We had the good fortune of connecting with Erin Hughley and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Erin, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My Litle Storie exists because I’ve always loved reading! I know how hard it was for me being a child who was an avid reader and having no one to share my excitement for stories and imagining my own stories with, and I would have loved and flourished with the programs that I offer to children now, who are much like I was as a child. The bonus is they get to share their creativity, get paid for it and I get to encourage and support them throughout their writing and publishing journey!
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love creating stories. Everything I write and every story I inspire my students to write is something I tell them to “imagine it as if it was on tv” let it play out like a good movie in your imagination. Writing and teaching others to write always came easy to me but turning it into a business required a lot of research and financial investing. What helped is I can be as creative and outrageous with my ideas because this isn’t a traditional business. I want literacy to be fun, inspirational, and educational while remaining engaging which is why all my Young authors have some type of moral or message in their story no matter how entertaining it is. When people hear My Litle Storie, I want them to say “oh that’s the company that reignited a passion for literacy in the disadvantaged communities that struggled with reading in schools” and “that’s the company that helped funnel income within lower-income communities by helping hundreds of children become Authors and build their own brands.”
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Though I’m not from the area there are so many spots I would want us to explore together. The ones on top of the list, because we are foodies, are Breakfast Club and Turkey Leg Hut. Shopping at the Galleria. And of course, a quick trip to Galveston before she leaves.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Markeith Persons, my fiance and business partner, encouraged and supported my big dreams and passions from day one. My Litle Storie would not exist if he hadn’t pushed me to take a leap on my passion for literacy.
Website: www.mylitlestorie.com
Instagram: @mlspublishing
Twitter: @mlspublishing
Facebook: @mlspublishing
Image Credits
L Michelle Photo Artistry Khandy’s Kamera