We were lucky to catch up with Janae Marie recently and have shared our conversation below.

CR: Janae, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

JM: Growing up as an only child I spent a lot of time alone. So, to escape boredom I read plenty of books. At the age of 13 I started writing poetry. Then a few years later I began writing books. Reading my favorite urban fiction books really inspired me to tap into my own creative outlet.

When I got to college at Wayne State University I researched how to self-publish my own books. At the age of 25 I published my first book. Shortly after, I published 2 more. So I’d published 3 books before the age of 30. That was one of my biggest accomplishments. A couple of years later, 2 more books were also published. I am currently working on a couple books to be published in the future.

I later started Janae’s Closet | Boutique Shop to promote self-confidence, self-esteem and self-awareness within the African American community.

CR: Janae, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

JM: I write urban fiction books. Although my books from my imagination. They are all based off real life issues. I’ve always wanted to entertain yet inform readers. I’ve published 5 books: Flirting with Temptations, Daddy’s Home, Double Take, Besties, Sleeping with the Enemy. All of which are available in both paperback and ebook.

I started Janae’s Closet | Boutique Shop to spotlight self-esteem, self-confidence and self-awareness within the African American community. We have plenty of urban apparel fashions for both men and women. Melanin inspired apparel to make you look and feel FLY. (First Love Yourself).

CR: What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

JM: A HUGE lesson I had to unlearn is to learn to support myself. Also, to get tough skin.

I thought if I created a business or product that the ones closest to me would be supportive of me. I had a few friends that dropped off along the way. If I could go back in time I wouldn’t have let it impact my emotions so badly. When I published my first book I was so full of anxiety because I wanted everyone to like me. I had to learn as a writer some people will like you. Others won’t. That doesn’t have to be a slight against you or everything. With business you have to take your emotions out of things and carry on.

CR: How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

JM: Honestly, I am continually learning this. But I like to personally reach out to them via email or text. I ask for reviews and am now sending out postcards to reel past customers back in. My biggest concern is obtaining reviews from my customers. Customer service means a lot to me!

Contact Info:

• Website: janaemariebooks.com | janaesclosetshop.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/authorjanae_marie5 | @janaesclosetshop
• Facebook: Facebook.com/authorjanaemarie4519 | @janaesclosetshop
• Twitter: @janaemarie5 | @ClosetJanae