AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT KIMBERLY STRATTON

Can you reflect back on your childhood and recall the moment you fell in love with reading and sharing stories?

My mom, Grandma “T,” and I were at the mercy of a cruel and toxic family life Our blood relatives that we grew up and around were not kind They were mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially abusive As a child, I started writing to escape my reality and would flee to a world of whatever my imagination created I wrote poems, stories, tv show sitcoms, songs, and jingles for commercials – I wrote any and everything I wrote on napkins, loose-leaf paper, cards, journals, and such I remember writing on my bedroom wall once because I just had to get a story out of my head My mom would notice the writing and buy me a series of little girl books to read when I was younger to help offset the writing and give my hands a break Reading only fueled my world of escape even more

I’m sure you have been influenced by many throughout your career Who would you tribute your passion and love for writing to?

My mom and Grandma “T” have been such positive influences in my upbringing Their support for my youthful writing made my confidence grow and enhanced my reading and writing skills This boost of confidence allowed me to verbally express myself as an adult and stand as the Queen I am called to be They taught me many lessons, such as your word is all you have in life Money, friends, and status will go but keep your word because people will remember that most They also taught me to never leave the house without my hair looking good or at least presentable because you never know who you will see. LOL. Both have been such true sayings in my life and career You may not be able to please all the people all the time, but when people trust you, that is infinite – it lasts forever and leaves a legacy Plus, having a good “do (aka hairstyle) never hurts

You are an international best-selling author and CEO. How do you balance the demand of both career paths? Great question! My mom asks me the same thing LOL She also asks when do I sleep? Believe it or not, I work a full-time job in the Insurance Industry as well as the CEO and Founder of a community program called International HOPE Inc, which locally and internationally provides food, basic needs, and necessities for veterans, the elderly, the youth, the homeless, the less fortunate, the forgotten ones and everyone in between I am the CEO and Founder of The Crown And Cross Consulting And Publishing Co LLC, a consulting and publishing co (I ask people to check out our website for a full list of our services) I wear many hats in ministry, such as a Prophetess, ordained Pastor, Mentor, Consultant, and more, but the most important badge of honor position I wear in ministry is called servant Balance can sometimes be distorted, but you must find it and take time out for yourself too

Tell us about The Crown and Cross Consulting and Publishing CO. LLC?

The Crown And Cross Consulting And Publishing Co LLC is the ministry God entrusted me with to help His people with their dreams of becoming a writer and being published It started in December 2020 with one author and has grown since then to thirteen authors and counting (three more are being added as we speak) I have been hired for consultant work for a Judge and his re-election campaign, provided other 501c3s with paperwork completion, and assisted numerous clients with their time management, resume building, websites, creative works/writing, rebranding and marketing (PR work), and more

What do you hope people take away from their experience with your company?

I hope they take away these words: Family Compassion Hardworking Legit These are just a few descriptive words that I want people to say about The Crown And Cross Consulting And Publishing Co LLC. Once you are a client, you are family. I know what having non-support looks like, and I want to liberally give family values and support to others.

We are compassionate, and for The Crown And Cross Consulting And Publishing Co LLC is not about the “ money, but it’s about the many seeds we plant and the mountain of positive memories we help create for our clients Yeah – you will work hard because the client sets the deadline date and we make sure it is adhered to But know that working hard is ok because nothing ventured is nothing gained Last but not least, we want people to take away from their experience with The Crown And Cross Consulting And Publishing Co LLC is that we are LEGIT!

I have consulted and met with potential clients and some clients who have been hurt, browbeaten, taken advantage of, and had their dreams and money stolen from them. Not with us We are LEGIT! We take the time to remove the rubble from past bad experiences, create a trusting and solid foundation, then help rebuild your hopes and dreams and restore your faith

You are a best-selling author. Can you tell us about your books?

Wow! Do you have time? LOL I listed the names of my selfpublished books from 2020 to current, and the list is growing Look for several new books coming in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Again, please feel free to check out my website for updates Did I also mention that I am working on a NEW website for my publishing company?

What message do you hope readers take away from your book?

Two things: 1 I am not bitter but blessed, and 2 There is healing on the other side of the hurt These are my go-to whenever I speak, read my books, and minister to others I do not mind sharing what I have been through because it is not about the abusers being kept a secret It is to release the healing and be a bridge to help others cross the troubled water I survived

What is your definition of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles?

The very definition is everything you all do, the people you showcase, and me – we are all the vision of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles! Hustling is no longer defined as forceful action, aggressiveness, or wrong or illegal movement(s) It is reinvented as entrepreneurship, innovative, headstrong, confident, and evolved It’s me

Can you provide your book title names as well?

I have self-published 8 books:

A Voice For The Silent Ones

Its StoryTime Vol 1 – the Christian coloring book

The Journey (through Gods Word)

The Journey Continues

The Journey Never Ends

Yet Will I Serve Him

Yet Will I Serve Him – The Sequel

The Butterfly Evolution – From Broken to Blessed (book collaboration with Minister Joshua De Sousa)