mjinx313

I am currently in a PhD program in business anthropology at Wayne State University in Detroit. I plan to finish my coursework in December 2007. Business anthropology is an interesting program that has expanded my intellect and widened my view of the world. The process has been markedly different from completing my MBA at the University of Michigan. That was a functional degree, this is more cerebral.

I have been taking classes on a part-time basis non-stop since the summer of 2004. I am taking a break from classes this summer for a new baby (due any day now) and an upcoming wedding (in August). I hope I can maintain my focus while so many things are changing.

I have gotten my dissertation committee to sign off on my reading list. I have quite a few books to read during my “time off” so easing back into classes won’t be such a shock. I hope to take my qualification exams in December so 2008 can be focused on dissertation research.

I would like to start a small publishing company. I have written a book on spirituality and entrepreneurship. I am an expectant mother and have a concept for a book to help caregivers to have easily referenced emergency information. I also want to write a book for parents on how to help their children navigate urban public schools successfully.

I have run a company full-time before. The lesson I got from that experience is to focus on providing a specific, measurable value for a specific customer base. My next step is to determine how I will make my publishing company different from others.

I am on maternity leave (starting today) and hopefully have a few more days before my baby comes to think about this (as well as her impending arrival).

My next steps are to focus on my niche, learn more about the industry and to identify a distribution company. I already have the domain name and I have already set up an LLC. I have a very good friend that is a published writer and I will interview her to get more insight. I have another friend that is a PR whiz that is excited about the prospect of partnering on this project. We are working with a graphic artist that can help us to establish a professional look for our covers. I also have a friend who is a lecturer in the communications department of the local university that I know is a good editor. She directs a journalism institute. Sorry for babbling list, but in writing this, I realize I have many of the contacts I need to get this going. I just need to move forward. Cheers are welcome.