Interview with Michelle Dunnn
of MichelleDunn.com. Published Author and owner of Credit &
Collections Association 
I was inspired to start my business from from reading "Become
the Squeaky Wheel: A Credit & Collections Guide for Everyone".
Please tell us about this book, What made you want to write it?
I wrote Become the Squeaky Wheel because I was writing a credit
policy for a company I was working at and had written one for
the company I worked at previously. It was clear to me that businesses
needed a guide in order to write their own credit policies and
so I thought since I had experience writing them and implementing
them, I would write a book on the topic to help others.
What are some other books you've written in the past. Please
tell us about them. What's the general reaction to the books you
write? Do you often get emails like mine from readers that have
been inspired?
I have written 14 books on the topic of credit and debt collection
as well as one book on marketing. My biggest seller and award
winning book is "Starting a Collection Agency, how to make
money collecting money" which is now in its third edition.
I write all of my books based on what my audience wants and needs.
When people ask me questions on a certain topic, I know there
are many others out there with the same questions. My books help
answer those questions and offer guidance.
I do get many emails from my readers and it is inspiring to me
that my books are so helpful to them. It helps me be a better
writer and to provide good, quality information that the readers
want and that can really help them.
If you had to pick one of your books that you've enjoyed writing
the most. Which book would you choose?
I just finished writing a book for Wiley publishing that will
be released 3/2011 called "Get Paid: Weed-out bad paying
customers, collect on past due balances, and avoid bad debt"
I enjoyed writing this book since it is an updated version of
what is happening in our economy, in the credit and debt collection
industry and will be most helpful to all entrepreneurs and business
owners who are trying to move forward in this shaky economy.
Please tell us about "Mosquito
Marketing Series”
My Mosquito Marketing series came about because of all the calls
and emails I have received from other authors who wanted to know
how I wrote a best selling, award winning book, how I was able
to position myself as an expert in my field, how I was able to
land interviews with CNN, the Wall Street Journal and get many
radio and television interviews. I kept a marketing diary for
one year as I marketed one of my books and used that diary as
my basis for the book, I included all the things I did to market
myself and my books and shared with readers what worked for me
and what didn't. I did this so that they could do the things that
worked and avoid wasting time and money doing the things that
don't work. I wrote "Mosquito Marketing for Authors"
because of the demand for it.
Michelle, what inspired you to write?
I have always wanted to be a writer since I was 8 years old.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
I have always been an entrepreneur, since I was about 10 years
old. Shoveling snow, raking leaves, picking and selling blueberries,
anything I could to make my own money.
Please tell my visitors about Credit
& Collections Association. What made you want to get into
the collection agency industry? What about this industry was appealing
to you? low start-up costs .. low debt load ... etc ....
I fell into the debt collection industry. I went to college for
Business Management, always worked in offices and when I moved
to NH got a job as an accounts receivable clerk. I was good at
it and moved up the ladder to where I am today.
According to your site, you've had a tumultuous childhood.
How would you say that has shaped you as a person today?
It has helped me to strive for greatness, it has helped me to
have compassion in a tough industry and has helped me to be independent,
a go getter, driven and accomplished. I came from nothing, so
anything I have now is because of my own hard work. I feel as
though that is an accomplishment in itself.
If you could go back in time and change anything about your
life, what would you change?
I would change the bad things that happened to me as a child.
I know that they have helped to shape me into the person I am
today, but sometimes it is a bit to much.
If one of my visitors is currently down on there luck, can't
find a job, his/her family is in disarray and can't seem to get
back on his/her feet. As a true American success story, what would
you say to that person? What advice would you give him/her?
Believe in yourself, even if no one else does. Go with your gut.
Don't worry about what other people think, you can do anything
you set your mind to. Nothing is impossible. Have a plan, follow
it and be strong. Keep learning and ask for help when you need
it. When I was homeless and jobless I was still an entrepreneur,
I would pick up aluminum cans on the streets and take them to
the place where you can get money for them, I would walk dogs,
shovel snow, wash cars, anything I could in order to eat. Don't
think you are above anything, do what you have to do - it will
add to your character and you will feel pride that you were able
to get back on your feet and provide for yourself when you thought
there were no jobs and you were feeling discouraged.
Thank you Michelle.
Regards,
Shane
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