In this episode of the Driven: Unscripted Success Podcast, Mike Mannino sits down with April O’Leary, founder of O’Leary Publishing, to dive into the unique story of how April went from being a stay-at-home mom to building a thriving boutique publishing company. April shares her deeply personal transformation journey, from overcoming emotional roadblocks to launching a business that empowers new authors to share their stories with the world.
You'll hear how April's background in life coaching and emotional intelligence became the foundation for her signature book-mapping method, and how she guides first-time authors through every step of publishing — from concept to launch. She also reveals how her annual Booked Naples event helps writers break into public speaking and build their brand around their books.
We also get personal: April opens up about the challenges of people-pleasing, her mindset shift after hitting rock bottom, and how she now balances ambition with rest — what she playfully calls “chipping and putting.”
If you’ve ever thought about writing a book, building passive income from your story, or just need a dose of real-life inspiration, this episode is for you.
