Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Maggie van Galen, an author, storyteller, and writer based in Georgetown, MA, USA.

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

Words are my gig! I am an awarding-winning children's book author, storyteller, and wordsmith. I have published four children's books, have read to over 4000 children (I haven't lost one yet!), and offer writing services to weave a business's words into compelling content!

What sets me apart is my ability to capture someone's voice in my writing. For business owners who are too busy to write the small stuff or find that getting the words out is not their forte, I can help. I have over three decades of writing, including journalism features and content for social media, marketing literature, blog posts, websites, and video scripting. I also offer editing and proofreading services as well as consultation for soon-to-be authors.

Tell us about yourself

Growing up, I remember listening to my father's stories. He was an amazing raconteur and always took me right into his stories. I could see the characters and would be transported to the locations and engage in the plots. As I grew older, I was always writing. I used it as a sort of escapism…writing poetry to deal with teenage "stuff," studying journalism and creative writing in college. I grew up in a small, rural town in Northern Michigan, graduating high school with 25 people…the same 25 I had started kindergarten with! It was such a small world, and all I really wanted was to be a number and to see if I could succeed on a bigger scale. So, off to Michigan State University (population 45,000…I was student #1076311), I went. I started as a journalism major but somewhere switched to advertising as someone told me I'd never make any money in journalism. After graduating from MSU in 1991, I lived in Detroit, working for a system software company as their sales manager for five years. Advertising turned into sales. I was content and thought I was living up to my high school label "Most Likely To Succeed."

Then in 1995, my father died, and my life turned upside down. It made me stop, look around, and take stock of what was really important. My path took many new turns. I traded in security for the unknown, moved from Michigan to Boston, and changed careers. This was the point when I began to realize that climbing the corporate ladder wasn't the end goal. Although I continued along the corporate path for the next 15 years, I found myself pulling out the pen and paper more and more. I published a book of poetry, an Inside Look…, wrote for a small-town newspaper, and even formed a business around editing and writing! However, the need to survive and put food on the table always brought me back to the corporate world! In 2000, I moved to London with my husband and worked at The Economist for three years. All the while was plugging along and "succeeding" but never feeling really fulfilled.

After having two boys, true happiness began to shine in my life, and the words started to flow. I realized that my dad had given me his gift. Fast forward a few years, my son asked me to come to his preschool to share one of our stories with his class. The kids loved it! His teacher came to me after and suggested I try to publish. She said the content was great, the moral of the story was age-appropriate, and she saw the overall story being used as a teaching tool. Although I was thrilled to hear this, I wasn't ready yet. However, I continued going to my kids' schools and telling the stories. After each visit, the teachers would urge me to publish. I found this so rewarding that after years of telling stories to my boys, friends, and classmates, I decided to take the plunge into publishing and share them with the world.

My initial goal was to leave a legacy for my sons, and I have done that. Now that I am more than a decade and four children's books into this adventure, I would very much like to see my books in the hands of all children.

I have also expanded my business to offer writing, editing, proofreading, and consulting services based on my (too) many years. My tagline is "Always Follow Your Dreams!" It can take time to figure out what those dreams may be, and that's okay as long as you strive toward them every day. I truly feel that I am living my dream! I hope you enjoyed reading my journey…I love living it!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishments have happened in phases. Publishing my first book, The Adventures of Keeno & Ernest ~ The Banana Tree was definitely one of the highlights. I still remember standing on the front steps waiting for the UPS driver to deliver my first box from the publisher! I think he thought I might be crazy as I was jumping up and down, almost in tears, as he handed me the package!

Receiving the Mom's Choice Awards (www.momschoiceawards.com) for excellence in family-friendly media was the second phase. It is lovely when friends and family like your work, but when total strangers give you praise and an award, that's a whole new level!

And finally, a few years back, I realized that I was more than just my books and rebranded myself to be me. Maggie van Galen was reborn as an entrepreneur and small business owner. Within the last year, I have launched the writing services arm of my business, incorporating all of my experience, knowledge, and lessons into an arm of the company. It is hugely rewarding to be recognized (and paid) for my wordsmithing skills!

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

Not giving away my services! It is incredibly difficult for me to put a dollar value on my writing and then ask people to pay for it. But with the help of my business coach, Kim Ravida (kimravida.com), I have managed to get comfortable with the money mindset. Kim and I met through the Women's Business League (www.womensbusinessleague.com) and became fast friends due to our love for Bernese Mountain Dogs. Over the years, I have taken a few of her classes and learned a ton, so last winter, we began working together one-on-one, and it has been such a game changer. (See tip #2 below)

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

  1. Think it through and plan versus diving in!
  2. Surround yourself with like-minded, supportive people who can offer support, advice, and potential services.
  3. Be ready and able to shift depending on your environment, the world, and new technologies.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Make sure, no matter what your path is, that you love doing it! The journey is not always straight or easy, but if you are truly following your passion, it's worth the ride!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://maggievangalen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maggievangalenauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggievangalen/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggievangalen/

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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