July 13, 2023
BBW MEMBER INTERVIEW: Heather McConley, Leader/Educational Services Rep Consultant of WonderFunBooks/PaperPie
What is your name?
Heather McConley
What is your title?
Leader/Educational Services Rep
What is your business name?
What is your website URL?
www.WonderFunBooks.com
What is your Instagram handle?
What is your LinkedIn URL?
How long have you been a Boston Business Women member?
2/13/23
Where are you based? How did you end up there?
Andover, MA -- I work all over New England. My husband graduated with his PhD in 1996 and we slowly moved north of Cambridge, towards the suburbs where we're both comfortable.
Tell us more about your company! What do you do and what pushed you to start?
PaperPie is a direct sales company, representing amazing children's books and educational products. I had never heard of direct sales before hosting a party with them when I was a young mother. I joined in 2006, when my consultant had quit, to do my own party (and that was all I was going to do!!). Nearly 17 years later, I am even more in love with the products and love helping people and schools earn them for free. I am truly passionate about giving people resources and OPTIONS when it comes to their children's education. I love being my own boss with this flexible business. PaperPie is formerly known as Usborne Books & More, and we represent Usborne Publishing, Kane Miller Publishing, Learning Wrap-Ups, and now SmartLab Toys.
What is your definition of success? How do you know when you’ve reached it?
Honestly, I'm not doing this for the income as much as I'm doing this to provide people with educational options. My best days are when people tell me how much their kids have benefitted from something I've sold them, or when they tell me how much their kids love a particular book or series. And then I know that I've affected that child for a lifetime, because education can never be lost.
What was one of your biggest challenges in business?
I have had an autoimmune condition for 10+ years now, which comes with depression. This saps my motivation from time to time, making being my own boss difficult. I work hard to overcome it!
How do you handle the harder days? The struggles? Those moments when you feel like giving up?
I remember all the people I've helped and all the kids who are enjoying reading and learning because I've helped their parents.
Who is the woman behind your business? What does she like? How does she spend her free time? What does she value?
One of my biggest values is education. I am a Christian, so I spend time with fellow Christians and value behaving with love in all things. I also love to garden (flowers, mostly), and I read voraciously. I have two young adult ``kids,`` and have been married for 28+ years.
Where can we keep up with you? What social media platforms do you use the most?
Facebook for the most part, although I'm starting a blog this year as well.
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