that needs to be addressed to ensure a healthy community of women across the country. With over 1.06 billion mobile connections in India, a simple language based mobile tech solution can provide critical knowledge for a massive problem.

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What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?

Since I started this business I have been asked, why did I choose to focus on a ‘niche’ category. That’s a reference to India’s women. I contest this ‘niche’ dig at me with the following numbers – Indian women, at 720 million are 50% of the country’s population, 10% of the world’s population, twice the size of America, seven times the size of Japan and we are still calling Indian women a niche? We are a force.

Like many founders I faced sexism, subtle and direct questions about a ‘woman in business’ and I was told to alter my vision – focused on financial freedom and health solutions for women – to selling lipsticks and diapers. I stood my ground (and there’s nothing wrong with platforms that do sell lipsticks and diapers except that I wanted to build something different) and that was a big challenge especially within the startup ecosystem and later on the client side. Since then we have changed the way our partners and the market does business and how they view women, for the better.

Have you experienced any significant personal situations that have affected your business decisions?

I had my first child and launched my first startup ever in the same year. It was not easy at all and nor was it planned. For a moment I thought I shouldn’t launch a business while I was pregnant with my first child, and then I told myself why should a baby hold me back and play into the hands of what society always says, “Oh she just had a baby and won’t be able to work for a long while.”

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What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs?

Behind every woman is herself. We underestimate our own power to start, succeed, grow and lead. I wish I had not doubted myself so much at the start.

How do you find inspiration on your darkest days?

By talking to other women and celebrating their success and realizing how important a sisterhood is for making one feel better, stronger and more capable.

Who is your most important role model?

My most important role model is an every day woman who wants to dream, be ambitious, run with every opportunity and become the woman behind her own story and success. I met a young girl in a small village outside of Mumbai and was deeply impressed with how she was building her business by learning on the internet, despite all odds. Her husband and her family were against it but she persisted and powered on. Today she sells products on many e-commerce platforms.

SheThePeople is not related to SheThePeople.org

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The post In 6 Years She Built the Largest Online Platform for Women in India appeared first on The Story Exchange.

Alexandra Chu is a New York-based high school student who isn’t wasting any time trying to figure out what she wants to do. A love for science and the arts inspired her to start MedCreate, an online community where students from across the world can share their passion for these topics in the form of visual arts, poetry, creative writing and essays. With over 100 contributors Chu is proud to run an organization that merges two different worlds, provides a forum for self-expression all while balancing a full time high school schedule and college applications.

Chu’s story, as told to The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project:

What was your reason for starting your business?

Most parents ask their children, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My parents were no exception. However, whenever they asked this question, I couldn’t decide due to interests in seemingly contradictory fields. I often considered a career in medicine like several members of my family. On the other hand, I also thought about pursuing a career in the humanities due to my years of being a dancer, writer, artist, and music producer. Years later, people kept asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I still couldn’t choose between science and the arts. As a solution, I began thinking of ways I could merge them instead.

How do you define success?

Success is making a positive impact in other people’s lives. When people tell me that my organization and I have helped them realize their dreams and do what they love, that’s when I feel the most successful.

Tell us about your biggest success to date

Working with so many amazing people is a huge success. Each student brings their own personality and style, and being able to connect with everyone is extraordinary. We have hundreds of members from all over the world, and we hope to eventually foster a community of thousands.

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What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?

My top challenge has always been a lack of experience. As a teen thinking about science and the humanities, business and entrepreneurship were things I never learned. As a result, starting my own organization seemed really hard. However, I keep learning new things everyday, and I believe that I’ll be able to reach the level of knowledge that I need.

Have you experienced any significant personal situations that have affected your business decisions?

I’m a full-time student preparing for the SATs and college admissions. Balancing school and MedCreate while leaving some free time for myself is challenging.

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What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs?

Act confident! Starting a business or organization will always have its challenges, and you need to remember to believe in yourself and work as if you know what you’re doing (even if you don’t). Fake confidence will eventually turn into real confidence.

How do you find inspiration on your darkest days?

I love listening to BTS. Their lyrics spread messages of hope and self-love that are incredibly inspiring. Whenever I’m feeling down, I just pop in my earphones and play my BTS playlist. The seven members of BTS are such extraordinary people, and I always feel inspired by them.

Who is your most important role model?

There are so many people I look up to, but the main ones are my family members. They always cheer me up when things feel hopeless and help me out when I hit a roadblock. Their hard work constantly inspires me to do my best. I’m so grateful to my parents, siblings, and cousins for being there for me!

Share your story!

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The post She’s Created An Online Community For Young People Passionate About Science & The Arts appeared first on The Story Exchange.

Tania Richardson noticed an audience gap in lifestyle brands: women in their forties. Her mission with her recently launched company Hey Lady is to create a lifestyle brand curated for all women over forty who have a, “passion for fashion, a love of travel, and are interested in owning or growing their business.” Today the Los Angeles, California-based entrepreneur is working to encourage and empower women over forty to do what makes them happy and live their own authentic lives.

Richardson’s story, as told to The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project:

I started Hey Lady after I found that advertisers cater less to women in the 40–55 year age range. My goal is to fill the void and feature women from all walks of life who are living and thriving. I wanted to start a movement for the woman who has a passion for fashion, a love of travel, and an interest in owning or growing a business–to motivate, empower and encourage them to live their best lives. My thought was when women see other women living their best life, Hey Lady will hopefully reignite what’s missing in their lives. It is important to see positive images of women being more than moms. 

My definition of success is when your money works for you…not when you work for your money! I know this is a cliche but I believe that long gone are the days when you go to work for someone else and receive a paycheck for the hours worked; only to find out that your boss is never going to pay you enough to live next door to her. When you can follow your passion and do what you love, your money then begins to work for you! But success isn’t only about how much money you make or where you live. Ultimately, it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives, and waking up with a smile on your face because you enjoy what you do. 

[Related: 2020 Is the Year of Emerging Business Opportunities]

Besides being a mother of an amazing seventeen-year-old son, my biggest accomplishment to date was taking on a new business venture by launching Hey Lady. I stepped out on faith and believed it would happen. And although I’m no stranger to business—representing a fortune 500 company and securing over four thousand clients consistently for eight years—building a lifestyle platform for women, that is organically turning into a movement was a completely new entrepreneurial move for me. While 2020 was about launching the business, 2021 will be about continuing the movement. 

This year has not been without challenges. Between product development and production, my workload has been overwhelming. However, my top challenge is brand awareness and brand recognition. Of course, my audience must identify my brand based on visual indicators as my logo and colors, but l wanted to elicit feelings and emotions in my target audience, and this is not my lane. I addressed this challenge by hiring seasoned professionals that have produced and are implementing a strategic communications plan (public relations, social media, and content marketing). My company is now gradually gaining national publicity and social media followers, and I’m reading feedback about how much our supporters are inspired by and believe in our message.  

[Related: College Women Wait to See If Kamala Harris Will Be Progressive Role Model]

Tanya Tymus- Bellamy, the owner of McKenna Jordan Salon in Maryland is my role model. She is the reason I became an entrepreneur. She is the master of reinventing herself. Whenever, I needed help she was always there to answer any questions. She was always patient and thorough which I appreciated.

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The post She Wanted to Create a Lifestyle Brand for Women in Their Forties appeared first on The Story Exchange.

Beverly Hills author and entrepreneur Denita Austin knows the power of storytelling. She felt like there was need for a space for women to tell their personal stories, so she started her indie publishing company Austin Ink Studio. Since opening her business she has helped women build the confidence to share their stories, become authors and find their voice. 

Austin’s story, as told to The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project:

I personally felt like the world needed a space for women to speak their truth through story. I started the movement and company to not only help and guide women to write and publish their personal stories but to also build the confidence to do so. To actually push past the fear of judgement and embracing your life experiences, good or bad. Our stories help us connect, relate and inspire one another. Why not publish it to transform lives and to build a foundation for yourself? 

Success to me is when a person can create a lifestyle around their passion. Success can be measured by money, things or happiness from within but I truly believe that if you are focused and driven by your passion, everything else will fall in place naturally.

My biggest success to date would be starting an indie publishing company that creates opportunities for women to share their story, become authors, build platforms and lifestyles around their life experiences.

My biggest challenge has been work, life, balance. My solution: I’ve created a schedule for traveling, personal time and work that will allow me to have a balance. It’s super important to make sure that the scale is balanced properly. If you are truly allowing time for yourself, this energy of course will transfer to your work which would allow you to show up giving your best.

When we are dealing with personal issues which I have experiences numerous times, we must continue to produce the work. If not, our business is affected. I have learned this lesson over time. Marketing and sales has also been a big challenge for me, especially because its always changing.

My most important role model is my mom. Her strength and courage is inspiring to me and gives me hope in my overall vision. Her strength pushes me daily to challenge myself and to become a better version of myself.

Website   DenitaAustin.com  AUSTININKSTUDIO.COM
Instagram   @AustinInkStudio

The post She’s Helping Women Write Their Personal Stories Through Her Indie Publishing Company appeared first on The Story Exchange.

Marquet’s story, as told to The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project:

One cold and rainy Saturday morning, I was feeling a bit unmotivated. Although running a successful PR firm provides so much gratification, I kind of felt like something was missing and I didn’t know what it was…until I started sorting through emails from former and prospective clients. After I read a dozen of these emails, I noticed they all had one thing in common: these entrepreneurs wished there was a one-stop resources on everything related to running a creative business.

So then an idea smacked me in the head…Why not start an online resource where people can go to get free tips, tricks, advice, tools and resources on just about every aspect of running a business? When I decided to start FemFounder.co a few days later, I dug a little deeper. I researched what ailed these entrepreneurs – I conducted surveys and tried to chat in person with as many as I could.

As a female entrepreneur who has owned several businesses, I generally represent and consult with women-owned businesses. Out of the 200+ brands I’ve worked with throughout the last decade, approximately 70% are owned and operated by females. I am a firm believer in supporting other females.

I find that helping other and doing what I love, all while personally growing is the best definition of success. My biggest success has been helping elevate the profiles of more than 100 female entrepreneurs while educating those who are starting up through the FemFounder.co blog.

When I worked in corporate America, I saw how female senior managers would treat younger female workers. Oftentimes, female senior managers would put down and criticize younger female workers making it difficult for the younger generations to move up the ranks. After I started my first business, I promised myself I would never do that and empower the women who work for me.

I stay inspired when work is tough by taking a few days off to rest and recharge. It’s the best way for me to clear my head and first the inspiration to continue growing. As entrepreneurs, we all have to wear a million hats so finding the time to do everything can be a challenge. However, I’ve overcome the problem of work-life balance by taking time to myself whenever I need it.

My role model is my father. He inspired me to launch my first business.

Website   www.FemFounder.co
Twitter     @KristinMarquet
Instagram    @FemFounder

This post has been updated to include the owner’s expansion

The post She Sensed Her Clients Needed More Than PR, So She Launched The Resource Platform They Needed appeared first on The Story Exchange.

When New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was debating Sex and the City actress Cynthia Nixon during his recent re-election bid, something he said really irked me. I didn’t take it personally, but I sure took it professionally.

The governor chided his primary challenger for making herself a corporation during her acting career, suggesting that she was seeking tax loopholes. Piling on, the New York Post called Nixon a “hypocrite” for forming an S corporation to lower her tax bill.

That accusation cuts somewhat close to the bone for me and probably other creative types who run their businesses, well, like a business. After leaving the traditional go-to-the-office workforce, I was having drinks with some former colleagues. When asked what I was doing, I explained that I was ghostwriting books, writing and editing copy for corporations, and working on my own articles and book ideas. I had even sold a reality show to a network and gotten an Emmy nomination! Still: The response from one office-job-lifer: That sounds like code for unemployed. Another said: No, she freelances.

In my mind, neither were accurate. The way I view it: I launched a small business. My writing is my widget. I refer to myself as a small business owner and even an entrepreneur. Artists and writers, in my opinion, should always treat their businesses like a business. Even actresses like Cynthia Nixon and writers like me.

[Related: Read how other women entrepreneurs started their small businesses]

Here’s why: For starters, my lawyer told me an LLC provides me some legal protection, which was one reason I formed it. If someone sues me, they sue my company, Snow Day Works LLC, because all of my contracts are with the company, not me. As a homeowner, that takes my home out of the equation. And yes, even as a writer, I have contracts, a lawyer, and an accountant, just like any other business owner.

Also, professionalism and respect, plus reputation, are important to those of us seeking the next project in this new economy. If the opinion is that writers are flakey, how can we be expected to charge an appropriate amount of money for our services? It’s hard enough to convince some people we should be paid for our time at all. So I present as a business. And that wins me business. I get very specific about time spent and rewrites, including how I bill for phone calls and email exchanges. My lawyer does. Other consultants do. Why wouldn’t I?

Behind the scenes, I have spread sheets with expenses, profits and losses statements (key when applying for a mortgage), a corporate card, and a SEP IRA. I have billing rates, and I invoice just like any other vendor. I pay quarterly estimated taxes.

Writing doesn’t just happen when the spirit moves me. I schedule my time on Sunday nights for the week — just like the manager at McDonalds might for her or his workforce. I need at least two days a week with no appointments or distracting calls scheduled. Just writing days. That’s how the trains keep moving in my operation.

Also, I fine-tune my business model annually. Yes, I have a business model because output- and productivity-to-dollar ratio is important to me. I know what taking a meeting costs me in time, and therefore in money. I know what putting a proposal together to win a project costs me in time as well. A lot, but that is the cost of doing business. Early on, I quickly learned the difference between spending a day writing a fun story for an ultra-low-paying publication verses copy editing corporate copy. (You could drive a truck through the gap, FYI.) Smaller projects interfere with the larger, high-ticket ones, so I can’t take on more than one of those per quarter.

Stephanie Inc. has its own secret sauce too — I know what I’m good at and I know my limits. I don’t take every single project that comes my way (though I had to when I first started), but rather projects at which I’ll excel (nothing feels more empowering than being able to turn down work). I know I have to make my money stretch when I’m paid in lumps, so I seek out the occasional retainer-type gig that gives me a steady revenue stream while I tackle the one-and-dones.

[Related: Should I Incorporate or Form an LLC?]

And the simple fact is, cash is king. I’m in this to make money. Period. That means I outsource aspects of my work, like the copy editing of manuscripts that I’ve written, research, and administrative items. That allows me to micro-focus on mission-critical aspects of my business — a.k.a my widget, the words I write. A CEO of a Fortune 500 company probably doesn’t format her own endnotes, so this writer doesn’t either. I pay someone to take those tasks off my plate, so like that CEO, I can grow my business.

I still voted for Governor Cuomo, but I would like him and others to realize independent contractors, even the creative types, are the real deal. We make up 8.4 percent of the economy, according to a 2016 study by Harvard and Princeton economists. The gig economy (side jobs on top of main jobs) are another story all together. A ReCode story from July 2018 reported that the government doesn’t actually know the size of that workforce — that it could be anywhere from four to 40 percent.

No matter what your business or gig is — candle making, acting, writing, or real estate — think like a boss, and set yourself up like any other business.

Stephanie Krikorian is a journalist and New York Times bestselling celebrity ghostwriter. After working in television and digital news for CNBC, BusinessWeek TV, and the Wall Street Journal, Stephanie launched her own media and editorial services company. Her forthcoming book, Zen Bender, chronicles her road to reinvention after getting laid off from the news business in 2008.

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