The Power of Words and the Leap of Faith: Our Journey with Wise Ink
In 2013, we found ourselves sitting together at a small café, surrounded by scribbled napkins and half-finished cups of coffee. We were dreaming big, imagining the possibilities for what would eventually become Wise Ink Creative Publishing. But at that moment, it was still just a dream—a dream sparked by five years of working side by side at a hybrid publishing press, helping authors bring their books to life and witnessing firsthand how the publishing world was shifting.
Working for a small business, under the guidance of a beloved mentor, felt like home. We didn’t realize it at the time, but our day-to-day tasks as project managers were teaching us more than just how to create books. We were learning how to run a small business, from the ground up. Our mentor, who had built his company from scratch, showed us what it meant to turn passion into a purpose-driven business. And even more than that, we were witnessing something incredible—the face of publishing was changing, and it was the authors themselves who were leading the charge.
Self-publishing was evolving from a last-ditch option into something powerful, liberating, and full of potential. Every day, we saw authors reclaim their creative power, choosing to bypass traditional gatekeepers and take control of their own stories. It was inspiring, and it planted a seed in us, though we didn’t yet know how it would grow.
That love for self-publishing led us to start a blog. We called it Wise Ink, and our goal was simple: to be a resource for self-publishing authors.
Our posts reflected what we were learning each day—insights into hybrid publishing, the changing landscape of book marketing, distribution, ebooks, and the rapidly evolving world of publishing. We were offering advice from the trenches, sharing practical tips and observations from our hands-on experience.
What started as a small project quickly gained momentum. The blog resonated with authors who were hungry for real, on-the-ground insights, and suddenly, we found ourselves with a growing, loyal following. We were building a community, and it felt amazing.
Then, just a year after launching the blog, our lives took an unexpected turn. Our mentor, who had guided and inspired us for so long, passed away. It was a heartbreaking loss. At the same time, we had this flourishing community, this platform that had grown beyond what we initially imagined. As we grappled with the grief, we couldn’t help but ask ourselves: What’s next?
That question followed us into a lunch meeting one day, where we were discussing our next set of blog posts. But as we talked, something shifted. We began to dream bigger. What if Wise Ink wasn’t just a blog? What if we turned it into something more—a safe haven for authors, a place where writers could find community and support, where we could make real change through the power of words?
We started sketching out ideas on a napkin. We envisioned Wise Ink as more than a blog; it could be a place where creativity thrived, where thought leaders and authors could come together to share knowledge and challenge the status quo.
Amy looked up from the napkin with excitement and said, “We can do this.”
Of course, as with any big dream, the practical questions followed. “How will we market it? How will we find clients?” Dara asked, always the realist.
“The right authors will find us,” Amy said confidently. And she was right.
A year later, in 2013, we opened the doors to Wise Ink Creative Publishing.
It wasn’t without fear—Dara, the self-described “rule follower,” definitely felt the nerves. Stepping into the unknown, leaving the comfort of what we knew behind, wasn’t easy. But what fueled us was the belief that we were creating something bigger than ourselves. Wise Ink wasn’t just about publishing books; it was about creating a space where authors could tell the stories that mattered. It was about using the power of words to make a difference.
Since then, we’ve learned so much. We’ve discovered the joy of watching authors bring their dreams to life, the thrill of building something from scratch, and the power of trusting in your purpose. Yes, there has been fear and uncertainty along the way. But there has also been so much joy—more than we could have imagined.
Wise Ink, from the very beginning, has been about more than just books. It’s about the power of storytelling, the courage to take risks, and the belief that when you follow your passion, the right people and opportunities will find their way to you.
What started as a small blog has grown into something we’re deeply proud of—a vibrant, thriving hub where authors, thought leaders, and change-makers come together to create meaningful work. And through it all, we’ve come to understand that sometimes, the biggest leaps lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.
Because in the end, it was never just about us.
Amy and Dara in 2018
It was always about the authors, the stories, and the belief that words have the power to change the world.