Meet Mom Entrepreneur Donna M. Roszak, Zebra Print Press, LLC
“Believe as I do, that what you have to offer is something of value that will make others’ lives richer or better. Write a book because you have something to say, start a business because you have something unique to offer, then launch your product and make it your burning desire that it succeed.”
What does your business offer?
This book is designed as a supplemental curriculum guide for parents/guardians to help their children learn important facts and concepts across the elementary levels that are child, grade, and age appropriate. It is written in a streamlined, progressive question and answer format and aligned to state learning standards. All the elementary grade levels are integrated together into one book to achieve a comprehensive approach that also accommodates different learning paces. It further allows for review and reinforcement based on child-readiness and retention capacity. Even though a child may learn one topic in a one year does not guarantee the child will retain that same information and have the retention and recall capacity to build on that knowledge the following school year!
Ask Me Smarter! is intended to enhance and reinforce the facts, ideas, and concepts “covered” in each elementary grade level. It encompasses a wide array of core and non-core subjects including language arts; notable literary works; math; science; social studies; government and civics; economics; physical education; health and safety; the arts; the environment; technology and information skills; current events; and historical timelines.
A local or state school curriculum guide may read: “By the end of grade four, students will recognize the three levels of government.” Or, “students will name and identify three and four dimensional objects.” So what do those listed standards really mean? This books serves to take away the guesswork, and to provide parents and guardians with concrete questions that relate to the listed content standards per grade level. Children learn differently and at different rates, and learning is not always aligned with chronological age or grade. Further, when information is presented in a questioning format at frequent intervals over time known as the “spacing effect,” long-term retention is dramatically improved.
It also serves as a supplemental curriculum guide for parents/guardians who are home-schooling their children, as a summer “bridge” tool for young learners, or, as an engaging “road trip” companion!
“Ask Me Smarter!” is the one-source tool to help parents/guardians of preschool and elementary school children to help empower them with a solid knowledge foundation, based on traditional state academic standards, as they progress through their formative, school years.
I am endeavoring to reach this audience through local newspaper and magazine advertisements, letters to elementary school principals, and through social media promotion.
What was your AHA moment?
Had the idea and just went for it
How has PR and Marketing helped your business?
I have appealed to friends and family, sent emails to elementary school principals, have created a website to promote the “brand” of my book, and have posted ads on social media. At this early juncture, the results have been minimal.
What’s your greatest success to date?
My greatest success to-date is completing the eBook, in addition to the print format of this book, 840 pages long, and having it fully uploaded to Amazon, online at Barnes & Noble, and the iBookstore.
What’s been challenging and how did you overcome it?
By far, the biggest challenge has been the marketing and promotional aspects of getting this book noticed. My greatest desire is for this self-published educational resource to gain some traction in time for the start of the new school year.
I will continue to be persistent as I truly believe in my product. I will be diligent in continuing to promote my book. I sincerely believe that “Ask Me Smarter!” provides something of great value to the parents of elementary school children, ages two through twelve.
What steps are you taking to achieve your goals?
I am taking time every day to reach out to potential customers. I am researching how to get mentioned in high profile magazines and newspapers. I will continue to work hard to promote and market my book, as well as work on the serialized options for this large book.
What are your best tips on managing family and business?
I believe sincerely in balance. Being a teacher has and does allow me the time in the summer to work on my book and book marketing. It is currently available in both print and eBook formats, so now it is the time to pull out all the stops and push its promotion.
What are your favorite tools and resources?
My favorite go-to resources are books and websites like this one that feature and celebrate MOMS who have created a marketable product. They are an inspiration.
If you could wave a magic wand right now, what would you wish for?
If I could wave a magic wand, I would love to see my book promoted on websites such as this one that targets moms, and advertised in a high-profile magazine like “O Magazine!”
Where can readers go to learn more about you and your business?
www.askmesmarter.com
