PLPT GEMS: Meet Stefanie Newell

PLPT GEMS presents

Stefanie Newell

Author. Publisher. Entrepreneur.

Tell us about your background and how you came to be an author and entrepreneur?
I was working in corporate finance for about fifteen years prior to starting my own business. In my free time I was freelance writing and working on my debut novel The Buzz: When celebrity gossip goes wrong. I very much wanted to be an entrepreneur, so after having my book edited I made the decision to start my own publishing company instead of going the traditional route. In 2008, I formed Write One Publications, Inc. My company has since released my debut novel The Buzz, Pull Your Pants Up and be a man! by Bernice Harris and the eBook Marketing and Publicity for the author.

Please share with us the first five steps you took when you decided to start your own business.
First, I created a business plan, setting both short-term and long-term goals. I then hired a team of people that would help me through the different stages of publishing and the launching of my business. I hired a lawyer and incorporated my company, and then an accountant, a graphic designer, and a web designer. Once everything was in place, I solicited publicity from the media to begin the branding of my company.

What are the biggest challenges to be self-employed?
There are numerous benefits to being an entrepreneur but with new businesses especially, it can be challenging to brand yourself amongst companies that are already established. Having owned my business for a few years now, I find that social media is great for marketing and branding a business.

How would you describe a day in the life of Stefanie Newell? What is your favorite part of what you do?
I recently started a YouTube channel (http://youtube.com/thelifeofawriter) that follows my life as a writer. I post videos every Monday, so please subscribe. It's a fairly new channel but I have a lot of ideas for future videos.

While a lot of my time is spent writing, I spend just as much time observing people and reflecting on different life experiences for the books I write. If you'd observe me throughout the day it would seriously look like I'm just chilling out all day. I spend a good portion of my time social networking and trying to gain exposure for my brand. I blog a few times a week and edit videos for my Youtube channel. I reach out to different media outlets for interviews for myself and author Bernice Harris. When I have inspiration I'm working on my second novel, which is my favorite part of the day. I love being able to sit at my computer and bring my ideas and characters to life. Besides the business aspect of my day, writing is what brings me the most joy.

How do you find balance between family and work?
It's actually easier now to balance family life than it was when I was working in Corporate America. Before, I'd come home exhausted, both physically and mentally. I lived for the weekends. But now, I drive my son to school and pick him up every day. I'm not on a set schedule anymore, so it allows me to be more relaxed and carefree which I love. I work throughout the day as opposed to a nine to five schedule. As a result, my son and I are able to spend a lot more time with each other.

How do you stay motivated and overcome doubt, fear and negative thinking?
It can be very difficult to step out on faith and pursue your dreams, but being an entrepreneur has been a goal of mines for a very long time. When I feel myself having doubt or becoming fearful I call in reinforcement. I seriously have an arsenal of positive people and books that acts as my support system. On a daily basis I read positive affirmations, listen to motivational speakers, and read as much positive material as I can digest. I try really hard to stay away from anything that will make me succumb to negative thinking. I gave up watching the news many years ago for this very reason, as well as certain websites and television shows.

What advice would you offer to others who are searching for their purpose or are afraid to take the first step towards their dreams?
Before I ever started my business, and while I was still working in Corporate America, I would envision the life I wanted to have. I knew that my dream was to own a business, but I had no idea how it would play out because it would require me to leave a great career. So instead, I envisioned what I wanted my life to be like once I was an entrepreneur. I created a vision board and I took it day by day working on my goals. Initially that was as simple as writing an article for a magazine. Then it was starting on my novel, and that novel eventually turned into the launching of my business. And then lastly an opportunity to step out on faith when the company I was working for went bankrupt.

My life is exactly how I envisioned it. So I would tell anyone who has a dream to first know that it is possible and then spend time envisioning what you want your life to be like. This will help you to set short and long term goals. Lastly, relinquish any fear you have by working on your goals little by little, starting out at step one until everything unfolds and you've eventually accomplished your dream.

Name someone who has inspired you and why.
When I first started my business, I was really intrigued with hearing the stories of how people became successful. And it seemed everywhere I turned there was another beautiful story of how someone stepped out on faith, overcame obstacles and not only achieved their goals but surpassed them. There are so many people I am inspired by. I would say blogger Necole Bitchie, author Randy Gage, wine enthusiast and author Gary Vaynerchuk, Tyler Perry, and Oprah Winfrey are a few people who inspire me.

How can people connect with you?
I blog on my life and provide tips for writers at TheWriteOneBlog.com. My YouTube page http://youtube.com/thelifeofawriter follows my life from random vlogs to a series I do called Breaking Down The Manuscript that walks aspiring writers through the manuscript phase of their book. On Twitter you can follow me at twitter.com/writeonepub and of course if you'd like to learn more about my business and the books I publish you can visit my website at writeonepublications.com.

You can also find the full bio for Stefanie Newell here.