[quote style=”boxed”]The quality of who you are is reflected in what you do and what you produce, the respect you command and the knowledge you have, and that’s what matters.[/quote]
Caroline A. Shearer is the founder of Absolute Love Publishing, which was born out of a mission to create and publish projects promoting goodness in the world. Known as a fresh, distinctive, spiritual voice, Caroline’s visionary leadership is uplifting, gently blending love and inspiration. She is regularly featured as a luminary in print, broadcast, and online media, offering guidance and sharing positive stories of her personal spiritual journey toward a more abundant, joyful, and light-filled life. Intuitively guided, Caroline has a remarkable ability to unite others along a path of progressing and celebrating the experience of humanity.
What are you working on right now?
I am working on a couple of New Thought min-e-books™, and the second book in the Adventures of a Lightworker series (see “Dead End Date” by Caroline A. Shearer.) I am also heavily involved in making appearances to promote my book “Women Will Save the World.” I am also helping clients – aspiring authors- to realize their own publishing dreams through Spirited Press, the assisted self-publishing imprint of Absolute Love Publishing.
Where did the idea for Absolute Love Publishing come from?
I wanted to share my message with the world, and then I realized that I wanted to combine that with the opportunity to help other people share their messages. At the time, there wasn’t a platform for authors to publish while retaining the rights to their book. I also felt there needed to be a platform that could only be identified with goodness, one that has a pure intention. And so I created ALP.
What does your typical day look like?
My typical day is spent mostly in front of my computer. I like to spend quiet time writing, then handling business affairs, and a big chunk of my time consists of being interviewed. I also run workshops and other local events because I enjoy building a sense of community.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I block out all the doubts and block out any fears that may be holding me back and just step right through and do it. I don’t look back; I look forward. I take advantage of every moment. When we give ourselves time to be fearful or doubtful, it takes over. So I focus on what I want. Even if it may be a lot of work, I know I’ll get there.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
The way that publishing has expanded. More people than ever have the ability to share their message with the world. That’s a powerful thing and a great benefit to the way our society evolves. There is a wonderful diversity of opinions. Information is changing our culture and I believe it will be for the better. Today’s writers are empowered like never before. I’m so happy to be part of that changing framework, and to have created an outlet for people to learn and discover more about life.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
I’ve never had a “real job” I’ve always worked for myself and, as anyone who has been an entrepreneur will know, everyday you learn something new.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
Not a darn thing.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Make myself better. That’s a constant process and I hope that I’m making myself better at life, work, love, all of it – until the day I leave this planet. The quality of who you are is reflected in what you do and what you produce, the respect you command and the knowledge you have, and that’s what matters.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
I would not describe anything I’ve done as a failure. Nothing that I have ever wanted has failed. Sometimes things have gone slower than I’ve wanted, but I’ve always trusted in divine timing. Everything I’ve believed in has happened and I know that it all works out the way it is supposed to.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
That is a tough one because it differs so much from person to person. What it comes down to is what someone is passionate about. Being successful is not about business ideas; it’s about loving what you do. Everything else falls into place.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and how would you go about it?
I would want everyone to love themselves unconditionally. The message I share with my readers is about healing—I believe we can heal the world one person at a time. That’s why I write and publish inspirational books, and that’s the focus of my company.
What are your three favorite online tools or resources and what do you love about them?
Honestly, I make it a habit to know a little bit about everything, but I trust the people who work for me to know what they need to know. That frees me up to focus on my creative process, and my day-to-day business affairs.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Just one? I have numerous books! Entrepreneurs are looking for personal freedom and financial freedom. My book Raise Your Financial Vibration has tools entrepreneurs can use to discover what has been holding them back, and why they haven’t achieved the financial freedom so far, and how they can in the future.
Three people we should follow on Twitter and why?
I can’t say…
When was the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?
Thinking about potential answers to the Twitter question, because they are all dead! I was thinking God, the Dalai Lama, and Amelia Earhart.
Who is your hero?
Mother Theresa, because she showed us the power of what one person can do.
A question I feel entrepreneurs should be asking is, How can I use my business to help others?
In my case, I started with what I was passionate about, writing books to help people make positive changes in their lives, and the business came about from there. When you make it about more than just you, that’s when the world really unfolds itself.
How do you create a healthy life/work balance?
Honestly, in the beginning, I probably didn’t have one! I grew accustomed to living and breathing the business and putting in 14-hour days. But then, after a couple of years, I was able to hire people and delegate a lot of tasks. Now I do my best to limit myself to a “normal” business day. As with everything, I allow my intuition to guide me, and to let me know when I need to take a break.
Connect:
Absolute Love Publishing on Facebook:
Absolute Love Publishing on LinkedIn:
Absolute Love Publishing on Twitter: @AbsoluteLovePub
Absolute Love Publishing’s RSS Feed:
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.