From Idea to Page: Paulette Hallam’s Journey to Writing Children’s Books – the Inspiration You Need
What if the most challenging chapters of your life were not setbacks, but the very foundation of your future success? For many entrepreneurs, the path to building a business is paved with moments of uncertainty and hardship.
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We are often taught to hide these struggles, to present a polished image of invincibility. But what if the key to building a powerful brand and a lasting life and legacy lies not in hiding our scars, but in learning how to own your story?
See the full episode with Paulette Hallam’s
In a recent episode of The Obehi Podcast, host Obehi Ewanfoh sat down with Paulette Hallam, a former corporate director who turned children’s book author, whose journey is a masterclass in turning adversity into an asset.
Paulette’s story reveals a profound truth: the resilience forged in hardship can become the bedrock of authentic leadership and purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Her experience offers an invaluable blueprint for every business owner looking to move from roots to relevance by harnessing the power of their unique narrative.
The Unlikely Leader: Selling with Stories, Not Scripts
Paulette’s early life was marked by instability. “I ended up being fostered,” she shared, a circumstance that forced her to develop a deep well of resilience long before she even knew the word. While this turbulent childhood closed the door to a university education, it unknowingly prepared her for a different kind of boardroom.
Thrust into the world of sales, she discovered a natural talent that had nothing to do with aggressive tactics or manipulative scripts. Her method was simple, yet revolutionary: she used her own story. “The way I did that was by being me,” Paulette explained. “Not pushy, not demanding, just tell them a bit about me, tell them about the story of why this product will do what they want them to do, and they used to buy it.”
This is the essence of what Obehi Ewanfoh calls the “Story to Asset Framework.” Paulette instinctively understood that genuine connection is the most powerful currency in business.
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By sharing pieces of herself, she built trust and transformed a simple product pitch into a meaningful exchange. Her success was so profound that she was made a sales director within four years, at just 22 years old, leading a team of 20 who all adopted her storytelling approach and achieved remarkable success.
For entrepreneurs today, the lesson is clear: your story is not just your history; it is your most effective marketing asset. When you learn to articulate your journey, you invite your ideal clients into a relationship, not just a transaction.
The Courage of Conviction: A Lesson in Radical Honesty
Paulette’s leadership style was a natural extension of her sales philosophy. It was rooted in humanity, trust, and mutual respect, principles that resonate deeply with African philosophies like Ubuntu, which emphasizes our shared humanity and interconnectedness.
She created a workplace culture where people felt valued. “If you’re a decent human,” she noted, staff will work hard “because they want to.” Simple acts of kindness, like allowing a parent to attend their son’s school play, fostered loyalty that no corporate manual could ever replicate.
This commitment to integrity was put to the ultimate test when she was headhunted by a large Japanese company. As a woman in a culture where female board directors were unheard of, she was instructed to attend a high-stakes meeting in Japan and, in her boss’s words, “be silent.”
But as she listened to executives misrepresent the company’s reality to the top boss, Tazaki-san, her conscience wouldn’t allow her to stay quiet. When she finally spoke, her words were direct and unflinching. “Why are they all lying to you?” she asked. In the stunned silence that followed, she laid out the unvarnished truth about the company’s failing products.
Her courage to speak truth to power, even at great personal risk, earned her the ultimate respect. Instead of being fired, she was promoted, becoming Tazaki-san’s trusted number two.
“Honesty always wins,” Paulette reflected. This powerful moment echoes an Esan proverb Obehi shared, from his roots in Southern Nigeria: “If you are told what the fish is made of, you will not eat it.” It speaks to the uncomfortable truths that are often hidden in business.
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Paulette’s story teaches us that while the truth can be difficult, it is the only sustainable path to building trust and a respectable legacy. True self-mastery is having the courage to stand by your convictions, especially when it is hard.
From Profit to Purpose: Crafting a New Legacy
After a long and successful corporate career, Paulette embarked on a new mission, one that brought her life full circle. In collaboration with her co-author, Charlotte Moerman, she began writing children’s books.
This wasn’t just a passion project; it was the culmination of a lifetime of learning about resilience. Her books are designed to give children what she had to find on her own: the tools for self-belief and a strong mind.
The central character, Walter, serves as a guide, encouraging young readers to pause, take a deep breath, and ask themselves, “What would Walter do?”
The goal, Paulette says, is to give “children the strength to believe in themselves” and to trust their gut instincts. This is more than just storytelling; it’s a mission to equip the next generation with the emotional intelligence to navigate life’s challenges.
What makes her venture even more remarkable is its business model. It is built entirely on generosity. “It’s a charity,” she explains. For every book sold, another is purchased and donated to organizations like Comfort Cases, which supports children in the foster care system, and Connect Impact Hub, which assists homeless families.
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Paulette and Charlotte personally fund the production, turning their business into a powerful engine for social good. This represents the pinnacle of entrepreneurship, where success is measured not by profit margins, but by the positive impact you create in the world.
Own Your Story, Define Your Legacy
Paulette Hallam’s journey from a difficult childhood to a celebrated author and philanthropist offers a powerful roadmap for every entrepreneur. Her life is a testament to the idea that our experiences, especially the challenging ones, are not obstacles but opportunities to build character, connect with others, and create meaningful change.
This conversation, like so many of the over 1,000 interviews available on The Obehi Podcast, reminds us that the principles of success are universal. Whether you are selling computers or writing children’s books, the core elements remain the same: authenticity, integrity, and a deep sense of purpose.
As you build your own business, consider these actionable steps inspired by Paulette’s journey:
- Mine Your Past for Assets: Reflect on the moments of adversity in your life. What strengths did you build? How did they shape who you are today? Frame these not as weaknesses to be hidden, but as the core of your unique brand story.
- Lead with Humanity: Evaluate your leadership and client relationships. Are they built on transaction or genuine connection? Find ways to infuse more empathy and authenticity into your interactions. Remember, loyalty is earned through respect, not demanded by a title.
- Define Your Legacy: Think beyond revenue. What impact do you want your business to have on your community and the world? Whether it’s through a non-profit model like Paulette’s or simply by operating with unwavering integrity, start building a legacy you can be proud of today.
To explore more inspiring stories of entrepreneurs who are using their voices to build incredible lives and legacies, dive into the extensive library of interviews on The Obehi Podcast and discover over 2,000 insightful articles at AClasses Media. It is time to own your story and transform it into your greatest asset.
