Today’s feature:
Small Business SaturdayS Spotlight has been taking off! We are so grateful to all of those who we have interviewed. This week’s interview is a little different. Lovely Lenny Lizard met this author when we first got our girl Lenny way back then. Momma was building Lenny’s library and knew she had to have the, “Can You Do What Dragons Do?” book. Did you know in the book there is a photo of a cockatiel with a dragon!? Very much like Lenny and her brother Egon the cockatiel. This being extremely rare we just had to have the book in our possession immediately and it was given to Lenny for Christmas. We later won a photo contest with Lenny and Egon as Fred and Wilma because of the inspiration of this book!! We are so excited to shine on author Stevie Buzbee this weekend and always!!
Please join us as we get to know them better and maybe introduce you to a book, or two, you didn’t know about. We hope you show your support by liking their posts, following their pages, and shopping for their books on Amazon! Without further ado let’s get to know Author Stevie Buzbee!
~When did you start your small business?
“The idea for a book about beardies came in 2018. I started off with the idea of using pictures of my real dragons in the book. I put one together at a FedEx location, actually. Then I thought about how cute these guys would look as cartoons. That’s when I went about the search for an illustrator.”
~What was your motivation to do so?
“My goal is to make reptiles less scary to people. The more an animal is understood, the more people will sympathize. Why not start with the group of people who are the most open-minded of them all? Kids! “
~How have you grown over time?
“My first book, “Can You Do What Bearded Dragons Do?” was published in December of 2019. Literally, the worst time to try to launch a book, just a few months before the world shut down. But thanks to social media, I was able to reach out to beardie lovers around the world, and have now sold over 1,000 copies worldwide!”
~What would you like all your customers and potential customers to take away from supporting you?
“I would love them to know that I am a team of one. I’ve written every word, found an illustrator, designer, and publisher, and paid for it all myself. It’s tough being self-published, but I do it for the love of the reptiles. So everything you do to support these books, whether buying one or just sharing my posts is a massive help, and I thank you all!”
~What is your favorite thing you’ve created?
“I think the first book is and always will be my favorite. The year+ that it took to put together, the struggle it was, both financially and emotionally, the fact that the names of the dragons are the names of my actual dragons. It’s all just very close to my heart. .”
~What drives you to continue?
“The love of the animals I write about, and the curious kids who receive these books. People will send me pictures of their kids, pets, or kids and pets with my books. It makes me so happy. I also want all reptiles to be held in as high a regard as dogs and cats. Trying to do my small part.”
~What’s the most challenging thing about running your own small business?
“Honestly, the advertising. I also have a full-time job, and a very active social life. But if I don’t post or reach out to people, sales come to a standstill. A close second is the criticism you get by putting yourself out there creatively. People can be so mean. The reptile community is very passionate, which I love, but sometimes that passion can manifest itself in negative ways. We’re all out here trying to make our reptiles’ lives the very best they can be, so please be kind and give constructive criticism and guidance, instead of leaving vicious comments. “
~If you knew how much work goes into a small business at the start, would you do it again?
“Honestly, yes. The response that I’ve gotten had been mostly positive. I’ve met some of the best people through this. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
~How do you wish your business would grow?
“If I’m dreaming big, I’d love to get my books into the hands of a celebrity with reptiles, like Drew Barrymore! Or into a zoo or reptile rescue. That would be awesome. Ultimately, if I can sell enough books, my goal is to open an exotics rescue. SPCA’s are great and very needed, but exotics are sadly overlooked in most cases. I’d absolutely love to have a rescue for reptiles, amphibians, avians, arachnids, etc. I’d call it Fang and Feather.”
Editors Note: THIS IS SUCH A GREAT IDEA! I would wholeheartedly support that kind of organization.!
~What is your advice for a new small business just starting out?
“Persistence. Rejection is a natural part of starting something new, and it’s easy to get discouraged. But don’t give up! Take time to gather yourself, then get right back to it. When you see your finished product for the first time, it will be worth all the struggles. “
Lovely Lenny Lizard would like to thank the Author Stevie Buzbee for their interview today. If you would like to purchase from their store please see the Amazon link within the post and be sure to follow them on Instagram! Already purchased from them? Let us know in the comments! Do you have one or both of their books!?
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We hope you have enjoyed our Small Business Saturday Spotlight.
Please come back next Saturday for another Spotlight!
If you are interested in being interviewed please reach out to us! We would be happy to speak with you!
Thanks as always for your SUPPORT! We can’t do what we do without YOU!
Lots of Love,
Lenny Loo and Crew
