What motivates women entrepreneurs to write books about their
businesses and lives, and how do they manage to get their stories
in print? We asked two business owners whose books hit the shelves
this year.
Lisa Price, 42, is president of New York City-based Carol's
Daughter, a manufacturing and retail company specializing in
homemade body-care products, with revenues surpassing $2 million.
Her new book, Success Never Smelled So Sweet: How I Followed My
Nose and Found My Passion (One World/Ballantine), is an
intimate look at her life and the business that grew out of her
hobby. For years, Price's customers had told her they enjoyed
reading the stories she wrote about her products. "I felt I
was a good storyteller, but I didn't feel I was an
author," admits Price. Her publisher paired her with a writer,
Hilary Beard, and the two met for nine months compiling
stories.
At the same time, Price began teaching classes for continuing
education programs. She learned to speak about her experiences, and
reactions from students were overwhelmingly positive. "By
telling my experiences and answering their questions, I realized
how much I did know [about business]," says Price.
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Lisa Hammond, 37, founder and CEO of Las Vegas-based Femail
Creations, a handcrafted-gift catalog and Web site featuring
female-focused products created by women, was also motivated to
write her book, Dream Big: Finding the Courage to Follow Your
Dreams and Laugh at Your Nightmares (Conari Press), after
receiving positive feedback. "I felt compelled to share my
story after people told me it had inspired them," says
Hammond, who projects 2004 revenues of $8 million. "It's
rewarding to know I'm able to help others."
"It's that authentic voice people connect with. They are
grateful to hear the truth and know they're not
alone."
While Price was approached by an agent at William Morris who had
heard her story, Hammond was approached by the owner and buyer at
Conari Press. Writing took longer than anticipated, and Hammond
often wrote in hotel rooms, where she could find the solitude she
needed to focus.
Recently, Price has been traveling to promote her book,
including a five-city tour organized by Random House. She began
preparing her staff for her absence. "It's a juggling
act," says Hammond, who tries to fit book signings in with the
travel she does for her catalog or her QVC segments. She's also
using radio as a promotional tool so she can fit phone interviews
in from any location.
Having a book on the shelf has been a positive experience for
both women. Hammond has heard from many new artists who would like
to be included in her catalog, and she's getting more requests
to speak in public.
Says Price, "When I promote the book, I'm also
promoting the company, so it's a win-win situation." She
enjoys meeting longtime customers face-to-face and hearing from
other aspiring entrepreneurs.
Emotions are an integral part of both books, and the authors
take a no-holds-barred attitude when revealing their fears,
frustrations and failures along their roads to success. "I
didn't feel it was my place to try to write a strict business
book, because I just didn't come from that place," Price
says. "Some people end up in business because they have a
great idea. Many things led me to where I am."
Hammond also acknowledges a commitment to being honest about
lessons learned the hard way. "Avoiding the topic of
life's failures doesn't make them go away," she says.
"It's that authentic voice people connect with. They are
grateful to hear the truth and know they're not
alone."
Aliza
Pilar Sherman is an author, freelance writer and speaker
specializing in women's issues.