Who is Joanne Hurley?
I have been a business and entertainment attorney in Chicago for over forty years. Recently, I started writing children’s books. I write first chapter books for kids aged 6 – 11 under the name Joanna Hurley. The stories are wacky and imaginative and weave together real-life situations that kids face with fantasy.
How was it growing up in the 50’s?
I grew up in a small town in Michigan in the 1950’s. My town was an idyllic place to grow up. Parents taught kids to ride their bikes with training wheels on. The block was filled with kids. We would literally swarm the block, racing our bikes, playing tic tac toe, jumping rope, and playing dress up.
We were all different. We were from small and large families. Growing up with lots of different friends taught me two things. First, that diversity exists even in a small middle-class neighborhood. Second, the importance of friendship. Pretty good early lessons.
What was your childhood dream career?
My childhood dream career was to be a spy. I still think this is the ideal career. My idea of being a spy came from movies. Old WWII movies of the young female resistance fighters as well as Joan of Arc movies. Being a spy gives you an adventurous life, full of challenges and tests of ingenuity. It also demands an understanding of people to survive. A teacher unfortunately burst this bubble telling me that the foreign service requires its spies to be fluent in two languages. My language skills are less than impressive, unfortunately. While I currently live in France, my French is not good. I have worked hard to get to the level of mediocre French. In my town, people say my French, “ is not so bad” but I know better. I admit I still contemplate calling the CIA and asking if they need a courier or a field person with minimal language skills but accessibility to Europe.
You’re a lawyer and a children’s book author. Most people would take it that working as a lawyer is more than a satisfactory career. What made you decide to start writing children’s books?
Actually, I did not deliberately decide to start writing children’s books. I started writing a few things here and there to relax in my spare time. I have written since I was fourteen years old. But when I was at my busiest, with a very active law practice, a dear friend and neighbor asked me to write a story for him to give to his granddaughter for her fifth birthday. I protested and told him that he had to buy a present like everyone else. But I gave in. Otherwise, I would not have gotten him out of my house that day.
It ended up that I wrote that story with great relish and enjoyment. I wrote at lunch as a break from the seriousness of real life. I discovered an 8-year-old child in me that had not grown up, laughed a lot and was very wacky. I would laugh out loud as I thought of something funny while writing at lunch. This was in contrast to the lawyer who was serious and worked sixty plus hours a week.
How different are the two career options? Do they have anything in common?
The two career options are very different but have similar goals. Law is a very demanding career. In the United States, 7 years of university are required. Then you have to learn how to practice law which takes 7 to 10 additional years. Being a lawyer is a lucrative career if you work hard. Success is based on objective success on legal projects. Writing in contrast, is a very solitary career. Success is totally subjective and unless you are a best seller and sell millions of books like J.K. Rowling, there is no guarantee of a financial payday.
The similarities are many though. I became a lawyer to help people. So many people have problems that they can not handle and don’t have the skills to solve. I decided that I could help and also educate my clients about the law so that they could better control their businesses. On the other hand, I write to amuse but also to help children learn how to be their best selves. Both careers require the same skill sets: extensive discipline and hard work. Writing and editing are also both required. The process is the same and one that, like an old friend, suits me.
Were there any challenges you experienced on your career journey?
My biggest challenge was that my father did not believe in girls getting a college education. He simply felt it was unnecessary. He thought that a man could take care of a woman. While I did not doubt that men could earn a living and support a family, I also knew that I wanted to work and that I wanted an education. My father would never have budged, but my mother, not generally assertive, told him that I was smart. Therefore, I deserved to go to university. In the end, my dad gave in. He rationalized his decision by saying that I could study to be a teacher or nurse. That way if my husband died, I could make a living.
Setting up a law firm isn’t easy. For many, especially women, it would be a dream never realised. How did you set yourself off to making this a reality?
The simple response is that I planned. If I was to give a road map, I would give these steps. First, get clients. I have a friendly, comfortable personality, but I did not understand how to get clients for a long time. Then, by necessity I figured it out. I learned to talk to clients. I listened to people and what they needed. That finally got me clients. Once you have clients, then you need enough clients or a few with significant billings.
To decide how much business you need, determine your personal and office expenses so you know how much money you need to earn per month. Analyze the billings your clients have produced over the last 2 – 3 years. Decide if your average billings are sufficient to meet your expenses. Remember that while you will work 9 – 10 hour days, you don’t end up billing that. Once you know what you need, add an amount for start up costs. Think computers, legal research costs, secretary etc. and then add a 10% contingency for low billing months, or high expense months. Work until you meet your goals. Remember you have to add time to your day for marketing. This means the cost of online marketing, going to networking events, joining clubs etc. where you will meet people. I did all of these things. Worked twelve plus hour days for years. As actors and actresses say, I was an overnight success.
What key lesson do you share with a Stellar Woman reader who would like to set up a law firm?
A law firm is a business. You must treat it that way. Pick areas of the law that you will focus on because you have the experience to do a good job. Then work as hard as you can to provide good results.
What helped you stand out as a lawyer?
I think that all lawyers are smart people. What set me apart were two things. First, I really love people. As a result, I did not go into law to make money but rather to help people. I wanted to see my clients do well and I was ready to do whatever I needed to help them. I analyzed each new client’s capacity so that I could see their strengths and weaknesses. Having done that, I could personalize my services to be effective for them, based on their goals, experience, and personality. Second, I was ready to work hard. While life/work balance is important to people, it is not generally realistic for lawyers. It just takes too much time to handle client needs. If you go home at 5pm, you will never be prepared for the next day’s meeting. Nor will you take the time with a potential client, knowing you have hours of work to finish for current clients.
Have you always wanted to be a children’s book author?
No, I have loved writing since I was very young, but I was too busy being a lawyer to think about it as a career option. I wrote my first story as a favor to a friend. Then, I wrote several stories for enjoyment. Finally, I decided to take my writing seriously. I didn’t realize where that decision would take me. On the eve of publishing my first book, I am a bit surprised but happy to be on this journey.
When did you realize that writing was a calling for you?
I love writing and the fun of developing a story. I am a serious person and writing allows the child in me to come out and have fun. I love being wacky.
Since I started being serious about my writing, I have analyzed my stories and my purpose in writing them. I realized how my philosophy of life and values show up in my characters without me thinking about it. I have seen a lot of unhappy people as a lawyer. My goal, as a writer, is to help grow kind, courageous, responsible and confident kids. Educating kids to have fun and think at the same time, is pretty aspirational. But it feels right for me to try.
Did you have any fears before embarking on a new career journey? Can you remember the thoughts you had then?
I did not have any fear per se when I started. I know that being a writer is hard and that most people are not successful. I am used to doing hard things however, so that was not daunting. I have also developed a process for doing hard things. I create way too many charts and lists and slowly the process starts and develops. I push myself along until I see where it goes. I will admit that now that I have expenses related to this new career beyond paper and ink cartridges, working less and writing more is admittedly daunting. If I fail, then I will figure out why, what to do to fix it, or abandon it, knowing I tried.
How did you gain the strength to believe that you can do it? What thoughts did you have?
Strength is based on confidence. I am a confident person. My thoughts, after making this career change, were simply that I would do my best and that things would work out. I am optimistic but I am also a realist. This means that I did not assume that I will be successful but instead solely that I would do my best. Generally, that has worked out well for me.
Have you failed at something?
I have failed. We all do. When I failed, I had to forgive myself. I had done my best. That’s simple. I am like everyone, else, a work in progress. The failure occurred and I had to move on to the next project. Success opens us up for opportunities. Mistakes help us learn to do better the next time.
What is your most popular book: Do you know why?
I have written 11 books and am working on the 12th. A year ago, I decided to start working towards their publication. This meant I spent a lot of time looking for an agent, a publisher and working with web developers and illustrators.
My first story being published, It Started With the Witch’s Spell, is part of an adventure series. I think people like it because it is a wacky story about a girl, her bed, a witch, a princess, time travel, a prophecy, and a traveling Berber tribe. I am very excited because both children and adult beta readers love the story and are asking when the next story will be ready. It Started With the Witch’s Spell, is due for release in November, 2021.
What’s the most fulfilling thing about being a children’s book writer?
The best part of writing is when people smile or chuckle when reading a story of mine. When kids like the stories I am really happy as I loved reading as a child. I was rewarded with this after 25 kids read the story in the last month, and all of them loved the story. The parents liked it too and the story got the kids talking about friendship, family, and courage, using questions in my stories. The parents reported to me that they enjoyed the opportunity to talk about these issues with their kids. That is fulfilling too.
One Dad, whose little boy loved the story, shared with me a story. The Dad had read the little boy the story from his telephone. The boy asked him how long the story would stay on his phone and whether they could read it again. The Dad told him that it could stay on his phone as long as he liked, and they would read it again and again. When the dad told me about this conversation, I felt that I had hit a home run or even became a spy.
What trait do you see in yourself across your life that makes it possible for you to be the Stellar woman you are?
I think that confidence is the key trait for any success. But then you need to add courage and love. I think that loving people is intrinsic to personal happiness, but confidence and courage are necessary to make your professional dreams come true.
Have you always been versatile?
Versatility is the sum of confidence, courage, and being adventurous. To be versatile, it is important not to fear change. I believe that once someone has changed or done something hard, then being versatile is easier than you would think. This doesn’t mean that things will be perfect or that you won’t feel discomfort at times during new situations. You will. I am someone who leads with my heart, and this does get me into painful growth moments sometimes. But you learn that discomfort is likely, and you also learn what to do to help yourself during these difficult times.
Who are the women who have influenced you to be the woman you are today?
My Mom is the hero of my life. While personally insecure, she taught me how to be confident. I don’t know how old I was when she talked to me. Perhaps in high school. Here is what she told me, “Your Dad and I expect one thing from you. We want you to do your best at all times. You will be good at some things and not as good at others. That’s okay. Just focus on the things you do well.” These simple words have guided me my entire life. They have given me the core principle in my life. They have freed me from anxiety. On the other hand, the philosophy of doing your best is also very demanding.
Think about it. If you do your best, then if you succeed you deserve it. If you fail, you can not blame yourself as you did your best. You can wish you were smarter or more skilled at something but those are generally not things you can control. You can only control one thing in life, whether you do your best at all times. And, of course, if you get that extra portion of your favorite cake or other dessert.
Is there any winning mantra that you swear by?
So, the winning mantra is. “Do your best. Create a moral code that guides you. Elicit advice from others but make up your own mind about everything.” Only you can guide yourself to success.
You’re so passionate about helping and growing others. What does it mean to you?
I am so passionate about helping others because we all need a purpose in life and helping is who I am. It is my purpose. I feel selfish if I am only thinking of myself and of what I want. In contrast, when I help others, I am energized and happy. I pushed a writer today to go against her cultural norms and do something that she found impossible to do for a number of years. I had been giving her advice for a year. Today, I was bold enough to give her language to use in a marketing campaign and after some pushy, but well-meaning American behavior, she finally thought about what I had suggested. She used the language and did what she said she could not. She did not implode. She progressed! I was thrilled to see her grow and to know that I helped her and her career even a little. I also know that most people do not go out of their way to help others. So, that makes it my responsibility to help where I can.
What are the attributes to your ideal stellar woman?
To me, a Stellar Woman is courageous, adventurous, and kind. She pushes herself to fulfill her purpose in life. She does not shy away from helping others even though she is busy. The Stellar Woman is her best self, fully realized, and with an open heart.
What do you wear to important business meetings?
I always wear the outfit I feel the best in at the time. I do not like traditional business suits. I like something that shows my personality and is a bit distinctive. So, for your next meeting, look in your closet for something that shows who you are. Then walk into the meeting owning the room, big smile on your face, prepared and talking confidently and the challenges of the day will sort themselves out.
What future do you envision for women?
The digital age with its focus on technology has created the need for human focused approaches to problem solving. Women often think differently and look at problems with a view towards solutions which are both humanistic and effective. Little girls like Malala Yousufzai, winner of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize, will continue to stand up for education in countries that don’t believe that girls need to be educated. Leaders like Angela Merkel will give immigrants a chance for a better life, after war has destroyed their countries. Stellar Women, like you, will continue to excel in your fields of expertise and work day to day to create new solutions for the world’s problems.
Where do we see Joanna Hurley in the next 5 – 10 years?
I will continue to write with joy. The Zoey and Arthur Series children’s book series will be made into a television cartoon series. My other books will teach kids to explore new countries, how to deal with grief and to enjoy Christmas in new ways. The story about my mom, My Mother is an Immigrant, will have focused more people on immigration and bullying and will hopefully have made a little difference in the world.
Please set one challenge for the Stellar Woman readers to help them become more stellar?
My challenge to all of you is to accomplish one hard thing you have avoided trying. One thing you think you can not do. Doing a hard thing only once will grow your confidence. Then you will be free to be your best self at all times. Then you will be the Stellar Woman that YOU want to be.