Exclusive with Crystal Daye, Founder of DayeLight Publishers

Crystal Daye is an award-winning author of 9 books, global book coach, and COO of DayeLight Publishers, a faith-based consultancy agency dedicated to equipping new and emerging authors to write, publish, market and monetize their books. Over the last 5 years, she has impacted over 50,000 women of faith including helping them to birth books, build brands and grow businesses.

As a kingdom entrepreneur, podcaster, and international speaker, Crystal has combined her strong business acumen to become a sought-after expert in digital marketing, book publishing, author branding, and book monetization. She appears widely at conferences, podcasts, and professional events teaching audiences how to launch and leverage writing a book to advance their ministry, business, and professional goals. With her engaging anecdotes, personal stories, and results-driven approach, Crystal shares practical strategies that attendees can implement right away. She has a way of empowering persons to move from motivation to motion.

Crystal has been featured in Divine Purpose Magazine, Christian Publishing Show, Kingdom-Driven Entrepreneur Podcast, The Gleaner, TVJ, Yahoo Finance as one of the top book coaches to watch in 2021,  one of the top 20 Christian Life Coaches in 2022 according to Divine Purpose Magazine and other numerous media outlets. Crystal is an active member of the Independent Book Publishers Association, Christian Indie Publishing Association, Non-Fiction Author Association, and Book Industry Association Of Jamaica. Through these prestigious associations, she keeps updated on publishing trends to help her clients sell more books and impact lives.

She enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, and spending time with her beautiful daughter Christelle.

For more details, visit their website here.

Here we sit down with Crystal, to know a bit more about her journey as an entrepreneur.

Q. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?

Crystal: I was introduced to the term “entrepreneurship” at age 13 doing Principles of Business in high school. Since then, I loved everything business-related and always knew that was the industry I would build a career around. The idea of having my own business suits my personality-driven, focused, goal-getter, and servant-leader. Some may call me Lady Boss.

Q. How did you get started?

Crystal: After publishing my first book, I knew I wanted to build a business around speaking, coaching, and empowering women. The business coach I worked with suggested I start helping people to write their books. I was also good at branding and marketing so I knew I could offer great value to my clients. After much prayer, I felt this was also a part of my God-given purpose. So by faith, I left my Public sector job and launched DayeLight Publishers official on January 20, 2017, and went full-time into entrepreneurship.

Image Credit: Foster Shots Photography

Q. What was your biggest startup challenge? What steps did you take to overcome it? What did you learn?

Crystal: My biggest challenge was my money mindset. Growing up in poverty and also being in the church made desiring money feel like a bad thing. I was afraid to charge for my services and always underpriced myself. It took 4 years to start making better progress. I have been improving with the help of books I read, courses I’ve done, attended international conferences and coaches I have been working with. I learnt that my services are valuable, I am great at what I do and people will pay me if I can share how I can give them results. I also try to say affirmations like “I am worthy of getting paid well and money flows easily to me”.

Q. What is the Most Memorable Thing You’ve Done Since you Started your Business?

Crystal: WOW … The last 5 years as a full-time kingdom entrepreneur have been like a dream (had good and learning moments). I believe my most memorable moment was winning the Indie Author Legacy Award in Baltimore Maryland for my 1st book, Living A Royal Reality. I cried so much that day. To see how my faith and obedience brought me so far where I was being honored internationally for my writing wow…

Q. What is one book you recommend, and why?

Crystal: I am a lover of books so that is a super difficult question. But, I will say Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren because this book was integral to me understanding my purpose and my journey to discovering what I was called to do.

Q. What are your top 3 favourite online apps, tools, or resources and what do you love about them?

• Kindle app – I always have books to read
• Instagram – I love the connections I’ve made
• Expense Money app – Help me to track my expenses

Image Credit: Foster Shots Photography

Q. In terms of legacy, what is the mark you’d like to leave on the world?

Crystal: I want to be remembered first as a purpose-driven Jesus Girl, great mother and wife, and impactful mentor and speaker. As an entrepreneur, I want to be remembered as someone who served in excellence, helped persons to tap into their potential, and empowered millions of women to be the best God has called them to be.

Q. In one sentence, what’s the best advice you’d give to someone just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey?

Crystal: Go into business to solve a problem for a specific audience and serve your clients in excellence.

To keep up to date with Crystal and her journey, connect with her on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.