Meet Shara Lawrence-Weiss Of Personal Child Stories

My guest today is Shara Lawrence-Weiss. Shara’s business, ‘Personal Child Stories’ creates custom children’s books using their personal photos and a custom-written text. Read and be Inspired by her business success story !!!!

Can you tell us a bit about your business (personal child stories) – How did you come up with the idea and what do you do ?

Personal Child Stories was born through a medical challenge with my son (http://www.personalchildstories.com/our_story.php). Just ten days after his first birthday his eye had to be removed. He was then given a prosthetic eye and had to wear glasses in order to protect his one seeing one.

I created two books using his personal photographs, in order to redirect specific behaviors (removing his eye to chew on it and taking his glasses off and sometimes breaking them). Rather than focus on what he was doing wrong, the books focused on what he could do that was right: to leave the eye in and only remove it when needed and to keep his glasses on in order to protect his eye. The text was written in a positive fashion, praising him for making the right choices.

I read the books with my son for about three weeks after which time the behavior had adjusted. Most research will tell us that a behavior can be modified in about three weeks. The books did seem to follow this theory.

Over the years I had the idea to create more books using custom photos and custom written text (based on my previous writing/freelance experience). I’ve worked with children for over 16 years and I’m earning a degree in Elementary Education. I put my varying experiences together in order to create this business.

I now write and design custom books for children all over the country (and even internationally). Every book contains their personal photographs and a custom written text that focuses on the positive attributes of their character and/or situation. Book themes range from counting and the alphabet to name recognition, remembering a vacation or celebrating a new sibling in the family. Books can also be created as keepsakes – remembering a loved one or pet, etc.

Anything goes! One of my long-term goals is to offer custom book services to school districts, aiding their Special Needs departments.

Once you had the idea, how did you go about getting your business up and running (the aim of the question is to help people who have business ideas but don’t know what to do next)?

The first thing I did was create a list. The list consisted of my short term and long term goals. I analyzed numerous other small businesses in order to understand what they did to make things work…or what they did wrong that made things flop. I typed up an outline for what I wanted my website to contain: the information, the images, the name of my business, the tag line, etc. What did I want to convey? Who was my target audience? Who would buy these books? Why? Who would they benefit?

I wrote all of these things down in order to go through the mental steps and process of planning for the long-haul. Starting a business is so complex and there are so many items to consider from the grand scheme to the tiny details and everything in between. I made a point of jotting these things down, one by one, until my plan unfolded clearly in my own mind. I was then ready to move forward and implement those plans.

What is the best advice you received about running your business ?

My husband warned me early on that most businesses fail quickly because the owner expects quick results. He has owned a successful business for about 20 years now. So I knew I had to listen to his advice J He explained to me that most small businesses are said to take 3-5 years before turning any profit. In other words, don’t give up easily. He encouraged me to start this business based on the full awareness that it would take time to establish and get the word out; time to build a customer base and a functioning word-of-mouth circulation.

As the old saying goes: “Slow and steady wins the race.”

Someone else shared another piece of invaluable advice as well: Above all else, do not start a business if you need the complete support of friends and family. More than likely, you will not get that. Some friends and some family members will show their support while others will not. Start a business because it’s what YOU want to do and for no other reason. You will then become the machine that drives your business into success.

You balance work and family…Any time management tips for other business mothers?

Sure! Figure out your own best time to work: morning, afternoon or evening. Try to get as much work done during that time as you can. Leave the other times open for your spouse and children. Always leave a day open for spontaneous fun with your family, also; don’t try to work 7 days a week. We all need rest and a time to revamp and think. It’s during times of silence and fun, for me, that new ideas are born!

How do you promote your business?

I advertise on MommyPerks.com and on varying other websites. Most of what I do is trade: trading links, services, products, reviews, etc. I have a facebook account and a decal on the back of my car. I belong to a reporter network and respond to queries if and when they are appropriate to my business.

My main focus is to always keep my ears and ears open for any and every possibility. There are so many great opportunities out there – we just have to be on the lookout!

What is the most rewarding thing about your business?

The feedback I get on the books, by far. I love getting thank you notes in the mail or thank you emails after a book has been opened. Some children sleep with their books at night while others take them to school for show-and-tell. I love every one of these stories and I save every thank you card and note.

Finally, your five keys to success?

Hmmm…just five, eh?

1. Start a business only if your heart is truly in it.
2. Do not count on family and friends to be the driving force of your business; work hard to get there with…or without…them.
3. If you want good SEO results, do NOT buy a template website (Vista Print, Windows, etc).
4. Be patient and understand that all good things take time: slow and steady wins the race.
5. Do not expect to succeed right away. If one idea fails, try again. Keep trying until you get the formula right !

Sites Of Interest

http://www.PersonalChildStories.com




This interview was published on 30th July 2009


Visit Shara’s website to get more information about her business


To read more stories about women in the kids products industry click Kids Products Business