BEYOUROWN Interview - Molly Arbuthnott

I had the privilege of sharing insights into my writing journey in a recent interview where I responded to a series of thought-provoking questions. The interview was conducted by BEYOUROWN, a dedicated platform offering valuable business advice for women in business. To explore the interview as originally presented, visit their website here.

   > Can you share a brief overview of your career journey and the key milestones that have led you to your current leadership role?

I have always loved working with children. I believe that if you can spend your days in a way that brings joy to others that is the very, very best. As you get older you gradually sell your soul in various ways and selling mine into picture books has been an incredible journey that started, I suppose, when I was a small child and started telling stories to my brothers, then my friends. I have always loved writing a diary and letters to family and friends and recording the world in ways that I see it as it often is in a way that no one else does. I studied History of Art at St Andrews University and then went on to complete a PGCE at Canterbury University, along with MFL Italian in Bologna.

I then embarked on a career in teaching first in Kenya, then Italy and finally in London. It was a road that wasn’t always easy as I was too creative in spirit and mind and not good at always sticking to exactly what I was supposed to and I just loved sharing stories and imagination, exploring the world in a way that only children and a special few adults do.

So, when the chance came to take a sabbatical from Hill House in London for a year so I could focus on my books I grabbed it and have never looked back. A Masters in Children’s literature at Glasgow University followed, 11 picture books and now an American book deal and animation work in progress so life is looking very exciting. I have certainly had to up my game but I enjoy the challenge and at least an 11 picture book family must be slightly easier to look after than an 11 child family, at least I believe so.

I have never been very good at dealing with people not being in my life any more and so I write, I write about all the people I have been lucky enough to know and the experiences I have been lucky enough to have and they feed into the stories I create so that they are still part of me, albeit in a fictional way.

Working for oneself is certainly a challenge but as long as you keep it fun you are prepared to put in the hours, and you realize no one else can do it but you. The work and the business you create become your identity and you want that to be as kind, loving, generous, giving, honest and true as you can.

   > What do you believe are the most important qualities or attributes that a successful business leader should possess, and how do you embody them in your leadership style?

Commitment to follow what they say even if it is not always popular, to be brave to stand up for what you believe even if you are standing alone, intelligence to know that what you are fighting for is of value and compassion so that you will work as hard as you possibly can to make a difference.

   > Can you describe a significant challenge or setback you've encountered in your career, and how did you overcome it to achieve your goals?

I moved to Kenya for my first job and it was too much, I wasn't strong, brave or secure enough in my career so had to leave my work one year before I should have. I don't like to fail in anything and it completely threw me. But, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and I have learnt to love myself and deliver as well as I can every day of my life in whatever is asked of me. I have also learnt that if you have a bad experience in something you have to relive the experience and have a positive one.

   > In a rapidly changing business landscape, how do you stay informed about industry trends and adapt your strategies to remain competitive?

I entered into the book world because i felt it wasn't a competitive industry, everyone looks out for each other. I keep informed about industry trends by reading current children's literature stories and relevant academic research. I am never complacent and always trying to improve myself in any way I can.

   > What is your approach to building and leading high-performing teams, and how do you motivate your team members to achieve their best potential?

I believe that if you do something you have to do it to the very best of your ability, there isn't any point in wasting your time otherwise and with such attitude you attract people who feel the same way.

   > Can you share an example of a major decision you had to make that had a significant impact on your organisation? What was the outcome, and what did you learn from the experience?

I have had to push the enterprise forward. Embarking on an animation had a significant impact on the organisation because it has pushed it in a different direction away from the books which is healthy and means that my stories will be more accessible to a wider audience which is good too.

   > What role does innovation play in your business strategy, and how do you foster a culture of innovation within your organisation?

Innovation is very important. As a creative you have to wear many hats and you can't be afraid of putting yourself out there and shoving your product under people's noses (which is very un-British) Always thinking how you can do things better is important. A passion in what you do means that you are never afraid to put in the extra hours.

   > How do you handle ethical dilemmas and make difficult decisions when they arise in your role as a business leader?

Sometimes the travel I have to do eats at me a bit because it is bad for the environment. But, I feel that the educative qualities that my stories are giving balances out any negative qualities.

   > Looking to the future, what are your top priorities and goals for your business, and what strategies do you plan to implement to achieve them?

 My top priority is to keep writing stories and sharing these with the world, to keep finding inspiration in the ordinary and everyday and to keep passionate about what I do. My goals are to share my stories in countries throughout the world. The strategies I plan to implement are to work with compassion, care and give the best of myself in any way I can every day of my life.

Molly Arbuthnott is a teacher, author, editor, and academic from Scotland. She is passionate about the promotion of children’s literature.

Molly, a former teacher with seven years of experience. transitioned her career to children’s literature in 2019. She completed a Master’s in Children’s Literature in 2021 at Glasgow University. Molly has written eleven award winning children’s picture books. Molly crafts narratives that are simultaneously honest and gentle, teaching children about empathy, teamwork and moral courage. Each story is loosely based on family or friends who have been important in her life whilst also trying to tell stories in an honest way. Each book collaborates with a charity which is associated with the theme of the book in some way.

Her writing has received acclaim during book tours worldwide and won national awards; they have been shortlisted for the People’s Book Prize, won the Wishing Shelf Book awards and the Firebird Book Awards. She’s shared academic papers with IRSCL Congress. She has been published in the ‘Once Upon Another Time’ anthology by the Book Whisperers and she has received the Emily Dickinson Award. She has a contract with Celene Press in Greece and Select Books in USA.

Beyond writing, Molly has also demonstrated her proficiency in production, having written a program and trailer for BBC Alba’s adaption of her book Oscar the Ferry Cat. She also successfully created a VR program for Glasgow University’s Hackathon and hosts the popular podcast, “My Favourite Books.” She has amassed a loyal fan base of over 15,000 followers.

Her foray into the auditory realm is also noteworthy, with her stories now available on Audible. Her current endeavour is to animate Oscar the Ferry Cat, with the goal of enchanting children through her compelling storytelling.

 Praise for Oscar and Friends

• "Oscar the Ferry Cat by Molly Arbuthnott moved me in many ways. This book succeeded, in just a few pages, to teach you many things about loss, friendship, love, belonging, and how to discover who you truly are."
• "The story of Athena the Cheetah is great, and so are the illustrations. My nephew loves the book and reads it over and over, again. There is no better recommendation."
• "What a sweet little book to read to a child that is experiencing the loss of a loved one. Although this book is somewhat sad, because it deals with a sad topic, the illustrations and overall story exudes warmth and happiness to the soul."