POWERTALK
ANITA
SHARI PETERSON
PCG Literary Marketing
THE ROCK: Who is Anita Shari Peterson, and
where are you from?
Anita Shari Peterson: I am a very focused,
dedicated individual who loves to read, cook, and live life. I
am originally from Covert, Michigan (pop. 750) which is three hours
from Detroit, Michigan.
THE ROCK: Can you tell us a little about
your business, background, and how you got started?
Anita Shari Peterson: I am a literary
publicist, and I started my company in 2001 after I was laid off from
my job as a Credit Analyst from MCI WorldCom. I have a degree in Fashion
Merchandising with a minor in Marketing. My job is to make sure my
clients are visible to the media, promote their books, schedule book
signings, author interviews, design press kits, and much, much more.
THE ROCK: What drew you to this profession?
Anita Shari Peterson: I was the classic
nerd with coke-bottle bottom glasses without any friends. Books
became my friends, and I was able to escape into my own world. I love
to read. So what better occupation than promoting authors. And I love
my job!
THE ROCK: What made you decide to go into
business for yourself?
Anita Shari Peterson: I wanted to make
my own decisions, come to work when I wanted to, receive
credit for my ideas, create my own destiny, and be an entrepreneur.
THE ROCK: Why do you believe entrepreneurship
to be so important?
Anita Shari Peterson: I believe in order
to be role models for the next generation, entrepreneurship is
very important. I want to leave a legacy for my children’s children.
I want to offer jobs to other
minorities and set standards that go against the norm. In 2007, I
plan to open a coffee shop called The
Literary Café, which will serve gourmet food, sell books, and
offer musical entertainment.
THE ROCK: What do you find are some of the
upsides of owning a business?
Anita Shari Peterson: Freedom. I can
take a day off when I want too. I can spend quality time with my
family. I can travel. I can leave a lasting impression in the African-American
community. I can create my own destiny.
THE ROCK: What
about the downsides?
Anita Shari Peterson: Capital. It takes
money to make money. Clients who do not pay on time. Stress. Working
on weekends.
THE ROCK: What is your best advice to someone
who wants to start a business?
Anita Shari Peterson: Study the market.
Ask for advice from other business owners in the same type of
business. Find a mentor. Intern.
THE ROCK: What is your best advice to someone
struggling to maintain a business?
Anita Shari Peterson: Hold your head
up because failure is not an option. Work two more hours per day.
Make ten more contacts. Stay motivated and listen to positive advice
only. Stay away from people who are constantly giving off negative
energy.
THE ROCK: How important are partnerships
in business?
Anita Shari Peterson: I align myself
with other business owners to create strategic partnerships. I
network, network, network. I ALWAYS remember someone’s name.
I give advice freely and I remain humble. You have to align yourself
with others to be and stay successful.
THE ROCK: If you could change one thing
about your business, what would it be?
Anita Shari Peterson: The location! I
love New York, but I reside in Atlanta.
THE ROCK: What three words best describe
you as a businessman?
Anita Shari Peterson: Humble! Persistent!
Dedicated!
THE ROCK: What attribute(s) is needed to
become a successful businessperson?
Anita Shari Peterson: Believe it or not
you have to sell yourself and/or your business. I sell Anita Shari
Peterson. PCG Literary Marketing falls behind me. Anita Shari Peterson
is PCG Literary Marketing. Also read "How To Win Friends And
Influence People" by Dale Carnegie.
THE ROCK: How do you define success in America?
Anita Shari Peterson: My father, Charles
Edward Peterson, whose book The Poet’s Perspective will be
released this fall. I wrote a poem called The American Dream. This
is how I define success.
The American Dream
Its beachfront condos and sandy shores
High-rise apartments with revolving doors
It’s planes, trains and limousines
Rubbing elbows with "Kings and Queens"
No more living from check to check
When you speak, you’re getting respect
No more fast foods – it’s rare cuisine
The Jet Set, the fast lane, living large
A fantasy house with an eight-car garage
It’s a helicopter pad on a big estate
A beautiful garden and an electric gate
It’s success and opportunity well in hand
The inside track and a working plan
No longer a bench player on the corporate team
A self-made reacher of "The American Dream"
No more striving to reach the grade
Blessed beyond measure, all debts are paid
Yet counting my blessings each and every day
Remembering where I came from and how to pray
It’s first class, VIP - Is it fantasy or reality?
It’s a booster shot for my self-esteem
For I’m a man among men
Seeking "The American Dream"
THE ROCK: What
advice would you give to young people that have an interest in entrepreneurship?
Anita Shari Peterson: Write a business
plan and stick to it. Study the market. Read books on other
successful people. My two role models are Oprah and Martha Stewart.
Some may question Martha Stewart but she created an empire on single-mindedness.
THE ROCK: What is driving you to success?
Anita Shari Peterson: I recently started
PCG Publishing Company with my father, Charles Edward
Peterson. Our goal is to produce "Quality Edited Books With Moving
Story Lines." Our goal is to set standards within African-American
publishing and to teach valuable lessons to avid-readers. Success
within itself is success in my eyes. The success of my father’s
book The Poet’s Perspective.
THE ROCK:
If your best friend asks you for advice in being successful in business,
what would it be? What do you think are the hottest areas in new business
ventures today?
Anita Shari Peterson: Network. Stick
to your business plan, and create strategic alliances. New business
ventures would be publishing in my opinion.
THE ROCK: Thank
you, Ms. Peterson. Best wishes in all of your future endeavors.
www.literarycafe.org
