Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in publishing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Charles D'Amico, Founder and President of Blue Handle Publishing, located in Amarillo, TX, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am the founder and creator of Blue Handle Publishing and Book Puma Editorial Platform. We are a growing book publisher with an author-centric editorial platform focused on coaching and growing amazing authors. Our mission is to help cultivate amazing talent. Not to simply wait for it.

Tell us about yourself

As an author, I was going through the process of publishing, literary agents, and editors, and I just didn't like the feeling. It felt lost, disconnected, and cold. I wanted to change that. Thanks to our program, I went from an author to an award-winning one (multiple).

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I own ten restaurants in four cities and founded an amazing platform for authors. My biggest accomplishment would be growing this platform geared at serving authors. It sounds normal, but if you've ever been through the process, it doesn't feel that way. At a minimum, the industry tries to serve the publisher only, maybe the manuscript, and a little of the reader. There is no coaching, no cultivating, and barely any communication.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

When you are doing a startup, it's always funding. I have been able to self-fund this project since day one. I have worked tirelessly with our team to ensure we can give the best product affordably to amazing people. It's about affecting the masses, not charging massive.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

If you are looking to be a writer:

Be patient, be resilient and look for information. It takes time, and it's a long process, but there are companies like ours that will work to serve you.

If you are looking to grow your own company:

Take things personally for only 5 seconds, then learn from them. There isn't enough energy or time to get upset. You have to use all the energy you have towards your goals. Also, try your hardest to find someone or something similar, and adapt from there. If you stray too far from the pact, the masses might not understand it. Allow yourself time to grow and adapt away to your goal organically as you learn your customer.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.bluehandlepublishing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Charles3Hats
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charles3hats/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/charles3hats
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bluerockcon/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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