Antoinette Thompson

I really attribute my success to doing what makes me happy rather than chasing money. It's not a matter of the money, it's a matter of being in a field that I enjoy versus a field that I can't stand, the kind of job you dread when you go in there and you can't wait to leave. I didn't want to be like that. I wanted to venture out and do what made me happy and work on my own time so I could really pay attention to detail. Instead of putting mediocre work out there, I really wanted to pay attention to detail and put my best work forward. Another pivotal moment was when I became a godmother to my niece when she was young. I vowed to myself that I would be like a mother figure to her, and everything I do, I'm going to set it to where she can receive all my royalties after I pass on so my children's books can have a legacy. I want to pass on my legacy through family, and I'm extremely proud of her. I can see the influence affecting her life positively.

It comes with challenges. I mean, some people will take an author seriously, and some won't. It's kind of like Walt Disney when he was rejected 300 times until he finally made it to this multi-millionaire industry. It comes with its challenges. Some people will take it seriously, and some people won't, like Walt Disney. But look at him now, he's got like two empires in Florida and in California. If it is a career or a passion for you, no matter what, the opportunities and the people that you need in your corner will come to you. It's not an easy journey, but it's worth it. Don't question your morals, don't question your integrity. Lead with integrity.

It's a challenge because the Facebook emojis are kind of like a throw-the-moment-high, if you will. It's kind of old. It really is another challenge I'm facing, getting beyond the emojis and hoping that people will share it so it can really get through Facebook and other avenues. That's been a challenge as well. In art, no matter whether it's being an author or graphic design, art is a very hard industry to have that support. It takes a network. It takes building those relationships.

Family is very important to me. I'm big into Christmas and decorating with my family and spending time with family. Making an impact in children's lives is central to everything I do. I wanted to make sure that children could be anything they set their hearts out to be. I also value doing work that I enjoy rather than work I dread. I wanted to venture out and do what made me happy and work on my own time so I could pay attention to detail instead of putting mediocre work out there. Passing on my legacy through family is extremely important. I'm setting things up so my godchild can receive all my royalties after I pass on, so my children's books can have a legacy.