| J. K. Rowling is the English writer who has authored all | | | | Tip # 3: Persevere, Persevere, and Persevere. |
| seven beloved and widely read Harry Potter novels. | | | | "It is our choices . . . that show what we truly are, far |
| At age 41, her rise to fame and fortune is inspiring. She | | | | more than our abilities." |
| has sold over 325 million books. The final book in the | | | | - Rowling |
| series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was the | | | | Rowling moved to Portugal to teach English as a |
| fastest-selling book of all time. | | | | Second Language in 1991 and married her first |
| Her fortune is estimated at $1 billion. She is ranked as | | | | husband in 1992. They divorced in 1993. The next year, |
| the 136th richest person in the world. In 2006, Forbes | | | | she moved to Scotland. At this point, she was an |
| named Rowling the second richest female entertainer | | | | unemployed single mother living on welfare. In 1995, she |
| in the world and ranked her as 48th on the 100 most | | | | completed her manuscript for Harry Potter and the |
| powerful celebrities list of 2007. | | | | Philosopher's Stone, typing it out on an old manual |
| When this all began in 1990, however, things were very | | | | typewriter. She handed in the book to twelve publishing |
| different for J. K. Rowling. She was not a published | | | | houses. They all rejected it. |
| author. She did not have a lot of money. She was | | | | Rowling never gave up. She did not stop just because |
| living in London, working as a researcher and bi-lingual | | | | life was hard. Despite all the changes and setbacks |
| secretary for Amnesty International, and her mother | | | | she was experiencing, she carried on. She persevered. |
| had just died. How she got from there to where she is | | | | As small business owners, we would do well to keep |
| today is a story filled with invaluable tips for small | | | | her example in mind. |
| business owners. | | | | Tip # 4: Don’t Let Anyone, Including Yourself, |
| Tip # 1: Don’t Rush to Roll Out Your Product. | | | | Sidetrack You from Your Goal. |
| "Destiny is a name often given in retrospect to choices | | | | "If you're holding out for universal popularity, I'm afraid |
| that had dramatic consequences." | | | | you will be in this cabin for a very long time." |
| - Rowling | | | | - Rowling |
| Although J. K. Rowling had been a writer all her life, she | | | | Finally, Bloomsbury, a small publisher, agreed to publish |
| was slow to publish. “I had written two novels | | | | the first book. Her editor, though, says that he |
| before I had the idea for Harry, though I'd never tried to | | | | “advised Rowling to get a day job, since she had |
| get them published (and a good job too, I don't think | | | | little chance of making money in children’s |
| they were very good).” | | | | books.” |
| All too often, as small business owners, we rush to get | | | | It’s a good thing she didn’t listen. All seven |
| a product out before its time, before it’s been fully | | | | volumes of the Harry Potter series have broken sales |
| considered or tested. Rowling sets a great example of | | | | records and have been translated into 65 languages. |
| getting a product just right before presenting it to the | | | | What a shining role model Rowling is for small business |
| world. | | | | owners. She didn’t let anyone stand in the way of |
| Tip # 2: When a Great Idea Grabs You -- Grab Back. | | | | her goal—not even herself. |
| "You sort of start thinking anything's possible if you've | | | | Tip # 5: Each of Us Has a Unique Contribution to Make |
| got enough nerve." | | | | to the World. |
| - Rowling | | | | "I just write what I wanted to write. I write what |
| Great ideas are unmistakably powerful in their | | | | amuses me. It's totally for myself." |
| announcement and come when least expected. | | | | - Rowling |
| Rowling says: | | | | J. K. Rowling never went searching for the kind of |
| "Where the idea for Harry Potter actually came from, I | | | | success she’s received. “I just wrote the sort of |
| really couldn't tell you. I was traveling on a train | | | | thing I liked reading when I was younger (and still enjoy |
| between Manchester and London and it just popped | | | | now!). I didn't expect lots of people to like them, in fact, I |
| into my head. I spent four hours thinking about what | | | | never really thought much past getting them |
| Hogwarts would be like. By the time I got off at King's | | | | published.” |
| Cross, many of the characters in the books had | | | | It wasn’t fame or wealth that J. K. Rowling sought. |
| already been invented." | | | | No. She simply wanted to contribute to the world in |
| As small business owners, we know when a great | | | | general, and to children specifically. As small business |
| idea is upon us. The problem is, we often question it, | | | | owners, this is so important to learn. Focus on the |
| second-guess it, and rationalize it away. Not Rowling. | | | | unique something we have to offer to the world. The |
| She recognized the mark of a powerful idea, seized | | | | rest will surely come, in ways we may not even be |
| upon it and went with it. | | | | able to imagine. |