Heritage Makers personal publishing consultant creates book for Oprah Winfrey and gets personal thank-you phone call.

Provo, Utah - September 25, 2008 - Heritage Makers, the leader in personal publishing for hardbound storybooks, recently received some unprecedented attention. Brenda Kruse, an independent consultant from Waterloo, Iowa, created a 5×5 storybook for Oprah Winfrey that resulted in a personal thank-you call from the celebrity.

The storybook celebrated the life of Oprah’s beloved dog, Gracie, who passed away in May 2007. After being personally moved by Winfrey’s August 2007 editorial in O, The Oprah Magazine, Kruse wanted to celebrate the emotional story of “Gracie’s Gift” and created a treasured keepsake about Oprah’s experience with her 2-year-old dog.

“I just felt compelled to put this heartfelt story into print for Oprah to keep handy so she could keep what she called ‘Gracie’s Gift’ in mind. I knew our little 5×5 brag book was just the vehicle to deliver that message. She could keep it on her desk, in her purse, or by her bedside…wherever she wanted to be reminded to slow down in life by seeing Gracie’s smile,” recalls Kruse.

In honor of the one-year anniversary of Gracie’s death,. Kruse sent the storybook to Oprah Winfrey’s offices at Harpo Studios. The storybook arrived and was personally received by Oprah. “Shortly after I mailed the storybook, I received a ‘private call’ on my cell phone that went right to voicemail,” shares Kruse. “When I checked the message, I was stunned to hear a familiar voice say, ‘Brenda Kruse…Oprah Winfrey…’ I had received a personal thank-you call from one of the most influential people in the world! And it all happened because I wanted to give the gift of story to someone who has touched so many lives herself.”

Heritage Makers believes in the power of the individual and in the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Kruse states, “Many people can say Oprah made a difference in their lives. But not many people can say they’ve made a difference in Oprah’s life! With this small storybook, I had a huge impact on a very influential person. Now, that’s the power of storybooking. And that’s why I am a Heritage Makers consultant.”

Brytt Cloward, Heritage Makers Vice President of Sales and Marketing says, “Our independent consultants really believe in the power of story to strengthen homes and families. A simple thing like a storybook can have lasting effects on many generations. Whether you’re a celebrity or a stay-at-home mom, Heritage Makers storybooks have the power to change lives. Kruse demonstrates the spirit of heritage that so many of our consultants deliver one storybook at a time in homes across the U.S. and Canada. With this effort, we truly are ‘binding families together.’”

To learn more about Kruse’s story or to see the storybook that Oprah received, go to http://www.heritagemakers.com.

Heritage Makers is a company and a community that believes in the power of strengthening family relationships through storybooks. Heritage Makers publishing platform is easy-to-use and simple enough to help anyone make a book-families, photographers, creative professionals, artists, writers, or anyone else with a story to tell. With Heritage Makers unique online publishing process, these stories can be preserved forever in custom hardbound books and related projects. In addition, Heritage Makers offers a unique income-building opportunity for its consultant sales force and anyone interested in binding families together.

Saturday, October 4 kicks off the holiday season. There’s no better time than now to get your holiday cards created. Plus, with the all-new Template Gallery, there’s absolutely no excuse not to get holiday cards out this year. Gather your neighbors, call your friends together…don’t forget the chocolate…and start making cards! For more information Contact Me!

Check out my parents’ story.  My mom wrote the story and I put together the book.  The published copy should be coming in the mail any day now and my mom will be surprising my dad with the book a week from today, September 4, their anniversary.  We can’t wait to see his reaction as he reads their love story!

This story was done in an 8×8 storybook using a Heritage Makers template! Click on the “Full Screen” button below to get a closer look.

You can see more of my projects HERE!