Meet Deb Miller

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Deb Miller. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Deb , so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

I’ve always leaned optimistic, but I earned my real optimism the hard way—by living through chapters that didn’t go as planned and deciding to rewrite the happy ending.

That’s the heart of my memoir, “Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness.” I stopped waiting for Prince Charming, got on my own white horse, and found something better than the fairy tale: a life I built on my terms.

Optimism, for me, isn’t about rose-colored glasses. It’s about grit, perspective, and the deep-down belief that even when things fall apart, you can rebuild something beautiful. That belief fuels me—and now, I get to share it with others who are ready to find their own version of happy.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m an author, a marketing professor, a former Fortune 500 VP—and now, thanks to my kids, a TikTok newbie.

The most exciting part about the book? How creatively and collaboratively the book is coming to life. We’re celebrating my book publication with “Pub Day at the Pub,” a launch party at a brewery (because who doesn’t love books and beer?). Then, at a gorgeous new Barnes & Noble, two talented actresses—friends of my next-door neighbor—will perform scenes from the book. That mix of theater, literature, and community? It’s magic.

I’ve also been launched into the digital world with the help of my publicist and my youngest daughter—starting with a behind-the-scenes TikTok home tour (my architect got roped in too). My students are coaching me through Instagram, but honestly—our dog might be the real influencer. His posts outperform mine every time.

What I love most about the book launch is the chance to connect. Writing can be a bit lonely. In this phase of the publishing process, I’m using marketing skills learned in my years on the corporate side and then as a professor and now turning it into something personal. Lately, I’ve been coaching other authors on how to ride the Barbie Box TikTok trend. It’s wild. It’s fun. It’s a little bit ridiculous. And it’s all part of building something bold and new—from fairy tale to real life.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I am not afraid to say “yes” to unexpected opportunities, have stayed resilient for my kids, and learned to share the truth behind the glossy version of success.

Saying yes opened doors. I followed my passion for tennis, and that unexpectedly led me away from a career in finance. I said yes to a consulting project in Russia, yes to global marketing, yes to earning a doctorate when I became 60. I even said yes to writing a book intended just for my family—and accidentally became an author. My advice? Don’t wait for a perfect plan. Say yes to what excites you, even if it scares you a little. You never know where it will lead.

• Resilience wasn’t optional—it was necessary. When life didn’t look like the fairy tale I imagined, I didn’t fall apart. I got on my own white horse, safely strapped in my kids, and figured out how to get us to happily ever after. My advice? Be strong in the most challenging moments. Your future self—and your people—will thank you.

• Owning your story is more powerful than perfecting it. I didn’t set out to write a memoir. I just started telling the truth—about motherhood, marriage, ambition, heartbreak, and hope. And that honesty struck a chord. My advice? Don’t worry about being impressive. Be real. That’s how you connect, inspire, and grow.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely—I’d love to collaborate. This book may have started as a personal project, but it’s sparked something much bigger.

In “Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness,” I use the evolution of Disney princesses—from Snow White to Mulan to Moana—as a cultural framework to explore how women’s roles and expectations have shifted over time. Each chapter opens with cultural commentary about a princess, connecting the dots between pop culture, feminism, and real-life reinvention. It’s both personal and societal—a reflection of how my generation moved from June Cleaver to Mary Tyler Moore to whatever “happily ever after” looks like today.

TV star, Jill Zarin said, “Every woman should read this book,” and interestingly, all six of my marketing interns from Washington State University said the same thing. That got me thinking: this story isn’t just resonating with readers—it might also have a place in the classroom.

With my academic background and deep ties to both business and media, that’s one new avenue I’d love to explore – women’s studies programs, media studies, or cultural studies departments. I’m already partnering with podcasters, conferences, and book clubs interested in sparking meaningful conversations about reinvention, happiness, shattering glass ceilings and rewriting your mother’s fairy tale to fit your own unique life.

If something here sparks an idea, let’s talk. You can reach me through my website at forgetthefairytale.NET or on Instagram @forget_the_fairy_tale. I’m likely to say, yes!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Not necessary, my daughter, Ally Miller, took most of them.

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