Daily Inspiration: Meet Leslie Clark

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Clark.

Hi Leslie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Reading has always been a passion of mine so I knew it was always in the cards for me to one day become an author or do something along those lines. On the outside, I am wife, mom, engineer and now I get to add a published author to my title. I grew up in Florida to great parents who supported us in all ways and gave us the room to pursue our respective passions growing up. I always excelled in math and science so I knew a career path within that realm was in the cards but wasn’t exactly sure. I decided to pursue engineering after starting at Florida State University in 2006 and never regretted that decision. I knew I wouldn’t be an engineer or do something affiliated with that my whole life but it was a means of funding my passion. My job as an engineer has afforded me several opportunities to date and have connected me with so many people that have poured into me along the years and helped developed me professionally. That was a glimpse of what got me to where I am today, now we can fast forward to my most recent projects.

Growing up, I was part of a blended family and I currently have a blended family with my husband. I am blessed to be called “MiMi” by our daughter. Throughout this journey, I was looking for books that could help walk her through our family dynamic and how it would or may change with the recent addition of her brother. What I found is that nothing existed or if it did, none of the images reflected what our family looked like. So, I took it as a charge to create what was missing. That is how my publishing journey started. Along the way, specifically during the pandemic, I was able to do a little education regarding the stock market and saw a need for a book that introduced those concepts at an early age but also something that could be used as a family activity. From there, the “O is for Ownership: the ABCs of the Stock Market” book was born with a key emphasis on the concept of ownership. Since then I have sold over 200 copies of my books and look to continue to impact as many families as I can. The Blended Family books are part of a series and I look to expand it and touch on various topics blended families face to act as a “chicken noodle soup” guide for families like mine.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am all about networking and working smart, not hard. The road was definitely not smooth but not as difficult as I thought it would be. I was blessed to have access to lots of resources to help guide me along this self-publishing journey. Throughout the process, I have learned so much and that is the reason with the books I started my own publishing company to partner with other authors to assist them in telling their story. We all have something unique or something beneficial we can share with the world and the lack of knowledge or exposure to this self-publishing world shouldn’t be the barrier, so I’m hoping to be a bridge for others.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Currently, I work for Amazon as a Senior Sustainability Program Manager. I have been with the company since 2017 and have worn several hats. We call our strengths at Amazon Super Powers; my Super Power is centered around earning trust/people development. Mentoring and removing barriers from others is my greatest passion at work. I love to serve and help others see their value and help them get to the next level. I had someone pour into me so it’s a blessing to be that to someone else. I have assisted in the development and promotion of over ten individuals to date and have mentored more people than I can count within my six years with the company. I think the thing that sets me apart from others is the ability to find commonality with any person or group that I interact with. When people are dealing with difficult issues and need to get buy in from key people, they call in the big guns; I am the biggest gun 

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck is not a foreign concept to me but I don’t necessarily believe in it. I recently purchased a shirt that says “His Grace + My Grind” and that’s how I model my life. Nothing happens to me by luck, good, bad or indifferent. Everything that happens was set in stone for a particular reason and it’s up to me to find out that reason. I had a praying grandfather who instilled in all of us growing up the power of prayer but also hard work. I take no opportunity for granted and I make sure any opportunity I am extended, I make the most of it. So, no luck here just blessed and highly favored.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.leslienclark.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/camsden_pub
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088215363771
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/leslie-clark-meng-ab054041
• Other: https://linktr.ee/camsden

Image Credits
Precious Jewel