Looking to start a new business and don’t know where to begin? Filmmaker and author Angela Hutchinson gives 12 easy steps to help jump-start your next business venture in her new e-book, DBA: Doing Business As.
Rolling out recently spoke with Hutchinson about her latest project.
What is the mission you set out to accomplish with your voice in this book?
I once bought a book on how to create a business plan in 24 hours. After the three months it took to read nearly 400 pages, I was almost too exhausted to start the business. My goal with DBA was to share 12 simple steps to help the reader quickly launch his/her next venture. Savvy business owners and professionals with even the seed of an idea will appreciate this short guide.
What was the hardest part of completing this project?
The hardest part of completing DBA was focusing on making sure it stayed simple. Launching a business or starting a new venture is not an easy task and there are dozens of books that go into depth about the proper way to start a business. I had to keep reminding myself to keep the book simple, non-convoluted and to the point.
What were the literary, psychological and/or logistical challenges in bringing your work to life?
I just gave birth less than five months ago, so between nursing and handling my other two children and responsibilities, I certainly had a lot of challenges working against me. But this is one reason I decided to publish DBA as my first eBook instead of a longer version book.
What inspired you to write your first book?
After living in Los Angeles for a few years whenever I would travel or hang around family and friends, they would be so amused by my experience in LA. I remember one Christmas when I was sharing about the time I ran out of gas on a freeway in the middle of nowhere during my cross-country solo road trip from Chicago to Los Angeles. I was in Utah, and I saw a sign that read, “No Gas for the Next 100 Miles,” and I didn’t believe the sign, so I kept going, but eventually I ran out of gas. Long story short, with a cell phone that wasn’t receiving any coverage, I ended up getting a ride to a gas station from a car full of guys that only spoke French. I wrote about my adventure in my comedic memoir, Breaking into Hollywood. Everyone always told me I should write a book so I did.
What are five of your favorite books and why?
We have a wooden ceiling book shelf with dozens of books. And many of those books I love. One of my favorites is When God Winks by SQuire Rushnell. I also thought Bishop TD Jake’s book, Instinct, was informative and inspirational.
Describe the process in getting published?
I have self-published all of my books. The process to getting published generally involves securing a literary agent who pitches your completed manuscript or book proposal to a publisher then a deal is secured. Sometimes authors pitch directly to publishers. But most publishers prefer to interact with agents. I think self-publishing is the way to go which is why I launched a publishing partner company, Hollywood & Vine Books (www.hollywoodvinebooks.com), which helps authors publish their book using Createspace, an Amazon.com platform.
Please provide four “good to know” fact about you.
- I was a semi-finalist in the Miss Teen Illinois pageant, and was one of 16 from the 60 young women in the competition.
- My first industry full-time job was working for the Grammys.
- My grandmother babysat Michael Jackson so I had a picture of him as a young girl on his shoulder that made the front page of the Gary, Indiana newspaper when he visited his hometown.
- I was once kidnapped for a few short moments when I was a young girl and I jumped out of a moving vehicle to save my life.
DBA: Doing Business As is available on Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/p5maoea
