What is your background and how did you get into your business/career?
I first became interested in the graphic arts and printing industries in high school, through the performing arts; we printed our own programs and promotional materials and it became a fascinating hobby for me. That summer I got a part time job with a local print shop, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

What is your business and how is it unique?
Our business provides top-notch publications printing; books, magazines, journals, periodicals, marketing and collateral materials. We are unique because we’re tailored to the individual needs of our clients. We can produce 100,000 copies of a medical reference book and still handle producing 500 journals for a non-profit organization. Few companies are this flexible. More information is available at www.imagicommedia.com

Who are some of your clients; what do you especially appreciate about them and how have they reacted to your service or product?
Our clients are small and mid-sized publishers, non-profit organizations, large corporations who print marketing materials and individuals who wish to self-publish their work. We appreciate all of our clients because we serve such a diverse and interesting market place. We’ve learned so much from the people we work with and for, and many of them have become friends over the years.

What do you like best about what you do?
By far, what I like best about what I do is being a part of having something materialize into physical form; I get to be a splendid part of what was once inside someone’s mind now turning into a book, a magazine or a brochure that to tells others about a product or service. It’s a fascinating job, an honor and a privilege.

What role does passion have in your work?
I would say that without the passion to do what I do, I would not be able to sustain a career in my field. Like many other industries, printing has its stresses and pressures. Passion keeps me in the game.

When you first started were you able to visualize your expected final outcome?
No, I was not. I look back on this now thinking how foolish it was, how much time I wasted with doubt and fear. Visualizing success, seeing the final outcome of the success you want is absolutely key to pointing you in the right direction. Some say I’ll believe it when I see it. I say it’s the other way around!
 
Can you tell us about that final outcome – what will your business look like then?
I would say that this is still a work in progress. I see sales increasing. I see expansion into new markets, unintimidated by comments from others about printing overseas and the additional challenges that creates for us.

What were your top three obstacles/challenges?
My top three challenges are in this order: 1.) Fear and self-doubt, 2.) Listening to too many nay-sayers, 3.) Establishing good relationships with good, healthy people. I always try to live by the adage, “You can’t make a bad deal with a good person.” (Zig Ziegler) 4.) Cash flow. Welcome to the world of business owners.

How do you deal with doubt, fear, and self recrimination?
I think this is a very, very important question for women in business. I think fear, doubt and self-recrimination effect more women than men in business and in the corporate and non-profit environments.

If you had the opportunity to get the best advice from a business guru, and could ask only one question, what would your question be?
What is your hands-down, take-no-prisoners, one-line philosophy that guides your life?

As you look back, what is the one thing you wish you knew when you started?
It’s something I’ve always secretly known, but have not put into action in my life nearly as much as this truth crosses my mind: What you focus on expands. Focus on success and be successful. Focus on fear and be fearful. It really is that simple to state, harder to put into practice.

Any regrets?
YES! If I knew back in 1996 what I know today, I would have taken more aggressive steps to get out of my own way I would have made the decision much earlier to get on my side and get in my own corner of the metaphorical boxing ring, as it were. That, and some good sales training earlier on ;-)

Do you believe luck has something to do with you getting to where you are now?
I tend to believe that we make our own luck. Sometimes this is merely a matter of perspective. When I hear people use the word luck, I think to myself that the harder I work, the luckier I get. There is such a thing as being in the right place at the right time. But I also think this is a matter of planning and expectation too.

What is the best piece of advice you have for other women on their way to their Optimal Level?
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! I’m not in the habit of quoting Gloria Steinem, but she said something I will never forget: “It’s not that self-esteem is everything. It’s just that there’s nothing without it.” I agree. Secondly, only hang around and associate with people who believe in you too! Others’ belief in you does not make up for not believing in yourself. But I will say, how others influence us, particularly as women, can have tremendous impact on our outcome. If you have a vision for something, a passion to see a project come about or a need to stretch your wings into new territory, you cannot waste time with people who won’t or can’t share your vision. Les Brown said many times, “Hang around with loosers, you’ll end up a looser. You’ll pick up their ways, you’ll pick up their habits; most importantly, you’ll pick up their attitudes about life!”  I cannot over-stress the importance of this and I cannot tell you how much of precious life I wasted by not following this simple truth.

Any additional comments you would like to make?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Share in helping someone else become successful and you will become successful too, without a doubt!