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Top 10 Most Inspiring Women 2018

Lois Hoffman

The Happy Self Publisher | Visit Website

Jane Clark, Co-Founder & Creative Director of Brandswan, a Delaware web design agency

Jane Clark, Co-Founder of BrandSwan

Why We Chose Lois Hoffman

“Lois is everywhere and everyone knows Lois; but, that’s not why I chose her. We became fast friends after we kept bumping into each other at various networking events. She is one of the most delightful people to be around — and most importantly, she laughs at all my jokes. She is an amazing and persistent entrepreneur. I see her social media posts everywhere from Linked in to Facebook. Her brand is always on point and consistent in everything she does. So dedicated and hardworking, Lois just doesn’t quit. And that’s why she deserves to be on my list. I find her compassionate and inspiring. Oh, and did I mention she is also a juggler? Yeah.”

Jane Clark Signature

Lois Hoffman

The Happy Self Publisher | Visit Website

Lois Hoffman |Day 3 Top 10 Inspiring Women 2018 | Teakettica LLC

Tell us a little bit about what you do at The Happy Self-Publisher. How did you get started?

At The Happy Self-Publisher, I inspire writers and empower authors through personalized writing, publishing, and business development services. I offer coaching and an online course for nonfiction writers just starting their writing journeys, self-publishing services for fiction and nonfiction writers who have a finished manuscript, and coaching to help authors create a coaching, consulting, or speaking business of their own.

I wrote poetry as a young person, children’s stories as an adult and turned to writing nonfiction after going to a workshop that promised I could write a book in a weekend. Ha! I knew that wasn’t the reality for writing a book anyone wanted to read, but it fueled my imagination and curiosity. It took me nine pain-staking months to write and publish the first book as I had to learn everything about the world of self-publishing. Once I did, my writing friends asked how I did it, and I set off to write a blog post about the experience. One blog post turned into two, and two turned into five until finally, it turned into my book, The Self-Publishing Roadmap. By the time I was done, I knew I didn’t just want to tell people how to publish; I wanted to teach and help people publish, and The Happy Self-Publisher was born.

What change do you want to see in the world, and how are you aiding that cause?

I’m a believer in democratizing thought. As the publishing industry feels their profits squeezed from every direction, they turn to only the most profitable books often by most well-known people. That leaves little room for writing outside the lines, so to speak. Words by talented writers, adept storytellers, and family historians wouldn’t have a chance to inspire, delight, or challenge a reader without self-publishing. I give people the freedom to write and publish and share their stories with others. The world is a better place when we share our dreams, our experiences, our knowledge, and the creativity that wells up inside us.

We know that you're also part of the Juggling Hoffmans. How did you learn to juggle?

I learned to juggle after I met a guy who juggled. I thought it looked cool and he was cute. So I got three tennis balls and practiced every day for a month, crawling under chairs for errant throws, bonking myself in the head, and cleaning up the wreckage left behind in my persistent pursuit of the 3-ball cascade. Eventually, I succeeded in nailing the trick and wooing the guy with my “talent.” I’m not sure he was impressed with the juggling, but he married me anyway. Michael taught me nearly everything else except for the various tricks I picked up at juggling conventions throughout the years from both international performers and backyard hobbyists.

Tell us about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career.

Aside from learning to juggle, the most significant accomplishment in my career was writing a book. It changed the course of my life, but just as importantly, it altered the way I viewed myself. The feeling of opening the box of books bearing my name was rivaled only by the birth of my children. Each subsequent book and online course I wrote felt the same, perhaps how the feeling of winning the Super Bowl never gets diminished even with multiple victories. Since I’m no good at throwing a spiral, I’ll stick to writing books.

What is the greatest challenge you ever overcame?

The hardest thing I ever did was to get on stage and perform for the second time. The first time I performed, I failed miserably. The countless hours I spent practicing was no match to the nerves of hundreds of eyes on me. I wanted to quit. I wanted to crawl in a hole. Something inside picked at me, and I knew it would be a defining moment in my life. When the opportunity presented itself, I got on stage again. And with 25 years of performing in my rearview mirror, I’m glad I did.

You won an award from the Delaware Press Association. What advice can you give others in similar industries who want to get recognized

I encourage people to research who is winning awards in their field, where the awards are given out, and the criteria for judging. Next, of course, is to create something valuable or memorable. Maybe the simplest part, but the most often overlooked, is to submit your work! In some cases, you’ll receive valuable feedback to make whatever you’ve created even better.

Stay tuned for another #bossbabe featured tomorrow!

More Inspiring Women of 2018

Day 10: Traci Madison — Inspiring Women 2018

Day 10: Traci Madison — Inspiring Women 2018

I had the pleasure to brand Traci’s company, Madison Real Estate. What’s really impressed me about her is that in 2 years she’s tripled the number of agents. Every day it seems she’s having an open house or congratulating a client on the selling or purchasing of their home. She’s always posting amazing photos to inspire those searching for their dream home. AND, she still has time to go out and network. She knows how to work it — she knows how to work her brand, work the room, build truly meaningful relationships, and she can throw one hell of a party. Everyone who knows her, loves her… myself included.

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Day 9: Antoinette Blake — Inspiring Women 2018

Day 9: Antoinette Blake — Inspiring Women 2018

Every woman-centric event I’ve attended, Antoinette’s name was mentioned as a woman of influence. She is most known as an award-winning blogger (@DelawareBlogger to be precise) and social media guru. She has a weekly podcast and also teaches as an adjunct professor. Other accomplishments include Entrepreneur of the Year Award, featured in several publications like Delaware Today, Woman’s Day, Parade, The Delaware Business Times, and Technical.ly. The most impressive… she’s even on radio! Is there anything this gal can’t do?

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Day 8: Sarah Kenney — Inspiring Women 2018

Day 8: Sarah Kenney — Inspiring Women 2018

Recognized as a DBT40 Honoree from the Delaware Business Times and a Leadership Delaware Scholar is just the tip of the iceberg that is Sarah’s accomplishments. President of the board of Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation (who I have the pleasure of working with on the event committee) and Marketing & Communications Coordinator for Nemours are just a couple more things that this girl juggles. Yet, the thing that impresses me the most is that she rocked the business world and bought a house before even getting married. She stands on her own two feet. This is an amazing individual that is fiercely independent, intelligent, and spends every day connecting people. I am so thrilled that she is receiving recognition so well deserved and I’m proud to call her a friend as she brings positivity wherever she goes.

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Day 7: Jacqueline Means — Inspiring Women 2018

Day 7: Jacqueline Means — Inspiring Women 2018

At only 15 years old, Jacqueline is known in the community for her efforts in bringing STEM to the underprivileged girls of Wilmington, inspiring girls to get actively involved in science, technology, engineering, and math. So well spoken and passionate, I am totally blown away by her. Speaker, event planner, chess player, volunteer, mentor and more. She makes me so proud to be a fellow Delawarean and a woman. She will continue to defy the stereotypes that limit our potentials.

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Day 6: Sital Soni — Inspiring Women 2018

Day 6: Sital Soni — Inspiring Women 2018

Sital impressed me with her eloquent yet authentic way of speaking to the room. You could tell that she knew her stuff. She not only could answer all of the audience’s questions, but she provided a level of insight that really just connected all the dots. When I saw her again at the Delaware Small Business Chamber, I recalled her striking presence and how she could command a room. Yet, she still retains a softness that makes her incredibly approachable. As breast cancer survivor and someone who heavily volunteers for the Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce, Sital offers herself up as a resource to those who can benefit from her experiences. I am so looking forward to getting to know her better and seeing where she continues to go.”

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Day 5: Jennie Campbell — Inspiring Women 2018

Day 5: Jennie Campbell — Inspiring Women 2018

[Jennie] is more than just a phenomenal photographer — she gets involved in the community. She actually lives her truth and does stuff. She is out and about, building her #bossbabe business and rockin’ it as both a beloved teacher and entrepreneur. We can learn a lot from Jennie’s incredible work ethic and passion for life. She doesn’t exist… she lives. Thank you, Jennie for showing us how it’s done!

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Day 4: Aniko Czobor — Inspiring Women 2018

Day 4: Aniko Czobor — Inspiring Women 2018

I adore Aniko. If memory serves, I met her at a Wonder Women Tea event at the Blue Hen Bed & Breakfast, but in truth I see her at all sorts of events. I’ve had the pleasure to get to know her over the years and what impresses me most about Aniko is her joyful presence. No matter what is happening, she finds reasons to smile. It’s not a smile that’s forced; it’s a smile that genuinely warms a room. I love that she is proud of her heritage in a world of notenoughness. I love that she loves life and still has enough in her cup to pass that love onto others in their time of need. Aniko is so much more than an inspiring woman — she’s an inspiring human being.

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Day 2: Sheri Stafford Swift — Inspiring Women 2018

Day 2: Sheri Stafford Swift — Inspiring Women 2018

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Day 1: Brooke Chase — Inspiring Women 2018

Day 1: Brooke Chase — Inspiring Women 2018

“I met Brooke at a Mascara & Mimosa event. She approached me easily and effortlessly, introducing herself. I was impressed by her side hustle, B.Social. As I stalked her on social media and got to know her a little more personally, she became the social media gal for TAPP Network. Now she has accepted a new gig at the City of Wilmington. I find myself proud to know her and also awestruck; Brooke is a go getter, brave & beyond talented. I can’t wait to see what this passionate millennial does next.”

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