From Foster Care to Founder: Marina Aris’ Journey to Building Ethical Publishing Platforms

Please share a brief introduction and your business:

My specialty is turning exceptional concepts and manuscripts into beautiful books that readers love. As a Book Publishing Strategist, host of the Book Biz Insider podcast, and literary founder of AVANTHAM, Brooklyn Writers Press, and Book Biz Hub, I follow the IBPA’s ethical hybrid publishing model. I partner with authors to ensure they retain their IP, keep 80–90% of their net book royalties, and receive high‑touch, one‑on‑one support from story concept through marketing and distribution—resulting in books that meet or exceed professional industry standards.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I didn’t always know I wanted to be an entrepreneur, but I always knew I wanted to write and work with books in a meaningful way. What I’ve had since childhood is a strong sense of drive and a kind of fearlessness that comes from overcoming adversity again and again. I’ve always been the person who follows that inner drive, and over time that naturally evolved into entrepreneurship—which, in my view, requires exactly those traits: confidence (innate or learned), a willingness to take real risks, and a clear vision for what you want to build.

Do you have a co-founder?

No co-founder, though I do partner with every author I work with. Their books and their success as authors become just as important to me.

Are you a mamaprenista?

Yes, I’m a Mamaprenista. My best advice is to accept that perfection isn’t the goal—presence is. I’m intentional about creating true quality time with my daughters (phone limited, “mama‑adventure” time where they get my full attention), and then giving my business the same kind of focused energy in its own blocks. I also try to remember that my girls are watching not just how much time I spend with them, but how I live my life; by honoring my work, setting boundaries, and caring for my own well‑being, I hope I’m modeling for them what it looks like to be both a loving, present mother and a woman who builds something of her own.

Take us back to when you launched? What was your marketing strategy?

When I first launched my business, I didn’t have a formal marketing strategy—I had a decision: I was going to build something in the book world and fully step into it. I started a weekly writing group, volunteered to host Indie Author Day at the public library, and showed up anywhere book people gathered: industry events, conferences, book fairs. I read every trade magazine I could find, listened to countless publishing and business podcasts, and introduced myself, volunteered, and contributed. That “strategy” of passion and presence led to becoming the first NYC Authors Guild Ambassador, presenting at BookExpo at the Javits Center, and even flying to London to attend the London Book Fair and meet industry professionals there. Looking back, my marketing has always been less about campaigns and more about connection—when people talk books with me, they feel my can‑do enthusiasm and deep knowledge, and that’s what makes them remember me and refer authors my way.

What accomplishments are you the most proud of to date in your business?

I’m most proud of the Indie Book Awards my authors and I have won. For me, those awards are a powerful stamp of approval because they recognize both sides of what I care about most: strong, meaningful writing and a finished book that is beautifully produced and meets—or exceeds—professional publishing standards. It’s a tangible confirmation that the care we put into every stage of the process truly shows on the page and in readers’ hands.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

I wish I had fully understood, earlier in my journey, how powerful it is to be surrounded by other women who “get” the entrepreneurial path. For a long time, I built my business largely on my own, and I underestimated how grounding and energizing it is to connect with like‑minded founders who understand the risks, the trade‑offs, and the wins. Being part of a community like Entreprenista reminds me that I don’t have to carry every challenge in isolation—and that sharing the journey is just as important as building the business itself.

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

My go-to interview question is: “Are you passionate about books?” For the kind of work I do, that question tells me a lot—production and publishing require patience, care, and a genuine love for the medium, and I want to hire people who will find real joy in the details it takes to bring a book to market. No matter the industry, I think gauging someone’s true interest and enthusiasm for the work is a powerful starting point; when a team member shares your passion and drive, everything else—skills, systems, and processes—is much easier to build.

What did you go before starting your own business?

Before I launched my own publishing companies, books were first my refuge and then my craft—I grew up in foster care, turned to reading to navigate a chaotic childhood, and began writing as a teen and throughout my life. Professionally, I built a foundation in financial services as a financial advisor, working one-on-one with clients and learning how to translate complex decisions into clear, confident action. I paired that experience with a business degree and writing certificates from NYU’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies, and later served as the first NYC Authors Guild Ambassador, leading writer groups and hosting workshops at events like the London Book Fair, Book Expo, and Indie Author Day. All of that now informs my work as a Book Publishing Strategist, podcast host, and founder of AVANTHAM, the Brooklyn Writers Press, and Book Biz Hub, where I guide authors through an ethical, transparent publishing process.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I had always intended to go pro as a writer and publishing professional, but my then-husband dismissed it as a hobby, so I chose divorce, prioritized my children's financial security, walked away from significant assets and alimony, and rebuilt from almost zero. After years as a stay-at-home mom and a period of being essentially unemployable, I eventually re-entered the workforce and quietly built my publishing business on the side until word-of-mouth demand made it my full-time work. That journey required resilience, faith in my skills, and a willingness to take real risks—but it gave me a company that reflects my values and gives authors the kind of support I once had to fight for myself.

Do you have any recent wins?

Over the last year, one of my biggest wins has been leaving my 9–5 because my publishing business grew so much through referrals that I could no longer sustain doing it before work, at lunch, and late into the evening. Becoming a free agent again has given me the flexibility to show up more fully for my authors, be more present for my children, and actually prioritize my own self‑care. The ability to work from anywhere, do the work I love at a high level, and know it’s fully supported by word‑of‑mouth demand feels like an incredible milestone worth celebrating.

What's one app on your phone that you cannot live without?

Notion. It's clean, intuitive to use, and I can customize it however I want.

Who are your customers?

My customers are established and emerging adult authors who are ready to publish but aren’t sure where to start, talented teen writers who want to become published authors while they’re still in school, and business professionals who see a book as a powerful way to build authority. I work across genres—from fiction and memoir to nonfiction and thought leadership—but my clients all share a common thread: they want a beautiful, professionally published book, an ethical hybrid model where they keep their IP and a high percentage of net royalties, and a one‑on‑one partner to guide them from concept through marketing and distribution.

What's your top productivity tip?

My top productivity tip is to build a morning practice that puts you—the human behind the business—first. For me, that’s Hal Elrod’s Miracle Morning. It’s prescriptive but flexible, and it helps me protect the first part of the day from reactive habits like grabbing my phone or diving straight into email. Instead, I focus on self‑care, mindset, movement, and reading (ideally a physical book), which keeps about 90% of my morning offline. The result is less stress, more calm and clarity, and a much healthier state of mind and body before I step into all the roles I play as a woman, mother, writer, and business owner.

What's your favorite business tool?

My favorite business tool is Sintra AI. As a solopreneur running multiple imprints and a podcast, I use it as a true thinking partner—for everything from business development, financial forecasting, and strategic planning to content strategy, innovation, and day‑to‑day decision support. It helps me see the big picture and the details at the same time, so I can spend more of my energy on high‑touch work with my authors and more present time with my kids.

What's your approach to work-life balance?

My approach is to be honest that “balance” is rarely perfect, but integration is possible. When you work for yourself, it’s easy for business to seep into every corner of your life, so I set some simple rules: when I’m with my daughters, my phone is limited, and it’s “mama‑adventure time”—I’m fully present with them first. I’ll only peek at email or check on the business once I know they’ve truly had my attention. The same is true in reverse: when I’m working, I give my authors and my own creative career my full focus, so that when I step back into mom mode, I can show up with a clear mind and open heart, ready to connect at a high level.

How do you avoid burn-out?

I’m still a work in progress when it comes to avoiding burnout, but two things have helped me tremendously. First, I track my days on paper—if I have a pen and a blank sheet, I can quickly see what I’ve taken on and what truly has to happen today versus what can wait. Second, I return to my Miracle Morning practice whenever I notice myself slipping into unsustainable patterns; recently, I caught myself working 70-hour weeks and eating canned food when my kids were with their dad, and that was my signal to reset. Protecting my mornings, even in a simple way, helps me slow down, care for my body and mind, and make more intentional choices about how I spend my time and energy.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

My advice is to decide what you want and have unwavering faith in yourself, even before the evidence shows up. If you don’t know something, there are endless ways to learn; if you feel alone, join a community like Entreprenista, so you’re surrounded by women who understand the journey. If it lights you up, build it. If it fuels your drive, pursue it. Since 2016, I’ve done that again and again, and today I’m almost unrecognizable to my former self—in the best way. I’m proud not only of what I’ve accomplished, but of the fact that I took an idea that didn’t exist and turned it into something tangible, meaningful, and valuable that truly contributes.

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