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

Johannah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My first son was diagnosed with cancer a few days after his 6th birthday. On the journey of treatment, I felt terrified and alone (amongst other things). It was very hard to explain to family and friends exactly what I felt. I couldn’t get to therapy due to being in the hospital all the time and there not being a therapist on staff at the hospital. Once he finished treatment the first time, he was diagnosed a second time. Once he finished that treatment, I was able to get into therapy and better myself. I always felt the need to help others that have felt the way I felt along the way. I continue to do so. This is where the self-help book came into play.
I wrote a self-help book that helps other parents cope with having a child that has been diagnosed with an illness. I share some of the things I went through and I allow for the reader to share some of their experiences.

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

I am a life coach for young ladies and women. That business is Motivated Me LLC. I also own a business called Painted Sugar LLC, which is a nail polish brand that also carries accessories like luxury press-on nails. I am a wife and mother as well as a writer. I take joy in serving and helping others greatly, so when it was placed on my heart to complete this self-help book, I was more than compliant to do so.
It took a little while for it to be completed but it was worth the task. Once complete, I sent it to an editor and from there set it up to be sold on Amazon. Formatting and proofing was a bit of a task for self-publishing but once I got the hang of it, things ran smoothly. I even published a short book of poetry prior to the self-help book to get my feet wet.
What makes this book different from other books of this kind is that there is no other book with this exact format. There are books with parents sharing their story and experience, but I have not found any in the format of self-help. Sharing with another parent a familiar story is something we all need during that process. Feeling like you are the only person going through something, even though you know you aren’t, is a very Ionely feeling. This is what sets Somebody, Anybody, Please Throw me a Raft apart.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of sharing what I have written is knowing full well it will help someone else. That is my main goal and concern. It isn’t much different from my business as a life coach. Giving young ladies hope and showing them they have the ability to move through many different circumstances without crumbling gives my spirit such a sense of peace.
Writing is one of many different forms of an outlet. If you’re gonna be creative, be sure not to leave yourself out of the creation.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I have a few other goals that go along with this self-help book. My son is, as of now, writing a companion book from the viewpoint of a child. We both think this will be a great help as well. I have a short-term goal of opening a line of health and hygene care products for kids.
I have a long-term goal of opening a center for children who suffer from neutropenia and cannot be around others. After a while, it gets quite boring and they tend to run out of things to do. This center will be a safe haven for them to not be confined to their hospital beds and be able to spend time enjoying every moment they have been given.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://a.co/d/8qST44C
• Instagram: Painted.sugar
• Facebook: Painted Sugar
• Youtube: All us Mahnkes
• Other: Both of my books are available on Amazon: Somebody, Anybody, Please Throw me a Raft! The tangible transition of thoughts to words The easiest way is putting in Johannah Mahnke, both books will come up. All the other info above is for my other businesses.