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

Hi Marya, thanks for joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Launching my small business, KI Productions, in January of 2022 was the first ‘Big Risk’ — and one that I am so glad a took. I had absolutely nothing when I began … except for my stories and the belief in my storytelling ability. As a professor of creative writing (former), my students generally struggled with starting. I would them to simply write and allow the story to unfold. Starting a small business was terrifying, but I knew that if I waited until I had all the answers, I would never take action. So… I just started. Filing for my LLC was the first step.

I have grown to love the mystery and adventure in the unknown. It’s now my friend and personal roller coaster. I hold tight to this analogy because there are lulls, de-escalations, and times when I cannot see beyond the next turn. The upward climbs are exhausting, and the outcomes are often unknown, but I find true joy in the process. I trust that if I do the work, there will be a time of harvest.

Taking the initial risk led me to a succession of open doors and unexpected opportunities. Strapped with my own LLC and publishing company, in one year I would author 2 children’s books and 28 journals and workbooks. It was as if I held all my stories and creative ventures inside me for almost 48 years waiting to be discovered by a literary agent. Then one day, I woke up and decided to discover myself. I have never felt so free and driven. The most beautiful and insane element is that the projects I worked on have been somewhat safe. Now that I have a grasp of the process, I’m ready to delve into deeper and explore my multiracial identity, relationships, faith, and autism.

I met a beautiful woman at a local author fair in the spring. When she spoke, my heart melted. She shared that she too had several children’s books written and illustrated but had no idea what to do next. I quickly jotted down my contact information. I was no pro — but I could share what I did know and how I published my 1st book. We worked diligently over the summer and now her first book is complete. I share this because the formatting, editing, and book building process is tedious. It was a risk to take on another author with my limited experience, but in the end, it was a beautiful partnership and an absolute darling book.

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?

To offer some backstory, 2020 was the year that changed the course of my life. After the sudden and very public death of my brother, Kious Kelly (the 1st nurse in the nation to die after contracting COVID-19), I was shook. Frozen. Lost. Slowly, I began taking steps forward. In the midst of my grief journey, I received an unexpected call from @survivorcbs casting which led me to a 50-day Fijian island adventure. As if being a castaway on my favorite reality series was not gift enough, I came home with many intangible and priceless treasures. My time away offered me Time, Healing, Reflection, and ultimately led to the birth of by first children’s book, “Time to Dance.”

“It’s Time” is the message, “KI Productions: Where Every Story Matters” provided the way, but it is the act of starting with nothing that I am most proud of. I know that I am not alone; I know there are so many others out there with amazing stories to tell and with far greater talent then I possess. Yes, I want support for my products, (sales allow me to continue) but far greater is being an example… I want to show others that they too can tell the story that lay upon their heart. I want to be honest — it takes work. But it’s not impossible. I am proud to say, “It’s Time,” and “Stop Waiting” and be able to back it up with what I have done. This message goes beyond publishing a book; this is for all of the dreams set aside or put on the back-burner. I love encouraging women to return to their dreams, dust them off, and bright them to life.

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

KI Productions will celebrate her 2nd birthday in January 2024. My story of resilience speaks to those who have yet to see the level of success they hoped for. Countless days I have thrown my hands up in frustration. Sales are low, the costs outweigh the profits, and it’s hard being your own cheerleader. I even had a season of hurt when my friends were not supporting my projects. My mentor told me that I should release my friends and loved ones from the expectation of purchasing my books. Once I did that, I was able release unfair expectations and to focus on sound marketing and strategies.

The resilience I required was simply in not giving up. Starting a business, pursuing your dreams, publishing a book… is all really part of the Getting Started phase. The real work that will test your strength and ability to press on even when nothing seems to be working is found in refusing to quit. Remember the enthusiasm you had when you began, reflect on the years of whishing and ‘what ifs’ — well you did, so don’t stop now!

I can’t wait to be in position to cheerlead for others and offer up victories as part of my testimony. Until then, my commitment to you and myself is not to quit, to do the work, to continue to master my craft, and to help others along the way in any way I can.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the great lessons life has offered up thus far is the notion of seasons. All seasons begin and end. So often life calls us to endure a season, but only for a time. I’ve learned to gather my strength and walk through each season utilizing all of my senses, taking the time to see what each day has to offer — even in the most undesirable seasons.

These kinds of lessons are the fruit that only grief, loss, failure, bitter endings, and rejection can offer. If every venture and desire ends in a favorable result, we are ill-prepared for failure. Getting up after a fall if far more difficult. Our first fall (or failure) can be terrifying, but we learn something amazing: we can rise and dust off the ashes. Each fall (and failure) in my life has a lighter sting because I know I will survive and how to get back up.

The lesson I had to unlearn was that the hurts in life, the falls and the failure, would permanently damage me. I have most certainly been changed, but the way in which I am changed is up to me. I am not damaged. My scars are the texture this life has given me and I am grateful for my texture; not for the loss, death, or unrealized dreams… but for the experiences and refining along the way. I am grateful that I will always get to choose.

Contact Info:

• Website: time2dance.org
• Instagram: @maryapatricesherron
• Facebook: Marya Patrice Sherron

Image Credits
Marya Sherron