Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Tobias.
Hi Andrea, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved writing and doing things that let me see my active imagination come to life. That didn’t change as I got older; it just took the form of skills, opportunities, careers, and what I like to call “lucrative hobbies.”
I went to cosmetology school and spent years doing hair and nails—another way of bringing my imagination to life. I also went into retail management, which led me to relocate, and that’s where my future began to take shape. I married a Navy sailor, became a mother four times over, and moved to new duty stations every three years. Through it all, I was blessed to find time and opportunities to write, create, and get involved wherever we landed.
In 2009, my sister and I published our first book of poetry. The experience wasn’t what we had hoped for, but we learned a lot and were thankful for the opportunity. Other aspiring authors began asking us for help, and we found ourselves sharing what we had learned through our own publishing experience. In 2012, we established Heart 2 Pen Publishing to help others bring their stories to life.
As our clientele grew, so did the services we offered. We expanded into design and printing, logos and company branding, and event planning, eventually adding website design and social media management. With that growth, I decided to change the name to Heart 2 Pen Creatives because publishing was only one part of what we had to offer.
Over time, my sister’s other business grew and became her main focus, so I took the reins of H2P Creatives as the primary designer and editor. She still lends a hand when called upon, and I’m thankful that this is something we started together.
In 2018, I was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation, and my life changed in ways I hadn’t planned for. I could no longer spend as much time behind the chair, so I had to shift more of my focus to work I could do at the computer. Writing, editing, and design became a bigger part of my everyday life. That diagnosis also began my advocacy journey. I became involved in the Chiari community, raising awareness and organizing fundraisers and activities to support a cause that became deeply personal to me.
To date, Heart 2 Pen has published nine books, eight of which are available on Amazon. They include two children’s books illustrated by my daughter, an eight-author anthology, a historical preservation book, three biblically based books, and two personal memoirs. Having my daughter’s creativity become part of the work has made this journey even more special.
We also have a teen anthology and another personal memoir slated to go into print before the new year, along with an all-male anthology in the early stages of publishing, planned for release in late 2027. Beyond books, we’ve created logos and branding for several companies and planned parties, weddings, and book releases and signings for gatherings ranging from 20 to more than 150 guests.
After 30 years, I stepped away from cosmetology this year to make more room for what’s happening now: the growth of H2P Creatives, the evolution of my family—I now have two grandsons—and whatever else God has in store for me. My imagination is still active, and I’m still finding new ways to bring it to life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not a smooth road at all! There have been plenty of moments when I’ve questioned why God set me on this particular path.
Our initial publishing experience was traumatizing, hurtful, and deflating. It left me with some major trust issues, especially when it came to something as personal as sharing my writing. That experience also shaped how I wanted to treat the authors who would eventually trust us with their stories. I knew how it felt to be disappointed, and I wanted to give them a better experience.
My health has been another big hurdle. Living with Chiari means I can have the ideas, the plans, and the desire to work, but my body may have a different agenda. Learning to adjust my pace and expectations hasn’t been easy, especially when there’s so much I want to do.
Then there’s the financial side of growing a business. Finding funding for a company with our particular mix of services has been difficult. The vision is there, but having the resources to carry it out is another part of the journey.
I’ve also had to learn how to protect my time, value my work, and recognize when someone may be taking advantage of my willingness to help. And staying motivated through all of that can be a struggle in itself.
I’m still learning as I go. My faith doesn’t mean I never get discouraged or question the path. It’s what helps me keep taking the next step.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a creative who wears quite a few hats! Through Heart 2 Pen Creatives, I help people bring their ideas to life, whether that’s a book they’ve always wanted to write, a look for their business, or an event they want people to remember.
I specialize in publishing, design, and event planning. My work includes editing and formatting manuscripts, designing book covers, creating logos and branding materials, designing websites, and managing social media. I also plan and coordinate celebrations, weddings, and book releases and signings. The projects may look different, but they all give me an opportunity to take something someone has imagined and help make it real.
I would say what sets me apart is how personally I approach the work. I want to understand what matters to the person behind the project—their story, their purpose, and what they want people to feel or understand. Sometimes a client knows exactly what they want. Other times, they have pieces of an idea and need help pulling them together. I enjoy being part of that process and creating something that feels like them.
I’m especially proud of helping people become published authors. Having been on the other side of that experience, I understand how much trust it takes to hand someone your manuscript. To date, Heart 2 Pen has published nine books, including two children’s books illustrated by my daughter. Being able to share that creative space with her is something I’m very proud of.
When a client cries upon seeing or holding their published book for the first time, that’s when I feel I’ve completed my God-given assignment.
The biggest compliment I’ve ever received came from an author who called after finishing her final read-through, just before we submitted her book for print. Clearly overwhelmed with emotion, she said, “Although I knew what happened throughout the story and I knew how it ended, I was captivated while reading MY STORY, anxious to flip to the next page. YOU MADE ME A FAN OF MY OWN STORY!”
Those nine words brought me to tears. To me, that’s what every editor or publisher should want to hear a client say. From that moment on, it has been my goal to make every one of my clients a fan of their own story.
I’m also proud that my creativity has given me a way to serve my community, including through Chiari awareness activities and fundraisers. It allows me to use my skills for something that reaches beyond my business.
Above all, I want people to know that I take no credit for these gifts. I give God all the honor and glory. I’m so very thankful for every gift He has given me and that He saw me as worthy enough to choose lil’ ole me to receive them. My prayer is that I continue to use them in a way that honors Him.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is honoring God and my family, being present for them, and knowing I’ve fulfilled the purpose God has placed on my life.
My faith is at the center of it all. I want to use the gifts God has given me with care and purpose. Whether I’m helping someone tell their story, creating something for a business, or bringing someone’s vision to life, I want Him to be pleased with how I’ve handled what He entrusted to me.
My family matters more than I can put into words. Being a wife, mother, and now grandmother is such a big part of who I am and brings me so much joy. I was a stay-at-home mother for most of my children’s lives, just as my mother was for my siblings and me. Her presence was a gift I appreciated as a child and understand the value of even more as an adult. I’m so thankful I could give that same gift to my children.
Now that my children are grown and I’m a grandmother, I’m experiencing a deeper love that I had only heard other grandparents talk about. It has completely captured my husband and me. We wake up each day watching our legacy grow and evolve, and being here, being present, and experiencing these moments together is what truly matters.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrea.j.tobias/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrea.j.tobias
