I’m not one to brag on clients (okay, that’s a lie—I totally am), but Cecilia and Jason Hilkey are the real deal, and I want you to know about them.
Here’s what happened: These two came to me at the end of 2024 wanting to publish a parenting anthology. Not a solo book—an anthology with nearly 60 contributing authors. Most people would’ve looked at that project and said, “Are you out of your goddamned minds?” (Good Lord, the moving pieces!)
But here’s the thing about the Hilkeys. They didn’t just want to write a book. They wanted to create something that would serve two audiences simultaneously: parents drowning in conflicting advice who needed that village feeling, and parenting professionals hungry for credibility and community.
Five months later, The Perfectly Imperfect Family hit #1 international bestseller status and sold thousands of copies in a matter of hours.
Yeah, you read that right. Five months. Sixty authors. International bestseller.
What Made This Work (Spoiler: It Wasn’t Just the Book)
Look, I’ve worked with a lot of experts who talk about community-building. The Hilkeys actually do it. And not in that cringey, “let’s all pretend we’re besties” way that makes you want to run screaming from the room.
They approached this anthology the same way they approach their business, Happily Family—with genuine care, crystal-clear communication, and a systems-oriented brain (that’s Jason) paired with a heart-centered approach (that’s Cecilia). When you’re managing 60 authors, multiple drafts, and varying levels of writing ability, that combination is like having a superpower.
But here’s what really blew my team’s heads off: Six weeks before launch, their contributors were out there promoting not just the book, but each other. They’d formed their own community. They were sharing each other’s content, interviewing each other, lifting each other up.
In an industry that can be viciously competitive, the Hilkeys created something rare: a collaborative ecosystem where everyone wins.
The Ripple Effect
You know what’s happened to some of those contributing authors since the book launched?
Podcast interviews. Magazine features. One got approached by Forbes. They’ve formed their own mastermind groups and meet regularly. They’re booking more coaching clients. And—this is the part that gets me—they’re viewing themselves differently. That shift from “I’m just a parenting coach trying to make it” to “I’m a published author with a message that matters” is profound. We could all benefit from that kind of attitude adjustment
As Cecilia put it during our interview, “The amount of credibility that being an author can give them when they step out on a stage or step into a podcast—knowing ‘hey, I deserve to be here’—that’s what happens when you get to step into the author space.”
This is what I mean when I say the Hilkeys are the epicenter of the parenting world. They’re not hoarding knowledge or protecting their territory. They’re actively creating opportunities for other experts to rise. And in doing so, they’ve positioned themselves as the go-to community builders in the parenting space. Impressive to say the least.
Why You Should Care
Here’s where I’m going to be completely transparent: The Hilkeys are hosting a parenting summit, and I think you should register for it.
Whether you’re a parent looking for sound, actionable advice from people who actually get it, or you’re a parenting expert wanting to connect with others in your field, this is the kind of event that delivers real value. Not froo-froo nonsense. Not the same recycled content you’ve heard a thousand times. The Hilkeys bring together voices that are changing the landscape for parents everywhere—the same voices they elevated in their anthology.
I don’t attach my name to things lightly. I worked with these two, watched them orchestrate something remarkable, and saw the tangible results both for their business and for the professionals they supported. So when they tell me they’re putting together a summit, I pay attention.
You should too.
P.S. You can register for the Happily Family Summit here. (Yes, that’s my affiliate link. I believe in supporting people who do good work, and the Hilkeys absolutely deliver.) You need to register now because the Summit begins on Thursday, October 9th.
