Abouts Books

By Jacqueline Benjamin-Thomas

I'm an addict. Not the kind who's been seduced and taken hostage by the empty trappings of drugs, money, alcohol, shoes or shopping. I admit that I'm addicted to words and their awesome power. When I hear about people who are unable to read, my heart is literally crushed and in an odd kind of way, I grieve for them and all they are missing in this great experience called life.

I come from very humble beginnings. One of the houses we lived in when I was little was a very old school house. One day, as I was exploring the entire house the way little kids tend to do, I stumbled upon a cluttered storage area. In that room were some old school books. From the moment I picked one up and turned its pages I was infatuated with the words and pictures. I was hooked. I fell head-over-heels in love with learning to read.

Years later, still young and single, I found myself struggling through the harsh winters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I was going to school full-time while holding down a full-time job. Sometimes my funds were low. But even when I didn't have much money, I would choose buying a good book over buying good food. Books have always been my passion. I can't remember a time in my life when I was not in love with books. They have literally saved my life.

In the beginning I didn't fully understand the incredible power all those books held. They just seemed magical then. I could actually leave my house and travel the world without stepping outside my bedroom door. I could peek inside the lives of other people without seeing their faces or ever speaking one word to them. I discovered that the world was so much bigger than my own back yard. As I grew older, I wanted to explore the places and things I'd experienced through those powerful books. And now, I have traveled the world and I've seen some of those places with my own eyes.

Never in my wildest dreams did I know that one day I would be adding my own special flavor to the world of publishing. As co-publisher of a premier business advertising publication in metro Atlanta, it is now my turn to use words to inspire and images to motivate others, just as I was inspired so long ago.

I remember a call that came in to my office. A lady, literally in tears, said, "I believe my life would have turned out differently if I had seen an inspirational publication such as yours when I was young." That's the awesome power of publishing...using words in a positive way and pouring out inspiration through the use of positive pictures.

I feel honored to be in charge of impacting the lives of so many. My greatest reward has been giving other people an opportunity to shine by telling the world about their accomplishments, putting their images in the best light ever, and ultimately helping them to grow their businesses!

Jacqueline Benjamin-Thomas is the co-publisher of People You Need to Know, a premiere business spotlight publication in Atlanta. She is also the co-author of Grow Through It & Lead, an inspirational book about overcoming obstacles, embracing challenges and moving forward. Jacqueline invites you to visit her business website at http://www.sparkplugpeople.com and discover some of the top professionals you need to know in metro Atlanta.