We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Natalie Kennedy a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Natalie, thanks for joining us today. So, one thing many business owners consider is donating a percentage of sales or profits to an organization or cause. We’d love to hear your thoughts and the story behind how and why you chose the cause or organization you donate to.
Yes, I do donate a percentage of my sales to a few non-profit organizations. As a writer, my first priority is to ensure that my books reach as many readers as possible. Selling books in today’s economy is challenging, especially with the competition from big-box stores, Kindle, Amazon, and other digital reading platforms.
Over the years, I have visited many schools, community centers, and homeless shelters that have no libraries or access to books for the community. To help increase sales—and more importantly, to give back—I began promoting that a portion of my book sales would be donated to Women Helping Others and University Community Ministries.
These organizations provide vital support to underserved communities, offering hygiene items, school supplies, and food during monthly community feedings. My decision to support them is deeply personal. I have volunteered with University Community Ministries for over 12 years, and for more than 26 years, they have faithfully served the community—not only with nutritious meals but also with essential resources such as books, notebooks, and pens, many of which I have personally donated.
Each organization I choose to support truly gives back to the community. That commitment aligns with my lifelong passion: to serve others and make a positive difference wherever I can.
Natalie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
When I was in fourth grade, my teacher told me I would grow up to be an artist or a writer. Growing up in a busy household, I often felt alone—and I preferred to write rather than hang out with others.
During my 20+ years of service in the U.S. Navy, there were many lonely nights guarding planes and the land we live on. In those quiet hours under starry skies, I wrote short stories and poems about my travels, the places I visited, and the people I met.
It wasn’t until I retired from the Navy that I decided to share my writing with family and friends. At first, I didn’t realize that selling books was a business in itself. Slowly, I learned that promoting and marketing were essential. I asked questions, sought advice from other authors, and observed how others used social media to connect with readers.
There were highs and lows. When I started my business during COVID, I saw great success—people were reading more, and my children’s books, inspirational works, and poetry found an audience. I later moved my indie bookstore to different locations, hoping to build my target audience. After two years, sales began to drop, and I started losing money.
Still, I kept trying different strategies to get my books into the hands of readers. I had a website, but many visitors would browse and then buy from big competitors like Amazon instead of supporting my small business. It was discouraging at times, but I stayed persistent.
What I’m most proud of is this: whenever someone buys one of my books, I know they will enjoy it. I take a photo with them, and I smile—because, to me, that’s the real success. I continue to write and even though I am not a best seller yet, If I reach one person that reads one of my books I am inspired to write more
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an author is sharing my work with others—knowing that my words can inspire, comfort, or simply bring joy to someone’s day.
Have you ever had to pivot?
A Time I Had to Pivot
A turning point in my book-selling business came when I realized my website, Facebook, and Instagram weren’t generating any sales. It was discouraging, and I knew I couldn’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results. So, I made the difficult decision to step away for a while—packing up my books and allowing myself to sit still and reflect.
That pause gave me space to get more creative and rethink my business plan. I began exploring new ways to connect with readers. Now, I’m updating my website with improved features, posting more engaging content, donating books to help with exposure, and researching new locations where I can sell directly to communities that are missing the joy of a real book atmosphere.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nataliemkennedy.com
- Instagram: Nataliemkennedy_author
- Facebook: Author Natalie M Kennedy
- Youtube: nataliemkennedy_aboutthebooks
