Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon Jones-Scaife.
Hi Sharon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey into children’s literature started from a very personal place. In 2015, after losing my husband to lung cancer, I was searching for a way to help my grandchildren deal with their grief. I couldn’t find a book that reflected what they were feeling—or what we were going through as a family—so I decided to create one myself. That book became I Miss You Papa, and it changed everything for me.
What began as a way to help my family heal turned into something much bigger. As I continued writing, I noticed a gap—so many children, especially Black and Brown children, weren’t seeing themselves in the stories they were reading. That realization shifted my focus from simply creating books to building something with purpose.
I taught myself every part of the process—from writing and illustrating to printing and selling my books at local markets. Being out in the community allowed me to connect directly with families, educators, and children, and it showed me just how powerful representation in literacy can be.
Today, I’m the founder of Lil’ Marco and Friends, a growing children’s brand focused on closing the literacy gap through inclusive stories, educational products, and now expanding into animation and licensing. What started as one book has grown into a mission-driven business rooted in impact.
This journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been meaningful. Every step—from grief to growth—has shaped not only what I do, but why I do it.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Starting with no background in publishing or manufacturing, I had to learn everything on my own—from writing and illustrating to printing, distribution, and sales. There were moments of trial and error, especially when it came to finding the right vendors and ensuring the quality of my products matched my vision.
One of the biggest challenges has been building and scaling the business as a solo entrepreneur. Balancing creativity with the operational side—inventory, marketing, and outreach—can be overwhelming at times. There have also been situations where things didn’t go as planned, like production issues or delays, which required me to quickly problem-solve and keep moving forward.
Another challenge has been stepping into spaces where I had to learn to confidently present my work and my value. Over time, I’ve grown more comfortable sharing not just what I create, but the impact behind it.
But every challenge has taught me something. I’ve learned how to adapt, how to trust my instincts, and how to keep going even when things get tough. What started as a series of obstacles has really become a skill set—and that’s what continues to help me grow.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The name of my business is Lil’ Marco and Friends, LLC, and we’re on a mission to close the literacy gap by creating stories and products that reflect the children too often left out of the narrative.
We’re not just a children’s book brand—we’re building a literacy-driven ecosystem. From books and activity workbooks to literacy kits, branded merchandise, and now animation, everything we create is designed to make learning engaging, affirming, and accessible. Our focus is simple but powerful: when children see themselves in what they read, they connect, they engage, and they grow.
What sets us apart is intention. Every product we create is built with purpose—combining literacy, representation, and real-life lessons like kindness, respect, and confidence. We don’t believe in passive reading. We create experiences that help children interact with stories, build skills, and see their own value reflected back to them.
What I’m most proud of is that this brand was built from the ground up—with no publishing background, just vision, faith, and persistence. From selling books at local markets to growing into a multi-product brand with national potential, every step has been fueled by purpose and community.
I want readers to understand that Lil’ Marco and Friends isn’t just about books—it’s about impact. It’s about changing what children see when they open a page, and ultimately, how they see themselves.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Most people assume I’ve always been in the book industry—but the truth is, I started with zero background in publishing, writing, or illustration. Everything I’ve built, I had to teach myself from the ground up.
What might be even more surprising is that this entire brand started from grief. I wasn’t setting out to build a business—I was trying to help my grandchildren deal with the loss of their grandfather. That moment led to my first book, and from there, something much bigger began to grow.
Another thing people don’t always expect is that, despite being the face of a growing brand, I’m naturally more of a behind-the-scenes person. I had to push myself to step into visibility, speak confidently about my work, and show up in spaces I wasn’t always comfortable in.
And outside of all of this, I’m deeply committed to fitness. Running, cycling, lifting, and HIIT have become a big part of how I stay grounded and keep going—especially on the days when building this business feels overwhelming.
So while people may see the brand today, what they don’t always see is the journey behind it—learning everything from scratch, stepping outside of my comfort zone, and turning one of the hardest moments of my life into something meaningful for others.
Pricing:
- Children’s Books: $10–$20 per title
- Activity Workbooks: $5–$13 per book
- Bundles (Book + Activity Workbook): Starting at $20+
- Branded Merchandise (plushies, affirmation cards, etc.): Starting at $10+
- Author Visits & Literacy Experiences: Starting at $750
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lilmarcoandfriends.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilmarco.andfriends
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lilmarcoandfriends
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-jones-scaife/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lilmarcoandfriends
- Other: https://www.teensreachingteens.net
