We recently had the chance to connect with S. C. Porter and have shared our conversation below.
S. C. , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Right now, I’m being called to really pursue my writing as a career, and not just a hobby or pastime like it’s been in the past. The Importer Syndrome has been real, and some days, I have a hard time believing I’ve written five books, but here we are.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is S. C. Porter. When I’m not chasing around my three children, I’m busy running a couple of businesses I own: Porter Co. Book Shoppe and Book Porter, a book sleeve line. I have supervised a mental health private practice for ten years. I am also the author of five books: Rules for Dating a Bookshop Owner, In for the Long Haul, Simple Happy and My Thoughts exactly. How to Write a Murder, my next novel, a cozy murder mystery, is due out winter 2025. I’m currently organizing an impactful speaking engagement with the entire English student body at a community college in my hometown with English Professor Cheryl Saba.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My mother is the epitome of hard work. She’s an immigrant from the Philippines and built a very humble life for herself. She doesn’t need much, but has always worked so hard for everything she has. She showed me and my sister that hard work always pays off, and taught us to take pride in the job we do, no matter what it is. I’ve always had multiple jobs or multiple projects I’m working on at any given time, and I love it that way. Idle hands have never been my forte, and I do quite enjoy seeing my hard work come to fruition. I hope my mother is proud of all I’ve accomplished, because none of it would be possible without the work ethic she instilled in me as a child.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be that she doesn’t have to have it all in the time she thinks she deserves to, that successes in life will come when they are meant to, and it will feel just as good when you get it. When I stopped worrying about the “if it’s going to happen” and just work hard, the “when it happens” always comes at a time when it’s most perfect. Somewtimes, we tend to put time constraints and pressures on ourselves for no good reason. We say things like “I should have this by now” or “I should be doing this.” We need stop expecting that we know exactly when something is supposed to happen for us. Sometimes, things just fall into place with little to no outside force at all. Be patient with your journey. You have plenty of time, and you’re much further along this year than you were last year.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I truly admire my father-in-law, Michael Boguski. He has his hands in so many pots and I am so impressed by him: He is on the board of Directors at Bloomsburg University, built a very successful insurance company or two, currently serves as a senior advisor and Board member of Hidden Still Spirits and Infinite Structures. He is now “retired,” but still takes pride in so many different avenues of business. As someone who is, to me, a very powerful man that a lot of important business men and women look up to, I have to say he is the kindest, most humble man in every sense of the word. He’s built an empire, a true legacy, and yet, is still such a simple man at heart. He cares so deeply for his friends and family, and when I see him living life, I look to him for inspiration on what it really is all about: your relationships. His wise beyond his years, and fosters every relationship worth keeping close. He is the smartest man I know, and knows the true meaning of life. I am so lucky to be his daughter-in-law.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing?
I will never regret working while raising my three children. I think it’s important for my children to see their mother working hard, doing something that she loves. I think it’s important for my children to see that if you want something, sometimes you have to work years to get it, but once you get to a place of achievement, the reward is sweeter than anything.
Contact Info:
- Website: shttps://www.scporter.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_book_lover_book_club_/?hl=en
Image Credits
Jenna Elliott Photography
