Meet Mary Elam | Author and soon to be Publisher and Writing Coach

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

Hi Mary, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I am a generational entrepreneur. My grandfather and father both owned their own businesses. My grandfather had multiple businesses during the depression. For me, business ideas come as downloads from heaven and I recognize that it is legacy.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

For me writing is a way to connect not only with people, but with God. As I write, it is as if I am connecting with His heart. It excites me to get His insight as well as His revelation and share it with others through my writing.

Where I am today is truly because of God? My steps are ordered by the Him. Everything was a set-up. He placed people in my life like my mentor Yvette Benton, who is a amazing writer and who inspires me. Jennifer Eivaz is my other mentor and she is a bestselling author and she has passed along tons of writing knowledge to me. Also, Jasma Starks, my writing coach is just incredible. She goes above and beyond as it relates to coaching me in the writing and publishing process. She uses her prophetic gifts to share with me what God is giving her regarding my books.

As God was ordering my steps in this writing process, there were times that I kinda went off the path, but He is a good Father, and He put me back on the straight and narrow. I tend to get distracted, but He refocuses me.

I hope that I inspire women in what people would call “the later season” of their life. Being 53, yes 53, I want women to know that they don’t have to give up their dreams. I really believed that the dream I had early on in life would not be birthed, but this is my season. I have giving birth to four books, two of which were bestsellers. Also, I was a contributing writing in another project.

Like I said, your dreams don’t have to come to end because of your age. You can flourish at any stage in your life.

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.

WOW!! This is an awesome question. So I live in Hawaii and there is so much to see and do.

First, we would hit downtown Waikiki. We have to hit the “touristy” spots first. First, visit the shops and eateries downtown. My favorite restaurant in Waikiki is Mac 24/7. They have cross between American food, but with a local Hawaiian flare. Their macadamian nut pancakes are delish.

Next, we will hit the North Shore and visit the various shops. They have lots of little stores each of them have a very old town Hawaiian feel. The people here are very welcoming and that is one of the reasons I love it here.

While on the North Shore, we have to hit my favorite spot, Giovanni’s food truck. Made famous on the Food Network because the garlic shrimp is amazing!!!
You get a plate filled with the yummiest garlic butter shrimp and two scoops of rice and you have to finish it off with another local favorite Aloha Hawaiian Juice drink,
Lastly for dessert, we would have what we call shaved ice. It is almost like a snow cone, but 1000 times better. Vanilla ice cream on the bottom, followed by the shaved ice with a choice of up to three flavors and top it off with sweetened condensed milk. It is so “Ono.” That is Hawaiian for good. LOL!!

If they are up for some adventure, we would go for a hike up Diamond Head crater or visit the Polynesian Culture Center. There is just so much to do and see here on my island.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Well first I give glory to God. That is not just something that I say, but He is my inspiration for every book, blog post and social media write-up. He speaks and I take dictation.

Secondly, my mentor Yvette Benton. She is my Spiritual Mom and my pusher. Let me explain. She pushes me in the Spiritual and the Natural to go beyond what I believe I can do. I am truly grateful and she wrote the forward for my first book, Touching His Hem~My Journey to Wholeness. Then there is Jasma Starks, my Writing Coach. She believes in me and her wisdom and insight is phenomenal. She is nothing short of amazing.

Lastly, my husband and my children are my encouragers. My husband, Ricky Elam has always encouraged me do things that I felt were beyond my capabilities. He believed in me even when I did not believe in myself.

My children Erica, Alicia, Monica and Steven have also been my encouragers. When my first book came out they shared my book on their Facebook pages and they gave me shoutouts to their friends. Talk about putting a smile on my face, I was smiling from ear to ear.

Website: www.touchinghishem.com

Instagram: @touch_his_hem

Facebook: @liveintheglory

Youtube: Touching His Hem Ministries

Image Credits
Images-Diamond Burrus