The Bold Entrepreneur Behind The Publishing Pad and Her Journey to Success

Chisom Ezeh is the bold female entrepreneur behind The Publishing Pad, a business supporting authors. Her journey, however, has been one of tenacity, one which she describes as a “rollercoaster of challenges and triumphs.”

Ezeh had prior experience publishing books in Africa and decided to continue this career path once she immigrated to New Brunswick. After completing her MBA at University of New Brunswick, she joined Upwork, a global freelancing platform. “At first, freelancing was just supposed to be a side hustle,” she says. “I registered as an editor and started applying for jobs, but those early days were tough.”

Ezeh recalls that she would receive prejudice when mentioning she was Nigerian after being told that people didn’t want to work with anyone ‘from that country.’ “It was disheartening - there were so many moments when I thought about giving up, but my community encouraged me to keep going,” she remembers. “After sending out 66 proposals and attending countless interviews, someone took a chance on me.”

That opportunity became the foundation for her business, which she founded in 2023 but incorporated in 2024. The Publishing Pad supports authors, especially new authors, through the publishing process by offering book editing, attractive cover designing, interior formatting, marketing, and guiding authors through the publishing process; from manuscript to publication. Some authors who have worked with Ezeh have even become Amazon bestsellers.

Navigating the North American publishing industry presented unexpected challenges for Ezeh. In Nigeria, she never had to worry about whether race was a factor in her entrepreneurial journey. “There were moments when the obstacles I faced almost made me give up on my dream,” Ezeh says. “Being a Black woman has also given me a unique perspective, shaping my empathy and commitment to helping authors from diverse backgrounds. It’s this understanding of different experiences that allows me to connect with and support such a variety of voices.”

In 2024, Ezeh was honoured as one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch by CIBWE and received the 2024 Youth Entrepreneur Award from BBI. In 2025, The Publishing Pad won the Book Publishing in Saint John category at the Canadian Choice Awards. She will be including audiobook services in 2025 and hopes to become one of the top five book publishing companies in North America.

To other Black female entrepreneurs, Ezeh says to never give up on your dreams. “The journey might feel overwhelming, and there will be moments when you’ll want to give up,” she concludes. “Take a break if you need to, but never quit entirely. Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision. Don’t hesitate to ask for help, even if the answer is ’no.’ Keep asking until you find the support you need. Most importantly, believe that you deserve a seat at the table. Keep pushing forward until you walk into a room and are recognized for the value you bring. You are more capable than you think, and the world needs what you have to offer.”