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

Hi Tiffany, thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

Books have always been a huge part of my life, and I was in sixth grade when I decided I was going to be an author. Throughout my academic journey (undergrad and grad school), people would send me their manuscripts—my friends, a neighbor who lived a few houses down, my manager at Barnes and Noble, the librarian at my college–and ask for me to take a look. I’d always felt that being an editor would take away from my own writing too much, so it wasn’t until after grad school when I was working at an office job full-time that I felt like maybe editing was something I should look into.

Editing had always seemed like an attractive career, but I hesitated for years, fearing it would distract me from my own writing. I worked multiple part-time jobs, avoiding a real career, so that I could focus on my own stories. But eventually I found myself working at a full-time office job. I’d sneak in writing during lunch and lulls in my workday. After a few more not-so-subtle pushes from friends to reconsider editing, I hunted for traditional editing roles at publishing houses, but quickly hit a dead end. The pay wasn’t even close to sustainable.

I decided instead to make editing a side hustle. I soft-launched in April. A simple website, networking with editor friends, and voilà!—one of my first clients was none other than my second-grade teacher. Balancing my full-time job with this fledgling business was exhausting but invigorating.

By October, the juggling act had worn me thin. Fresh from a vacation, I realized I had to choose. With no safety net or grand plan, I put in my notice at my office job. To make ends meet, I even nannied on the weekends. But I threw everything into learning how to run a business and invested in courses on marketing, copywriting, finances, taxes, mindset, etc! I knew I had to do whatever it takes to make this business work.

And now here we are four years later! I have a little team, two assistants and another editor, and a business I’m beyond proud of! It no longer feels like I’m just surviving, but actually thriving.

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?

I’m the creator of Burgeon Design and Editorial, a queer-founded boutique editing and design house committed to revolutionizing the publishing industry. With an MFA in Writing under my belt and an unwavering passion for storytelling, I knew I wanted to be more than just a cog in the traditional publishing machine.

Publishing has a glaring diversity problem. With industry gatekeepers being overwhelmingly white, cis, straight, and non-disabled, too many unique and vital voices are left unheard. In a time where banned books are on the rise and only 11% of published books come from authors of color, I felt compelled to act. At Burgeon, we’re on a mission to amplify marginalized voices. We want to see more queer stories, protagonists of color, fat protagonists, stories with Jewish and Muslim characters, characters who come from broken families and low income backgrounds, and stories with disabled main characters on the shelves.

We offer book editing, coaching, web design for the creative mavericks, the trailblazers, and the nonconformists of the literary world. Our flagship programs, like Revision Alchemy and the Burgeon Mastermind, are designed to not only refine your manuscript but to guide you through the labyrinthine journey of publishing.

What sets us apart is that our writers go places—they win awards, secure literary agents, sign book deals, and above all, write stories that are gripping and invaluable. We aim to break the mold, shattering the glass ceilings that have historically kept many writers from reaching their potential. We’re in the business of creating not just books, but legacies.

I’m most proud of the transformative journeys we facilitate for our clients. We’ve seen firsthand how words can change lives and even save them. Our goal is to create books that make both the writer and the reader feel seen and heard. This goes beyond mere business metrics. It’s about creating a ripple effect of change, one story at a time.

For those looking to join our community, we have a plethora of resources, including our free writing community, the art of self-editing. If you’re a writer ready to take risks, push boundaries, and make waves, you’ve found your community at Burgeon Design and Editorial. We’re not just here to edit your book; we’re here to change the narrative. And we can’t wait to write the next chapter with you.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I think resilience is one of the most important qualities you need as an entrepreneur, especially as you make mistakes and learn from them.

In the earlier stages of Burgeon, I launched a few programs without having a strong understanding of my audience’s needs and wants (especially during the pandemic when everyone was in a state of uncertainty). I was keen to scale, but my audience wasn’t large enough, and more importantly, the programs I created didn’t match their specific needs. I made the mistake of offering what I thought they needed, rather than asking them directly. As a result, my launches failed to make an impact, one after another.

While these launches could have easily discouraged me, they did just the opposite. Rather than becoming demoralized, I chose to learn and adapt. I invested in a course that taught me how to align my offerings with my audience and one of the most eye-opening exercises was the simple act of interviewing them. This sounds so obvious and a little scary, but it was truly a game changer.

Today, I have two well-defined programs that not only resonate with my audience but also deliver tangible results. Those failed launches are just milestones on my journey. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right mindset you can overcome and adapt and turn any obstacle into opportunity.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Building a solid reputation in the publishing industry has been a multifaceted journey for me, but there are a few key factors that have been instrumental.

First, the quality of the material we produce at Burgeon Design and Editorial has been a huge differentiator. We go beyond basic editing and design services; we’re committed to producing works that stand out both in form and substance. This has helped create a sense of trust among our clients.

Another significant factor has been the partnerships we’ve cultivated with other experts in the industry, like agents and editors. These relationships have not only broadened our network but have also enriched our knowledge base, allowing us to offer an even more comprehensive suite of services. Collaboration has been crucial for staying ahead in a dynamic and ever-changing industry.

Also, our distinct focus on inclusivity and diversity has also contributed to our reputation. In an industry often criticized for its lack of diverse representation, our mission to amplify marginalized voices has resonated with a broad range of clients and partners.

Overall, it’s a blend of delivering exceptional work, partnering with industry leaders, and holding true to our core values that has helped us build a strong reputation within our market. And as we continue to grow and evolve, these pillars will remain at the heart of what we do.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.burgeondesignandeditorial.com
• Instagram: @burgeondesignandeditorial
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanygrimes/

Image Credits
Miranda Kelton Photography