Setting up small businesses to empower others.
Chrissy Guinery has always loved to write and after ten years’ working as a journalist writing for rural newspapers and publishing several books, starting a publishing business seemed like the natural next step.
“Motivation can be received through inspirational talks, books and writing workshops, where I delight in helping ignite that spark and bringing the edge you need to positively shine.”
In addition to writing books, Chrissy holds workshops for women and children to develop their own unique writing style and build confidence in their voice to share their stories. Chrissy has successfully established ‘Quiver Publishing’ and Many Rivers helps Chrissy with navigating the small business world.
Read on as Chrissy shares her story.
The business idea
I’m a writer, I run writing workshops and I’m all about empowering others. Going into business seemed like a practical thing to do. It gives me more control over my work and you know, I would like to make some money from it! I also wanted to do it not just for myself but to help others shine. When I run writing workshops, I include writing competitions with the idea of putting their short stories together to publish. Participants will then have something to present to others and be able to say they’re a published author.
I want to give a leg-up to other people who might start off like I did – going to a publication house to end up with a 15-year contract where they take their percentage of every sale. I want to give writers starting out a kick-start; we all need that.
There are a few other things that I do but Many Rivers has helped me focus on my publishing company ‘Quiver Publishing’. This has allowed me to publish my third book and my first children’s book called, ‘Buzz Loves His Friends’. It’s a colourful book for little kids to Year 5, a great resource for teachers (and homeschoolers) as it uses a combination of numeracy and literacy. I sought consultation from the Education Department and discovered this style of book is in high demand. I have 14 grandkids and they just love the book. It’s a fun little book.
Chrissy and Many Rivers
Matt’s (Batemans Bay Business Coach) been great, I couldn’t fault him. He goes above and beyond. I have so many fingers in different pies so we talked about what we should concentrate on. He helped show me accounts and how to work out a profit and loss. I live out of the right side of the brain where all the creative fun stuff is and I push away things that need to be stored in the logic, left-side, of my brain. I haven’t been the cleverest businessperson. I’m great with ideas but not great with what works and doesn’t. With Matt’s banking experience, he made the financial side of things simple…like accounting for dummies.
Matt gave me the inspiration to try to get organised. Also, he helped me to see my writing workshops in a different way to make it worth my time. I increased my prices slightly and no one’s batted an eyelid. The price is still really low but I will increase the cost as I go. I have so much to share! Matt’s been a genius. He’s also very kind and genuine.
Many Rivers financial support
I received a loan, to print the children’s book I’ve published myself. The loan went straight to the printing house.
Biggest challenge
Usually money. My website has been down (where I sell my books) and I’m getting it redone which is costing money I don’t have. Everything you want to do, it costs money! It is up and running now and looks amazing!
Biggest success
I believe that I’m just launching into my biggest success to date with 2020 being my year. We had the bushfires in January, flash flooding in February and now the coronavirus in March. Despite all this, I’ve just published my first children’s book, I’m two thirds into my second children’s book and I’ve had a publisher approach me about doing a book on the bushfires after he saw my daily Facebook posts during the crisis. The publisher already has worldwide interest in it. By halfway through the year, I’ll be running not just stumbling. I’ll have five books and will have a lot of credibility. Also, Koorong the largest Christian bookstore chain in Australia has just taken one of my books on.
Future goals
I would like to support myself and help out my five kids and 14 grandkids – keep that generational blessing rolling along. I want to continue to work helping people find their creativity and have fun in the journey. I’m passionate about writing and I want to continue to love it!
Check out Chrissy’s latest book, When The Smoke Clears, Surviving the Australian Bushfires, in which she and fire survivor present the story behind the shocking figures of destruction and loss of the day to day struggle to breathe, to believe, to love – under a pall of smoke and in the path of fire.
You can also find Chrissy Instagram @chrissyguinery.author for some inspiring thoughts.
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