Woman Takes Her Interest in Family Roots and Passion for Writing to a New Level
By Home Business Magazine

Deanna Bufo Novak wanted to be a writer for as long as she could remember, and family heritage was just as important to her.  However, it was the birth of her daughter that inspired Deanna to take her passion for writing and her interest in her family’s roots to a whole new level. 

Both had a purpose, as she could now write to teach her daughter about her own unique heritage. 
Prior to starting Deanna’s home-based business, she was a practicing tax attorney.  With an LLM in Tax Law, Deanna worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers and later had her own practice.  She left this practice to spend more time with her new daughter and to follow her dream.  Then, Deanna started her company, kidsHeritage, Inc., shortly thereafter to publish a personalized children’s book called My Heritage Book.  Each hardcover book can include up to four different countries, has the child's name throughout, and pages for the child to fill in his or her own family's traditions and family tree, making it a truly unique keepsake for each child.
Deanna uses all available resources to promote her home business, including attending various cultural and children’s events, making school appearances, writing an article on teaching children about their heritage (published in a local children’s magazine), and attending meet-the-author events at our retail locations and bookstores. Her fundraising program donates 15% of sales back to schools and other charitable organizations.  It has been especially successful with Deanna’s primary customers, parents and grandparents of children, birth through 12 years old.
The business achievement that Deanna is personally most proud of is taking an idea and turning it into something tangible and marketable.  “It is an absolute thrill to be able to show my children, through example, that they can do anything they set their minds to,” says Deanna.

For Deanna, the primary advantage to working from home is the flexibility, which is particularly important because she has young children.  “Mornings are ideal, but I can also work late at night and I never have to miss a dinner, softball game, or open house,” says Deanna.  Another huge advantage is the low overhead in running a home-based business.
Deanna plans to have full penetration in the baby and children’s gift market within the next three years, introducing new books and merchandise. Visit www.myheritagebook.com. HBM

Previously published in the December 2009 issue of HOME BUSINESS® Magazine, an international publication for the growing and dynamic home-based market. Available on newsstands, in bookstores and chain stores, and via subscriptions ($19.00 for 1 year, six issues). Visit www.homebusinessmag.com

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