In my latest interview on "My Empire," I took a journey across the globe to interview one of my favorite leaders. She has transformed her dreams into reality while making a significant impact on others. I am thrilled to share her inspiring story with you along with practical tips, and strategies to help you build your own empire.

My guest of honor was Elise Lovejoy, a dynamic individual who wears many hats: a dedicated mother, an innovative business owner, author, illustrator, a passionate literacy advocate, and the founder and CEO of Express Readers, a decodable book series designed to support early literacy development.

The Power of Programs and Early Literacy

During our conversation, Elise emphasized the critical role of early education and literacy. She highlighted the incredible program "UFLI" where researchers had tested and proven its effectiveness in helping children make significant gains, regardless of their background or support system. Elise passionately advocates for a collective effort in supporting children to read, whether by reading to them, offering encouragement, or providing the necessary resources. She underscored the importance of understanding the struggles children face and helping them overcome these challenges.

Reading: A Right, Not a Privilege

Elise firmly believes that reading is a fundamental right, not a privilege. She echoed this sentiment by placing a sticker on her books that reads, "Reading is a right, not a privilege." I shared my mantra, "Read to Lead," which emphasized the countless opportunities that arise from knowing how to read. During the interview, we discussed how reading allows individuals to gain perspectives, be effective community members, and lead meaningful lives.

The Joy of Reading and Empathy

Elise shared her favorite book, "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," which offered a perspective from an autistic teenager. She highlighted the importance of empathy and understanding different viewpoints, especially for educators and caregivers. Elise believes reading allows us to step into the shoes of others and gain a deeper understanding of their experiences, which is essential in teaching and caring for others.

Express Readers and Future Endeavors

Elise talked about her work with Express Readers and the exciting developments on the horizon. She is passionate about writing decodable books and aligning them with school programs to make integration into lessons seamless for teachers and parents. Additionally, she hinted at her new, yet-to-be-revealed company, The Teacher's Table, set to launch in 2025.

Express Readers is not just about providing products; it’s about supporting educators, parents, and caregivers. Elise's company welcomes questions and offers assistance to anyone in need because helping one person means supporting a child’s literacy journey.

Curiosity and Personal Growth

Elise and I discussed the importance of curiosity and finding joy in reading. Elise encouraged both children and adults to explore different genres and find what excites them. I shared my own experiences of nurturing my children's love for reading by discovering books that matched their interests, such as video game books and mysteries.

Final Thoughts

Elise shared with us a reminder to give ourselves grace and to have empathy in our interactions. Her dedication to literacy and education is truly inspiring. For more information about Elise and her work, visit expressreaders.org. Stay tuned for the launch of The Teacher's Table and continue to support literacy and education in your community.

Thank you, Elise, for joining us and sharing your invaluable insights. And thank you to our listeners for tuning in and reading the blog. Together, let's continue to build empires, one story at a time.

Express Readers:
[email protected]
626.710.5675

To be interviewed on MY EMPIRE contact Ali Everett at [email protected]