We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marissa Phifer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Marissa , 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 started my publishing company in the year of 2020. As everyone knows, the pandemic threw a monkey wrench in everyones plans. However, I took this time to pour back into myself and learn something new. This time also made me realize there were some things lying dormant inside of me. Untapped gifts have a way of opening up once you sit with yourself long enough. Funny story: I was actually looking at a children’s book publishing course for my God-mother, but something urged me to also take this course. I knew then that God was nudging me in this direction for a reason. It was only natural for me to write children’s books because I had already been working with children in daycare, youth group and school settings for over 15 years. I also, knew that I had difficulty learning as a child myself, so why not create stories that celebrate learning and our multi culture existence. Speaking of my learning difficulties, if it were not for the extra help/loving nudges of my parents and grade school teachers I don’t know where I would be today. There were so many days I would cry from frustration of not understanding how to read. As an adult my new goal, was to make sure that the books I created were fun yet educational not only my nieces and nephews but for all young readers. Everyday I am amazed and thankful to help little ones learn and grow with my stories. A mom told me that their child wants to read one of my stories each night. This is my reason for continuing to create more educational materials. This is why my wheels keep turning. I continue trying to see how I can improve myself and the stories that I have to offer.

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 Marissa Phifer and I am the owner and operator of Auntie Angel Publishing LLC. My company offers self published educational children’s stories, consulting, branded merchandise and will offer more in the months to come. My stories are geared towards children in elementary school. The books highlight brown and multicultural characters. Reason being, after taking a course during the lockdown I found out that children’s books featuring brown and multiethnic stories are not as high in production as other tradition published books. What’s even sadder is to find out that our schools lack these stories in their classrooms. Learning should be fun for children! I know that if I had stories like the ones I offer I may have enjoyed reading. I was that child who had learning difficulties, so writing these stories is extremely important to me. I strongly feel that what I have to offer os the start to something so beautiful in my community. I also have a heart to help others tell their unique stories. So I am currently consulting clients on writing their own unique stories. Daily I continue to learn and grow as a professional. I know for sure this is what’s all about.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I had to unlearn is, sometimes it’s alright when your time line is altered. Reason being. I had a book that I wanted to be done at a certain time. However, my illustrator took way longer than I anticipated. This caused my book to be produced a year later. The extra time was not ideal. However, I learned some very valuable lessons in now to handle buiness in the future.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I had to pivot my life as so many others also had to during the pandemic. As everything was shut down there were times when we had no idea what we would do. Then something happened. One day my husband Stephen and I were taking a walk. We had a tough conversation that opened our eyes to new possibilities and opportunities for the both of us. Little did we both know, that one conversation would change the trajectory of our current path. I’m truly thankful for that particular pivot in life. Without it, I really don’t think I would be where I am today. Besides my husband I am thankful to God for trusting me with this task of book writing and for my family village. You know who you are and you mean the world to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: MarissaPhifer.com
• Instagram: AuntieAngelPublishing
• Facebook: Auntie Angel Publishing LLC
• Linkedin: N/A
• Twitter: N/A
• Youtube: Auntie Angel’s Learning Corner
• Yelp: N/A
• Other: Subscribe to the YouTube channel for videos that will load in the months to come.

Image Credits
Melanin Market, Stockton Alumni Weekend with/ College Osprey, South Philly Reading Festival , Independent Authors Book Experience, Ewing Pop Up Shop- Giveaway