We recently connected with Dionne Monique and have shared our conversation below.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Dionne Monique a Nanny, an educator, a motivational speaker, an Author, Member Leader with the National Domestic Workers Alliance and a fierce advocate for domestic workers

Like I stated earlier, God always put it on my heart to create a children’s book. During the pandemic, we were all at home thinking about ways to make good use of the free time that we have. So I came across a ad on Facebook and it was a five day book challenge. I joined a challenge, and I got great insight on how to get started on writing my book. Nevertheless, I didn’t write my book in that five days, but it ignited the fire inside of my belly to start creating my books. I was introduced to a app called Clubhouse. And when I got on that app, I instantly found a community of Author’s writer illustrator editors, publishers and librarians. I quickly felt at home and craved to be within this community of entrepreneur. I sat in room after room after room and learned everything I could about bring my books into reality. I stared to make moves toward my goal but still made many mistakes along the way. Not having enough knowledge to bring my business to life i had to seek out professional help (which is super hard for me to ask for help) however I hired an accountability Coach @ Hey Crystal Gail Consulting. They helped me build my confidence as well as my business with the legal proper steps to take. They helped me build my mission and vision for who I am as a business owner, as well as gave me life building skills to become who God ordained me to be in the world of published book businesses.

By the way, that write a book in 5 day Facebook Čelić was hailed by none other, but the great guru a Publishing boooks Crystal, Swain Bates. From that Facebook challenge class I joyed her society, a Published Authors and I’m learning everything that I need to learn about the business side of being Author.

Right before my very first book was published, my church (A Chosen Generation International Ministries) asked me to be the speaker for breast cancer awareness program. This day birth the speaker in me! I never realized that standing in my truth, telling everyone how God saved me and healed me would set me free from what held me back for a whole decade of my life. FEAR!!!!! Fear of what others would say, think, act towards me and my son. Nevertheless, from that day I have been on many stages connecting with hundreds of cancer survivors who were or are standing in my same shoes. What warms my heart the most is when others who have heard me ,speak wither it was on a podcast, IG/FB Live, or at an event, send me personal messages or walk up to me and thank me for encouraging them to keep going, to fight, and to push through.

Now that I have accomplish the goal of becoming a Self-Published author, I had to accomplish a lot of other goals first to make it to self-published author. With those skills Im now a qualified Book Coach for inspiring authors who don’t know how to get started, I started my own publishing company entitled DM Publication that allows me to publishing other authors books as well as my own. With the skills that I have learned backed by my bachelor degree in business I an proud to help others accomplish their goals with my guided help.

Ebony’s Purple Scarf is helping me solve the problem that I had as a cancer survivor with young children in my life. I couldn’t find the words. The words to help them understand that I may look different, and act different, but I love you just the same. With the help of the Heavenly Father, I sat down and created a story book for children, but a guide for survivors to start the conversation about Ebony and her illness while inserting their old story. The book also provides pausing points as a suggestion for the reader to talk about their situation just like Ebony’s.

This is the first book released in the purple scarf series. The next two books of the series are already in the works and are predicted to be released October 2024. A long this purple scarf series. You will find that Ebony will tell the backstory on why she loves her purple scarf, she will receive her healing and ultimately pass the scarf off to someone who needs it more than her.
This Year we welcomed the coloring and activity book in Ebony‘s purple scarf. It’s a simple activity book for ages 3 to 6. The author made this book with simple activities that the children can do or their own while the grown-ups discuss the reading book, their own diagnosis, or answering any questions that the child may have while doodling in their very own activity book. (That’s exclusive only on the authors website.)

You can get an autographed copy from the authors website at Sincerelydionne.com. (It has to be a capital S) it’s also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Little shop stories online bookstore.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Unfortunately, my dad passed away in 2015 due to prostate cancer. He knew that he had this illness and he didn’t discuss it with his family. Fortunately, for me, he left behind a life insurance policy and naming me as the beneficiary for years. I didn’t know what to do with the money, I saved it in hopes that soon my son will be going off to college at this money and this money would help with those. My son chose to choose a different routes, then going to college for many more months I contemplated on what you do with the money. Then one day it finally hit me. I’m going to start my own publishing company dedicated in my dad‘s honor and start helping survivors have conversations about cancer with their family and loved ones and that’s how I got the money to start my business.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Life has throw me many curveballs. I have had to start and restart numerous of times due to things like being a single mom and moving from state to state and health issues. Being diagnosed with breast cancer was definitely one of those pivots in life at the time of diagnosis, I was working as a kindergarten teacher at a private school. My doctor suggested to me that I try to live a life as stress-free as possible. This seemed impossible, but what I didn’t know is working as a school teacher was very stressful after working in the education field for 15 years at this point , I felt like I didn’t have any other workforce skills I contemplated for a while about how to make a comfortable living and not working childcare. Talking with one of my parents in my kindergarten class, she suggested to me that I should become a nanny. She told me that she sees how much I love and care for these children, as well as teach them throughout the day basically the number one skills of a nanny. My initial thought about becoming a nanny was I have too much education for A to go to waste with just becoming a nanny. Boy was I wrong! After doing a little research and going on a couple of interviews I found a family that fit perfect answer my needs and I’ll fit perfect if there’s. I told myself that I will become a nanny for one year and see if I liked it that was over 15 years ago and I have not once regretted leaving the classroom. Becoming a nanny, gave me the financial wages. I needed to take care of myself and my family, and it also gave me the freedom to explore different areas of my life. Now I get to wake up each and every morning and do what I love to do, which is take care of infants and toddlers and teaching them all the things they need to know to get ready for kindergarten.

Contact Info:

• Website: Sincerelydionne.com
• Instagram: Sincerelydionne /Dionne Monique
• Facebook: Deedeedavis/ Sincerelydionne
• Linkedin: Dionne Monique
• Youtube: Sincerelydionne

Image Credits
Dionne Monique