We were lucky to catch up with April O’leary recently and have shared our conversation below.

April, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

After years of running a life coaching practice and publishing my own books, I was approached by two individuals who asked if I could help them publish their works. While I had never considered becoming a book publisher for others, I had successfully navigated the publishing process for myself, so why not give it a try? I thought it would be worthwhile to assist my friends.

I’m more intuitive than strategic, so although I’d love to say I conducted a competitive analysis, crafted a detailed business plan, and invested heavily in launching a business, that’s not how it went. Instead, I jumped straight into the work. I edited their manuscripts, assisted with cover design, and developed marketing strategies. I put together a book launch plan, and both books achieved the status of top new releases on Amazon. One of these books even went on to sell thousands of copies and launched the author into a political career.

Meanwhile, I was working behind the scenes to create a business logo, set up a website, and develop a sustainable publishing model. Those initial projects were essentially loss leaders, but the most rewarding aspect was witnessing the transformation of the aspiring authors throughout the writing and publishing process. They refined their messages and embraced their new roles with confidence, energized by the knowledge that their books could reach a wider audience than they ever could otherwise.

Even now, six years and 50 books later, that excitement and commitment to empowering authors through publishing remains as strong as ever.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is April O’Leary, and my journey into the world of publishing has been both fulfilling and unexpected. For years, I was deeply immersed in life coaching and authoring my own books. This experience not only honed my skills as a writer but also gave me a deep understanding of human motivation, goal setting, business branding and the publishing process. When friends approached me for assistance with their own manuscripts, I realized that I had the expertise and passion to help others in their publishing endeavors.

This realization led to the founding of O’Leary Publishing. At O’Leary Publishing, we are committed to supporting aspiring non-fiction authors through every step of their publishing journey. Our services are designed to address the needs of our entrepreneurial authors at various stages, from initial manuscript editing to final publication. We offer comprehensive editing to refine and perfect your manuscript, creative cover design that captures the essence of your book, and strategic marketing to ensure your book reaches its target audience. Additionally, we provide meticulous book launch planning to create impactful releases and consulting to help you build your brand and amplify your voice in a crowded marketplace.

What differentiates O’Leary Publishing is our focus on a personalized, author-centric approach. Rather than adhering to a rigid business model, we tailor our services to fit the unique vision and needs of each author. My approach has always been hands-on and intuitive, prioritizing direct engagement with authors over formal business strategies.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my work has been witnessing the growth and transformation of our authors. Seeing them refine their messages and gain the confidence to reach a wider audience has been incredibly gratifying. We offer opportunities for them to interview on our I’m Booked Podcast, and speak at our annual Booked Naples event. Our publishing efforts have not only led to successful book releases but also helped some authors achieve significant milestones, such as top new releases, professional speaking opportunities and career advancements.

With over 50 books published under our belt, O’Leary Publishing remains dedicated to providing high-quality, personalized support to each author we work with. If you’re considering partnering with us, I encourage you to explore our services and see how we can assist in bringing your book to life.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and O’Leary Publishing. I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate and help you achieve your publishing goals.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I grew up in a deeply religious family, where I was taught to prioritize the needs of others above my own. This upbringing turned me into a master people-pleaser, constantly bending over backward to maintain harmony, often to my own detriment. As you might expect, these childhood lessons didn’t translate well into the world of business. I found myself frequently burned out and frustrated, despite having satisfied clients and a desire to help others.

It took considerable time and effort to unlearn these patterns. I had to start raising my prices, letting go of difficult clients, and recognizing my own value in the marketplace. Setting and maintaining boundaries around my time and energy is still a challenge, and saying ‘no’ to opportunities that don’t align with my larger vision is not always easy. However, I’ve learned that running a profitable business requires me to be clear about my worth. Today, I understand that if someone doesn’t value my time, they’re simply not the right fit for me.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

When building and managing a team, it’s crucial to work with people you genuinely enjoy collaborating with. Clear communication, setting expectations, and offering support are key to success—especially in a remote environment with different schedules and time zones.

I believe fostering autonomy and trust among team members is essential. Encouraging them to solve their own challenges empowers them and builds confidence. Listening to one another and maintaining regular, open dialogue helps create an atmosphere of collaboration.

We aim for a friendly, encouraging, and positive tone in all our communications. High morale doesn’t come from big rewards, but from the daily sense that you’re valued and that your contributions truly matter.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.olearypublishing.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olearypublishing/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apriloleary/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OLearyPublishing
• Other: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/olearypublishing

Image Credits

Louis Venne
Ryan and Scott Media