A Message from Capsonart's Founder: Small Beginnings
- Capsonart
- Dec 29, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 18
HELLO FELLOW WRITERS, READERS, AND FRIENDS!
Season's Greetings to you!
I sincerely count it a blessing and a privilege to write this letter to you.
As we step into 2024, there's so much I could express for this moment and season. Ironically, I find it challenging to pinpoint the right words to describe the emotions I feel about how far Casponart has come. Reflecting on our journey from the beginning to where we are heading, there are indeed several pockets of milestones that I cherish and ponder as we look ahead for Capsonart Publishing.
Like a small seed, when watered properly, it will eventually become a magnificent garden
Stemming from 2017 up to now, we have been in the caterpillar phase for quite some time, working diligently to establish our presence and launch our Writers Pathway Solutions. Initially what had started as a dream has transcended into more than a dream. The term 'more' captures the essence and divine purpose of why we are here.
In this moment, we want to pause, reflect, and consider the key takeaways and lessons we have learned from this year.
SMALL BEGINNINGS: DO NOT DESPISE THEM
Reflecting on our journey through 2023, particularly in the latter part of summer and into December, the maxim 'Do not despise small beginnings' serves as a constant reminder of what is truly important. This saying emphasizes that, despite our eagerness for impressive analytics and grand results from those who view and follow our profile, we must not let external measures define the quality and spirit of excellence in our narratives. In addition to embracing this idiom, we also assert, 'Don’t disdain the learning curves, the rejections, and the opportunities to learn and build, brick by brick.'
From a transparent standpoint, since the initiation of our soft launch phase leading up to this pivotal juncture, the process has been a substantial learning experience. I personally and professionally have come to acknowledge the value and significance of several key elements in laying the foundation and establishing a publishing company.
Embracing the notion of small beginnings, here are seven key takeaways from my 'I dare say' growing pains as the owner and founder of Capsonart Publishing.
1. Work with what you have
There are numerous factors involved in structuring and developing what is necessary for your story (in our case, the business) to progress as it should. Affirming ourselves, we accepted that we don’t have to rush the process but rather build on the foundation.
In other words, lay down the bricks that we have and let them set together as we work to acquire more bricks. One thing we discovered towards the latter end is how much time can easily be wasted when you work so hard to obtain something that requires patience and resources at the right time. In short, we are working with what we have and being realistic and practical about it.
2. Quality over Quantity
To be more transparent, part of our goals and plans was to launch several book projects from 2023 to 2024. While it would have been amazing to run campaigns promoting our newly released prints, we had to pause and think about the quality and impact of our content. In other words, we want to ensure that the books we publish meet excellent and credible standards. We intend to prioritize quality over quantity. We aim for our readers to not only read but to fully immerse themselves and relish the imaginative and innovative content of our published books. Objectively, our efforts are to ensure our writers reach a satisfying conclusion in their work.
3. Take Intentional Steps
Relative to following one's instincts, we have stopped in our tracks to take a moment, and truly listen to the heartbeat of our story. Moving forward, we are being intentional with our actions. Until now, we devoted significant time to aligning our operations with both external and internal expectations. In light of this, we are realigning our business tasks and activities based on what is appropriate for the current season and time. We are following the guidance of what God is directing us to do, rather than pursuing our anxious desires. This brings us to our next point.
4. Trust God
As emphasized in scripture, 'Without faith, it is impossible to please Him who has called you.' If God has called you to build your house (figuratively speaking), then trust becomes crucial in every aspect of the building and creating process. Without faith, we may fall into the trap of questioning everything and become susceptible to making wrong moves. I found myself tumbling down rabbit holes, striving to reach new heights for my business. However, this led to some distortion, and for a moment, I couldn't hear the true message of 'I Have a Story.'
But despite the setbacks in my efforts to trust, I have been able to stop and recognize how important it is to trust your God-given instincts. God has given us innate abilities to have insight into matters and situations so that we can make the right decisions and take the right steps.
5. Don’t Compare!
'Comparison,' as some would say, 'is surely a killer,' and with social media, it is very easy to fall into the trenches of trying to match what we see and experience. Countless online profiles, organizations, and individuals present excellent, tantalizing, entertaining, and fascinating content of all forms. As we absorb this daily (meaning scrolling and scrolling), our minds conjure up thoughts, ideas, and feelings that we have to be just like them. Undoubtedly, we appreciate and enjoy what we see; nevertheless, comparison builds pressure and anxiety (e.g., they have millions of followers, so I must keep posting to create the same following, and in turn, get lots of 5-star reviews). In retrospect, there is nothing wrong with having something or someone to emulate. It's natural to admire. However, when you feel that what you have is not good enough and you must copy someone else to reach where they are in their journey, it becomes unhealthy. What you have and have started with is good enough. Work on it and build from there.
I see it this way: the person you're comparing yourself to or feeling uneasy about might be experiencing the same feelings toward someone else and copying them. Consequently, you end up copying that same person without understanding the origin of their ideas and content. I would dare to say, follow your instincts and listen to the ideas God has placed inside you.
6. Don’t be Afraid to Press Delete:
Based on several occurrences of our intent to build our social profile and having a rethink of our overall branding identity and message, we came to a bold conclusion that it was time to 'delete.' Over some time, we began archiving and removing the majority of our content from all our platforms to start over. We are reposting and providing content that aligns with who we are and what we do—book publishing in line with literary art. We must confess that since we took that prominent step, something has shifted, and we feel more confident about Capsonart growing into the publishing house it is meant to be. Growth, as we have learned this year, always requires letting go and allowing for new growth. To make your story great and the best it can be, you must have the confidence to sometimes press delete and start afresh.
7. Build on our Commitment, Consistency, and Credibility
Drawing from the valuable book publishing resource 'Publishing For Profit: Successful Bottom-Line Management for Book Publishers' by Thomas Woll and Dominique Raccah, the authors outline the three Cs that are crucial for any publishing entity to stand the test of time. Aligned with our faith-based values, our actions from here on out will involve:
Commitment: to stay the course despite how challenging things may become.
Consistency: remaining steadfast and stable in the types of books we publish.
Credibility: marrying commitment and consistency; sticking to our words.
While there could be more takeaways from what we've written here, this is sufficient for us to step forward into a better future. Capsonart Publishing is well on its way, as we navigate through our three launch phases. As you read this letter, we invite you to reflect on your writing journey and consider your takeaways for this year. Small beginnings are humbling and, at times, frustrating, but the true value lies in what you can achieve over time.
Like a small seed, when watered properly, it will eventually become a magnificent garden, and one letter with another letter will eventually form a well-finished book.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and we look forward to an amazing New Year.
Yours Truly,
Alitta P.S. Cadmus
Owner and Founder of Capsonart Publishing
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