Meet Stacy Nichols

Hi Stacy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story. 
After dedicating 25 years to Corporate America, I was left feeling lost and uncertain following my departure from the company. Though it was a significant loss, I refused to let it define me. Instead, I created a vision board and found that my true passion was in helping and educating others. As a certified fitness instructor, I was already helping and educating others about fitness, but I wanted to do more. That’s when I stumbled upon self-publishing tools and decided to write children’s books. As a child, my role models were mainly teachers. However, one of my best friend’s mothers, a pharmacist, opened my eyes to the fact that someone who looked like me could pursue any career. This motivated me to create a book series that would expose children to various career paths and inspire them to pursue their dreams.

My series, called “Color Me Proud Color & Learn,” consists of 26 books from A to Z and features diverse characters who follow their passions in different careers. Some characters find their calling right away, while others discover their passion through adversity or personal interests. Each book includes puzzles and games for children to enjoy and solve with the help of their parents.

To honor my late grandmother, who embodied the theme of the books, resilience, creativity, and fun, I wrote the books under the pen name “Dollie Dimples.” I am incredibly proud of this series and hope to inspire as many children as possible.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Just like the characters in my books, facing and overcoming adversity is a significant theme in my life. At one point, I had reached the peak of my career, but it all came to an abrupt end. The experience was devastating and something I never thought I would have to deal with. Having worked since the age of 16, the sudden void of not having to report to a job was a shock to my system. However, writing children’s books became a therapeutic outlet for me. It allowed me to stay productive while utilizing my creative side, which was not always welcomed in my previous profession. The process of self-publishing was also eye-opening, and I gained a newfound appreciation for independent authors who push their projects forward without the support of a big publishing house. I soon discovered that passion alone does not guarantee success, as algorithms play a significant role in getting your books to the masses.

Regardless, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to dive into this project wholeheartedly. If I had still been working in a corporate job, I wouldn’t have had the time or energy to pursue this passion project.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
My children’s book series, “Color Me Proud Color & Learn,” showcases a diverse cast of characters who are all figuring out what they want to be when they grow up. Some of them are chasing their lifelong dreams, while others are overcoming obstacles to find their calling. I crafted these books to inspire children to dream big and not let anything hold them back, whether it’s their gender, family background, or income level. I even added some fun word games and brain teasers that hopefully both kids and adults can solve together!Seeing my books in classrooms and even reaching a reader all the way in the Netherlands is a dream come true. I hope that my books and the stories within them inspire others to follow their passions, no matter where they are in the world.