Turning Grandparenting into a New Career!
Author, entrepreneur and grandmother Jean Sousa explains how her marketing experience and love for her grandchildren lead her to a brand new career!
After getting laid off from her marketing job in December 2008, Jean Sousa had to come up with a plan. Her ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit lead her to write a children's book about the special bond between grandmothers and grandchildren. And she's not done yet...
CommitmentNow: My Grammy Loves Me! is a delightful picture book about a special grandmother-grandchild relationship. What makes grandmothers so special?
Jean Sousa: Grandmother-hood is an extra special time in the circle of life. It is the time that you can truly enjoy all the little enjoyable moments in a child's life, and not be worried about all the responsibilities that comes along with motherhood. A grandmother is important in providing spoiling moments as well as carefree moments with no schedules or time restraints. Whether it be as small as taking a grandchild to the park merry-go-round each week or taking her/him away overnight for a fun sleep over, these are memories that will bring smiles and laughter back to both of them throughout their lifetimes.
CommitmentNow: What inspired you to write a book about a Grammy and her grandchild?
Jean: After becoming a Grammy myself (3 times!) I looked for books to give my grandchildren on just how special they were to me, and could find mainly "grandmother" or "grandma" books and nothing about "Grammy". The thought entered my head that someone should write a book about Grammy. Now I know there are many other names for grandmothers...but I was now a "Special Grammy" and wanted to be recognized in the literary world! I kept the thought tucked inside and never acted upon it until my life was turned upside down.
CommitmentNow: This is your first book! What was your career prior to this and how did you decide to transition into writing children’s books?
Jean: In December of 2008, I was laid-off from marketing for almost 30 years in the declining jewelry industry. Now what was I going to do and who was going to hire a 62-year old lady for quality employment? I decided to light my American Spirit and forge on to a new venture and start my own company writing about family relationships. MJ Design Ventures was formed! (MJ came from my many co-workers calling me Marketing Jean for years.)
The words just seem to glide on to the page, the first draft was finished in about one hour, however it was going to be a challenge to get it illustrated. After two attempts working with professional illustrators, I found I was hitting road blocks and not getting the book illustrated. I then decided to contact my local high school to see if there may be an opportunity to tap into the talents of an art student. The Art Director was very helpful and excited about an art student having the opportunity to gain experience in the world. The criteria for illustrating the book was given and sample illustrations would be viewed by me in a couple of weeks.
I knew immediately when viewing the samples which character I wanted for my book! One student had a superior presentation on what I envisioned. The journey that followed after meeting with the student and her parents has been so rewarding and a life changing experience. We both gained professional working relations, but most important, we formed a friendship that will last a long time.
In November of 2009 the book, My Grammy Loves Me, was introduced. It is a young child's board book filled with whimsical illustrations of a dripping ice cream cone to warm loving hugs and smiles.
In today's recovering recession one has to look forward towards opportunities and not wallow in self doubt and the unknown. If you have an idea or a dream, capitalize on it and move forward. The American Spirit is in all of us, we just have to believe anything is possible. I am so glad I started this new venture and have enjoyed every new day that this journey is giving me.
CommitmentNow: What are you working on now?
Jean: My Gramps Loves Me is in the process of being illustrated now and is scheduled for release in 2010 along with complementing Gramps t-shirts. The same family of mice are coming to life with new whimsical drawings of Gramps bonding with his grandchild.
My days are challenging and filled with marketing this book. I knew my journey would continue to have road blocks because I am a self-published author and promoter of this book and t-shirt. I believe that I will find people that love the book as much as I do and will support offering these items in their retail establishments. It's just going to take some time to develop a customer base and reader following.
I don't intend to stop with just two books, there are "sisters", "brothers" and "family" editions ready to be written. I even want to eventually write about a child with a life-threatening illness that truly needs their family's love and support every day while in a hospital. There are endless possibilities to capture the hearts of all families in all situations!
CommitmentNow: Where can we learn more about your upcoming books and projects?
Jean: Anyone can order My Grammy Loves Me on my website, www.mjdesignventures.com
Complementing Grammy t-shirts are also offered through the site. Grammy loves to see her special grandchild wearing "her" loving shirt!
