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When Ireya Fields’ youngest daughter was about 3 years old, she was a “voracious reader” and devoured popular children’s books such as: fancy nancy and pinkalicious. There was just one problem. Fields, who was born in South America, didn’t see anyone who looked like her daughter on the page. And she wanted to change that. So in 2012 Fields wrote her first independently published book. princess cupcake jones series.
“I wanted kids to see themselves in the book,” Fields says. entrepreneur.
Fields’ first book was titled The disappeared tutu, It focuses on the issues she was facing with her two youngest daughters at the time. “She was very messy, so I wanted her to understand the importance of decluttering and decluttering her space so she could find things she really liked again,” Fields recalls. .
Image credit: Courtesy of Ylleya Fields
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Today, Fields is a mother of six children and has written five more books in the United States. princess cupcake jones series, each containing a message or lesson young readers To take away. Fields also has the word “love” hidden in the illustrations on each page, a nod to the importance of love and to her eldest daughter, whose middle name is “Love.”
Five years ago, Fields expanded the brand to include toys, clothing and accessories, including stuffed animals, vinyl dolls, custom shoes, book bags and lunch boxes. She describes this as a “full circle” moment for the brand and says the process of bringing it to life was “very organic.”
Image credit: Courtesy of Ylleya Fields
Despite the brand’s success over the past decade, and even Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner owning books, Fields’ path as a hit children’s book author hasn’t been without its challenges. do not have. When she put pen to paper, she had absolutely no experience in professional writing. And, naturally, she had to balance her creative pursuits with raising a young and growing family.
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“People don’t realize how much work you put in,” Fields says. “First, you write the book. Then you have to publish this book. Then you have to market this book. Once you publish the book, it’s just a small part, and then you have to publish the book. You have to sell it.’ That’s where the marketing comes in and creates these things. [products], it’s a completely different focus and they all require a lot of effort and a lot of time and energy. But they are all very valuable in the end. ”
Fields says people often express an interest in writing children’s books, and she has advice for parents who want to try their hand at writing or check off an ambitious goal on their list. It is said that they are doing so. Above all, you need to “just get started.” The secret, as difficult as it may be, is to make yourself a priority sometimes. “Put yourself first,” Fields emphasizes. “Find some time and do it, even if it’s just a small moment, even if it takes forever, and you’ll feel more rewarded when it’s all said and done.”
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Fields’ young fans also keep her motivated. When she picked up her children from school one day, she saw her teacher pop out to show them a picture of a little girl dressed as Princess Cupcake Jones. Reminds me of. Fields is currently planning a seventh book in the series, which will tackle bullying, “a topic that a lot of kids can relate to”.
“A lot of people call this book an evergreen book,” Fields added. “It continues to bloom for new generations to experience. [and] I like that. “
This article is part of an ongoing Women Entrepreneur® series highlighting the stories, challenges, and successes of running a business as a woman.