Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ariel Staniszewski. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ariel, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
At 17 years old, while a junior in high school, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Throughout my senior year, I spent several days a week at my recruiting office, training with the Marines to prepare for bootcamp. Just nine days after graduation, I shipped out. By the time I was 18, I had completed Marine Corps bootcamp, achieving something that less than 1% of the U.S. population can claim.
For the next five years, the military trained me in strategic leadership, building a strong foundation that I would later rely on heavily. Being a military veteran opens countless doors, but being a Marine Corps veteran specifically comes with unique expectations that can be challenging, especially for a 20-something just starting their career. I was often the youngest leader in the room—male or female—a position that could be viewed as a challenge but also as an opportunity. I chose to see it as the latter: a chance to learn and grow.
With every success—and even with every failure—I gained confidence and self-esteem. A win is a win, but I came to understand that failure is not the end. It’s simply a stepping stone to future victories. Whenever my confidence falters, I remind myself: I am among the .8% of Americans that have graduated the longest military bootcamp we have. If I can do that, I can do anything.
I encourage others to pick their flagship moment and hold it closely. Use it as a building block for the future.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I started out as a project manager with a penchant for organization and a habit for pulling all-nighters reading. I eventually ventured into social media and started finding authors who were giving out advance copies of their books for promotional purposes and applied for them. That quickly spiraled into fan groups, pre-publication feedback teams, and so on. I had found my people!
After some time, I decided that there was an industry gap that I knew I could fill. There are plenty of editors out there- that’s not new- but none that I could find with my background or specific experience.
At Chapter One Author Services, my mission is to help self-publishing and independent authors bring their stories to life. Storytelling is not just my passion—it’s my purpose. I offer a comprehensive range of editing services, including project management, developmental editing, copy editing, line editing, and proofreading, to ensure manuscripts are polished and publication-ready.
I believe every author’s voice is unique and deserves to shine. That’s why I provide personalized editing solutions tailored to genre, vision, and goals. My goal is to elevate manuscripts to their highest potential while offering collaborative support and actionable feedback.
Founded out of a deep love for storytelling and a commitment to supporting authors, Chapter One Author Services is here to make the publishing journey smoother. Editing isn’t just about fixing errors; it’s about enhancing voices and ensuring stories resonate with readers.
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?
My strong organizational skills enable me to approach tasks with intention and clarity. As a first-time entrepreneur, every day brings new challenges, which can feel daunting and overwhelming. However, staying organized allows me to make confident, well-informed decisions.
I recognize that I am not the ultimate expert in my field, and I’m not afraid to admit it. That doesn’t mean I’m not qualified to do my job, but there is always more to learn—whether from someone with greater experience or through continued education. I encourage others to embrace a mindset of growth and to continuously seek knowledge in their field.
Lastly, networking has proven to be an invaluable skill. Freelance opportunities often come through referrals—most frequently from past clients, but also from peers. Taking the time to connect with others and build a supportive community, rather than fostering competition, has been crucial to my ongoing success.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
In the U.S., there are no officially recognized licenses or certifications for editing. For instance, an aspiring accountant can earn a CPA designation to establish credibility, but editing lacks a similar standard. While there are certifications from UK-based organizations that are well-regarded in the publishing industry and often pursued by editors as professional development, their significance may be lost on authors who are unfamiliar with them.
As an entrepreneur, I not only have to market my services and build brand recognition but also educate potential clients about the value of my credentials and experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chapteroneauthorservices.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chapteroneauthorservices_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chapteroneauthorservices
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coas/
Image Credits
Brittany Qualls-Molleda Photography
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