We recently connected with Sheila Lebrun-James and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sheila , thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

As a new mom, facing many challenges, adjusting to taking care of a little person was tough. I found myself wondering if my feelings about parenting were mines alone and knew that I couldn’t be in a box all by myself. My first book was written in 2015 after having 2 of my 3 children. It was basically a book detailing the frustrations of being a parent but reminding my children that even during those times where I might have seem frustrated or upset, I still loved them, unconditionally. “Love You Always” was birthed in 2015 but not published until 2021. I have always loved writing, I wrote my first “book” when I was 16 so writing wasn’t difficult for me, it was executing that was the hard part. Fear was mostly what paralyzed me, but as soon as the book became available people purchased it and loved it! Now 4 books later, I’m hooked on writing.

Sheila , 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?

I was born in an area known as Flatbush in Brooklyn, NY to immigrant parents, both from Haiti. My mom was a stickler for education and wanted her kids to have the best education possible. She worked all day and night to provide for 4 kids and did a great job doing it. I initially wanted to become a school psychologist and received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Brooklyn College, after getting my degree and trying to get a job I realized that I wouldn’t be able to have the life I wanted unless I received my doctorate degree and even then it wouldn’t be the life I imagined. I ended up going to nursing school and becoming a registered nurse, following in the path of both my mother and sister. I love helping people, at the core of me all that I do is to enhance the life of other’s so writing children’s books is not far off course. After having children and reading to them every night before bed, I said to myself what better way to instill all of the values and affirmations I want them to digest then by writing the books myself.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The source would be referrals, someone reads my book, loves it and tells their friends. I’ve also worked my mom groups, schools and learning centers to help grow my brand.

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

For me, understanding that every day was not going to be a great day for my business helped me to not give up. Instead I would focus on how I could continue to grow my brand, what my customers needs were and pivot appropriately. There would be times I would be getting orders several times in a day and others where there was a month stretch with no orders. I used those times to get better.

Contact Info:

• Website: loveyoualwaysbook.com
• Instagram: loveyoualwaysbook
• Facebook: loveyoualwaysbook

Image Credits
Sheila Lebrun-James