Sullivan's Tips for Self-Sufficiency

Selectwoman Callie Sullivan’s first love is politics, but she has a lesser-known passion for publishing.

An English Major with an appreciation for thought-provoking literature, Sullivan became President of Westwood Press, Inc. in 1995, when she inherited the company from her father. For about 15 hours a week, Sullivan works from her home on Five Mile River, where she oversees publication of two series: The Survival Series and the International Journal of Instructional Media.

It’s the International Journal of Instructional Media that Sullivan calls her “breadwinner.” The journal is one of the longest-running publications concerned with distance learning, which, simply put, is learning beyond the context of the classroom. It’s interesting, says Sullivan, but dense.

“Hey, if you’re having trouble getting to sleep at night,” she says, handing over the fine-print booklet. “Here’s one for the nightstand.”

But Sullivan says that The Survival Series, a collection of workbooks geared towards helping young people carve out their independence, has the opposite effect. In fact, she said that when she took the Independence 101 workbook to Career Day at the Darien High School, her approach to the humdrum exercise of creating a monthly budget had the teens engaged, energized and empowered.
 
“They loved it,” she says throwing her hands in the air, “I think they found it a real confidence booster to understand the consequences of spending and saving.”

Sullivan has taken her books to many schools and says that those students with the least money are best at managing it.

“The less privileged kids, they get it,” she said. “They have to.”

But Sullivan says that it is equally important for children from affluent homes to learn the fundamentals of finance. “When you have a lot at risk, you can make bigger mistakes.” She adds that the average college graduate leaves school with $3,700 of debt–and that’s just for credit cards.

There’s more to success than balancing a checkbook, says Sullivan; and Independence 101 is chock full of tips from how to land that first job, to dealing with a landlord. The road to self-sufficiency is often a bumpy one, but Sullivan offers four strategies to make that journey just a bit smoother:

1. Don’t be judgmental

Sullivan played ice hockey at Williams College, but her most successful season wasn’t a winning one. “We were 0-11,” says Sullivan. “It was the time of my life.” It was during that losing streak that Sullivan found some of her best friends and fell in love with her husband, Tighe. Sullivan says that being open to what’s going on around you–for better or worse–and connecting with lots of different people is key.

2. Hold that thought–literally!

It’s been said time and time again that organization is fundamental to success, but being organized doesn’t come easy for all of us. Sullivan’s folder strategy provides a simple solution. Whenever you have an idea, whether it’s a premise for a bestseller or what to wear to the prom–put it in a folder. Keeping a folder of ideas will encourage your creative thought process and prevent you from getting distracted. “The more organized you are, the sooner you are able to value your own ideas and the ideas of others,” she says.

3. Find “modern” mentors

Reach out to people you admire. Sullivan says mentors who are “on the pulse” are invaluable for social and professional networking.

4. Crush yourself intellectually

Never settle for “easy.” Sullivan says that finding the balance between work and play is difficult for everyone, but finding that balance is harder when you’re not challenged. “I’m not saying don’t have fun,” she says, “But don’t kill too many brain cells.”

Independence 101 along with other Survival workbooks retail for $14.95 on the Barnes & Noble Web site.