Organization, Management & Leadership

As the owner and creative director of Typewriter Creative Co., I have led the publication of over 90 books by 50+ authors since 2018. I guide authors through the self-publishing process, meeting with them on Zoom to clarify their vision, answer publishing questions, and provide strategic guidance. By breaking down complex publishing decisions into clear steps, I empower authors to move forward with confidence.

Beyond client consultation, I manage the full production process, ensuring each book meets high-quality standards. I oversee the design, marketing, and logistics, balancing creative direction with operational efficiency. To streamline workflows, I implement structured systems and detailed project timelines, enabling my team to meet 100% of our deadlines. I delegate specialized tasks—such as cover design, copywriting, and marketing strategy—to a talented group of freelancers, while personally designing each book’s interior pages and supervising final production.

My leadership extends beyond individual project execution. I create educational resources, including webinars, checklists, and YouTube interviews, to inform authors about self-publishing and generate business growth. By sharing industry insights and actionable strategies, I position myself and my company as a trusted resource.

In addition to creative and operational management, I handle all financial aspects of the business, including invoicing clients and compensating my team. Running a company requires strategic decision-making and effective time management. I thrive in this dynamic environment, ensuring that every project runs smoothly while turning an author’s vision into a professionally published book.

Creative Thinking

In both my personal and professional life, I challenge the status quo and think beyond conventional boundaries. I am constantly evolving, embracing new challenges, and redefining what’s possible by applying curiosity, flexibility, and foresight to everything I do.

As a parent, I continually adapt to my children’s needs, adjusting my schedule and plans with creativity and flexibility. Choosing distance learning has allowed us to tailor each child’s education while creating space for what matters most. I’ve learned to think innovatively about when and how we learn, ensuring we meet educational outcomes while making the process engaging and meaningful.

My professional background spans non-profit leadership, sales and marketing, blogging, social media management, website design, book publishing, and life coaching. I take an analytical yet inventive approach to my work, operating at the intersection of my interests, skills, and client needs. With the ability to shift seamlessly between creative and strategic thinking, I identify patterns, anticipate challenges, and develop unique solutions.

I embrace risk by exploring new ideas, yet my capacity to conceptualize big-picture strategies while managing intricate details allows me to execute with both boldness and precision. By balancing creative problem-solving with critical analysis, I continue to refine and expand my expertise—merging hands-on creativity, technology, and business acumen to bring innovative ideas to life.

“Stay Weird” poster designed by Taryn Nergaard for an upcoming product launch

Research & Planning

In my Intro to Developmental Psychology course at the University of the Fraser Valley, I developed a research proposal exploring self-compassion and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I began by reviewing existing literature, drawing from Dr. Kristin Neff’s work on self-compassion and prior knowledge regarding the high prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation among individuals with ASD. Through critical analysis, I identified a gap in the research—while studies showed that self-compassion correlates negatively with depression in the general population, little research explored its specific benefits for individuals with ASD. By synthesizing these findings, I formulated my research question: Can a self-compassion journaling exercise reduce depressive symptoms in teens and adults with ASD?

To answer this question, I designed an experimental study using a sequential research design spanning five years. I carefully selected this design after evaluating the limitations of cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches, reducing age effects while allowing for long-term measurement of results. My proposal detailed key methodological components, including participant sampling and data collection, as well as informed consent and ethical treatment in research. I substantiated my proposal with references to the American Psychiatric Association and ten peer-reviewed scientific studies.

Treating the proposal as if I were preparing for actual implementation, I ensured thoroughness in research design and supporting materials. I included appendices with validated measurement tools, such as depression scales, a self-compassion scale, and the Autism Spectrum Quotient. I also included a structured self-compassion journaling practice as the treatment in the experiment as well as a gratitude journaling practice as the control. My professor recognized the proposal’s depth and clarity, awarding it an ‘A’ grade.