Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dalene Bickel, Founder of Lasting Legacies Publishing LLC., located in Hampstead, NC, USA.

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

Lasting Legacies specializes in producing premium biographies and local history books. In addition, I also offer book coaching services to help Christian writers achieve their publishing goals without compromising their faith.

Tell us about yourself

While completing an internship at a university press, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the publishing industry after graduating from college. I was blessed to immediately land an editing position with a small independent publisher, which introduced me to the world of self-publishing (just when it was beginning in the mid- to late-1990s). Then, in 2006, I stumbled upon a now defunct organization called The Association of Personal Historians. I attended their annual conference and immediately launched Lasting Legacies, which enabled me to combine my gifts of writing and editing with my love of history. My work isn't just a job to help pay the bills; it's an opportunity to help individuals craft true lasting legacies.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Going outside of my comfort zone. The best things that have happened to me in my business have all been because I stretched myself in some way - from accepting public speaking invitations and starting a podcast to investing in quality training/mentorship and raising my rates.

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

Juggling everything - family life, client work, marketing, administrative tasks, planning, networking, launching... the list goes on.

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

  1. Know your goals. Without something to strive toward, you won't be as motivated to grow.
  2. Prepare to work hard. A business doesn't run itself, just like a book won't write itself.
  3. Stop comparing yourself to others. Put the blinders on and focus on your clients and your goals. Measure your success by how far you've come from where you were a week ago, a month ago, or a year ago. If you've improved, that's a success. Keep going.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://lasting-legacies.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaleneBickelAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalenebickel/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalenebickel/

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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