On May 15, 2009, MCA Founder Tara Paterson talked with Joanne King, a 2009 Mom’s Choice Awards® honoree. We are reformatting and republishing this interview as part of our Alumni Spotlight.

Tara: Today I have the special opportunity to interview Joanne King, creator of the Answers CD ROM, a guided journal from parents to their children. Joanne’s company is Besoga Dreams, LLC located in Lutz, Florida. Joanne has three beautiful, bright girls; Isabella 7, Sophia 4, Gabriella 4 and a wonderful, caring husband Michael. Her husband Michael is an accomplished artist who creates home décor artwork. He transforms it into print form and sells it in fine home stores both nationally and internationally. I love when I have the opportunity to connect with bonded families such as these. Here is where our conversation took us.

Tara: What was the inspiration for your Answers CD?
Joanne: Once I had children, my entire life changed. I realized the tremendous responsibility being a parent brings into our life. Nothing could have prepared me for the depth of unconditional love that would fill my heart. I became so aware of how important my role was going to be in shaping these amazing girls, into the women they would one day become. I knew it wouldn’t be enough to just hope I would always be there throughout their lives. I had to be sure I would. That’s when I took writing personal journals to the next level, by creating Answers.

Tara: Your words touch my heart. I could not be more aligned with your parenting method… thank you for your intuitive awareness. When did you first come up with your idea?
Joanne: I came up with the idea soon after my first daughter Isabella was born. She is seven years old.

Tara: Wow, sounds very similar to my experience. I really began to reflect after the birth of my oldest son too. So would you say you had an aha moment; something you were doing or someplace you were visiting; a person in your life?
Joanne: I absolutely had an “aha” moment. I had the idea for Answers for several years. I did a charity walk-on role for the then-NBC comedy Scrubs. I spent the day with Angela Nissel, who is the head writer for the TV show. After I became comfortable with her, I told her my idea for Answers. She looked at me and said, “That’s a good one.” That was my first boost of confidence to believe in my idea.

I started writing an outline, but I was very busy being a new mom to our identical twins. Then the next “aha” moment made me stop and get busy. My husband had a high school friend whose wife died suddenly. She had asked her older son to drive their car around and pick her up. The older son allowed the youngest son to drive the car. He ran over his mother and she died. After I heard that story, I cried for a long time. I didn’t know that woman, but I felt responsible for not making Answers available sooner. All I could think was, how would that little boy ever know how much his mother loved him? If she could talk to him, she would probably want to fill his heart with all things I had planned to have in Answers. I knew I needed to be committed, so I could give other children the opportunity to never be left without their parent’s unconditional love and guidance.

Tara: Joanne, your story is so touching. I always marvel at how people come to their creative place. One of the main reasons for the Mom’s Choice Awards® is to give stories like this their proper place among the other products out there. A place to showcase heartfelt stories. This is certainly one of the most amazing! Who is your greatest source of support, and why?
Joanne: My greatest source of support is God. He inspires me to write and to keep trying. God has helped me through the darkest moments of paralysis and brought me to incredibly lighter moments of love and family. Without a doubt, He has been there to hold me and inspire me to help others through Answers.

It is only fair also to mention my husband. Without his help, Answers would still be an idea in my mind. He has been there every step of the way, by helping with our children, our home, and boosting my confidence. I am extremely blessed to have such a caring man by my side.

Tara: Amen sister! In my book, my dedication is to my husband for standing by me; to be strong and yet sensitive enough to allow my light to shine. It’s so nice to see more men becoming comfortable in their sensitive role… attractive too. If you could offer one piece of advice to someone who is thinking of venturing into this line of work, what would it be?
Joanne: It takes commitment. Not just a commitment to the idea, but a commitment to your belief, your idea’s success. The road to public awareness is like planting a tree. As it grows, you travel down new, creative branches of inspiration. There are so many different avenues to explore. You grow and learn, just as the tree grows. Through each venture you learn more about yourself and this industry. A tree doesn’t grow overnight. It takes a while. It needs care, but it can weather a storm and the winter, until it reaches the spring! The same is true with writing: believe, learn, and be patient.

Tara: Excellent advice and a great metaphor. What has it meant to you personally or to the success of your product to have been honored with a Mom’s Choice Award®?
Joanne: A Mom’s Choice Award® is a tremendous honor. There are many closed doors in this industry. It is wonderful to have a product you believe in, but it is not enough. The Mom’s Choice Awards® gave me inspiration. They gave me opportunity to join the IBPA (Independent Book Publishers Association), to receive a Dove Foundation’s seal of approval, and tons of marketing opportunities. They offered a belief in what I had created. Those are priceless gifts to an author.

Tara: Stories like these are the ones that should be recognized. Let’s face it, there is a lot of garbage out there that receives tons of exposure because someone has money to buy it. I believe the future of all business will be based on the heart that drives it, not money. What are your future plans; what’s next for you as an author/ creator?
Joanne: We are still knocking on doors and trying to make Answers a household name. As soon as people hear about Answers, they love the idea. Many parents out there need Answers not only for their children’s future but also as a comfort through illness. Our goal is to continue to try to make people aware of that Answers is available and to give parents the opportunity to always be by their child’s side.

Tara: Is there anything you would like to add?
Joanne: I would love to add that EVERYONE at the Mom’s Choice Awards® has been wonderful! They are always bright, energetic and eager to help in any way they can. I greatly appreciate and notice their effort. Thank you so much for this award and your ongoing effort to help your recipients shine!

Tara: Thank you Joanne! Visit Joanne’s web site- www.joannecking.com for more information about her Answers CD ROM.

Social Media and Contact Information
Website – www.joannecking.com
Blog – Joanne C. King
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