We were lucky to catch up with Michelle Easley recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Michelle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear from you about what you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry and why it matters.
I am in the publishing industry. Lee & Low Books’ Diversity Baseline Survey indicated that 72.5% of the publishing industry is White. There continues to be a lack of diversity, even today. This survey was done to address the question “does the publishing industry have a diversity problem?” Without going into all of the details the short answer is yes. This is actually one of the reasons Positive Push Press was born. My mother and I wrote a book together about mentoring girls. We queried many large publishing houses and agents. There was no one willing to publish the book. We got rejection letter after rejection letter. Back in those days African Americans writing about mentoring girls of color was not considered a profitable topic. This is the one thing that the publishing industry still gets wrong. It seems that mainstream publishers do not value stories from multiple perspectives. Everyone can benefit from exploring divergent points of view. It is empowering for people of all races and backgrounds to see themselves reflected in the pages of the books they read. There is an extremely small percentage of female, African American owned publishers. I am proud to say that I am one and I will keep pushing to tell stories that may otherwise not be shared.
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?
Positive Push Press is more than just a publisher. We are an empowerment engine. We are a company with a mission to empower people through words. Our goal is to educate, inform, inspire, and encourage all people. Positive Push Press publishes titles that support and grow inclusive, diverse communities.
Positive Push Press provides coaching to writers to help them fully develop their topics for publication. We can help individuals starting with just an idea create a 150 page book. The company also provides marketing services to writers such as, crafting copy for book launches, developing websites, obtaining reviews, finding partnerships that bring authors wider exposure, and much more. Positive Push Press seeks speaking engagement for authors and provides public speaking preparation for authors. We are a one stop shop for authors. We offer creative consultation, editing, book cover design, interior formatting for print and electronic books and coaching for authors. Positive Push Press is guided by the scripture Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 KJV
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal is to empower others. I have always known that words have immense power. Words can tear down, or they can build up. Words can encourage people to keep going or they can usher people into failure. I know when I was growing up people would say, “Sticks and stones my break your bones, but words will never hurt you.” In some instances, this is true, but in many it is not. Cruel, evil words spoken at the just the right time can literally stop a person and create self-doubt, fear, and anxiety. Once I realized the true power of words, I knew this was God calling me to use words for good, to uplift the community, and empower others to realize their full potential. Positive Push Press is the name of my company, and each word has significance as it relates to the company’s mission. Positive – we seek to add positively to the world, pushing everyone to keep pressing. Press means praying relentlessly expecting something spectacular. Everything I do as a creative is intentional and designed to move everyone around me in a positive direction. When you think about it, the author starts with a blank page and from this a real, physical tangible book is born. There is nothing more exhilarating to me than seeing this creation at the end of the process.
Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?
I have been a single parent and while I never imagined being a single parent it happened. As a result, I was the sole breadwinner and had to provide for myself and my two children all while trying to keep the lights on, the refrigerator stocked and a roof over our heads. It hasn’t always been easy. I had to work a full-time job and work my business in tandem. This has been very difficult, demanding an intense amount of work and dedication. There was a period that I almost shut the company down because my children were going through growing pains. My day job was demanding. Navigating single life was daunting and honestly just balancing it all was more than I could handle. Additionally, a book I published never picked up any traction and fell short of my expectations. I thought it would be easier to just close the doors and take the sign down. I stepped back but something inside of me would not allow me to call it quits. I thank God that I was led to spend time away but not slam the doors shut. Eventually, things evened out a bit and I got the business back up and running. I am happy to say that those thoughts of ending the life of Positive Push Press are now a distant memory.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.positivepushpress.com/
- Instagram: @positive_push_press
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/89920811/admin/feed/posts/