Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Broner.
Hi Heather, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m a mom, a longtime marketing leader, and the author of the Adventures of a Boy Named Brooks children’s book series, available on Amazon. I believe some of the most important lessons kids learn should come wrapped in laughter, love, and stories they actually want to hear.
This series was inspired by real life. My family, our very opinionated dogs, and the everyday moments that turn into teachable ones when you least expect them. Through Brooks’s adventures, I focus on building courage, empathy, and confidence, with thoughtfully woven moments of Black history, all without ever feeling like a lecture.
At its heart, Adventures of a Boy Named Brooks is about helping kids feel seen and capable, while giving parents and educators a fun, approachable way to talk about big ideas. If a story makes a child laugh, think, and ask one great question at bedtime, I consider that a win.
The idea for Adventures of a Boy Named Brooks actually started the moment we were walking out of the hospital with my tiny newborn son. I had zero experience with babies, but a lot of experience with dogs. At the time, our household included a very bossy little chihuahua named Peanut and a gentle giant cane corso named Leti. I remember thinking, this house is about to be chaotic, fun, loud, loving, and a huge learning experience for all of us.
As Brooks grew, I started looking for books I could read to him that went beyond colors and counting. I wanted stories that helped build character in a way that felt joyful and accessible. Things like courage, empathy, emotional regulation, and kindness. I also wanted him to see himself reflected in stories and to learn about Black history in a way that felt empowering, not heavy or distant. I wanted him to know what he could be capable of in a world where representation is not always a given.
By day, I’ve spent over 15 years as a marketing leader in healthcare tech, focused on positive behavior change, storytelling, and marrying the two to emotionally reach audiences. That lens absolutely shaped how I approached writing. I saw a gap in the market. There were books that were fun, and books that were educational, but not many that blended both while centering a warm, modern Black family and treating kids like thoughtful little humans.
So I wrote the book I wanted on our shelf. Peanut and Leti naturally became characters, because honestly, dogs are the best teachers. The first book, Brooks and the Great Big Bark-Off, explores quiet courage and resilience with a nod to Robert Smalls. The second, Brooks and the Great Big Playground Song, highlights Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins and dives into empathy, autism, music, and truly listening to others.
What started as a new mom idea born out of love, nerves, and a lot of learning quickly grew into something bigger. Parents, educators, and kids started telling me these stories opened conversations they did not know how to start before. That’s when I realized this series was not just about books. It was about creating a world where kids feel seen, capable, and curious.
Today, I’m still a marketer and very much a builder, but now I’m building a brand rooted in heart, history, and humanity. It feels unexpected, a little wild, and completely aligned with who I am.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road. Rewarding, yes. Smooth, no.
The storytelling and marketing side came very naturally to me. That’s been my career for years. What was new was everything else. Publishing through Amazon, illustration logistics, distribution, PR, and learning an entirely new industry from scratch while also being a mom and working beyond the usual 9-5. Maybe the biggest shift was personal. I’ve always been someone who builds brands and elevates others from behind the scenes. Stepping into the forefront, attaching my name, my family, and my values so visibly to something has been uncomfortable at times.
There was also a moment of hesitation, especially knowing that some of the themes I care deeply about, like Black history, inclusion, and neurodiversity, are actively being challenged or banned in certain spaces. That made me nervous. Not enough to stop, but enough to make me pause. Once the books were out in the world, I did experience a few unsavory comments on social media. Nothing overwhelming, but enough to remind me that when you create something meaningful, not everyone will be comfortable with it.
Oddly enough, that’s what solidified the mission for me. Those moments helped me develop a thicker skin and also reinforced why this series matters. If a warm, joyful children’s book that teaches kindness and history can spark that kind of reaction, then it’s doing something important.
The biggest struggle has been learning to stand confidently in the spotlight and trust that my voice and perspective belong there. I’m still learning, but I’ve grown so much through the process. And every message from a parent, teacher, or child saying, “This helped us have a conversation we didn’t know how to start,” makes every hard part worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Professionally, I’m a senior marketing director in healthcare technology, and my specialty is growth, lifecycle marketing, and behavior change at scale. I’ve spent the last over a decade building systems that help people move from intention to action. That means turning complex products and data into clear, human stories that actually motivate people to engage, enroll, and stick with healthier habits over time. I’m known for creating marketing engines that are both highly strategic and deeply empathetic.
My background is very data driven. I’ve led multi channel growth strategies, built lifecycle programs from the ground up, and partnered closely with product, engineering, and analytics teams to design experiences that are measurable, scalable, and genuinely useful to the end user. But what’s always set my work apart is that I never separate performance from people. I care just as much about trust, language, and timing as I do about conversion rates.
That expertise directly influences my work as an author. With Adventures of a Boy Named Brooks, I applied the same principles I use in enterprise marketing. Understanding the audience. Identifying the emotional barrier. Designing content that meets people where they are. Testing what resonates. Iterating with intention. The difference is that this audience is children and families, and the outcomes I care about are confidence, empathy, and curiosity.
What I’m most proud of is building something that bridges two worlds that don’t often meet. Corporate marketing and children’s storytelling. Strategy and softness. Data and heart. The series is not accidental or one dimensional. It’s built thoughtfully, with clear values, long term vision, and respect for its audience.
What truly sets me apart is that I bring professional rigor to creative work and emotional intelligence to performance marketing. I know how to build brands that scale, but I also know how to build stories that stick. And when those two things come together, the impact can be really powerful.
Any big plans?
I’m very much in a building season. In the near future, I plan to continue expanding Adventures of a Boy Named Brooks as a true ecosystem, not just a book series. That includes additional books that grow with kids and explore themes like leadership, confidence, emotional awareness, and more moments of Black history that deserve to be celebrated and remembered.
I’m also actively working toward expanding the brand into an educational app designed for young children and families. The goal is to make learning feel playful, inclusive, and accessible. Think interactive storytelling, games, and activities that reinforce the same values found in the books. Curiosity, empathy, and confidence. It’s a natural extension of both my background in behavior change and my passion for early learning.
Beyond products, I’m looking forward to deeper partnerships with educators, schools, and community organizations. I want these stories to live in classrooms, living rooms, and community spaces, and to support parents and teachers who are navigating big conversations with young kids.
There are no plans to slow down anytime soon. If anything, I’m becoming more intentional about scale and sustainability. Building thoughtfully, protecting the heart of the brand, and creating something that can truly grow alongside children over time. The big change is allowing myself to think bigger and trust that this work deserves to take up space.
To buy the books, learn more, or to get new updates, visit my website aboynamedbrooks.com or instagram.com/aboynamedbrooks.
Thank you so much for your time!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://aboynamedbrooks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aboynamedbrooks?igsh=MTdyMjBlNnZobXB1dA==
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermbroner
- Other: https://a.co/d/02015AO
Image Credits
Picture with child holding book at book fair is credited to @auntiesbookbank (instagram)
Outside reading is credited to Fairview Nature School
