Each year, the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia brings on board 20 businesses that are looking for assistance with starting, growing or purchasing a business. The Starter Company Plus program offers these entrepreneurs extensive training, mentorship, networking opportunities and the chance to receive a micro-grant of up to $5,000. Get connected to Barrie's business support network by taking the first step with the Starter Company. Eligible entrepreneurs can inquire about an application package at smallbusiness@barrie.ca.
What happens when you combine two writers who have experienced the challenges of getting published? You get Working Writers Co. Founders Alex Morin and Marcy Barbaro help you write much more than a book -– they, “…help you do what you were always meant to do -to expand, to move your energy. To express yourself. They liberate you to become vulnerable, and to be heard. Your narrative is ever-unfolding.”
Working Writers Co. helps prospective authors complete their book manuscripts in six months. During this time, clients receive twice-weekly group coaching on writing technique, book marketing, and mindset so that they achieve their goals, with one-on-one coaching as needed. Through this process, the author ends up with a high-quality manuscript that they can then self-publish or pitch to a traditional publisher. What Alex and Marcy have created is a community - subsequently building relationships and receiving support from individuals who are on a similar journey.
The Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia has watched their progress over the course of this year’s Starter Company Plus program, including the hiring of their first co-op student and the launch of a program focused on autobiographies.
Read on to learn more through their Q&A.
What is your favourite part about being an entrepreneur?
Creativity! And, the unlimited potential that’s offered to an entrepreneur; there are no ceilings on how much you can grow, what you can earn, how you can pivot and rebrand, and who you can work with. We also love organizing our own schedules so that we can prioritize health and family.
What inspired you to start a business?
We’re both professional writers and editors who love the expression found in writing. We recognized the gap in the market between having a book idea to actually completing a book manuscript that has a proper structure, is well-edited and easy to read. We created this mentorship service to help more people who want to write a book actually complete it. We love the art of storytelling and value its gifts immensely.
What products or services do you offer?
We call it 62B, which means six months from book idea to a completed book manuscript that authors can then publish themselves, send to a self-publishing company, or pitch to a traditional publisher. We offer private and group writing coaching, developmental editing, mindset lessons, and an authentic community rich in like-minded individuals who all want to get a book manuscript completed in an allotted time frame.
Why is it so important to have the mindset of being a successful author on top of wanting a successful book?
If there’s only a “want” then we don't necessarily accomplish our goals. Desire alone is not enough to create action. We all must visualize, plan, take action, grow our mindset, maintain the fire of passion, and surround ourselves with others who have the same energy of unlimited growth and potential.
How did you come up with your business name?
“Working Writers Co.” came to us instinctively. We know that writing is work. It was obvious to us from day one that treating our clients as actual “working writers'' from the outset and naming them as such would help them adopt the self-image of a writer and get the work done. It has proven successful. Also, what writer doesn’t love a good alliteration?
What is a book you could read over and over again and not get tired of?
Alex: Fingerprints of the Gods by Graham Hancock; an alternative view on the origins of civilization.
Marcy: The Firestarter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte; the first mindset book I’ve ever read. My copy is dog-eared, highlighted, full of notes. I return to it again and again. It also has a very imaginative layout and is visually pleasing to read!
What is unique about your business?
While there are many publishing options for entrepreneurs, subject matter experts, and storytellers, we haven’t come across many companies who actually assist in the completion of a book manuscript. With our combination of mindset coaching, writing instruction and developing editing, PLUS a strong writing community that our clients become a part of, we have a unique and compelling business model.
Where do you see your business going in the next 12-24 months?
- Enroll 4-10 clients/month in our 6-month mentorship
- Hire a part time editor
- Hire a sales director
- Create a speaker’s bureau to complement the publishing of our clients’ books.
- Create online courses
- Expand our email list
- Alex will write a book
- Marcy will write a second book
If you could sit down and pick the mind of any famous author, who would it be and why?
Alex: Shakespeare, Aldous Huxley and Dr. Suess!
Marcy: Elizabeth Gilbert, author of another fave: Big Magic; Creative Living Beyond Fear
What do you hope to achieve through the Starter Company Plus program?
We hope to continue scaling our business in a way that provides confidence and ease. We hope to connect with mentors and business leaders who enlighten and guide us. We hope to make good friends.
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To start your journey of becoming a published author, reach out to Working Writers Co. today:
Website: www.workingwriters.co
LinkedIn: Working Writers Co.
Instagram: @workingwritersco
Facebook: @workingwritersco