Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Foster.
Hannah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It is actually pretty interesting how my journey has led me to launching a publishing company. Surprisingly, my childhood did not start with a love for reading. I had a creative spark when it came to art and music classes but reading always felt like a chore to me. Ironically, when I started college, I actually started to enjoy the reading and ended up putting my creative side on hold. It was not until I was out of college that I started to embrace both my reading, writing, and digital creation skills. I have held a 9-5 job as a Business Analyst since I graduated in 2016 with my second bachelor’s degree (a job that appeals to the “number, data-loving side” of my personality but not my “artsy side”). I have used this to help fund my personal goal of having my own business. In my free time, I use my creativity to not only disconnect from my day job but to create/plan/brainstorm for my publishing company. Since planners have basically kept my busy life in order for the last 10+ years – I’ve decided to create/brand my own and do a launch this year.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Is there such thing as a “smooth road” to success? If there is, the person who discovered it should let the rest of us know. *laughs* My first job was in the medical field – working as a certified nursing assistant. I worked in the medical field all through college. I actually went to college for 8 years. While I was there, I changed my major at least 6 times. I finally got a bachelor’s in Economics/Finance, graduated, and then couldn’t find a job. The world was changing and so was I – so I went back to college and got a bachelor’s in Business Data Analytics. After finishing that degree, I landed a corporate job as an analyst. I tried so many multi-level marketing companies in my free time (since most promised me that I could start a business and stop working my 9-5 job). None of them worked for me. At one point, I was working two W2 jobs and working towards my own business. When I say burnout is a real thing – trust me, it will cause you to hit rock bottom. I had burnout and depression. I decided to step away from the side hustles and quit my part-time W2 job. I took a year to work on my mental, while only working one job. After picking myself up again, I was brainstorming with my boyfriend over coffee one day and we came up with Paper Fern Publishing. I have started writing a poetry collection and creating digital planners. It is the perfect time to be creative and share my aesthetics with the world.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am currently a writer and digital creator. Although I work a 9-5 job as a Business Analyst, my passion lies with my writing and creativity. I have always been known for being artsy and a “boss babe” – but these days, I am known as the owner of Paper Fern Publishing and being a writer. It really makes me proud to see all of this personal growth taking place within my professional life and career. My effortless personality sets me apart as a person. However, my ability to give other’s a safe place to be in (either through the calming and simple aesthetics of my digital creations or the atmosphere I have created in my brand) – that is the life changer.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I believe the writing industry is definitely here to stay and will continue to grow. With all the different platforms available now to publish a book, article, blog, etc. on – anyone can jump into the field. I also feel like writing is one of the best ways for a person to get their perspective and voice heard, and the world definitely needs more of that. As far as digital creations – get on board and get ready for the ride. The world will only continue to get more digital. I will always love a good pen/paper or the smell of book pages – but creating art and digital products to be used on a tablet/app has been pretty fun. Plus, there’s no clean-up. *laughs*
Contact Info:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hbfosterreal
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/hbfosterreal
Image Credits
Isaac Mashman
