Originally published in the November 11, 2002 issue of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
by Elizabeth Freeman
Special To The Post-Dispatch
Name: Hilda Tamez Schryver.
Age: 55.
Job: Self-published author of "Miss Hilda's Adventure Into The World of Manners." The book, now in its fourth printing, was first published almost one year ago and is now available in English and Spanish. The book is targeted for young people from toddlers up to sixth grade and is available at several local bookstores and through Schryver's Web site: www.mshilda.com.
The book also may be ordered by calling 636-274-4474. Schryver also is owner of Schryver Enterprises LLC.
"I do all kinds of readings and I go to the schools, bookstores and the malls. If I'm in another city working with my other business that's usually what I do. When I do readings, I use special hats, because Miss Hilda is a special character. I had a costume designed that I wear as Miss Hilda, and it's kind of a goofy looking costume, but people get a chuckle out of it. And that's OK. Kids like colorful things. I have several hats I have stored in 'the world,' which is my bag, and inside the world are my hats that correlate with certain types of behavior. The book is very visual and shows the right and the wrong way to do something, such as table manners.
"I decided to write this book because for years, I have worked with corporations on behavior change with proven results. They have been reminding me for years that I need to write a children's book on behavior and manners. My customers have told me that in terms of new employees, there is a lot of disrespect and the work ethic is not there. So, these things need to be taught at the beginning. One teacher said it very well when she said, 'Good manners learned during childhood help make positive connections with others throughout life.' That is an absolute truth, and I believe that kids are our future. Sometimes the children don't know when they're doing something wrong. That's why I decided to show the wrong way first, and then the right way, so we always end on a positive note."
Hours: "I don't work a typical 40-hour week. Just on the book I would say I devote about 25 or 30 hours per week."
Equipment: Computer, telephone, fax and e-mail.
Dress: "I have meetings sometimes and during those times I wear a suit. When I'm at home I wear khaki pants. I never wear sweats."
Experience: "My concern with manners started back in 1966 when I went to work for the phone company. They taught us everything about customer service. They educated me royally throughout the years. I then went into the marketing department with the phone company and started working with Junior Achievement, and went on to working with younger children, also through the phone company. Then I went into sales and sold equipment and basically worked with behavior change. I went out and gave talks for the phone company. Then deregulation came about and I formulated my own company. Then I was customer service manager for a corporation that was a manufacturer. I have served as a Spanish translator for the police department."
Education: Associate's degree in business administration from Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D., 1989. She also attended classes at the University of South Dakota.
Benefits: "I pay the bills and my own salary and my own health insurance."
"When I set out to write this book, I didn't do it to make money. When you self-publish you have to pay your illustrator, for printing and for copywriting. The book is really a passion of mine. I feel something will happen with this. Eventually, we hope to break even with this."
Community College band and we're preparing for a fall November concert. I love to swim and dance, exercise, walk, sew, meet people, ride bikes and I sing in the church choir."
What she likes best about her job: "Forming the focus groups for the book and having them see some of the work that's coming along, and dissecting it totally to where the message comes through."
What she likes least about her job: "There are not enough hours in the day. There's always something more to do."
| Schryver Enterprises, LLC |
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Corporate Website: |
