Show Notes
In this episode of Dawn of a New Era, I’m diving into one of the most underestimated yet powerful moves you can make as a business owner, writing a book.
From my first collaborative book Character Building at just 21, created after losing six loved ones in six months, to publishing Dynamic Digital Marketing with Wiley in 2020, books have been a pivotal part of my personal healing, my credibility as a thought leader, and the growth of my businesses.
I share the behind-the-scenes of both journeys, the pain and joy of writing, the reality of self-publishing versus landing a traditional deal, and how a book can act as a launchpad for bigger opportunities in speaking, media, and business.
Whether it’s about leaving your legacy, building authority, or opening doors you didn’t know existed, this episode will inspire you to stop waiting for the “perfect time” and start writing.
Episode Highlights
Jump to a moment.
- 01:42The story behind Dawn’s first book at 21
- 06:28From trauma to legacy: why Character Building was written
- 12:47How Dynamic Digital Marketing came to life with Wiley
- 19:15The unexpected publishing deal that started in a junk folder
- 26:03Why a book instantly elevates credibility and opportunity
- 33:41Should you self-publish or go with a publisher?
- 38:52How a book fuels speaking gigs, media, and brand growth
- 44:10The legacy lens: creating something that lasts
About Dawn of a New Era
Dawn of a New Era is a weekly business podcast for founders, experts and professionals who want to grow a company without losing themselves in it. Every episode looks at the practical mechanics of scaling — revenue models, marketing, leadership, pricing and positioning — alongside the psychology that decides whether founders follow through.
Episodes are a mix of solo teaching and long-form interviews with founders, investors, authors and specialists. New episodes are published on Thursdays and are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and every major podcast app.
- Episode · 171
- Published · 13 November 2025
- Run time · 21:57
- Host · Dawn McGruer
About your host
Dawn McGruer is a bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker and scaling advisor. She has spent over 25 years building, scaling and selling businesses, and has supported more than 30,000 founders, marketers and professionals worldwide.
Her work sits at the intersection of commercial strategy and the psychology of performance — helping founders build companies that grow beyond their own capacity through better models, licensing and intellectual property leverage. She is the author of The Billionaire Brain®, published by Forbes Books.
Read more on the about page, explore her research and insights or see how to work with Dawn.
How to listen and subscribe
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Go Deeper
Where to next.
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