Kiki, an experienced HR professional with a track record in the securities, IT, and financial and consulting industries, became a self-employed children’s author in February 2020.  It was becoming a mother that helped encourage Kiki to take the leap to become a children’s author.  Her first children’s picture book ‘You Are Sweeter Than’ is OUT NOW on Amazon.

Describe your business and your role within it.
I am a recently published first-time children’s author, although I have been writing all kinds of fiction for a long time. My new book is titled ‘You Are Sweeter Than’ and is available worldwide on Amazon (see the above link).

How did you get into this line of business?
Well, in reality, writing has always been my first love, for as long as I can remember. I wrote my first published story at 11 years old. I also had great interest in a corporate career for a good period of my life which is what led me to do a Masters/work experience program with Mountbatten. My time in the UK during my Mountbatten Program, led to me settling down here in the country which in turn, inspired the setting for my first children’s book!

How did you go about setting it up and getting established?
Writing fiction has always been a part of me, and becoming a mother gave birth to the desire to want to write for children, so I wrote the story which was just the first step. I then had to seek out a talented illustrator and production team who helped bring the book together. The book was then launched, and I am currently in the process of promoting it.

What else is in the pipeline?
More children’s books! Hopefully also some adult fiction down the line as well.

What has been the proudest moment in your working life thus far?
Seeing my kids and other kids hold in their hands a book I wrote, excited to read it. Priceless.

What has been your biggest mistake/learning experience?
Trying to compromise quality for cost. I worked with an initial illustrator whom I chose because they were more affordable, but they ended up botching the job and I had to start all over. I learnt the hard way to prioritise quality first.

Who are your role models?
All the amazing children’s writers out there! Historic and present.

Any words of advice/wisdom would you impart to others thinking of setting up their own business or going freelance?
If you really want to do something of value, and it is the thing that keeps you up at night and wouldn’t let up, forget all the excuses and imperfections. GO FOR IT.