Meet Audrey Hinds | Children’s Book Author & Publisher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Audrey Hinds and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Audrey, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Over the past two years, I have learned to create work life balance, Previously, I had not and I found myself burning out even though I was following my purpose and passionate about my work. I would start working as early as 4:30am, go to my full time job, come home to mom duties and activities for my children and end my days with more work. Looking back, I am not sure how I survived outside of me loving writing and publishing. But, I also quickly recognized my schedule wasn’t sustainable, so I created a one year exit strategy with my job. During that year, I worked harder than I ever had, but I could clearly see the light at the end of the tunnel. By the time, the year was over I was at peace and grateful to finally experience the freedom I had been seeking all along. Nowadays, I find balance by creating much needed boundaries with my work and personal life, doing simple self care activities like walking our dog, and being intentional about the work and opportunities I take advantage of. As a business owner, mom and wife, I know my time is valuable and precious, so I am committed to not overbooking and focusing on quality verse quantity.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am creative in everyway. I enjoy the entire process of serving mompreneuers by helping with them expand their brands by self publishing their children’s books and series. I wish I could say it’s easy, but the truth is it’s the most challenging yet rewarding career I’ve ever had. I am blessed to work with some amazing women who have thoughtful, entertaining, and educational stories to share that make wonderful books, tools and resources for classrooms, homes, counselor’s offices and beyond. After publishing nearly two dozen children’s books in a short window of time, I can safely say that my work isn’t for the faint of heart. I have probably made every error known to publishing, but I learned from those mistakes and improved my company as a whole. Customer services in general takes great patience, but when publishing someone’s book baby it’s imperative that they feel heard, understood and that they have the freedom to express themselves in a way that’s true to their beliefs.

A few of the lessons I have learned along the way is ensuring I am always working with an aspiring or established author that I have great synergy with because I want the experience to be pleasant for us both. Secondly, I have learned to set boundaries for my availability and to charge my worth. Originally, I was simply thrilled to have an opportunity to work within my purpose and with women I respected so I worked around the clock, weekends and under paid myself. Over time, I realized I could do both, but ensure I still maintained healthy boundaries and reasonable rates, so I could have the freedom to still be a mom and wife outside of my work.

What I would like the world to know about my brand and story is Parker & Co. Press, LLC is a legacy that carries my father’s name and I’ll someday pass it down to my children. With that said, nothing means more to me than setting and executing high expectations for my authors. Our company is here to create disruption in the children’s book publishing market to create more diverse and disability inclusive books in a very lacking market.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting for a week, I would take her to the Virginia Fine Arts Museum, Wineries in Charlottesville, snowboarding/skiing in Wintergreen, take in the mountain view scenery and maybe even to the beach to top it off. As far as food, we would hit some of my favorites which are Southern Kitchen, Mama J’s, Eggpectation, First Watch, Fird Bird’s, Brio (before they closed – sigh), Bateau and Croaker Spot just to name a few.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout hands down goes to my amazing husband, His support has been unwavering and without him I could not have achieved the successes I have experienced. Most people aren’t aware, but he was actually the person who titled my very first book, Hair with Flair and he’s been by my side every step of the way since. Every event, photoshoot, and on Zoom calls with my authors as needed, he’s been my rock. I might be the face of my company Parker & Co. Press, but my husband is most definitely the backbone.

Website: www.AudreyHinds.com

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Image Credits
JBella Photography