Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Thelwell.
Jenny, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Sure. I am the oldest of three. I was born and raised in Miami, Florida to immigrants from Dominican Republic. Though my parents taught me the true meaning of hard work and perseverance, unbeknownst to them, they also taught me the importance of education. My mother barely made it to high school and my father has only a fourth grade education. Despite their shortcomings, I am a 3-time college graduate and currently on the last stretch to obtaining a doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
I am an educator at heart and I am proudly employed with Broward County Public Schools. The last 12 months have been a roller coaster full of tears and laughter. As my life continued to unfold, adversities opened doors for me I never saw coming. I started writing a book, I published it, and became an author. I also became a member of the best sorority in the world, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and in staying true to our values and commitment to helping others, I decided to reach back into my community to help others tell their story. And just like that, I became a small business owner.
Publishing my book was no walk in the park. The industry had changed so much to where I no longer had to pitch my storyline to major publishers and hope to get chosen. I was able to take the proper measures needed to self-publish. However, there was still so much to do as a self-publisher and I was overwhelmed. I knew there were others out there who even if they’ve gotten as far as writing their book, they’d lose momentum when it came to publishing due to the lengthy process. I prayed about this business and then waited patiently for confirmation.
Christians know seven is the number of completion. I asked God to be totally blatant with me and dared Him for seven days of confirmation that starting this business was what He wanted me to do. I had a lot going on at the time. Finances were scarce for this type of endeavor and I just couldn’t bare adding another thing to my plate unless it was His will. How many of you know God does NOT disappoint?! Honeyyyyy, He gave me seven straight days of pure, black and white, ‘don’t doubt me’ signs and so my baby was born…Revolutionary Diamond Publishing, LLC.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The more serious question is what do you call easy? As a minority x3, there have been some serious challenges I’ve had to face. Starting this business meant more to me about being able to reach back to those who may have not been as fortunate as I was to come out on the positive side of adversity; so, in my eyes, going through sexual abuse as a child and domestic violence as a teenager, I would have to say this business venture has been a smooth one.
You know, sometimes the road to success is not smooth. But, when God’s hands are in it, you won’t fail. God is the most strategic of the strategists, the most intellectual of the intellects, and the most loving of the lovers. It is I who get in the way of the plans He has for me. That is the only struggle I’ve had thus far… getting in the way of what God has prepared for me due to fear. Gratefully, my church, my family, and close friends remind me that God has not given us a spirit of fear…I acknowledge it, allow myself to feel it, and then I press on standing firm on what He’s already promised me.
Revolutionary Diamond Publishing – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Revolutionary Diamond Publishing is more than just a simple publishing company. As I stated before, I wanted to help others tell their story. I wanted to reach back and pull my people up with me. Many people feel that black and brown people don’t stick together, but contrary to popular belief, we do. We are a people of richness, of greatness, and we have a lot to share with the world. My goal is to help depict our true culture instead of the negativity that is sometimes portrayed.
What WE DO BEST is help people at whichever stage they’re in. I love to teach and help others. My team and I pride ourselves in the simple fact that we meet our clients right where they are. Whether it is help publishing their finished manuscript or getting started with a storyline for a book, we are here to explore their mind, apply pressure, and help extract what’s within. We coach our clients into writing their best by transforming their mindset and teaching them how to EMBRACE THE PRESSURE by looking forward to what’s on the other side…A RARE DIAMOND.
What sets us apart is our variety of services. As a licensed life coach and an educated, professional writer, people get a full package with experience and knowledge. Revolutionary Diamond is a full-service company that specializes in coaching aspiring authors structure and develop content for their book from inception to publishing.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
This is a tough question to answer. I’ve had so many moments where I knew it had to be GOD. One in particular, was when I finished writing Pressure Point. I closed my laptop and did nothing with it for months doubting that my story was important. I doubted that people would care about what I had been through and what I had to say about it. I doubted that I would have an impact on others and incite a movement of self-worth. Man was I was wrong!
I am proud to be an author, but I think the proudest moment for me thus far was when I finally accepted to step into my purpose full throttle. Unveiling my most inner struggles, my pain, and how I turned them into victory in my memoir “Pressure Point” opened the door to realizing one of my dreams…this publishing company. The feeling I have is indescribable. I look back at my life and I know He has prepared me for such a time like this. I no longer ask, “Why me?” I have found that answer. Why not me is my new quest.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.revolutionary-diamond.com
- Email: jenny@revolutionary-diamond.com
- Instagram: @revolutionarydiamond
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/revolutionarydiamond/
- Twitter: @Rev_diamond
Image Credit:
Leon Lloyd, Stop Playin’ Studio
Georgine Hillman, Phenomenal Touch Photography
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