Switching gears today to non-fiction.
My special guest is Lynne Strang, the author of Late-Blooming Entrepreneurs: Eight Principles for Starting a Business After Age 40.
Bio:
Lynne
Strang is, herself, a late bloomer. In 2010, she retired from her “real job” as
a public relations executive to become a book author and freelance writer. Her
specialties include blogging, interviewing, speech writing and content marketing, among
other areas.
Lynne’s
award-winning blog, Late Blooming Entrepreneurs, covers topics of interest to
aspiring and new entrepreneurs who are 40 and older. The blog started small in
2010. Today, it has more than 24,000 followers (and counting).
Previously,
Lynne was Vice President of Communications for a financial services trade
association. In that role, she edited a weekly e-newsletter and wrote speeches,
testimony, opinion pieces, website copy and articles for industry publications.
Outside
of work, Lynne is an exercise buff and a cyclist who occasionally writes
articles for fitness-oriented publications and websites. She lives with her
family in Northern Virginia.
Welcome, Lynn. Please tell us about your current
release.
Late-Blooming
Entrepreneurs: Eight Principles for Starting a Business After Age 40 features
dozens of entrepreneurs who started businesses in their 40s and later. They’ll tell you, in their
own words, about the ups and downs of owning a business and what
enabled them to succeed.
At the heart of the
book are eight simple-but-effective principles these late bloomers used to
launch and build profitable businesses. In addition, you’ll find:
*Valuable insights on managing risk, retirement, money,
family responsibilities, relationships, health and other
possible roadblocks that can worry aspiring older entrepreneurs.
*Uplifting stories about everyday people who took a big
leap and reinvented themselves.
*Ten action steps at the end of each chapter to make the
principles work for you and your business idea.
*A networking approach that “pays it forward”
while producing lasting business relationships.
*Worksheets to help you get a handle on your
strengths-weaknesses and your money management skills.
*A list of useful resources that can provide
you with the information and support you’ll need to get your business off the
ground.
Late-Blooming
Entrepreneurs shows why the second half of life can be
the right time to start a business. This easy,
conversational read delivers a healthy dose of inspiration — and
leaves you with the belief that you’re never too old to go after what
you want.
What inspired you to write this book?
I’d say it was a combination of
factors. I enjoy writing. I’ve worked with small business owners throughout my
career. I’m intrigued by business leaders and their stories about how they
became successful. And I happen to be married to an entrepreneur who’s had his
own business for over 25 years.
A book about 40-and-older
entrepreneurs made sense on a couple of levels. As an aspiring solopreneur and
freelance writer, I knew I would benefit personally from what I learned. I also
wanted to help and inspire my peers who dreamed of starting a business but
thought they were “too old.”
What exciting story are you working on next?
One of
the best things about my blog is the opportunity to interview smart,
accomplished people who have very interesting stories. Last month, for example,
I profiled a psychologist who began designing and selling stylish bags for
diabetes equipment after she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in her early
60s. I have a couple of profile pieces in mind for early next year. I’m also
exploring an idea for a second book that would relate to my first.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
In
college, where I graduated with a degree in speech communications. During my last
year, I interned as a news reporter at a local radio station. That experience
helped me learn to write concisely. It also gave me my first taste of what it’s
like to write for a living.
Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not,
what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
My writing workload
varies from week to week, depending upon whether I have freelance assignments
or posts to write for my blog. I am most productive in the morning – so that’s
my usual writing time. An early start lets me get a lot done and use the
afternoon for tasks that don’t require as much critical thinking (or to take
care of other things going on in my household).
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I
don’t know if it qualifies as a writing quirk but I’m a big believer in
“incubating.” I’ll spend a day writing a draft – then leave it alone that night
or the next day (or longer) to incubate. When I come back to my work, I’m
usually able to see problems I couldn’t see before – and fix structure issues
and/or make other changes that improve the piece.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Probably
an actress. I’ve always loved the stage. As a teenager, I acted in community
theater and had a side business as a puppeteer for kids’ parties. Today, I
still perform on occasion with a local dinner theater group.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
In
addition to writing, I enjoy public speaking – something that terrifies many
people. My membership in Toastmasters International has helped me get used to
speaking in front of groups. That’s an important skill for authors when it
comes to book marketing.
For
any nonfiction writers out there, I’d recommend joining the Nonfiction Authors
Association (NFAA). It’s a great group that offers many professional
development opportunities for its members.
Links:
Buy pages:
Thanks for stopping by today, Lynne!
Thanks for having me on your blog, Lisa!
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