We recently connected with Lanette Pottle and have shared our conversation below.

Lanette, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Years ago, my view of success was pretty straightforward: make money, and lots of it. Why? Because I faced my fair share of financial struggles.

Picture this: young me, facing tough choices, dealing with debt, and raising a toddler on my own. During those times, having money equated to success. But another big thing for me? Respect. I wanted it, but it felt like an elusive dream.

To turn things around, I hustled hard. I put in the hours, learned every tiny detail of my job(s), and never shied away from a challenge. If someone at work said, “Can you do this?”, my answer was a resounding “yes!” And then? I’d figure out how to do it, no matter what. While my personal life was total chaos, at work, I was that go-getter, always pushing forward.

Soon enough, my efforts paid off. People at work began to notice. They appreciated my dedication, and I started to feel like I was making headway. But here’s the catch: even with the praises and promotions, a little voice in my head kept wondering, “What if they knew the real struggles behind the scenes?”

This internal battle went on for quite a while. More responsibilities at work, a bit more money, but still that nagging feeling of being an imposter.

It wasn’t until later in life that things clicked. I started to look at success differently. It wasn’t just about external validation or the size of my bank account. It was about feeling content, aiming high, and making a genuine difference.
The reality? While I do appreciate the comforts and opportunities money brings, I’ve come to realize it doesn’t define success on its own.

So here’s my two cents: success is about recognizing your self-worth, leadership, and doing the things that truly matter. It’s showing resilience through life’s ups and downs. Supporting others is important, but it’s just as essential to prioritize your own well-being.

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

2016 was the year I swapped my HR hat for one of life coaching, turning a five-year side gig into a full-time business. This venture grew to include online business coaching tailored for female entrepreneurs and coaches. By 2018, I had donned a new hat—that of an international bestselling author, and the questions started pouring in.

Amongst them was a new business coaching client who serendipitously mentioned her decade-old manuscript to me during our onboarding call. That’s when the stars aligned, nudging me towards publishing mentorship. She had this gem of a manuscript, peppered with positive notes, but without a traditional publisher’s stamp, she held herself back. I suggested self-publishing as a viable path to help her story find its voice in the world.

She had her reservations, steeped in some myths about self-publishing. But by our next call, armed with fresh insights, she was on board! With a bit of guidance, not only did she unveil her book in record time, but she also launched her own publishing imprint and wrote three additional books in the series. Today, she’s a staunch advocate for Indie authors.

With such inspiring tales unfolding around me, conversations about writing and publishing started filling my days. By 2020, with its unique challenges, it felt natural to steer towards book coaching as well as offering professional self-publishing insights. I collaborated with the same kinds of clients I had grown to love – vibrant coaches and entrepreneurs. And guess what? It spotlighted my knack for simplifying the complex. Mix that with my step-by-step guidance and voila! It’s like pure magic and books quickly unfold.

In a very abbreviated nutshell, that’s how ‘She Gets Published’ was born. I was ready to offer support to those seeking a larger platform.

Navigating the publishing world, with its maze-like pathways, is no cakewalk. There’s this nagging whisper: “Can I really write? And if I do, who’s going to read it?” Good ol’ imposter syndrome. The path to publication shouldn’t be this daunting. But that’s where our partnership shines. That’s my cue. I walk beside them, reflecting their brilliance, helping handpick those golden nuggets for their book, and sifting out the bits to save for another day – or another project. Together, we carve a path, ensuring that their words and wisdom find the readers who need them.

I’m proud of the work we do together, and it feels great helping other women amplify the reach of their unique expertise and viewpoints in service of others.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

As I mentioned previously, when I began my business, it was as a side-hustle so my day job was what “kept the lights on”, chipping in funds bit by bit. I had to be patient and pace myself; I couldn’t dive into everything all at once. But this taught me about the art of phased planning. It’s easy to get caught up in the allure of having it all from the get-go, but it’s more important to differentiate the essentials – like tools that help you directly generate revenue – from the nice-to-haves. Another golden nugget I wish I’d realized sooner? It’s not just about raising capital; managing cash flow is a game-changer in business success.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Every single one of my top clients can trace back to a personal connection – whether it’s through a warm introduction, a referral, or someone I’ve crossed paths with online or on social media. For me, the art of nurturing relationships isn’t just a business strategy; it’s a reflection of my core values and one of the distinct attributes that sets me apart. I pride myself on a “high touch” approach. By working with a limited number of clients at any point, I ensure that each individual and their project receives my undivided attention. Many of my new clients come on the recommendation of those I’ve worked with before, and that speaks volumes. They’ve experienced my commitment, felt my strengths first-hand, and know that I’m genuinely invested in them. It’s not just about a project or a book; it’s about the person behind it. This authenticity isn’t a marketing play – those who know me can vouch for the fact that I truly care.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shegetspublished.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/shegetspublsihed
• Other: She Gets Published – The Podcast: www.shegetspublishedpodcast.com

Image Credits
Kyndall Brooke Photography