We recently connected with Liesl Schuh and have shared our conversation below.

Liesl, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One deeply underappreciated facet of entrepreneurship is the kind of crazy stuff we have to deal with as business owners. Sometimes it’s crazy positive sometimes it’s crazy negative, but crazy experiences unite entrepreneurs regardless of industry. Can you share a crazy story with our readers?

My craziest story related to my business now, is my story of addiction to authorship. My life’s journey of struggle and hardship with unhealthy behaviors to achieve unrealistic expectations lead me down a path of destruction that would almost end everything for me. After over a decade of addiction to pills I became sober in 2015 and since have reaped the benefits and blessings of hard work. As a mother of three girls I never planned to set out and write a children’s book. It’s entire creation was a happy accident that has now led me to owning my own business with a written and self-published children’s book called The Girl Dad, and a second book on the way.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Liesl “Darr” Schuh (pronounced LEE-SUL SHOE) is a San Antonio, Texas native, and a mother of three daughters alongside her husband, Stephen. Schuh is a first-time author and former public relations professional. She is a graduate of Texas Tech University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. While attending Texas Tech, Schuh met her husband Stephen, and they married in 2013.

While growing up in Texas, Schuh’s upbringing was rooted in faith, family and friendships. She carried these with her into adulthood, where, when faced with challenges, she would lean on those around her. Losing herself along the way, Schuh struggled with addiction, and entered treatment in Spring 2015. She has since been sober and is in recovery. She remains fully aware that had she not gone through the suffering that she did, the life she has today would not have been possible. Her life experiences serve as a source of support for others struggling.

As her first written and self-published book, The Girl Dad is the celebration of the hope that can come from doing the hard work. From addiction to author, for Liesl, the future is bright, and the blessings are bountiful.

The Girl Dad is Schuh’s first foray into writing and publishing children’s books, and she plans to continue writing a series in this genre in the future. The Girl Dad is inspired by Schuh’s own relationship with her father, as well as inspired by her husband’s relationship with their three young daughters.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Beyond my journey through extreme struggle to the blessings that have happened in my life, the challenges of having to teach myself everything in relation to authoring a book, self-publishing, printing, etc.

I made A LOT of mistakes at the start and have had to learn from those discovering what works and what doesn’t. After finally being able to connect with others in the industry I was willing to adapt and make changes necessary to keep my dream alive. Persistence and the willingness to not give up and take the suggestions of others has lead me to where I am today.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

What I’ve had to unlearn is that perfectionism is unattainable. I’m a perfectionist by nature, which can be a good thing and a bad thing. The cool thing about books and particularly children’s books is that they fall under “art.” Art can be whatever you make it. There is no rigid outline for writing and punctuation. Illustrations can be however you dream them.

There is freedom in imperfection and sometimes that’s where the most creative aspects are born.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thegirldadbook.com
• Instagram: @thegirldadbook
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thegirldadbook
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liesldarrschuh/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfMmNtpHlHWQRTe50kIwySQ

Image Credits
Josh Nolden – 2 professional photos