We were lucky to catch up with Paula Farmer recently and have shared our conversation below.
Paula, appreciate you joining us today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?
During the pandemic shutdown of 2020 I noticed my employer (iconic independent bookstore in SF Bay Area) was lacking diversity with their online virtual events. This concerned me, so I approached them about considering this. When they did not make changes at that time, I launched an interview series on Instagram to give a platform to BIPOC authors, artists and activists. That turned into developing a website and services to curate BIPOC leaning author events for organizations and indie bookstores. My first client ended up being my employer. They realized the error of their ways, and I went from being on their staff to them being a client with me developing special programming for diversity and social justice.
Paula, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
It’s been a long and windy road to where I have ended up, not only with developing my own service-based business featuring BIPOC authors and artists, but even coming into the book industry. I’ve had several careers and many jobs, but I came to the book industry later in life. In one way or another (not necessarily financially), I have been thriving in it for last seven years and now in beginning stages of developing my own business within it. As such, I #1 curate special programming featuring BIPOC authors and artists, such as panel events for independent bookstores, nonprofit organizations and companies; 2. Provide event booking services for Black and brown authors looking to go on tour with their book(s); 3. Assist/consult independent bookstores and other organization in their endeavors to learn best practices for developing an author events program, etc.
I am most proud of how organically. this came together and the type of independent retailers and individual author clients I represent. I have a long way to go to build the brand to sustain it as a full time job, so to speak, but I think I am offering unique services, with carefully curated programming services and author booking consultations, etc. with a particular emphasis on diversity and social justice.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I’ve had to unlearn that you can’t be a sole proprietor/new business and only focus on the tasks at hand, as in the work for whatever client(s) you have. You have to always be able to also see the big picture and reaching for more and bigger. You can’t just get caught up in the daily tasks, as important as that is, but you also have to look to the future and setting long term goals.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
When I was only doing my business on the side, but wasn’t getting what I wanted, needed or deserved from my employer, I realized that pivoting from them as my employer to them as my client was better for me on several levels. It was a bit of a financial risk, but the timing was right to make that pivot and allow myself to get other clients and start building an actual business or freelance work.
Contact Info:
- Website: paulafarmer.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulawritesreviews/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PJFwrites/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-farmer-614b8526/
- Other: http://culturevulture.net/?s=paula+farmer
Image Credits
#1 photo- Paula hosting an event with musician/author Booker T. Jones; 2. My interview series logo (The “Speaking Of” interview series) with me and guest from June 2023, author Kim. Taylor discussing her book, “A Flag for Juneteenth”; 3. Paula interviewing professional mountain climber/explorer and author Silvia Vasquez-Lavadol; 4. Paula with participants of special panel event (Immigration in America) for Book Passage