MEET JANE UBELL-MEYER-A DYNAMIC ENTREPRENEUR WITH A KNACK FOR TURNING CREATIVE IDEAS INTO GROUNDBREAKING BUSINESSES. AFTER A STELLAR CAREER AS A TV AND FILM PRODUCER, JANE MADE A SURPRISING YET INSPIRED LEAP INTO THE WORLD OF BOOK MARKETING. TODAY, AS THE FOUNDER OF BEDSIDE READING, SHE'S RESHAPING THE WAY TRAVELERS EXPERIENCE LUXURY HOTELS BY OFFERING THEM A UNIQUE ESCAPE: A CURATED SELECTION OF BOOKS RIGHT AT THEIR BEDSIDE. IN THIS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW, JANE SHARES THE HEARTFELT INSPIRATION BEHIND HER TRANSITION, THE INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES THAT HAVE DRIVEN HER SUCCESS, AND HER ADVICE FOR ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS EAGER TO TURN THEIR PASSIONS INTO REALITY.
Jane's journey from Hollywood to book marketing is anything but conventional. It was a deeply personal experience in 2017 that inspired her to take a new path. "I lost one of my dearest friends, Noreen Fraser, to breast cancer. Noreen was an incredible soul-brilliant, passionate, and devoted to her mission of fighting the disease. She was the driving force behind
'Stand Up to Cancer.' During her life, we often talked about the afterlife, past lives, and the deeper spiritual side of things," Jane recalls.
After Noreen's passing, Jane found herself seeking comfort through conversations with her late friend's spirit. "I'd ask her what I should do, searching for her wisdom. Funny enough, it was like Noreen's spirit nudged a memory from my twenties-one I hadn't thought about in years," she shares. That memory was of a Caribbean vacation marred by heartbreak. A book she had packed became her solace, transforming a dismal trip into a reflective escape. This moment inspired Jane's belief in the power of books to comfort and transform experiences-a belief that would later shape the foundation of Bedside Reading.
Jane's experience in the luxury market significantly influenced the development of Bedside Reading. "I spent two decades as a TV/Film producer and had the opportunity to create something truly special-Madison & Mulholland, an award-winning company. We were pioneers in celebrity gifting lounges and gift bags, working with some of the most prestigious brands in the world. I quickly learned the incredible power of placing the right products into the right hands--whether it's celebrities or luxury hotel guests. That same 'word-of-mouth' magic is exactly what authors need when we introduce their books to travelers in high-end hotels," she explains.
The pandemic posed significant challenges for many businesses, especially in the hospitality industry. Jane, however, turned adversity into opportunity by expanding Bedside Reading's reach and offerings. "As a former TV producer for shows like Good Morning America and ET, I've learned the importance of adapting quickly. When the pandemic hit, we created something new for readers. We launched a maga- zine--both print and digital-to introduce authors to hotel guests in the Hamptons, where the hotels remained open and bustling throughout 2020," Jane says.
With physical books temporarily off the table, she introduced a digital library program using a QR code on a bookmark, offering guests access to an entire digital library of audiobooks, eBooks, meditations, and magazines. Virtual book clubs became a hit among hotels, providing guests with engaging experiences during travel restrictions. "It ended up being a great experience for both the authors and the guests," she adds.
Jane's advice for entrepreneurs is simple but profound. "Create something that stands out. Take a moment to see if there's any competition, and if there is, find a way to make your idea uniquely yours. Stay focused-don't get distracted by those 'shiny objects' that can pull you off course. Trust in your success and take action every day to bring your vision to life. And most importantly, distance yourself from anyone who brings negativity or tries to undermine your dream."
Bedside Reading has carved out a unique niche in the book marketing space, employing a multi-layered strategy to ensure the success of its authors. "We are the first company in the world to place books in hotel rooms, and we've built an innovative 15-layer marketing system to do it. Becoming a bestseller requires both an investment and a solid strategy,"
Jane explains. Her approach includes leveraging strategic partnerships and focusing on daily book promotion to make an author's name synonymous with their brand. "It's not always easy-it can be challenging-but also gratifying," she says.
For Jane, a book cover is more than just a design-it's a crucial element of a book's success. "Great book covers truly light up my world. When I see an amazing cover, I feel instantly inspired. But when I come across a poorly designed one, it's heartbreaking. A book cover sells the book-plain and simple. One of the biggest mistakes authors make is thinking anyone can design a cover based on their idea. Cover design is a craft that takes years to master, and it's worth every penny to hire a professional,” she advises. The selection process for Bedside Reading is meticulous. "The books we place in our hotels need to have an eye-catch- ing cover, strong reviews, and meet our specific criteria: no religion, no politics, and no 50 Shades of Grey-style stories. We're thoughtful about our guests, who come from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds. Our goal is never to offend but to inspire a love for reading," Jane explains.
As for the future of Bedside Reading, Jane is excited about the company's international expansion. "We're thrilled about our plans for international growth! As a digital asset, it's easier than ever for us to expand into hotels worldwide. This quarter, we've launched our program at an exclusive hotel in Cancun, Mexico, and we're just getting started," she shares. Additionally, Bedside Reading is extending its digital library to time-share vacation spots, Airbnbs, and co-working spaces.
Jane Ubell-Meyer's journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of following one's passion. "As an entrepreneur, I believe in continuous learning. Recently, I enrolled in a publishing program to understand the other side of the business. One course assignment was to write and publish a book in just seven days. I put my book marketing strategies to the test, and on the 8th day--when I published the book--it became a #1 Bestseller on Amazon! An author's work in book marketing is never done."
With Bedside Reading, Jane is not only enriching the lives of travelers but also empowering authors to reach new heights. Her story is one of innovation, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to the transformative power of books.
