Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Paulo Fidalgo burst upon the Capital Region scene In October of 2002, part of the first staff to help launch Time Warner Cable's Capital News 9.
She continued her broadcasting career with a move to NBC affiliate WNYT before taking a leap of faith in herself to create her own business, the Dustbusters and Philidalgo Enterprises.
She holds a certification in positive psychology as both a practitioner and consultant and for the past five years has been working on her first work of fiction, they Even Took My Shoes. How a journalist overcame betrayal, an abusive court system and kept her promise. Borrowing from her own website. It is a fictional story of Maria Crowe, who battles family court politics judges and learns to harness her inner strength and embrace her true beauty.
Paula has a book signing Saturday, March 22nd at Mochalisa's in Clifton park to kick off her successful book and is combining a copy of her latest passion project with the opportunity to speak with her directly as she launches they Even Took My Shoes.
I was lucky enough to have Paula in the Daily Gazette podcast studio this week where she told me her story. Here is the wonderful and magnetic Paula Fidalgo.
[00:01:27] Speaker B: Well, thank you for coming in. And it's fun because you know the business, as we say, from a broadcast standpoint, but also from an education standpoint, and then selling your story with your new book.
So tell me about yourself and how you went from college student to faces we know and love on TV to.
[00:02:02] Speaker C: Now author and entrepreneur also.
Well, it's all about, it's been all about the journey, really. And I mean, as you know, when we think our life is headed in one direction, it's. It's gonna go in a different, completely different direction. Right. So I've been blessed and I'm so thankful that I've experienced all of it. And I think that's probably why people really connect and relate to me. And that's probably why it was not so hard to write the book and publish it because I've experienced so much in my life and it's been an amazing experience.
[00:02:51] Speaker B: So for people that aren't familiar with you, you were a youngster when you first burst onto the scene in 02, where some people in the Wayback Machine may remember not only the birth of Time Warner Cable and Capital News 9.
[00:03:10] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:03:11] Speaker B: But that's kind of was like your introduction to the capital region, to this area.
[00:03:16] Speaker C: Yes. So I'm from Springfield, Massachusetts, grew up there, and I went to Emerson College, and then from there I went to Hartford, Connecticut. I worked there, produced like every newscast there. And then I found out about this TV station that was starting in Albany. I had no idea where Albany was, but I, you know, New York. And like my mom who lives in Portugal, always hears stories about New York and thinks it's New York City, right? So when you hear New York, people automatically assume that. And I thought, oh, wait, is that market number one? No, it's smallbany Albany. But I knew that there was a station that was starting up. So I said, oh, this would be like a great adventure. So I reached out to them and they hired me. And not only hired me, but they promoted me when I came for the interview. And I was part of the five people that started the station. And I was. Because I was familiar with the system in Hartford, Connecticut, because it's a market like in the 20s, I was training some of my bosses in that actual system. So it was pretty cool. And we traveled because there was no building for Channel nine at the time. There was nothing. It was a bowling alley. So it was pretty cool to see nothing come out of, you know, what they are today.
So it was pretty cool.
[00:04:38] Speaker B: And how long were you at Caploo at Time Warner Cable?
[00:04:41] Speaker C: And then, sure, I was there for four years. And then after that I started a. Everybody thought I was. It was mission impossible.
But when somebody tells me it's not possible, that's where I really put all my forces into it. And I started a independent show. And Bob Furlong, who was the news director at Channel 6, he was my mentor at the time and I would reach out to him. Hey, Bob, what do you think? And I partnered with Saratoga High School and was able to have like, some kind of partnership internship with the students where I would teach them in exchange for using the studio to record the show. And the show aired on channel 10 on Saturdays. So it was 10 at 10. And within two to three weeks I had a one reading. So they went from zero to one. I was like, yes, it may not be a big deal, but, you know, it was when somebody told you, that's not possible. It was a half hour TV show and it was all about advocating for families. I interviewed doctors, psychologists about teenagers. It was all about families. It was. I said it was like the guide for parenting, basically. And then from there I did some anchoring with Look TV in Saratoga. And we had this show called her Look. And people at the time thought it was my look, but it was not about me. It's never about me. It was not about me. It was. And this was really cool because. And that's what My book hits on some of the things like that where we see people being highlighted, but you don't really know what those women go through to get to those positions, right? So her look was about professional women who are either. They're all entrepreneurs and owned either restaurants or boutiques. And her look was going behind the scenes to see how they got there and what they do on a daily basis. So it was a pretty cool show. And then from there, I became a single parent. And I thought, okay, as we know, right, if you're by yourself, a single parent, you need more income, right? And you can't be. When you're in a new set, you're basically working for. You have to be there. There is no excuse because the news goes on, so you have to be there. So it's not as flexible. And that's when I became an entrepreneur. So I became an entrepreneur, and it was funny because my kids. I started cleaning company, they were embarrassed. Mom, you cannot market your company in Clifton park. Because. No, I'm like, what? To the point where I thought too, like, oh, my gosh. My parents came on vacation here, and I would wear my suit and then go and change and then go with my crew, you know, And. And then after three months, I told my parents, I go, I'm. I'm an entrepreneur. It's okay. Because people have this perception of everything in news is glorious and it's fun and, you know. And now you have a cleaning company. What? Now you go from being in 500,000 households in one day to what, you guys are cleaning toilets?
But it's. It's. It's an awesome experience, and I'm happy that I made that transition. And throughout that process, I was able to write my book, and I got certified in positive psychology, became a positive psychology practitioner and consultants, because I wanted to work with companies also.
And, yeah, that's. That's me.
I have a lot of energy, okay? I know. I. I make people tired just hearing all the stuff that I do. And then people ask me, how do you have time to do all that? I do. I have time to do all that. And I always put my family first, and I will drop anything that I'm doing for my kids and my family.
[00:08:43] Speaker B: It is women's history month, and that was another thing. You know, when. When you caught me, I was like, this is. I love it. Everything.
So many things seem to always come together. And part of it is I've been in sales.
Part of me still is, I think, in our business, you know, selling the flag As I say, the Daily Gazette family of newspapers. The five dailies could be a sixth any day now. As you met our publisher, who knows who he's talking to, but you're always talking about the brand, you know, and you and I have been around in this business similar, like in, in this business for a similar time is that we are selling the brand, we're selling ourselves. Like tune in to see me, read me, look for me in our publications, look for me on your tv, look for me on the Internet and the other people I work with under this, this umbrella. So you go behind the scene, talent on screen, talent, entrepreneur, mom, full time job, you know, until is there is no end of, there's no punching out.
And then you become author.
And it's interesting because reading about you, learning about you was, you know, certified positive psychology. Would be nonfiction. It would be a story of someone who inspired you to tell their story that impacted you. But then it becomes a non fiction book, but with the same messages.
[00:10:17] Speaker C: Yes, it's so. Because I figured based on everything that I have learned through my journey and interviewing all these women and men and even kids, right? Everybody has this perception and this idea that life is perfect and we're not going to talk about the struggles because it's embarrassing, right? And I said, you know what with all this after, especially after Covid, right? The mental health and it's important for people to know that it's okay to have struggles because it's through the struggles that, that you're going to learn, you're going to take the lessons. Because if everything is perfect and we're just going through life not even learning anything, then what's the point, right? And that's when I said, you know what? I want to write something, I want to write a book. And it still feels not real. Like hearing you say author, I'm like, oh my God, I am that. I want people to. And I was always very authentic through everything that I have done. Whether it was when I was interviewing people, even now as a boss, like when I'm with my crew and even with my book, the writing that I did, I'm authentic. And I want people to know, don't be afraid if you go through struggle because it's normal. You're going to learn as long as you take that lesson, whether it's small or big. But just take it, grasp it, learn from it and then just move on. Because there is light at the end of the tunnel, you know, and there's always someone that is has it worse than you do you know truth stranger.
[00:11:57] Speaker B: Than fiction as we know talking to humans for so many years. Sometimes you're wide eyed and you're like, is this really true, this story or did this really happen? And things like that. When you're writing this, this fiction book, how many threads were you pulling on from your interactions from the past? Were there five key memories, individuals that are, you know, the story is fictional and not based on anyone in real life but. Or were there like 20?
[00:12:32] Speaker C: Well, there, there were. I mean, I actually even yesterday somebody posted on my Facebook that I had interviewed this woman from domestic violence who was a victim of domestic violence. She's paralyzed, she had two kids and she remembered me from them from back then. Right. And so it is a culmination of all that. Like even that woman, you know, I've met other moms through my own experience and dad's who have gone through the stuff that is on this book and it's pretty real stuff. And it's funny that I was writing it as a broadcaster because I wanted people to feel and to actually be. Cause I've read a lot of books and the best books are the ones that take you to that place where the action is taking place and you actually can feel what the characters are feeling. And that's how I wanted to write it. And I wrote it like a broadcaster. And then I hired a copy editor and she said, okay, we're gonna put some heart into this. And that's where the conversations and the dialogue came in. And yeah, I'm proud of all the compilation of all the stories and I hope it does justice and does help not only, you know, the stories of all the people that I've pulled into here, but also the people that are reading it and can relate to it. Because I think that no matter what your struggle is, it's probably going to be different than the main character, Maria. But through her struggle and yours, you're gonna be able to, if you follow the steps of what she did, overcome whatever your struggle is, if that makes sense.
[00:14:22] Speaker B: You spend a career writing. Again, we're gonna pick on broadcast news because you're writing scripts, you're writing lead ins, you're writing different things, you're writing voiceovers and things like that. Obviously, on my side, we're writing more.
1500 words is the desert. Anything over 1500 words, no one's ever going to read unless you write for the New Yorker.
How hard was it when you're writing chapter and you're creating storyline and you're creating arc because it is fiction. So it's not a beginning and a middle and an end. It's not an opening graph and it's not the story. And then it's not the close, as I like to say, put a, you know, tie a bow on it at the end. When it's not the 1, 2, 3. When it is an arc, when it is a story, when it is lengthy, it is a full length feature. Writing, how hard was that?
[00:15:25] Speaker C: It took five years.
It took five years and I wrote it old school.
Pen, pen, paper.
And at first I thought, it has to be perfect. No. And this is what I tell people when I come across people. Now I'm writing a book, but I go, just, just do it. Because you don't know, it doesn't have to be perfect right away. And that's basically what it was. It was coming up with that character. Right? But at first I didn't even have the character. I was just writing. And then when I study the positive psychology, I wanted to incorporate that in there and. Okay. Because I know firsthand that it is possible to come out of the struggle. Okay, we're going to have Maria through all this positive psychology and all the tools that are out there that people have tried, and we're going to. We're going to write this. And it was. It was.
I almost quit last year. I almost quit, but my copy editor, Logan, come on, keep going with Paula. So I finished the last chapter and.
[00:16:28] Speaker B: I was like, thank God you're writing it. And then you decide that we're going to have this character.
Was there a plan?
Did the outcome have to be successful or the journey have to be a successful journey? Maybe not the ideal outcome, but a successful journey. Did that have to happen?
[00:16:50] Speaker C: No, actually, when I started writing the book, there was no final yet.
Okay, is it going to be happy? Is it going to be sad that that was not there yet?
That came probably towards, I would say, last year. Really? Like the last three chapters were. I wrote them last year. Everything else was finished. And then I got stuck.
Is that what they call writer's walk? They got. I got stuck. And then I thought too, like, ugh, are people even gonna really care? Is this gonna matter? Is this gonna make a difference? And I go, no, it is. Because everything that I've learned in positive psychology, everything that I've learned with people and through my broadcasting career, I realized and came to the realization that people are afraid to ask the questions they really wanna ask. Right? Because I remember that because this is Women's Right month, I I asked this victim of domestic violence, I said, why did you not leave?
You know? And I thought to myself, oh, my God, she's gonna punch me. Like, why is she. Why am I asking her this question? The woman is in a wheelchair, right? But she said to me, she goes, paula, I. I don't know. I didn't know. And that's. A lot of women don't know. A lot of men don't know. And that's the answer that they have. And I thought, okay, it doesn't have to be a happy story. But then. Okay, and then it did. The last three chapters developed and, yeah.
[00:18:23] Speaker B: Five years to write. Not complete, but to write.
What was the hardest part of the journey? Is it the five years of creating this, or is that. What do I do with this now? Was there always a book?
[00:18:38] Speaker C: But. Well, there was all there. Yes, there was always a book. And there's actually. I hope some. Somebody who's listening to this has a connection with Netflix, because I think it would be an awesome movie. But, yes, it was always a book. The title changed about six times. So I. I will tell you right now, don't worry about the title, because that will come. I would sometimes sit in church and say, okay, God, please, like, knock me in the head with the title. It doesn't happen that way. So that changed, like, five, six different times. And at first I was fixated on that. It has to have a title. No, just keep writing it. And then the rest all falls into play. And that's basically what happened. And, you know, I. I brought my copy editor into the picture last year. So again, like, don't be afraid. Like, oh, my God, this isn't going to be perfect. Oh, is it? Because writing for broadcast is very completely different, and writing for TV is different than what you do in newspaper. Completely different. So in a book, right? And people would tell me, well, Amazon will pull things apart and criticize, and there's other authors. And I'm going, oh, my gosh, this better be perfect.
So the hardest part, I think, was I had to lay out chapters in the beginning, right? What is it that I want people to get out of this? And my main thing was, how can I help someone with this? It has to help someone, otherwise it would be pointless. And that was really. When I. After I started writing and I didn't even have a chapter, it was just. I was just writing. And then after that, I went back and I said, okay, there has to be organization, like, 1, 2, 3, 4, how many? And as I started laying them out and then giving them titles like, okay, this one is the introduction, this one is this, that. Then I think that made it easier. So it was like having that shell and then having the flow after that was. But I did get stuck with 11, the last three.
[00:20:42] Speaker B: Who inspired you as an author? Who inspired you as a broadcaster? Because I like to say you're young enough to know some of the legends that are out there. And I was fortunate enough to work for some legends in the newspaper business and there's still some legends that are out there on broadcast.
So who were your inspirations to get into broadcast television? And then who, who were your inspirations for authors?
[00:21:06] Speaker C: Well, it's interesting, it's funny because my inspiration for becoming a broadcaster happened in Portugal because when I was seven, my parents moved to Portugal and I had no Choice as a 7 year old. So I went to a completely different country. Didn't really know how to speak. So my parents put me back in first grade to learn. And I used to watch the news with my grandfather. I used to watch the news and I had a crush on the news anchor and I thought, oh, that would be a cool job. So when I became 13, my religion teacher was going around the classroom and asking people, oh, what do you want to do? What do you want to do? And everybody's like, oh, I want to be a teacher, I want to be a firefighter, I want to do this to help people. And of course I said, I want to be a fashion designer. I want to be rich and famous. So at the end, the conclusion, she goes, oh, everybody wants to do something for someone, but Paula, you're selfish. You want to be rich and famous, a fashion designer. So that day, that day was when I went home and I thought, oh my gosh, like, what do I want to do? And it was that day that I said, okay, I'm either going to be a journalist, to go to Iraq and report and be a CNN correspondent. Which my grandmother said, please don't do because you're going to die. Or do I want to be an attorney? But then I'm kind of a free spirit. I love light, I love the outdoors. And I thought, mm, I don't wanna be studying people's lives the whole entire time in a closed office. I would need to connect and be out there talking to people. And that's when I decided I wanna be a broadcast journalist. And yeah, I had fun with it.
[00:22:45] Speaker B: With looking at again becoming an author. Published author.
[00:22:49] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:22:50] Speaker B: Who was, you know.
[00:22:51] Speaker C: Oh my. I read a lot about Maria forleo She has a book. Everything is figure audible. The four agreements. That was, like, huge impact. And Dr. Joe Dispenza. So those three authors gave me inspiration to create something like this. And this was at the same time that I was studying positive psychology. And I thought, hmm, just like when I did the show with the family, like, what can I concoction out of here to do something for the greater good? And that's where they even took my shoes came.
[00:23:30] Speaker B: And so part of us connecting was that you have signings coming up. You're gonna be out there. Yes, you're gonna be out there.
[00:23:38] Speaker C: I'm so excited.
[00:23:39] Speaker B: And it's interesting because as an author, things change. Sometimes people just put their names on things and they sell a million. God bless Stephen King and Dean Coons and all. You know, everybody I've read for decades, they just do it, and then it just automatically flies off.
As the entrepreneurial author, you have to sell the book, but you're going to be out and about. And what's interesting, again, different, it's a new.
Is that there's the book, but then there's the book. And Paula.
So how did that come about where it's like, yeah, you can get this.
You get this to hold in your hand, but in a sense, you can get this, and I can, in a sense, hold your hand for things. So how was that? Just. Was that kisma? Did you have that in mind?
[00:24:36] Speaker C: Well, when I did, though, and got certified in positive psychology, right, it's similar to when I ran for national mess, right? It's like, you need sometimes, majority of the times, something to get attention or to be an advocate for. Like, when I ran for national queen, my platform was breaking the silence of domestic violence. Well, if you're out there, okay, let's talk about this. Domestic violence, people are like, okay, whatever. But now I was someone. I had a crown, right? People, oh, are listening to my message. So when I was studying and getting certified in positive psychology and had all that, like, I said the concoction and put it all together, I go, wait, the book can be a tool to get me to be able to help people and talk to people about positive psychology at the same time as the struggle. Like, how can you get out of it? Instead of just, you know, you run into so many people that just like to preach and say things, and you're like, what? But this is a tool that someone can either read or give it to someone as a gift if someone's going through a struggle. And that's what I intended it to do. And now after it was done, because I had no experience in this field. Right. But it's like any journey that I've had. I had no experience until you start learning. And I do a lot of research.
And once the book was published and when I reached out to my. To the publisher, too, they asked me. They. They had the manuscript. He. They didn't tell me if they liked it or not. They just. We had an interview, and the first question was, do you want to make money from the book?
And I said, that's not the reason why I wanted to write the book. I want to help people. And Dan said, all right, we love the manuscript. We want to publish the book.
Because we have a lot of people that come to us and they say, I want to make money. You're not going to make money from your first book or a book.
So they loved it, and that's how it happened. And then because I have the knowledge of the broadcasting, the marketing and all of that, that's when I said, you know, you can't just. Yeah, you can write a book and just leave it on the shelf, but how is that going to help someone? And that's where I started reaching out. And I have to say, and thank you to you also. I'm so blessed. And I want to say thank you to everyone. The community has been amazing. Like, I've reached out to all these businesses that are hosting the book signings, and everybody is so welcoming and want to help local people and local authors. So it's an awesome feeling and it's an amazing experience.
[00:27:24] Speaker B: So I think you kind of hid the National Miss on my research.
So let's talk about that.
We won't do the years.
[00:27:36] Speaker C: Yeah, I know.
[00:27:37] Speaker B: We won't give that away. But was.
[00:27:40] Speaker C: That was another cool, awesome experience because that was at the same time that I had the show and I was out there in the community. Community doing fundraising and helping, creating summer camps and all of that. And one of my sponsors reached out and said, hey, I heard about Crowns of Inspiration, and I'm going to nominate you because it's women from every state. And I go, no, because that is not. That doesn't go with my message. I'm over here trying to tell teenage girls that be comfortable with who you are. Like, I don't want to do this pageantry stuff like you see on tv, makeup and hair. And they go stress crazy. Oh, no, Paula, it's not about that. It's about the community and what you're doing in the community. And I looked into it and I said, oh, this is different.
So I did participate, was representing New York. And I did it two years. The first year, I came in second, but then they wanted me. They nominated me again. And the second year, it was awesome. I was. My platform was breaking the silence of domestic violence. But the first year, they cut my hair. They colored it blonde. They completely changed how I look to the point where my kids would say to me, this is not you. And I became someone that they made Paula into. And I was uncomfortable with it, right? So the second year, I said, no, I'm going to be me. Because if I am telling women and girls, like, you need to be comfortable with yourself. This is how I did my own hair and my own makeup. I picked my own dress. I did myself. And it was so cool when they were calling my name and I was like, in La La Land somewhere. And I heard it again. It is like processing through my brain. And then they're looking at me and waiting for me to go get it. And I'm going, oh, my God. I started crying because it was for all the women that I had interviewed and showcased, like, on my show. And it was such a great feeling because again, it was not about Paula winning the title. But it's okay. Now I have this. That I can help other women and other men by people gonna pay attention because unfortunately, that's how this world works now. They're gonna pay attention to the message. And I did. I accomplished a lot because of that.
[00:30:07] Speaker B: So what myths? What. Cause there is a variety. I just had this conversation the other day. So we. I know we say Miss Miss New York, but what banner was it on?
[00:30:17] Speaker C: Yes. So. Well, there were. There was one women from each state.
So I was representing New York in the Ms. So as a single person in my 30s.
So that was my category.
[00:30:33] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:30:33] Speaker C: Basically. And they. I mean, they narrow it. It's like, really. It was really intense.
And it was. They looked at how many appearances you have, what you did in the community. I ended up getting two bronze medals from President Obama at the time was recognized by our governor.
And I was in a room with six judges. And I think. I don't know if it was six minutes where they grilled you with, like, hardcore questions, not like what you see on tv, right? Where it was like, it was serious. They took it serious. And I won. I won for New York.
[00:31:09] Speaker B: So Miss New York under the Miss.
[00:31:12] Speaker C: National Miss for Crowns of Inspiration. I think there's, like, different organizations. And that was. Yeah, that was a national because it was like every state was there. And yeah, the first year New Jersey took it, I came in second. But. But yeah, no, it was, it was a great accomplishment for that purpose. And again, it's not because it was because I won it, but it was for the people that I was winning it for Obama.
[00:31:43] Speaker B: Two bronze medals.
[00:31:44] Speaker C: Two. Yes, I still have, I have them.
[00:31:48] Speaker B: You met the man?
[00:31:49] Speaker C: No, I actually didn't meet him. No, they mailed it to me.
[00:31:52] Speaker B: They mailed. Okay. It's from his office.
[00:31:55] Speaker C: Yes. It still feels good, right? It still feels good. I have the, you know, signed.
[00:32:02] Speaker B: Okay, you got the siggy.
[00:32:04] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:32:04] Speaker B: You got, you got the verified.
[00:32:06] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:32:06] Speaker B: Not the auto pen.
[00:32:08] Speaker C: Right, you get, you got it.
[00:32:10] Speaker B: All right, the. Okay. So when are your signings? You're signing. You have one coming up right away.
[00:32:15] Speaker C: So I have, I have a ribbon cutting coming up which you are invited to. And that is Friday morning. And then I have a book signing at Mocha Lisa's. That is the first one on Saturday, March 22nd. And that is at 11 o'clock from 11 to one. And then I have on Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza May 17, 3 to 4 and Northshire Bookstore in Saratoga on June 22 from 2 to 4. And this one is going to have a lot of. I believe we're six authors that are going to be here, so that would be pretty cool too.
[00:32:53] Speaker B: So my notes, we talked about the book for sale 2802. Is that a magic number or is that just how the math works on.
[00:33:03] Speaker C: No, that's how the. I think with the posting and all that. So that's. Yeah, that's how they came up with it.
[00:33:08] Speaker B: And then let's talk about exclusive or is it the experience, the Paula Experience, as I've now coined it. Feel free to take it.
Signed copy a 30 minute Zoom with you. A membership to Women Empowering Women, $49. Where did that. That's obviously post Pub location. Where did that come in? Is that just part of the whole.
[00:33:35] Speaker C: That came in through the amazing people that I have now with my web and my branding.
They said, right, you have the tool now. So now let's help people. And this is how we're gonna do it. And they put it all together for me. I cannot take credit for that and, but basically that's what it is. And I've met some of the most amazing people. And my first one was from Canada, Pennsylvania, California. It's amazing. Like I don't, I didn't even know these people. And when I did the One to one with them. It was the most amazing feeling because at that moment is when I realized my book has accomplished. And that first person that I talked to, I said that day, when I told the publisher, even if I just help one person, and I believe I helped her that day, and I said, mission accomplished, Paula. And I said, this is what I want to do. I love people. I love life, and I just. I want to help people. I genuinely just want to help people.
[00:34:52] Speaker B: Ready for the tough question? It's the last one.
[00:34:54] Speaker C: Oh, my gosh, I'm sweating now.
[00:34:55] Speaker B: Are you ready?
[00:34:56] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:34:57] Speaker B: What's next?
[00:34:58] Speaker C: Oh, gosh. I knew you were going to ask me that. Okay. This is the first time in my life, right. That I don't have that answer, like, right here. Because my kids. Right. I just. I just turned 50 in October, and that was, like, a huge accomplishment. And now with the book, that was also. It's like, check, check, check. Getting all the kids to college was like, check.
And now I said, now it's all about me. And then I published the book now. And now I go, okay, so what do I do next? Right? So right now I'm just basking in the feeling of, I just published this, but somebody already asked me this before my team.
So your next book. And I said, I already put majority of the chapters together. I have the COVID which is funny because this one only came towards, like, really last year, the COVID the design and everything. And I have it already. I have it here in my head. And I told them exactly what it's gonna be and the simplicity of it. And it's almost as if it's a sequel to this. I don't know yet if Maria is going to be the main character, but I already have the chapters in my head, so that will be. That'll be next.
[00:36:31] Speaker B: So you have to come back.
[00:36:33] Speaker C: I. I would love to.
I. I'm hoping that will not take five years to write.
[00:36:39] Speaker B: I. I don't think it will. I will probably still be here in five years, much to my wife's chagrin. But because this. I'd be more than happy to have.
[00:36:46] Speaker C: You back because this was scary. It's scary to write something that is going to be in the hands of I don't even know how many people, right? So we all think that everything has to be perfect. And that's. I want people to know, like, no, don't. Nothing has to be perfect. Just do it. If you have something you want to do, don't let it stop you. Just do it. That's the first step. Do it. That's it, Right?
[00:37:13] Speaker B: That's it.
[00:37:13] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:37:14] Speaker B: Just.
I like your. Just do it. Better than Nike's. I will tell you that.
[00:37:19] Speaker C: Thank you.
[00:37:20] Speaker B: Thank you for coming in.
[00:37:21] Speaker C: Thank you for having me.
