One of the most enduring debates in the business world revolves around the question of whether or not great creative minds make equally good CEOs. USA Today bestselling author J.J. Hebert has likely made some people reconsider their answer to this quandary, since he’s made such a name for himself as the CEO of MindStir Media. By combining his enthusiasm for writing with some solid business acumen, MindStir has become a well-known brand in the competitive self-publishing industry.
It’s this vision that’s helped Hebert to lead MindStir onto the vaunted Inc. 5000 list for an impressive second year in a row. Pundits have often turned to this list to find out which startups are going to blossom into tomorrow’s biggest players. As independent authors battle against numerous different sources of information in their quest to find readers, thought leaders like J.J. Hebert prove that independent writers can beat the odds and find an audience.
Democratizing the Publishing Sector
From the very start, J.J. Hebert intended MindStir Media to be a place that offered publishing tools to nearly anyone who wanted to get their message out to the public. That’s a big part of the reason that they grew fast enough to get ranked on the Inc. 5000 list two years in a row. Traditional publishing companies pick and choose which authors they’ll promote, but MindStir Media gives independent writers a voice they might not otherwise have had.
Though they’ve produced countless bestsellers, MindStir Media is also ranked among the best companies in the self-publishing space. By using his eCommerce and publishing connections, J.J. Hebert helps new authors publish their own material on top retail sites like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. By attracting a diverse cross-section of society, MindStir Media has garnered enough of a clientele to pique the interest of the 2023 and 2024 Inc. 5000 list.
Companies that made it onto the 2024 list were ranked according to their percentage of revenue growth between the years of 2020 and 2023. Qualifying firms have to be for-profit and independent, which drives home the fact that MindStir has experienced explosive growth without ever languishing. It’s this spirit of independence that’s enabled MindStir to offer a personalized approach that few other organizations can.
Growing a Firm Through Personal Service
Enterprising authors have taken advantage of changes to the online eBook publishing market that have allowed them to distribute their own texts without the need for anybody on the outside. That’s made some question the need for these services in a changing world. While authors are indeed free to produce their own eBooks, those without experience doing so may be unable to put together a complete product.
Even if they don’t experience any technical challenges, there’s the possibility that their books might not make it onto the right eCommerce platforms or might not be high quality enough to succeed. Also, without any print editions of their works, they won’t be able to reach those without access to the Internet or e-reading devices. As many independent authors and consumers come from marginalized communities, these are real concerns.
Offering solutions to these problems has been the primary way that J.J. Hebert has been able to maintain a competitive advantage. Each author who works with MindStir Media gets support that’s tailored to their specific circumstances. Their all-inclusive services include everything from editing to distribution and marketing. Though Hebert’s business continues to work with major entertainment personalities, they also bring in individuals who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to get anything published.
Looking Toward the Future
It’s no secret that the publishing industry is constantly in flux. Where some see challenges, Hebert sees the possibility for continued growth. New products have threatened traditional distribution networks, but they’re also starting to become popular in some parts of the greater publishing industry. Reaching out to these markets could prove to be another source of dynamic growth in the coming years.
Exploring additional strategic partnerships may be even more important for MindStir, as these provide a way for new authors to connect with marketing experts and public figures who will help get the word out about their ideas. To date, MindStir Media has partnered with Mariel Hemingway, Shark Tank’s Kevin Harrington, and actor Jesse Metcalfe. Though past performance isn’t a barometer to judge the future by, a company that makes the Inc. 5000 list on two separate occasions, particularly back-to-back years, is likely going places. Though J.J. Hebert may have started his career as a creative professional, it’s now abundantly clear that he does indeed have a managerial mind too and MindStir Media is reaping the benefits.
For those interested in publishing a book, go to mindstirmedia.com to schedule a consultation.
