Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in children’s books and publishing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Yobe Qiu, Author & Coach of By Yobe Qiu Inc, located in New York City, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
By Yobe Qiu Inc is an educational consulting business that helps ambitious women and men start and grow their preschool businesses. To support the schools and modern family needs, the company has grown to provide multicultural books to diversify children's literature! The company currently supports many private and public schools on the east coast and has published over 10 titles that feature diverse children, families, and cultures!
Tell us about yourself
An NYC native, I was always surrounded by diversity and celebrated different cultures, holidays, and foods! Having worked as a preschool teacher who later turned preschool owner and consultant, I noticed there is a lack of books that celebrate all children in the AAPI community, their families, and cultures. During the pandemic, my private preschool centers were shut down for many months, which focused on pivoting the business as quickly as I could. I started publishing children's books that featured Asian children, families, and culture and put together a Kickstarter to get the books funded. Both projects were fully funded in less than 5 days, which motivated me so much! Hearing from my readers and chatting with other educators and parents about how my books and services have helped them truly motivates me to continue! I enjoy helping others on the path to success and am very lucky to be doing what I love every single day!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is being able to create something that will serve my clients, my staff, and my family! I am proud that my company has provided so many jobs for people in my team, filling the need of the clients I serve and being able to raise my babies at the same time, thanks to me being my own boss!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things about being a business owner is unable to shut the brain off! I am always thinking about how to improve and grow the business. It's easy to find my mind racing with new ideas and checking the task lists off!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't overthink it. If I needed all the ins and outs of the business, I would never start because it is too overwhelming!
- Trust your gut. It's so hard to do, but you'll find yourself having to make hard decisions often when running a business. Trusting your gut and making peace with your decisions is a very important skill to master!
- Focus on the product and service first, then the profit, but pay attention to the expenses. The profit will come!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.byyobeqiu.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byyobeqiu
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byyobeqiu/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yobe-qiu/
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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