MISSION STATEMENT: To move people with my words (written and spoken) to take action, have compassion, acquire knowledge, be passionate, find humour and hope.

SPECIALTY: Providing an inspiring and comprehensive book/ speech that allows women to overcome their career fear and move in a positive direction towards fulfilling their dream or life’s purpose. I am also a motivational speaker.

NETWORK: Women who are interested in purchasing my book because they are looking to be empowered in career transition.

OPPORTUNITITES: Seeking anyone who owns a web site that sends out newsletters/e-mail blasts to their data base and whose values align with my book interested in being a win/win/win joint venture partner in my Amazon.com campaign. Contact Heather at hrighter@rogers.com with subject line WCDA Amazon campaign.

INDEPTH INTERVIEW: What is the nature of your business?

Writing fiction and non-fiction books, articles, reports etc.

What services or products does your business offer?

Information, knowledge and words to move the masses.

Who is your target market?

Presently, adult women with western values.

What is your business mission statement?

To right the wrong by writing the right.

What first sparked your interest in this business and why are you passionate about it now?

A writing assignment in Grade Six. I convinced the teacher that my fictitious story about going to the Grey Cup game in Edmonton, was real. My dream was beginning to formulate. A second cancer and my survival, gave me the impetus to write about something that people wanted to hear - how to conquer adversity by having humour and hope and how to be a cancer warrior. My passion with words is the recognition of the power to elicit positive changes in the world.

Who inspired you?

I am an avid reader of eclectic material. I have been inspired by all the authors who have provided me with knowledge, inspiration, motivation, hope and release of all the emotions. Their words make me aware of who I am, the value to be the best that I can be and the significance I can provide to others. Permanent words can be reread and reinterpreted forever. Written words can help me understand the human condition.

Why did you pursue your own business vs working for someone else?

I despise inefficiency, discourteousness and the expectation that life is all about working overtime, weekends and holidays. By doing 'my own thing' I can control what I perceive to be the wrongs in the consumer world, have fun and relieve stress.

What are some of the obstacles you've faced and how did you overcome them?

Making the conscious decision without the benefit of hindsight to be a stay-at-home mother (for 20 years) was challenging. Although some if it was rewarding, much of the time it was very isolating. I immersed myself in community volunteerism and went back to university to further my education.

Life was a precarious balancing act. My husband was of great support to me, helping me get through some very rough patches.

Getting cancer twice was the biggest obstacle of all. Not only is it life-threatening, it is emotionally debilitating. Finding glimmers of humour and hope kept me propelled.

What is your business's proudest achievement so far?

Knowing that I have inspired people with my words.

What are some of your future goals?

To have my first novel, Ms. Humpty Dumpty, published. It is a story about a gutsy, acerbic-witted, middle-aged woman who yearns for a dream career (she has had three) and marriage (she has had two). She achieves her goals, but happiness eludes her. When the ultimate tragedy strikes, her dreams shift to wishing for a long, healthy life.

To empower youth at risk to find legitimate and fulfilling careers and to help them give back to society.

To take training sessions for facilitation and training of others.

To have a company where I employ people to do all the things I cannot or do not enjoy so that my time is spent on my passion of writing, speaking, training.

To go on an archaeological dig!

What 'Pearl of Wisdom' can you offer to help other women starting out?

Succes is a culmination of many things: Follow your hearts desire.

Sometimes there is a long, arduous struggle (it requires continuous work and selling of yourself).

Knowledge gained from years of personal experience, observing and listening to others - every experience in life can open a door, even negative and life-threatening ones.

Networking, Networking, Networking.

Seeking support and mentorship of others who believe in you, which in turn assists in your belief in yourself.

Step outside of your comfort zone.

Do not fear rejection - if you don't take risks, you will never receive acceptance.

Just because it is a career does not mean you can't have fun and that you can't be diverse.

Find humour in everything.

Make the time to relax, even a career you love can take over every moment of your life.

Find time to give/share with others, including family and friends.

Do you have a favorite quote you'd like to pass on?

..."I was doing what I wanted and a dream was coming true and that, above everything else, made it all worthwhile to me. Even though it was so difficult, there was not another thing in the world I would rather have been doing."
Terry Fox on his Marathon of Hope, 1980.