Key Business Partners, LLC

I would like to introduce a lady I found out about while reading an issue of WE Magazine for Women, Selena Rezvani. She is the owner of NextGen Women, LLC and has recently wrote a book called The Next Generation of Women Leaders. I called her (during her current book tour) and she graciously agreed to do this interview with me. Enjoy finding out a bit more about her and her experience with writing and publishing her book.

Please share with the readers, a bit of your background?

I can tell you it hasn’t been linear. I graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work and soon after, found that traditional social work was not my right career. I tried out a number of jobs and finally found a home in management consulting. The work allowed me to use psychology and problem-solving skills while applying it to the workplace. I loved it. I did it for the last several years, and then focused my consulting niche on my true passion: women and leadership.

For those whom are beginning writers (or those whom wish to write but are apprehensive, what is your advice?

Crowd out your doubts. Don’t let anyone discourage you. There are two kinds of people: the ones who you’ll share your book concept with and who will support you and encourage you to do it, and those who will think you’re aiming too high or being unrealistic. Don’t engage with the latter group. You really need to believe in your idea to the point that you’re the biggest advocate and champion of the idea. Know exactly what need your book will fill and trust your instincts.

What was your inspiration or motivation for your writing?
Practically speaking, writing a book represented a vehicle for sharing my message. One of my major motivations was that I saw a lack of business guidance directed at women of my generation. I was inspired to do something about it, and write the guidebook I’d always wanted.

What can you say about your writing experience?
It can be tough! Particularly overwhelming is the period at the very beginning. You often have more information than you know what to do with? juxtaposed with days when nothing inspiring strikes you at all. It all comes together though. It helped to organize my thoughts into major buckets and to deduce what logically belonged in each. Those categories ended up becoming the chapters of my book.

It also helps to give yourself an incentive to complete each piece of the book…something that really excites you. Be creative: after you finish each chapter, have a party or get-together, get a massage, or go out to dinner. Writing does not have to be drudgery.

Please share with the readers a few tips from your book,The Next Generation of Women Leaders?
1) Re-evaluate How You See Risk: Women who want to move up must take professional risks before they feel “ready” for them. The day when you can say “Now I feel ready” is usually too late. Others have claimed the opportunity you wanted or the risk you’re taking isn’t really a stretch anymore.
2) Be Entrepreneurial – Companies everywhere need people who are willing to go for it, who are comfortable making decisions with limited information, and who can be decisive in spite of risks. Being entrepreneurial means that you don’t always have the perfect set-up to succeed, but you’ll still need to get the best from a group and deliver.
3) Make Your Needs & Aspirations Known – Those women who make it to the top are comfortable continually asking for what they want at work, rather than waiting to be rewarded/promoted/noticed.

You worked with a traditional publisher with his book. Can you share about your experience as a writer working with this publishing house?

Writing a book today is a self-directed process whether you use a publisher or not. Publishers simply don’t have the marketing budgets that they did in the past, so it’s important to be realistic as a writer about how much you will drive the process. Luckily, social media can help the “lone” author a great deal.

I also found it helpful to view my publisher with the lens that they would edit my manuscript and produce the book. All promotional activities would be up to me. Even if this is not the case, it helps you take ownership over marketing your book.

So, what is on the coming next in 2010 for you? Any more books in your future?

Right now, I’m having a great time on tour promoting the book. I’ll continue doing that through April. Beyond that, I’m excited to sink my teeth into doing more one-on-one coaching with women and consulting with organizations that want to better retain and engage their female workforce. Through these activities and others at my firm, NextGenWomen, LLC, I’m able to get the message out to many groups that we need more women at the top of companies. I’m looking forward to writing future books on this subject as well.

When you are not writing, what other things do you enjoy doing?

All things food-related. I love trying new recipes and restaurants. Lucky for me, I have quite an array of dining spots in the Philadelphia area. The only thing that makes these “foodie” adventures better is experiencing them with my husband, friends, and family.

Here is a question just for fun—what is your favorite color and why?

Definitely purple…Plum actually. At the same time, it’s beautiful, regal, deep, and calming.

How can others get in contact with you and purchase your book, The Next Generation of Women Leaders?

Please visit my website at www.nextgenwomen.com and get in touch! You can also find my book for sale on Amazon or Barnes & Noble online.