From Hobby to Business: Scott Allan’s Journey in Self-Publishing Success

person-iconby Ed Parcaut calender-icon15 Nov, 2024

In this insightful episode of the Inner Edison Podcast, host Ed Parcaut sits down with Scott Allan, an accomplished author and entrepreneur, to discuss his transition from a corporate career to a successful full-time book publisher. Scott Allan, originally from Canada, has lived in Japan for over 26 years and has an extensive background in teaching business English to major corporations like Panasonic and Mitsubishi.

Key Discussion Points:

  • Transition to Entrepreneurship: Scott shares his journey from working a 9 to 5 job to diving into book publishing full-time in 2019. Initially starting as a hobby, his writing career eventually took center stage.
  • Writing Career and Publishing Success: Scott delves into his passion for writing that began in junior high and how it evolved over time. His shift from originally planning to write fiction to becoming a notable self-help author demonstrates the importance of adapting to market demands. His renowned book “Do the Hard Things First” is now available in 16 languages.
  • Financial Management and Business Setup: Allan talks about the challenges he faced with financial management early on, emphasizing the crucial role of professional accountants and proper business structuring through an LLC. This setup helped mitigate high taxes and fostered smoother business operations.
  • Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing: Scott explains the benefits of self-publishing, such as retaining ownership rights and managing the entire process independently. He highlights his success with services like Amazon and Fiverr, allowing him to publish 35 to 40 books efficiently.
  • Learning and Improvement: Scott attributes much of his entrepreneurial success to continuous learning and improvement, influenced by renowned figures like Jim Rohn, Alex Hermosi, and Tom Bilyeu. He underscores the importance of focusing on strengths and outsourcing other tasks.
  • Navigating International Publishing Deals: Scott discusses how the opportunity for international publication expanded post-COVID, leading to significant passive income through foreign publishers who handle translation and marketing. He maintains the rights to publish English versions himself.
  • Balancing Work and Personal Growth: Scott touches on the challenges of balancing work and personal life during COVID-19 and the importance of good systems and potentially building a small team to manage various aspects of his business.

Listeners will be inspired by Scott Allan’s resilience, adaptability, and dedication to continuous growth in both personal and professional realms. Join Ed Parcaut and Scott Allan for an engaging conversation packed with valuable insights for entrepreneurs, authors, and anyone striving for self-improvement.

Guest Information:

Tune in to learn more about Scott Allan’s journey, his business strategies, and his profound insights on pursuing one’s passion with determination and strategic planning.