Businesswomen of the Week 
Stacey Kannenberg - Cedar Valley Publishing (www.cedarvalleypublishing.com); Mom Central Counsulting (momcentralconsulting.com)
When Stacey Kannenberg couldn't find the right learning materials to prepare her daughters for their first day of school, she decided to create her own. The result: a successful publishing company and children's book series.
You’re a nationally renowned children’s education expert. Did you always want to work with children?
Yes, I love kids! I loved babysitting and I am most proud of being a mom to my two daughters, Heidi and Megan. When I embarked on my dream, I wanted to create something that my children could be involved in as well. They are my target market and have helped me every step of the way!
How did you come up with the concept for the Let’s Get Ready book series?
It all started with the walking buddies show and Oprah’s first Big Dream Contest. At every step, Oprah had a show that answered my question: her show on self-publishing showed me how; successful mommy companies allowed me to dream; and her trip to Africa made me believe and changed my entire book concept. In fact, I made global characters based on acomment from Oprah about the kids she met in Africa and a durable book for the kids that lived in huts.
Your books are so colorful and touchable. (By touchable, I mean indestructible in tiny hands. I can’t even rip those pages.) How were you able to find illustrators and book manufacturers?
I decided to create something that I wanted and couldn’t find: a book that could become a Kindergarten classic that could be handed down from generation to generation. I started locally and found a printer willing to take on my project and he put me in touch with Two Bit Productions in Sheboygan who developed the design and illustrations. Two Bit Productions works with many famous children brands so I knew they would have a global appeal and they were willing to work with me to make it happen. I am proud to have a 100% Wisconsin made book line!
What made you decide to self-publish the Let’s Get Ready books?
I was a stay-at-home mom who had spent 14 years in corporate America. I wanted to start a business at home but, until the Oprah Dream Show, I was unsure what that business would be. Oprah’s Self-Publishing Show made me believe that I could. I also purchased  Dan Poynter’s Self Publishing Manual and found my printer and illustrator and did my first print run before I could change my mind!
How difficult was it to get the books into stores?
I decided not to get an ISBN number printed on my first print run as I wanted to test the water with selling locally to stores and schools. The Learning Shop was my first big account and they sold 400 books the first month so I got my ISBN number and started opening my lines of distribution with Amazon and Baker & Taylor.
Give us some examples of the marketing techniques you used to promote your books, yourself, and your company?
I had a phone and a computer so I started viral marketing on-line. I took out a Google alert on key phrases like Kindergarten and every day, Google continues to send me all the stories/blogs printed each day about Kindergarten. I follow up with the journalists or post a blog comment or offer to send them a sample of my books to review. This is such an easy way to build a presence on-line with high search engine results. I also developed a network of other authors and we continue to swap books and post reviews for each other on Amazon. I wanted to become an expert so I started speaking at schools and mom groups and created a national platform as the “Get Ready To Learn Mom” to continue to get great media attention as well.
There’s a lot of buzz about Mommy Entrepreneurship. What advice would you give to a Bold…Beautiful…Christian™ Mom interested in starting a business venture?
If I can do this, so can you! You need to find a really great idea, do the research to find your niche and go for it. You need to surround yourself with like-minded people who can help you as well. Behind every successful mom business is a team of people who helped make it a success. There are so many products and services geared to mom that are created by people that are not moms. Who better to create new products for moms than other moms?!
How do you incorporate faith into your business endeavors?
This has become a ministry of love for me. I love it when I get a call and someone at the other ends says something like, “I’m not sure why I am calling you…” and I just smile and know that I am following the Lord’s path and HE is directing me every step of the way. I love to empower others and it has been a joy watching them transform their lives as well.
When you were writing your books and building your publishing company, how did you overcome fear and doubt?
My husband and family have always embraced what I am doing from the very beginning. In fact during Christmas of 2004 my husband surprised me with a clear crystal clock with the logo, Cedar Valley Publishing engraved on it along with this phrase that has become my mantra: “The Dream is Clear To Believe is the Reward.” We all believe in the mission. Our books are inside schools from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine and are helping get kids ready for school in Head Start Programs across the nation so that keeps us going strong. Heidi and Megan will be entering 4 th and 2 nd grade and are helping me write, Let’s Get Ready For Second Grade! They are more of an expert of Second Grade than I, since Megan will be living it and Heidi was just there!
You’re married with children. How do you balance your personal life with your business?
I work at home around my kids’ schedule. Many days, I either work late after they have gone to bed or I get up early before they get up to get all my work done. When they are in school full time, I work those same hours and when they are home for the summer, I have summer help to get them to swim lessons, basketball camp, etc. I also outsource things that I don’t like or have time to do to free up more time with the kids. I am a clean freak who cleans everyday. I still do, but I also have help one day a week, so my routine is down to 30 minutes each day! The girls help in cleaning and laundry too.
Heidi and Megan are also old enough now that they help me with the content of my books. They help me review books and products that are geared to them. Who better to tell me what they think than someone within the target market?! They continue to become more involved in the business as they get older and older. They have even told people that they want to run the business with me after they graduate from college! We have so much fun ahead of us!!! # # #
(Photos courtesy of Stacey Kannenberg)
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