Expanding Ripples – The Itty Bitty Book Company

Tell us a little about yourself…

I’m 25, my name is Astra 🙂 I grew up with a sort of modern nomadic lifestyle, my family moved countries every few years, not for work, just in search of a new adventure. We didn’t have conventional luxuries like fancy toys or pocket money but I thrived on planning the next big trip and imagining what opportunities the future held.

I’ve lived in South Africa, Australia, England, America, The Caribbean and Scotland, which is where I was born. I have incredible memories from each of these places but none stole my heart quite like Ireland. When my lovely Irish man Al brought me here something settled in my soul and I knew I’d found home. I couldn’t and still can’t imagine being anywhere else. 6 years on Al and I are happily married, we live with our crazy cat Cara and we are delighted to be expecting our first baby any day now! We work full time, well I’m on maternity now for a year (yay!), we keep hens and grow lots of vegetables. I also run The Itty Bitty Book Company Etsy shop and my journey to a dream blog.

Tell us a little about your business…

The Itty Bitty Book Company is all about spreading positivity and happiness. Positive quotes have a way of connecting with people, empowering them and can instantly lift your mood. The little quote books can be kept in your handbag, on your desk at work or on your bedside table – just about anywhere you think you’d like some extra positivity in your life. I just want to make as many people as I can smile 🙂

What inspired you to begin the work you do?

The Itty Bitty Book Company really is a brand new business, I only started up this January after making some little quote books for family and friends at Christmas. I’ve always loved quotes and wanted to give something handmade, itty bitty size (because my family live all over the world and itty bitty is always cute!) also importantly, something that expressed a part of me. That’s how the positivity book was born 🙂

What do you love about what you do?

The response I got from friends and family was amazing and I had really loved the process of choosing the quotes that resonated with me, putting them together and decorating them. It felt like I was sharing a piece of my personality, the happy positive part that so many people say is what they love most about me. I feel very lucky to have found a business idea that so suits me and is so expressive and positive – I just love everything about it!

Where do you see this business in a years time?

Well this year is a big year for our family – our first baby is due any day now (so unbelievably exciting!!!). I would love for this business to be able to help us save up for our dream small-holding and enable me to spend more time with our son and less time working for someone else.

I would love for my books to be all over the world, in every continent would be awesome! I will always make each book myself and have them printed locally, I believe in supporting our local economy here in Ireland and would never outsource to a big printers overseas. I would like to develop a few variations on the Positivity Book. One idea I have is for an Itty Bitty Book of Strength, with supportive and encouraging quotes for people going through hard times. All profits from this book will go to a childrens hospital charity close to my family’s heart. I’d also like to make an Itty Bitty Motivation Book filled with energetic and ‘get up and go’ type quotes, perfect for people getting fit or loosing weight. I have a few other ideas up my sleeve but you’ll have to wait and see!

What have you learned through your life experiences and how have you applied them to your new business?

The most powerful thing I think I’ve learned in my life is that you really do create your own reality through your thoughts. People who focus on the negative, who belittle themselves and expect bad things to happen really do end up with lives full of hardship. Whereas people who choose to look on the bright side, focus on finding the good in each situation (and it’s not always easy) and think positively about themselves are happier, more content and often more successful people.

The Itty Bitty Book Company is all about helping people to stay on the side of positivity, to see the good and let go of the negatives in life.

How do you think positivity can effect people’s every day life and the entire world?

I believe in the butterfly effect, that one smile can send a chain reaction round the world and end up having a huge and profoundly positive effect. If you choose to try and be more positive in your day to day life, smile more and look on the bright side you will not only make yourself happier but your positive energy is highly contagious, the people around you will be touched by it, your family, your colleagues and even strangers on the street!

What have been your greatest challenges in spreading the word about positivity?

There hasn’t really been a challenge in promoting positivity, I think everyone likes the idea and in theory most people agree that positivity is better than negativity! In saying that though Rita Schiano puts it well –

“Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction. Break the Habit. Talk about your joys.”

So many people really are in the habit of discussing their problems, and it’s not an easy one to break but it is so important. If you want to break a negative thought pattern having positive affirmations and quotes around can really help you stay on track 🙂

What can people do on a daily basis to affect change in the world around them?

Be more positive!!! Smile at a stranger, find something good in a bad situation, let go of something that’s been bothering you and think of something that is making you happy 🙂

Everyone says it’s about the little things you do, that one change can make a difference and I totally agree. One small thing that we do is NEVER buy non-free range chicken or eggs, EVER. It may not seem like a lot but whatever you do will make a difference and you should be proud you’re doing something.

I love this story –

Is there anything else you’d like people to know?

My itty bitty facebook page is a place where I share inspirational quotes and pictures and let people know about new books, offers and just keep in touch really 🙂 Also since valentines day is approaching I’m going to share the positive love and give away positivity books to 3 of my facebook followers. The draw will be on valentines day and I will post to anywhere in the world so come and click ‘like’ you might be lucky!

My journey to a dream blog is where I blog about my life, family and literally how we enjoy the journey to our dream.

And finally if you’d like to buy a positivity book they are for sale on my Etsy Shop – The Itty Bitty Book Company.