sandra nomoto, the copy doctor, vegan, helen siwak, portfolioyvr, vancouver, bc, yvr

Sandra Nomoto: Guiding Authors to Impact & Authority Through Publishing & Storytelling

Sandra Nomoto (née Garcia) is a book whisperer for authors with impact and writer for the popular podcast, A Little Bit Culty. She’s always had a passion for language, and as a typical millennial, cares deeply about social and environmental justice. She graduated from the University of British Columbia in English Literature and Film Studies, where she discovered a passion for film and became a founding member of the Vancouver Short Film Festival.

Nomoto’s communications career began in the public relations (PR) industry in 2005, before the age of digital marketing. From 2008 to 2018, her agency, Conscious Public Relations Inc., focused on PR campaigns for socially and environmentally responsible companies, and became the fourth PR firm in Canada to achieve B Corporation® certification.

Nomoto has authored two books, including Vegan Marketing Success Stories, the world’s first vegan marketing book. She now helps authors with ghostwriting, editing, formatting, and marketing services so they can have a positive impact through their books.

Besides previously serving on the Board of Directors of the Vancouver Mural Festival, she’s spoken at TELUS, Main Street Vegan Academy, Planted Expo, and the Vancouver Vegan Festival, sharing the stage with Genesis Butler, Chuck Carroll, and Dr. Michael Greger. On the side of her desk, she co-hosts VEG Networking Canada, Canada’s only vegan networking group.

IN HER WORDS.

I recognized the first spark of my entrepreneurial spirit during the early years of my career. While I was working at a Vancouver public relations firm in 2005, my sister, Sarah, had moved from administrative assistant to the partner of a small business. Her leap showed me that entrepreneurship was possible, and by the spring of 2007, my intuition told me to avoid applying to other agencies. I wanted control over the clients I worked with, and I had already seen how draining difficult personalities could be. At the start of 2008, I launched my own solo publicity business. Four years later, I incorporated and rebranded to Conscious Public Relations Inc., which I eventually closed in 2018, paving the way for my second business in 2020. If I had known then what it truly took to run a company, I may not have jumped, but I am grateful that I did.

EARLY ENTREPRENEURSHIP

My earliest memories of business involved a fifth-grade experiment with entrepreneurship, when my friends and I sold small items from home to classmates. My collection of unused stickers became my product line until our shoe-box cash register was robbed and the school shut us down. I did not think about those moments again until adulthood, when another intuitive nudge changed my life. After closing Conscious PR in 2018 and finally becoming vegan, I meditated on my next steps. A clear inner voice told me to merge my vegan lifestyle with my identity as a writer, so I launched myself as a vegan copywriter on my personal website. That seed eventually grew into the multifaceted business I run today.

LESSONS LEARNED

My early years in publicity included a memorable experience that taught me one of the most important lessons of my career. In 2009, when livestreaming was still new, I coordinated a virtual broadcast for a beauty brand client by hiring a local marketer who had tested the system multiple times. During the event, everything appeared to be working, but days later we learned the livestream had failed completely. My client considered refusing payment and even mentioned legal action. Ultimately, they accepted a discount, but I carried the lesson forward: I would never outsource a service under my company name again. Instead, I would point clients to trusted professionals and allow them to contract directly.

sandra nomoto, the copy doctor, vegan, helen siwak, portfolioyvr, vancouver, bc, yvr

BUILDING MOMENTUM

When I re-entered business in 2020, I initially branded myself as “The Vegan Copywriter,” but feedback showed that the name might intimidate non-vegan clients, so I shifted to “The Content Doctor.” With more time during the pandemic, I pursued training in book editing and formatting, which led me to work with authors. In 2021, I felt a strong pull to write a book focused on vegan marketing, a gap that was glaringly obvious. I self-published Vegan Marketing Success Stories in 2022, and it opened significant doors—over 80 media and podcast appearances and invitations to speak at events, both locally and online. Although the book did not bring in large clients, it strengthened my expertise, inspired my services, and became a cornerstone of my evolving brand.

NEW CONFIDENCE

Securing early clients in 2020 helped me gain confidence in my second venture. A wellness entrepreneur hired me as the editor of a magazine she was launching, allowing me to step into a new role without prior journalism experience. Later, a friend asked me to ghostwrite his book in exchange for tattoos, proving that creative exchanges can lead to meaningful professional milestones. As more people discovered me through vegan podcast features, requests for publicity support increased. These experiences, combined with insights gleaned from my own book’s success, helped me develop a system that guides entrepreneurs and other professionals to go from published author to paid speaker.

WELLNESS AND BALANCE

My entrepreneurial life has required flexibility more than sacrifice. I love my work, which sometimes means I choose a project over a vacation. To avoid burnout, I prioritize daily wellness practices: exercise, meditation, affirmations, prayer, and family time. Monthly game nights with my sister, niece, and nephew keep me grounded and remind me that joy and connection are equally important parts of the journey.

SHIFTS IN DIRECTION

A pivotal moment that affirmed I was on the right path came from the magazine editing role in 2020. Over time, artificial intelligence reshaped the copywriting landscape, leading me to shift my focus toward authors, where my skills could offer deeper value. Success, for me, has become a daily measure—if I serve clients with intention, clarity, and integrity, then I have succeeded. A wonderfully unexpected milestone in 2025 came when a long-time administrative client invited me to write for the podcast A Little Bit Culty, which I had followed since its launch. Learning podcast writing has been exhilarating, and working with authors—twelve so far, including three Amazon bestselling authors—continues to show me that I am growing in the right direction.

sandra nomoto, the copy doctor, vegan, helen siwak, portfolioyvr, vancouver, bc, yvr

GUIDANCE AND COMMUNITY

Mentors have shaped my evolution at every stage. In my early years, Cathy Kuzel helped me understand the foundations of business and sales through WeBC. Later, Dawn Bowles guided me as I repositioned Conscious PR toward social impact clients. My networks have become ongoing sources of support and learning—Vegan Business Tribe, VEG Networking Canada, the Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and The Forum. Through mentoring women myself, I have received as much wisdom as I have given, proving that guidance flows both ways.

LEADERSHIP LESSONS

Leading teams occasionally throughout my career taught me that I thrive when I work independently, supported by a small circle of collaborators. My experiences with boards and partnerships reinforced the importance of timely execution and alignment. Closing Conscious PR, after a planned expansion did not materialize, showed me that vision alone is never enough. Action, timing, and mutual trust are everything. Through it all, I have remained true to my values.

DEFINING SUCCESS

If I were speaking to new entrepreneurs today, I would emphasize the importance of community. No entrepreneur succeeds alone. I also wish I had known earlier how vital relationships are. Building and maintaining connections is the foundation for long-term success. My definition of success has shifted over the years, becoming less about milestones and more about impact. A day of good work is success in itself.

THE BOOK WHISPERER

Today, my work centres on my identity as the book whisperer. I coach, ghostwrite, edit, format, and market books, and I recently launched my online course, How to Publish Your Bestselling Book. I created it after speaking to a group of business owners in 2025 who had countless questions about publishing. The course allows authors to understand the full landscape of publishing and marketing options while empowering them to take charge of their own work. To grow in this direction, I aim to increase my visibility through media, partnerships, and speaking engagements so that more authors can find a trusted guide.

LOOKING FORWARD

Looking ahead to 2026, I hope to become a recognized resource for self-publishing authors navigating a rapidly evolving industry. New tools—from AI audiobook narration to automated translation—are transforming how creators bring their work to the world. My vision is to guide more authors from manuscript to media coverage, and ultimately, to the stage as paid speakers. I also remain open to supporting a founder or solopreneur who needs a right-hand strategist with a unique blend of publishing, marketing, administration, and public relations experience. My greatest hope is that writers, professionals, and founders leave my guidance feeling empowered, informed, and confident enough to share their stories widely. Stories change lives, and I want to help bring more of them into the world.

Follow Sandra on IG: @therealsandranomoto

Author Profile

Helen Siwak, Collaborator: This story is created in collaboration between Helen Siwak and the featured subject. As the founder and publisher of Portfolio.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, Helen works closely with entrepreneurs to share their paths of innovation, resilience, and growth. Each story in this series is co-developed through interviews and first-person insights, blending authentic voices with Helen’s editorial expertise to highlight the remarkable individuals shaping British Columbia’s business landscape.