We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jenn Grace a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jenn, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I found my purpose by paying attention to what has always fueled me: helping people find their voice and use it to make an impact. Long before I ever ran a publishing company, I worked in marketing and communications, supporting organizations that wanted to tell their stories in meaningful ways. What I loved most wasn’t the strategy or the metrics, it was witnessing someone articulate what they truly believed in and seeing how that clarity transformed everything about how they showed up in the world.
That insight became the foundation for Publish Your Purpose. I saw how many talented, purpose-driven people were being overlooked by traditional publishing and realized that I didn’t want to fit into that system. I wanted to create a new one. One that elevated voices that had been excluded, one that made transparency and inclusion the norm rather than the exception, and one that allowed authors to define success on their own terms.
When I started Publish Your Purpose in 2016, I had no plan for how it would grow. What I did have was a belief that stories have the power to create change. Over time, that belief has only deepened. I have watched authors write through grief, courage, trauma, and transformation. I have seen their words open doors for others who thought they were alone. That experience continually reminds me why I do this work.
My purpose is not just about publishing books. It is about building community and amplifying ideas that move the world forward. Every author we work with is a reflection of that mission. Their success, their impact, and their courage are what keep me grounded in mine.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am the Founder and CEO of Publish Your Purpose, a Certified B Corporation hybrid publishing company that helps purpose-driven authors write, publish, and promote nonfiction books that make a difference. Since 2016, our team has published more than 250 books from changemakers, leaders, and everyday people who have something meaningful to say.
What makes Publish Your Purpose unique is that we exist to create space for voices that have been historically underrepresented in publishing. We work closely with authors to help them tell their stories with integrity, align their books with their larger goals, and use those books as tools for impact. Our authors are coaches, consultants, speakers, educators, and activists who want their books to start conversations and drive change—not just fill shelves.
What excites me most about this work is seeing how a single book can transform an author’s confidence, business, and community. I’ve seen books open doors to speaking engagements, corporate partnerships, and nonprofit collaborations. I’ve also seen them spark healing and connection in ways that remind me why storytelling matters. Every time an author holds their book for the first time, it’s a moment of validation that their story—and their voice—deserve to be heard.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding our ecosystem with the upcoming release of my newest book, Promote Your Purpose: A Strategic Guide to Book Marketing for Nonfiction Authors Who Want to Grow Their Impact, Influence, and Income. Alongside the book, we’re launching new tools and programs that help authors build visibility and sustain momentum long after publication. My goal is to make the marketing process more accessible and less overwhelming for authors who are driven by purpose rather than profit.
At the heart of everything I do is a belief that business can be a force for good. Through Publish Your Purpose, I get to prove that every day by helping people share stories that inspire change, build community, and create a more inclusive world.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities that have had the greatest impact on my journey are resilience, curiosity, and clarity of purpose. Each one has shaped how I lead, how I make decisions, and how I show up for the authors and team I serve every day.
Resilience has been essential. Building a business rooted in values and inclusion takes persistence, especially when the industry around you wasn’t designed for the kind of change you’re trying to make. Resilience isn’t about never getting discouraged; it’s about continuing to move forward even when the path feels uncertain. My advice is to give yourself permission to adapt. Every challenge is data. Learn from it, refine your systems, and use that insight to grow stronger and more strategic over time.
Curiosity has been my greatest teacher. I’ve never stopped asking why things work the way they do or how they could be better. Curiosity helps you innovate, stay humble, and see opportunities others might miss. For those early in their journey, approach your work with an explorer’s mindset. Read widely, ask good questions, and surround yourself with people who think differently than you. Curiosity keeps your work alive and your mission evolving.
Clarity of purpose is what anchors everything else. It’s easy to get swept up in comparison, outside opinions, or what others define as success. The clearer you are on your purpose, the easier it becomes to make aligned decisions and say no to distractions. For anyone just starting out, spend time reflecting on why your work matters to you and who it’s meant to serve. That clarity will guide every decision you make and keep you steady through the inevitable ups and downs.
How would you describe your ideal client?
Our ideal client is someone who leads with purpose. They’re not writing a book just to say they’ve written one, they’re writing because they have something meaningful to share that can create change, spark conversation, or inspire others to act. Many of our authors are coaches, consultants, speakers, educators, and entrepreneurs who want their books to serve as part of a larger mission or business ecosystem.
What makes someone an ideal client for Publish Your Purpose isn’t just the topic of their book but their mindset. The authors who thrive with us are collaborative, open to feedback, and willing to invest the time and care needed to produce something they’re truly proud of. They understand that publishing a book is both a creative and strategic process. They value integrity, transparency, and impact over shortcuts or quick wins.
We also love working with authors who see their book as more than a product. Our best partnerships happen when someone is thinking long-term, how their book can fuel speaking opportunities, strengthen their brand, or advance a cause they care deeply about. Those are the authors who get the most out of our process, because they recognize that the book is the beginning of something bigger, not the end.
Ultimately, our ideal client is someone who wants to make a difference and trusts us to help them do it in a way that’s authentic, inclusive, and aligned with their values. We meet them where they are, guide them through every step, and celebrate with them when their book finally finds its readers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://publishyourpurpose.com
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jenntgrace + linkedin.com/company/publishyourpurpose
- Youtube: @publishyourpurpose
Image Credits
Leslie M. Gomez
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