Twenty-somethings. The up and coming movers and shakers of a generation. Many of us graduate from college and hurl ourselves, full force, into an office atmosphere complete with cubicle walls, a headset for hands-free phone calls, and innumerable little red flags in the right-hand corner of our Outlook Window. For most of us, this is the norm – this corporate ladder lifestyle is enough.
But then you have those rare individuals who strike out on their own, because no desk job really fits their dream. Chelsea Prince, founder of Chelsea Print & Publishing, is one such entrepreneur who has not only been wildly successful, but encourages our generation of twenty-somethings (and those who will inevitably follow) to pursue our dreams.
Her latest coffee table edition, Rock and Vine: Next Generation Changemakers, is exemplary of her passion and faith in our generation. Featuring wineries whose owners are all under thirty-five, she highlights the capability that we all possess to succeed if we believe enough in our own cause.
I was deeply flattered when Chelsea invited me to the New York leg of her book launch tour for Rock and Vine, as well as intrigued by her mission – so I decided to look into it a little deeper. Chelsea was kind enough to give her perspective on a few of the questions that popped into my head after meeting her in February.
Why publishing? When the print world is arguably on the decline, what motivated/inspired you to go into publishing?
Chelsea Print & Publishing, is dedicated to publishing beautiful coffee table-style books affordable to the modern reader. There will always be an appeal to hardcover coffee table books; they are as much a decorative accessory as something entertaining to read. And in a world where there are fewer keepsakes and more transient material, coffee table books will continue to
have value in society.
How did you get your start? Where did you find the inspiration to
strike out on your own?
I’ve always had the urge to create. When I was seven or eight, I sewed something similar to Beanie Babies – they were “Chelsea’s Colorful Beaners” – and sold them with friends at the bottom of my driveway as an alternative to the typical lemonade stand. When I was in college (studying journalism at Syracuse University with the intention of working in publishing), I worked at The Daily Orange and then started a social media company for interns called InternCircle. After college, I continued to hone my craft on the publishing path by writing, editing and working on the advertising side of publications, then started Chelsea Print & Publishing. I’ve always cared exceptionally about people, the stories of others and how to make things better for others…I channel that love and admiration of people into the books my company publishes and by donating a portion of the book proceeds to a related non-profit.
Rock and Vine features only wineries whose owners are under 35. That really speaks to your faith in our generation, and what you believe we are capable of achieving and creating. Are you going to continue that trend with future editions?
As former president of Ireland, Mary Robinson, told me, “Your generation is the generation for change.” I have always believed this. Rock and Vine, profiles 11 changemakers primed to perpetuate and evolve the legacy of American wine. The wine industry, often thought of as staid, is really a relatively new US industry, and so there is so much potential for positive change. Our generation has the opportunity to learn from the generations past, and bring something new to the table. If you read through the chapters of Rock and Vine, it’s apparent that our generation is already making wine more approachable to the everyday drinker, and with new technology they are actively changing the way we drink, perceive and receive wine.
Who has been your biggest influence, or most admired role model?
My mother! Day in and day out.
Any words of advice or caution to the rest of our generation, or those to follow, who are trying their own hand at entrepreneurial pursuits?
Whatever you do, do it with all your heart. This isn’t a cheesy suggestion, it’s crucial advice for entrepreneurs. There is a lot of volatility in entrepreneurial pursuits; passion and commitment give you the gumption to begin a startup, and the fuel to continue through those ups and downs. I am reminded time and time again that nobody cares about your business like you do, so if you don’t fully embrace your idea and your business, nobody will.
You were in New York in February for the launch of Rock and Vine. Most memorable New York moment from that trip?
Watching people interact with the Rock and Vine book from the corner of my eye as I talked to others. Often groups of three or four would gather around the book, flip pages, and then engage in conversation. It re-affirms that the book is fulfilling its purpose: to inspire.
Rock and Vine was gifted to Stolen Says by Chelsea Print and Publishing. You can order your own fabulous copy from Amazon.com
It works well for both ends, because those who so graciously choose to give have less to buy, and I end up with fewer unnecessary things that I may or may not use. 
