Marilyn Messik

Author, copywriter, business blaster and speaker. Dodgy sense of humour, voracious reader, long on cynicism, short on patience. Default setting mild hysteria.I started out writing magazine features, fiction and a diary series before setting up a home-based business, growing a team to sell children’s party goods. I also trained as an ante-natal teacher. Thought all was going rather well until the husband said, if he opened one more cupboard and one more pack of Mr Men party plates landed on his head he was leaving!Tough decision, but I opted for the husband and opened a shop – possibly the only one where queuing customers were advised to breathe in short pants and try not to push. With our Busy Bags (sanity-savers for parents) selling well, I was able to open a second shop, adding books and educational toys to the mix.When I sold the shops, I headed into the travel market, creating off-the-beaten-track trips, to New England. I also published an annual guide to independent hotels, inns and B&Bs which eventually grew to take in accommodation all over the US. I sold to a FTSE 100 company then dipped a toe into vintage books and also started my collection of vintage images, which was how the Vintage Ladies books were born.I run a copywriting consultancy, am still writing fiction and features, have blogged for The Telegraph Online , produced Vintage Ladies Gift Book Series, written 4 Paranormal Novels, and 4 Business Books. NB: There’s nothing I like more than hearing from readers (even if they’re not mine!) so please don’t ever hesitate to get in touch. [email protected]