Erica Educates with Open Books

Name: Erica

Business name: Open Books

Website: www.open-books.org

Title: Marketing and Events Coordinator

Tracey: Please describe your business—what you do and what your goal is.

Erica: Open Books is a nonprofit social venture that operates an extraordinary bookstore, provides community programs, and mobilizes passionate volunteers to promote literacy in Chicago and beyond. Our mission is to enrich lives through reading, writing, and the power of used books.

Tracey: What inspired you to work in/start your business?

Erica: As a former educator, I knew that wen I left the classroom I wanted to somehow stay connected with education at an organization whose goal was to improve literacy rates in the city of Chicago. I was originally an Open Books volunteer, and over time I became more involved with the organization!

Tracey: What advice would you give to women looking to start their own business or change careers?

Erica: Ooh, this is close to my heart as I recently made the change from the field of education to nonprofit marketing. Go with your heart. You will only be as effective in your career as you are happy to be doing the work. When the time comes, make the leap to the unknown even if you don't know what's on the other side.

Tracey: What's the best advice (personal or business) that you ever received?

Erica: A manager once told me to advocate for myself, to not be afraid to tout my accomplishments and remind people about successes I've had at work. If you don't champion yourself, no one else will either. You can't wait for people to notice you, make yourself noticed.

My favorite thing about myself is ... my temperament. I'm generally in a good mood and enjoy my days.

The advice I would give to my younger self is ... to eat better and me more active!

With my spare time I like to ... read, cook, and knit.

My idea of happiness is ... a fresh cup of coffee and the daily crossword puzzle.

To me the meaning of success is ... knowing that the work you're doing is for the greater good.

I am inspired by ... my mother. It sounds trite, but she is so generous, thoughtful and intelligent, not to mention stylish and witty.

If someone wrote a book about my life ... I don't know what it'd be called. I'm still in the manuscript phase!

Right now I feel ... hopeful!