An Interview with Melinda Emerson: Seasoned Entrepreneur, Professional Speaker, Small Business Coach & Author
Sylvia: Melinda, welcome! I am so pleased to be able to interview you. I must say, you are an amazing lady. You are well known on the social media scene, most notably, you have a very successful weekly show on twitter, #Smallbizlady; you’re a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, small business coach and of course author of the new book, ‘Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months.’ I can go on an on, but I will allow you to tell our readers tell more about yourself?
Melinda: Thank you Sylvia. My name is Melinda Emerson, but I am known to many as “Smallbizlady.” I specialize in helping people transition from having a job to starting a business. My areas of expertise include small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. I am also the founder and CEO of Quintessence Multimedia, an award-winning strategic communications and digital media company. My clients have included Johnson & Johnson, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Comcast. I have been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, US News and World Report and featured on NBC Nightly News. I have been given awards including the Top 50 Women in Business in Pennsylvania, one of Top 30 Leaders of the Future by Ebony magazine and the National Association of Women Business Owners honored me with their Woman of Distinction Award.
Sylvia: What inspired you to write your first book?
Melinda: In my consulting business, my mission is to end small business failure. I believe that too many small businesses fail due to a lack of planning. The book is based on the Emerson Planning System, which I developed to help people transition from their corporate job to starting a business in a reasonable, realistic time frame. The plan starts with developing a life plan, then the financial plan, validating the business concept, developing a marketing plan, then the business plan, then starting the business–which I suggest you do while you are still working a job (if you can). It counts the reader down over 12 months to starting their business.
Sylvia: Is there a message in your book that you want your readers to grasp?
Melinda: Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works is not a book about writing a business plan, it’s about planning your successful small business. Whether you’re newly unemployed or sick of corporate America, if you’re longing to start a small business, you can follow your entrepreneurial dream with my proven planning system. You supply the energy, the idea, the elbow grease—and Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months supplies the plan.
Sylvia: Do you have any advice for other authors?
Melinda: Be patient. Do not to publish too quickly. Go through all the edits that your book needs. Make an investment in your book by engaging a publicist six months prior to your publication date.
Sylvia: I believe in ‘each one-help-one’ by sharing information, collaborating and mentoring others. What tip would you give to other aspiring authors?
Melinda: There are two books that really helped me as I wrote my book proposal and planned the marketing launch for my book, Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months. Please read, Publishing Confidential by international best-selling author Paul B. Brown and Entrepreneur to Infopreneur by Stephanie Chandler.
Sylvia: Why should we buy your book?
Melinda: Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months will not overwhelm you with information. It’s a step-by-step planning system full of practical advice and actions which will help you understand what to do and what not to do in your business. If you want a proven road map to start a successful small business you need the book. Use this Amazon link http://bit.ly/6SteEn
Sylvia: Melinda, I am in awe of your work. You are an incredibly talented and accomplished lady. I commend you on your work in helping people realize their dream of entrepreneurship. I am so excited about your VERY informative and well written book and am enjoying reading it. In fact, I’ve recommended it to several of my current clients. I wish you all the best. Thank you for your autographed book, I will treasure it. I appreciate you taking the time for an interview for our subscribers.
About the Book
Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works is not a book about writing a business plan, it’s about planning your successful small business.
Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months provides a realistic, month-by-month planning guide to start a sustainable and profitable small business. If you’re planning to start a business soon, the key to being successful is not only creating a sound business concept but also taking the time to figure out the business of running a business.
Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months walks you step-by-step through the Emerson Planning System, which will reduce an entrepreneur’s learning curve. Each month readers can accomplish a milestone, including how to:
- Month 1: Develop a Life Plan
- Month 3: Set a One-Year Budget
- Month 5: Visualize Your Business
- Month 9: Build Your Marketing Strategy
- Month 11: Launch Your Business
Sylvia Browder is CEO of Specialty Home Services LLC, a Home Improvement Company; a Small Business Consultant at Browder Consulting Group, a startup consultancy firm to help women with startup assistance, marketing, website and graphic design work and other support services. In addition, she has co-authored several published books; publisher of ‘Sylvia Browder’s Blog for Women Entrepreneurs’ a lifestyle blog; and publisher of ShopSpendBlack.com Business Directory & Blog platform created to help consumers find black owned businesses in a searchable format. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 30 years; 5 adult children and 5 grandchildren; church; friends and motorcycle riding.
