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Rainbow Gold: Building a Business That’s Both the Journey and the Destination
Rainbow Gold tells the story of an entrepreneur who learns, often the hard way, that business is really about people and purpose. The book follows David Hampson from his early struggles owning a restaurant in Cape Town to building a flourishing aviation insurance group in New England. The narrative blends personal loss, gritty lessons, and the slow shaping of a philosophy centered on long-term thinking, responsibility, and the butterfly effect of small but meaningful choices. It reads like a roadmap for building a business that gives back and grows people rather than one designed for quick exits and flashy valuations.
As I read, I found myself pulled into the raw honesty of Hampson’s voice. He doesn’t puff out his chest or pretend every move was a stroke of genius. He shares the messy parts. The moments he panicked. The moments he learned the hard way that trusting the wrong person can empty your stockroom or sink your cash flow. The chapters about the tragic accident involving his restaurant staff hit me hard. I could feel the weight he carried as he tried to care for his team while holding a broken business together. Those scenes made me pause more than once. They also made me appreciate how sincerely he views business as a human endeavor, not a numbers game. His focus on relationships, service, and showing up for people comes through clearly.
I also found myself energized by the parts where he reflects on decisive choices. His take on the fear that keeps people frozen felt familiar to me. The book urges readers to pick a road and walk it with conviction, even if it bends or darkens. That theme threads through his years in South Africa and later through his aviation career. I enjoyed how he mixes practical stories like fighting with VAT filings or chasing down a credit card machine with larger ideas about passion, equity, mentorship, and building a legacy. The writing feels close and direct, like sitting across from someone who has lived a lot and is finally ready to tell you the truth about what it cost. I appreciated that.
I walked away feeling inspired. Hampson writes with humility, and that makes the book accessible even when the subject matter gets heavy. I would recommend Rainbow Gold to new entrepreneurs who feel overwhelmed, small business owners who want to build something that lasts, and anyone who is tired of the startup world’s obsession with speed and exits. The book speaks to people who want a business with a heart. It’s a good read for those who want to build something slow, steady, and worthwhile.
Pages: 317 | ASIN : B0FWSZTMHP
Meaningful Work
Emetophobia & Me follows your transformation from a childhood shaped by fear to an adulthood grounded in courage, compassion, and the radical act of choosing to live fully even when anxiety whispers otherwise. Why was this an important book for you to write?
What a great question. It brought up quite a lot for me. I will try to summarise it. Having battled crippling anxiety throughout most of my childhood and adult life, I wanted nothing more than to help others who were suffering too. When I saw someone suffering with anxiety and/or emetophobia and heard them speak of their experience in ways I deeply resonated with, my heart would literally hurt. For many years, I would just listen and try to offer any understanding and …. well, just love really. It felt like a lifeline for me to have someone who would just listen and remind me that I was not alone. So when I decided to write this little book, it was really to create a lifeline for those who feel lost and to remind them that they were safe. There is hope, and they are deeply loved.
What feels important to me is that, even when I am gone, my books might still bring comfort to others. That feels like meaningful work to me.
What was the hardest memory to revisit while writing Emetophobia & Me, and how did you care for yourself during that process?
Writing the book really did bring up some old feelings and fears, but it was therapeutic in a way too. I think the hardest part to revisit was those times, as a child, where I felt so unsafe. I had the phobia, anxiety, and panic ( I had no idea they had names then), there was violence at home, and my sister was diagnosed with cancer.
I felt so sad for that frightened little girl, who tried tirelessly to control what was never in her control. I guess that is why I turned inward more and more, to try and control myself. To try and keep myself safe with rituals, behaviour, and fear.
Was there a specific moment when your relationship with fear shifted from something to avoid to something you could coexist with?
You know, I wish there was a light bulb moment when it all changed. We are all looking for the magical quick fix, right? But, actually, it was a slow process. A process of seeing, then not seeing, then seeing more. The real change came from being open to being wrong …. about who I thought I was, my beliefs, and my misunderstanding about fear.
Being open. Being prepared to change your mind. Being aware that there is a lot you don’t know yet, is huge.
What do you hope readers who don’t struggle with phobias take away about empathy and the lived experience of anxiety?
It has always been important to me that loved ones and family members have some understanding about anxiety and Phobias. The one thing a sufferer needs is understanding. Followed by time and love. Just listen, not always to fix, but just to hear. Often, we sufferers of anxiety feel unheard, and that increases fear and insecurity.
The answer to everything always is love.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Instagram | Finding Peace | Website | Books.By | Amazon
She could control everything—
except her own fear.
From the outside, Jess Smith looked fine. A wife, a mother, a woman doing her best to hold it all together. But behind every smile hid a secret terror—an obsessive fear of vomiting so intense it ruled her every decision. Every meal was measured. Every outing calculated. Every day, a battle with her own mind.
Until the fear began to consume her life completely.
In this raw and beautifully written memoir about emetophobia, anxiety and panic attacks, Jess takes readers inside the hidden world of a phobia few dare to talk about. Her story unfolds like a psychological thriller—every symptom, every panic episode, every desperate attempt to stay “safe” pulling her further from the life she longed to live.
But when she finally hit breaking point, something miraculous happened.
She stopped running.
She turned inward.
And she began the journey home—to herself.
Part memoir, part self-help guide for anxiety and recovery, Emetophobia and Me will make you feel every heartbeat of fear—and every breath of freedom that follows.
If you’ve ever lived your life controlled by fear—whether of panic, sickness, or simply losing control—this story will hold your hand through the darkness and show you that healing isn’t about fixing yourself.
It’s about finally allowing yourself to be free.
A powerful, honest, and inspiring read for anyone navigating anxiety, emetophobia, panic disorder, or trauma recovery.
You are not afraid of what you think you are.
It’s time to see the truth — and take your life back.
Embrace the Ups and Downs
Dorm to Doorstep is a candid, big-sister-style guide that blends personal stories, tough truths, and practical advice to help young women navigate confidence, safety, relationships, and self-discovery as they enter adulthood. Why was this an important book for you to write?
As my daughter was approaching the end of her high school years, I observed the juxtaposition between the time in a young woman’s life when she is exerting her independence, crossed with really needing advice, and the last person she wanted to hear from is MOM. So, I packaged “evergreen” motherly advice into a fun, humor-filled yet sometimes serious book that attracts the reader with a structure resembling social media – colorful, short snippets and stories – a book that they can pick up for the AHA of the day, put down, and pick up again at their leisure.
Your book emphasizes personal choice. What experiences most shaped your belief that “you control you?”
Every day when we wake up, we can control one thing – us. Things will happen, people will say things, and we will make mistakes. How we perceive and interpret these things will drive our reactions and our learning.
I experienced some rough times as an adolescent and young adult. Circumstances I could not control. For many years, I sometimes chose to let insecurities and fear drive my decision-making. One thing that always kept me going, however, and led to real change was accepting that I am not a victim of anything that comes my way. I am in control of what I do about it. This is transformative when facing a challenge; I like to say you do you and I’ll do me, respectfully. I control the direction that I go, and my path is my own. My favorite thought each day is “Go out and make it a great day!” And, as you noticed, that is a consistent theme in Dorm to Doorstep. I believe the earlier young people feel empowered to forge their path, look at things in a proactive way, and control their emotions, the more successful they will be in facing adversity and achieving their goals.
If a reader could walk away remembering only one piece of advice from the book, what would you want it to be?
It is the first page of Dorm to Doorstep: Life is a journey; there is not one path. Embrace the ups and downs. And, I try to be a cheerleader in the journey by sharing tips, tidbits, and tales to help the journey be smoother, humor-filled, and fun.
How do you hope parents or mentors use this book when supporting the young women in their lives?
I view the book as a platform for discussion; to provoke honesty and sharing of personal stories to make connections and build relationships. If I were to visualize this, it would be a Mom and daughter having a fun conversation sparked from one of the pages in which they share their own thoughts and experiences as a way to bond and grow together.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Instagram | TikTok | Amazon
Are you ready for your own PERSONAL CHEERLEADER?
Are you ready to HAVE FUN?
Dorm to Doorstep is a fun, engaging, coming of age/adulting guide written just for you, the young woman heading out on her own! Organized in layers, just like your favorite ice cream sundae:
Glow Up, Girl: Personal Growth & Insights
Glam Bam, Thank You Ma’am (the sauce): Fashion, Beauty & Wellness
Laced with Grace (the whipped cream): Relationships & Demeanor
Gather Round with Goodness (the cherry on top): Tips & Tidbits for Daily Living
Author Hilary Afshary dives into life lessons in full, living color. Every page is bright, just like your future, with colored sprinkles of learning scattered throughout. Oh, and watch for RED moments-cold, hard truths that pop up when you need a reality check.
Dorm to Doorstep can be read page to page or casually open for the AHA of the day; picked up again and put down at leisure.
Every word comes from the author’s place of truth from her own life and raising a daughter. Thoughtful, respectful, and real-words that wink and say Trust me, You WANT to read this. Words that cause pause, stories that stick and moments that will leave you smiling- or even laughing out loud.
Dorm to Doorstep is the perfect gift for a birthday, holiday, graduation, care package, college send off or just because…it is your manual for adulting 101 and living life away from home.
Literary Titan Book Award: Fiction
The Literary Titan Book Award honors books that exhibit exceptional storytelling and creativity. This award celebrates novelists who craft compelling narratives, create memorable characters, and weave stories that captivate readers. The recipients are writers who excel in their ability to blend imagination with literary skill, creating worlds that enchant and narratives that linger long after the final page is turned.
Award Recipients
Talthybius by Jessie Holder Tourtellotte and Nathaniel Howard
Golem Mine by Donald Schwartz
A Trail in the Woods by Mallory O’Connor
Messenger of the Reaper Part 2 by Jimmy Straley
Missing in Lincoln Park by Staci Andrea
Medusa: Or, Men Entombed in Winter by Kyle Farnworth
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Book Award: Nonfiction
The Literary Titan Book Award recognizes outstanding nonfiction books that demonstrate exceptional quality in writing, research, and presentation. This award is dedicated to authors who excel in creating informative, enlightening, and engaging works that offer valuable insights. Recipients of this award are commended for their ability to transform complex topics into accessible and compelling narratives that captivate readers and enhance our understanding.
Award Recipients
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Silver Book Award
Celebrating the brilliance of outstanding authors who have captivated us with their skillful prose, engaging narratives, and compelling real and imagined characters. We recognize books that stand out for their innovative storytelling and insightful exploration of truth and fiction. Join us in honoring the dedication and skill of these remarkable authors as we celebrate the diverse and rich worlds they’ve brought to life, whether through the realm of imagination or the lens of reality.
Award Recipients
The Moments Between Choices by Harris Kamal
Secretos De Familia by Diego Uribe
Once Upon A Time In The Big Easy: Down On The Bayou by Wilson Jackson
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Finding Joy
The Joy Molecule is a soulful blend of memoir and life guide that follows your journey from achievement-chaser to purpose-driven connector, revealing how real joy grows from self-awareness, compassion, and meaningful relationships. Why was this an important book for you to write?
For most of my life, I’ve seen personal growth as an ascension ladder. We climb through experiences, challenges, insights, and relationships. And wherever we are on that ladder, we have two responsibilities: to reach down and help those coming up behind us, and to reach up and learn from those who have already climbed higher.
At certain points on that ladder, something shifts. Instead of stepping onto the next rung, we feel called to build a platform, something sturdy enough for others to stand on, something that can support more than just our own next step. The Joy Molecule came from one of those moments for me.
I realized that the concepts in this book, understanding what we are, who we are, and why we are here, and how joy arises from conscious connection and purpose, were too important to keep climbing quietly with. They deserved a platform. They deserved to be shared in a way that could help others navigate their own journey, especially those who, like me, spent years chasing achievement while longing for something deeper.
Writing this book was my way of building that platform: a place where people can pause, reflect, reconnect with themselves, and find a more joyful, aligned path forward.
What moment or relationship first made you realize that joy and achievement weren’t the same thing?
There wasn’t a single moment, there were dozens. But the clearest shift happened during my trip to Africa in 2012. I met people with far fewer material resources than I had ever known, yet they radiated a depth of joy and connectedness that I couldn’t quite understand. Meanwhile, I had all the “achievement boxes” checked and still felt empty. That contrast shook something loose in me. It exposed the illusion that achievement automatically leads to fulfillment. Becoming a father to two extraordinary children deepened that lesson. Their struggles, and my desire to support them without projecting my own expectations, also showed me that joy comes from presence, compassion, and connection, not accomplishment.
How did writing this book change your own understanding of joy, if at all?
The title of the book came from the concept that Conscious Connection + Purpose (C2P) = Joy. When I started writing the book I thought I would focus on the concept of connection, yet when I started digging and reviewing the people that I know who have deep, meaningful joy, they all had something in common. They all knew What they were, Who they were and Why there are here. That concept came after I started writing the book, so that was a huge piece of awareness I didn’t have before writing this book.
For readers who feel stuck in their careers or identities, what’s the very first small step you’d urge them to take toward reconnecting with joy?
I think joy is about connection and knowing What you are, Who you are and Why you are here. The metaphor I use in my talks is a closed door. Most of us live in a very comfortable room, especially here in the US. We live for ourselves, rugged individualism, raising our children as isolated families rather than in community. With this in mind, if we want to find more joy we don’t need to look outside of ourselves, this is an inside job. By opening the door to a journey to finding self, we begin to shed the identity we’ve created since our birth and seek connection. Finding ourselves allows us to connect more deeply with others and I believe that is one of the biggest reasons we are here. The Harvard Study on Happiness over the past 85 years is clear that those who have deep meaningful relationships at 50 will be happy at 80. To me it all comes down to connection and connecting to self is the first step.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
In The Joy Molecule, author Larry Kesslin introduces a simple but powerful idea:
Joy comes from knowing What you are, Who you are, and Why you are here. And it is deepened by personally connecting with others. Joy is not something to chase … it is something to live.
Kesslin reveals that joy isn’t about perfect circumstances. It’s about clear alignment.
Within these pages, he shares the stories of individuals who have taught him the most valuable lessons of his life.
Most spend their lives trying to succeed, impress, and keep up. But deep down, what they are really searching for is joy.
Through personal stories and the lives of remarkable individuals—from blind athletes to social impact leaders—each became the lightning rod for him to see a path to joy. Now he shares them with you. Their stories are profound. Their resiliency, creativity, and courage to take another step forward when no steps were readily apparent will leave you with wonder. Their lives are to be celebrated … as yours is.
Joy is rooted in deep human connection. It is a journey to love yourself, your life and surround yourself with peace that enables you to breathe with clarity and vision.
If you’re ready to live with more purpose, more connection, and more joy—
The Joy Molecule is your invitation to begin.
LITERARY TITAN 