Author Cora Schupp

An Interview with Cora Schupp: Author & Business Woman

Sylvia: Welcome Ms. Cora Schupp. Please give our readers an introduction of yourself and a little about your book.

Cora: Besides having raised a family, run two janitorial companies, and being currently self-employed doing bookkeeping and accounting, I am a published woman author. The book was written for people who want to start their own business; to give them the information and focus needed, from someone who had already successfully achieved that goal. It is part of Curve Communication’s “Learning Curve” Series.

 

Sylvia: Great! I was so excited when you contacted me because my very first business was a janitorial company. In the 3 years of running it, I quickly became a 6-figure company. The industry is very lucrative and as you mentioned in our email exchange, it is recession proof! So, I salute you for sharing your experience with other women. What inspired you to write your first book?

Cora: I always wanted to write, and so many things happened to me during the 20 years I ran a janitorial business, that no one would believe me – truth is stranger than fiction. Too often women are told that they can’t do something, or that it is too hard. Let them find their strengths for themselves, and if I can be a mentor, even better.

 

Sylvia: Awesome Cora! You are an inspiration to women. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Cora: I want to emphasize to everyone, not just women, not to let lack of education or experience hold you back. Use your talents and strengths to grow your own business, not someone else’s.

 

Sylvia: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Cora: Looking back, the actual writing was easy. It was the re-writing and responding to edits that took more time than I realized. My advice is to not give up along the way because it really does get more exciting. Also don’t worry about your spelling or grammar; that’s what the copy editors do. It is more important to keep your own voice alive in your book. As Nike says, “Just do it!”

 

Sylvia: Love it! What marketing techniques have you used to sell your books and which ones have been most successful?

Cora: Curve Communications, the founders of this book series, is one of Vancouver’s largest marketing firms. We have been using mostly Facebook ads, and I’m on Facebook and Twitter. They also have a blog on their site, curvecommunications.com. We intend to use community newspaper display advertising.

 

Sylvia: Ok, so typical marketing, but effective! Why should we buy your book?

Cora: I wrote it to be simple yet effective. There are a lot of anecdotes and pictures to keep it interesting – but I am very proud of the templates that can be downloaded free for customers who buy my book. They include budgeting, checklists, payroll tools and invoices, etc. You only have to swap out your logo and company name and address, and you are ready to go. I don’t think there is anything quite like it on the market.

 

Sylvia: Is there a special place that you prefer when you write?

Cora: I used my home office and wrote a little bit every day when it was quiet. Just think, if you write only 1 page a day, at the end of the year you have a 365-page manuscript!

 

Sylvia: Now that is a great way of looking at it. What projects are you currently working on?

Cora: I have already been asked, “what will you be writing next?” I may write another book for the Learning Curve series on my years running a janitorial supply shop, or how to run a bookkeeping service.

 

Sylvia: What is your POWER WORD? Why this word? 

Cora: I had not been asked that question before, but the word ‘BELIEVE’ immediately popped into my head. I happen to believe in a higher power, and always felt the hand of a loving father on my head steering me through the worst of times. That is a personal conviction. Also, through a lot of years and many experiences, I have learned to BELIEVE in myself.

 

Sylvia: Love that power word. To ‘believe’ is empowering! Cora, thank you again for sharing your story with my readers. Please share your social media and book contact information. 

Cora: You are welcome Sylvia, thank you for the opportunity. Here are a few ways to connect with me:

•  Website: http://www.coraschupp.com/
•  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cleaning-Up-in-a-Dirty-Business/820913491307621
•  Barnes & Nobles: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cleaning-up-in-a-dirty-business-cora-schupp/1121403193?ean=9780968432228
•  Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cleaning-Up-Dirty-Business-Janitorial/dp/0968432220/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2_pap?ie=UTF8&qid=1427233889&sr=8-1&keywords=cleaning+up+in+a+dirty+business