Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jayme Sandberg. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jayme, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. 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.

I went from not being sure I’d cross the street to watch a total solar eclipse, to independently publishing a children’s book on the topic that reached the No. 6 best-selling spot in all books on Amazon.com.

When a total solar eclipse passed through my Nebraska town in August 0f 2017. I was taken aback by the number of people traveling to our rural community to see it. They came from all over the world to chase a few weather-dependent minutes when the Sun is briefly extinguished by our perfectly aligned Moon.

I assumed this particular eclipse was over-hyped. How could something so fleeting be worth that kind of travel expense and passion?

It is. And when you know, you know.

That day, while watching the Moon move in on the Sun’s brilliant light, I wondered what emotion Sun would feel in a scenario where it felt emotions like we do. Would it be anxious? Scared? Worried? Angry? All of the above? We can all relate to worrying about someone stealing our spotlight.

When I saw the indescribable moment of totality, the first thought I had was, “They’re even better together.”

We can all relate to that, too.

Like everyone else who first sees a total solar eclipse, I immediately looked up when and where I could see the next one. I was thrilled to learn another total solar eclipse would cross the U.S. in seven years, which is a relatively short time in the total solar eclipse universe. The daughter in my arms and the baby in my belly would be old enough then to see it and remember it.

My next online search was for a total solar eclipse children’s picture book. I missed the opportunity to teach my toddler about it before the event, but we could learn about them together now and use the book as a jumping off point to talk about what we had seen, the historical moment we had experienced together, and our plans to chase the next one.

I was shocked to find very few children’s picture books on the Subject. What I did eventually find wasn’t what I had in mind.

I’m a storyteller with a background in journalism, and public relations. While I hadn’t yet written, published or marketed a book, I knew that I could. I set a goal to create one that would help parents like me and kids like mine prepare for and commemorate the 2024 total solar eclipse.

The book met a market need, selling more than 20,000 books in nine months. Two YouTube storytimes featuring the title have 300,000 views combined, with many of those single views representing a whole classroom or entire elementary school.

Parents told me their kids “lead the charge on safety” during the eclipse thanks to the book. Teachers told me the book was being recommended left and right by their peers. When totality arrived, a friend heard an elementary school I had visited cheer loudly as the Moon slide into place and they safely shared the experience of a lifetime.

Better together, indeed.

Jayme, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m an expert storyteller, coach and accredited PR pro. I help people and brands tell their best stories to make their positive mark on the world.

I’m the author and publisher of an Amazon best-selling children’s picture book called Total Solar Eclipse: A Stellar Friendship Story. The story teaches readers how to safely experience a solar eclipse as well as recognize the unexpected ways we shine together. Helping others shine in spectacular and meaningful ways has been the constant in my career and remains my driving purpose.

What regularly sets me apart in PR is my ability to think out-of-the-box to craft and execute innovative strategies to advance defined goals and objectives.

As a coach for storytellers, I believe the stories we are living deserve as much care and attention as the ones we tirelessly hone for our clients, editors and companies. My coaching clients are high achievers in PR, marketing, journalism and publishing who are seeking a guide to help them crush the next chapter, whether it’s a project, promotion, or transition.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I began my publishing journey, I intended to use a traditional publisher. I had a strong story and an obvious market with a clear need. When I queried dozens of agents, the ones who responded weren’t interested. Most didn’t reply at all. It was easy for doubt to creep in. What did they know that I didn’t?

I had a very firm deadline since the marketing plan hinged on a very specific cosmic event. I was determined to bring my total solar eclipse to life, so I pivoted to independently publishing. In my research I found out that most self-published children’s books sell a couple hundred copies. I knew I was going to have to think differently and act strategically.

It worked. I sold a lot of books. My title was featured in a top trade publication and national broadcast media. Because I pivoted, I was able to learn more than I ever thought possible, make a strong return on my investment, and build my own brand.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I highly recommend Playing Big by Tara Mohr for women entrepreneurs or those who feel a pull to a calling of any size. Remember that you are the editor of your life story. You don’t always get to decide what happens to you, but you do get to decide what to do with it. Whether you succeed or fail (and you’ll do both), it’s all stories. It’s what makes you, you, and what makes your life your own unique journey. Don’t let someone else write your life story for you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.itsallstories.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsallstoriesllc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItsAllStories/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/itsallstories
• Other: the book website is www.SolarEclipseBook.com