Janie Van Komen

Janie was born with the slightly skewed nature of a writer's mind. In the sixth grade she rewrote Shakespeare's Macbeth into a class play complete with a paper-mache head to be cut off at the appropriate moment. As a matter of fact, Janie has encouraged all of her ten children to stretch a bit beyond the 'basic requirements' of life.

"in my opinion," she says, "that's when the fun really begins!"

"My mother gave me a love of learning. My sixth grade teacher gave me the courage to try. My husband, Robert, broadened my horizons, but it was my children who gave me enough material to fill the rest of my writing life."

Janie and her daughter Rachel co-authored the book Beyond Beauty, Cosmetology Business Information and Resources. When Rachel, a cosmetologist and business owner, couldn't find a satisfactory book about the business of cosmetology, the two of them did the research and wrote one.

Just in time for a centennial celebration in her hometown in 2004, Jaine assisted her mother, Barbara W. Buchanan, in putting together the sizable book, Reflections of Garland, a reflective history of Garland, Utah. In conjunction with Parker Lane Publishing, Janie helped write and format three gift books of short stories:The Magic and Miracle of Christmas Volumes 1 & 2; and Hearts and Hands, Stories of Hope for Mothers. Janie has also written various articles for magazines and other publications. Currently Janie, with authors Lori Nawyn and Lyn Austin have created a site dedicated to finding what works in your life. Check out The Right Shoes, Finding what Fits.

It was her daughter, Sarah Jane (the sixth child of the Van Komen's ten), who wanted to become a writer and an illustrator. Since Sarah's death in 1997, Janie has shared Sarah's experiences over and over again at the many invitations she receives to speak.

Rachel Miner

Rachel Miner was born with tremendous natural ability. Her first love was hairstyling. By age 14, she was braiding and styling hair for her friends, many of them arriving at 5 a.m. to 'get in' before school. She also started designing and sewing clothing for the mothers of the children she babysat.

This taste of operating her own business sparked her interest to enter beauty school during her junior year of high school. Using her cosmetology degree to put her through college, she received a degree in Business Management with an emphasis in International Business, Small Business and Corporate Wellness.

Rachel owned and operated a hair salon/spa and home décor business named after her sister, Sarah Janes. She ran this full service salon and gift store for seven years and now focuses on her customers by invitation only. Rachel built the business, created scholarship opportunities for her local schools, and co-authored Beyond Beauty all while raising five daughters of her own.

Shaun Miner

Shaun has a marketing degree from the University of Utah. His background gives him experience in marketing, graphic arts and small business. His entrepreneurial skill keeps him busy with his second design business, in addition to other independant and partnership ventures. His design skills have assisted SJS Publishing create graphics, book covers, websites, and all printed collateral. If you need fairly priced, professional design materials for any effort including: brochures, direct mail piece and campaign design, newsletters, print ads, flyers, pricing guides, logos or identity packages; contact Shaun now to discuss you needs.