"Trust your gut. It knows the way."
Ann Aubitz is an experienced professional in the printing/publishing industry. She is co-owner and publisher of Kirk House Publishers and FuzionPress, which are located in Burnsville, Minnesota. With a career spanning over three decades, Ann has extensive knowledge and expertise in publishing.
In addition to her work as a publisher, Ann is also a teacher. She offers valuable insights on publishing possibilities, marketing strategies for books, and how a book can help individuals stand out in their respective fields.
Ann is actively involved in the publishing community. She serves as the president of the Midwest Independent Publishers Association and is a proud member of the Independent Book Publishers Association. Furthermore, Ann is a group leader for Women of Words, a community for aspiring female writers.
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Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Ann Aubitz: Kirk House Publishers, founded in 1994 and acquired by Brian and Ann Aubitz in 2020, operates as a hybrid publisher. A hybrid publishing model combines elements of both self-publishing and traditional publishing.
Authors who choose Kirk House Publishers as their hybrid press contribute towards the publishing costs. Kirk House Publishers offers competitive royalty rates and ensures that all manuscripts undergo a vetting process by their team.
On the other hand, FuzionPress focuses on providing authors with high-quality design, formatting, editing, and printing services. They offer custom self-publishing services and packages tailored to meet individual author objectives.
FuzionPress operates as a mentor press, assisting authors in every aspect of the publishing process. In this model, the author pays for all the services provided and retains net royalties.
Overall, both Kirk House Publishers and FuzionPress offer unique publishing options for authors, with Kirk House focusing on the hybrid publishing model and FuzionPress providing top-quality publishing services through a custom self-publishing approach.
In the past year, what is the greatest business achievement you’d like to celebrate with your team? Please share the details of that success.
Ann Aubitz: Our biggest success over the last year is Kirk House Publishers/FuzionPress making a positive impact and helping people through the books they publish.
Publishing books on mental health, substance abuse, and healthy boundaries demonstrates a commitment to providing valuable resources and support to readers facing these challenges.
By focusing on books that can make a difference in people’s lives, we strive to contribute to raising awareness but also help individuals who may be seeking guidance or understanding.
The impact of a single book can be immense, and if we can positively impact even just one person, it is indeed a significant success.
What advice do you wish you had received when you started your business journey and what do you intend on improving in the next quarter?
Ann Aubitz: The advice I wish I had received early in my career is to trust my gut, to go with my intuition, and not second guess myself.
Trusting your gut and going with your intuition is brilliant advice for any career, and would have been helpful in mine, especially in the publishing industry. With so many decisions to make, ranging from selecting vendors to representing authors, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and unsure of the best course of action.
In the next quarter, I plan to actively listen to my intuition, gaining valuable insights and allowing it to guide me toward making the best decisions. Trusting my gut may not always result in the most logical decision, but it would avoid mistakes and achieve better results in line with my values and goals.
My advice to others: Remember to stay receptive to your intuition and permit yourself to trust your instincts. It’s a valuable tool that can guide you toward success in your career and beyond.
Online business keeps on surging higher than ever, B2B, B2C, online shopping, virtual meetings, remote work, Zoom medical consultations, what are your expectations for the year to come and how are you capitalizing on the tidal wave?
Ann Aubitz: When I started in the printing/publishing industry, our business operated primarily in a localized manner. People considered our business as a mom-and-pop shop, in essence, the corner printer.
The publishing industry is indeed capitalizing on the digital wave, and Kirk House Publishers and FuzionPress are as well, with online business continuing to surge higher than ever, the increasing popularity of online shopping, virtual meetings, and remote work have all played a significant role in shaping our digital transformation. We expect these digital trends to shape and influence the publishing industry in the coming year.
As for what we will do in the future:
We will stay updated on digital trends by keeping a pulse on the developing digital landscape within the publishing industry, including advancements in technology and emerging consumer behaviors. This will help us identify opportunities to adapt and capitalize on the digital wave.
We will embrace digital tools by exploring new platforms for publishing, distributing, and marketing our author’s books. We will consider leveraging digital marketing strategies, social media platforms, and online communities to reach a wider audience and build our brand.
We will adapt to changing reader preferences and strive to understand the changing needs of readers in the digital age by focusing on delivering content in formats that resonate with our target audience, such as e-books, audiobooks, or other digital experiences.
We will collaborate and network by engaging with other professionals in the publishing industry to share insights, learn from their experiences, and explore potential collaborations. We understand that networking can lead to valuable partnerships and opportunities for growth.
The most significant thing we will do is remember that the publishing industry is constantly evolving, and we need to stay agile and open to ideas because it is crucial to capitalize on the ongoing digital wave.
Christopher Hitchens, an American journalist, is quoted as saying that “everyone has a book in them” Have you written a book? If so, please share with us details about it. If you haven’t, what book would you like to write and how would you like it to benefit the readers?
Ann Aubitz: This is my favorite quote and I truly believe it! The saying “everyone has a book in them” rings true for many aspiring writers and authors. Writing a book is a significant accomplishment that allows you to share your voice, experiences, and ideas with the world.
Publishing a book can be a fulfilling journey, whether the authors choose to pursue traditional publishing or opt for self-publishing. It’s a great way to affect others, inspire, educate, and connect with readers who resonate with your story.
About my writing experiences:
My first book was about my mom growing up with fifteen brothers and sisters and what it was like for them to live in a house with sixteen siblings. After finishing it, it took me three weeks to tell anyone that I had written and published a book.
The second book that I wrote was with my daughter, Katlyn. It was a resource for other parents who have a child with Down syndrome. This was an amazing experience writing a book with my daughter and she certainly caught the writing bug, having completed seven children’s books on her own.
My most recent book, “The Journey from Manuscript to Print: A Guide to Publishing Your Book,” is a useful resource for aspiring authors who would like guidance from an experienced publisher. The publishing process can be daunting, especially for new authors, and having a guide to follow can be incredibly helpful.
My personal experience as an author and publisher gives me a unique insight into the industry, and I love that I now have a resource to share that knowledge with other aspiring authors. Writing and publishing a book can be a challenging and rewarding journey, and guiding others is my way of paying it forward.
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?
Ann Aubitz: It’s common for entrepreneurs and business owners to find that time management is one of the most underestimated aspects of running a company. The misconception that being your own boss means having more control over your schedule and more free time can often lead to a rude awakening when the reality of running a business sets in.
The demands of managing employees, serving clients, handling administrative tasks, and ensuring the success of the business can be overwhelming and time-consuming. The pressure to balance all these responsibilities while striving to meet expectations can indeed be daunting.
I find that it is essential for business owners to recognize the importance of effective time management, prioritization, and delegation to navigate the challenges of running a company successfully. Developing strategies to streamline processes, set clear goals, and optimize workflows can help maximize productivity and alleviate some of the time constraints.
Moreover, seeking support from a strong team, mentors, or business advisors can provide valuable guidance and assistance in managing the various aspects of running a company. The best advice I can give is to remember that it’s okay to ask for help and to delegate tasks when needed to ensure that you can focus on the most critical aspects of your business.
On a lighter note, if you had the ability to pick any business superpower, what would it be and how would you put it into practice?
Ann Aubitz: If I could pick any business superpower, the power to stop time would indeed be incredibly valuable for me. With the ability to pause time, I would have the opportunity to focus on tasks and projects without the pressure of time constraints.
Here’s how I would put it into practice: Enhanced productivity: I would utilize the paused time to work on tasks that require uninterrupted concentration. Whether it’s strategizing, brainstorming, or diving deep into complex projects, having the luxury of unlimited time would allow for heightened focus and productivity.
Thoughtful decision-making: With time constraints out of the equation, I could carefully analyze options, evaluate potential outcomes, and make informed decisions without feeling rushed. This would help me avoid hasty decisions and improve overall decision-making quality.
Comprehensive planning: I would be able to plan and meticulously organize every aspect of my business. From developing long-term strategies to mapping out detailed action plans, the ability to stop time would grant me the luxury of thorough planning without sacrificing progress.
Work-life balance: Pausing time would also provide the opportunity to create a better work-life balance. I could allocate time for personal activities, hobbies, and self-care without feeling guilty or overwhelmed by pressing business commitments.
However, it’s important to note that while I think the power to stop time is appealing, it’s equally important to remember the value of time itself. Time often serves as a motivator and drives my productivity and efficiency. Balancing the need for attentive work with the urgency of deadlines can lead to better results in the long run.
Without the superpower to stop time, I work to improve focus, thorough planning, and enhanced decision-making. I consider this my strength and a unique advantage in managing various aspects of a business while enabling a healthier work-life balance.
Jerome Knyszewski, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Ann Aubitz for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Ann Aubitz or her company, you can do it through her – Linkedin Page
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