Author Spotlight: Create Your Own Luck by Dr. Jeremy S. Owoh

“You don’t get lucky. You get prepared.”

After more than two decades as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and national education-board president, Dr. Jeremy S. Owoh has built an entire leadership philosophy on that single idea: that what the world calls luck is really preparation meeting opportunity. Create Your Own Luck is his invitation to stop waiting for the perfect moment and start intentionally positioning yourself for the one that is coming.

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Q&A with Dr. Jeremy S. Owoh

Q: At its core, what is Create Your Own Luck about, and where did the idea come from?

A: My book, Create Your Own Luck, is about intentional leadership, preparation, resilience, and recognizing opportunity even in the middle of adversity. At its core, the book challenges the idea that success is simply the result of chance. I believe that what many people call “luck” is often the result of preparation meeting opportunity.

The inspiration behind the book came from my own personal and professional journey. Throughout my life and career, I have experienced moments where opportunities appeared suddenly, but I realized those moments were only possible because of years of hard work, sacrifice, growth, and perseverance behind the scenes. From serving as a classroom teacher to becoming a superintendent and national education leader, I learned that leadership is not accidental. It requires vision, discipline, faith, and a willingness to continue growing even during difficult seasons.

I was also inspired by the countless educators, students, mentors, and leaders I have encountered along the way. Many of them possessed extraordinary potential but often underestimated the power of preparation, mindset, and persistence. I wanted to write a book that would encourage people to stop waiting for permission, stop waiting for perfect circumstances, and instead begin intentionally positioning themselves for success.

This book is deeply personal because it reflects lessons learned through both victories and challenges. Ultimately, it is a message of empowerment: success is not reserved for the fortunate few. We all have the ability to create opportunities, maximize our gifts, and create our own luck.

Q: You have spent your career leading schools and districts. How did that path lead you to writing, and to publishing this in particular?

A: I have always been a writer in some form, even before I realized it. As an educator, school leader, and superintendent, writing became a natural part of how I communicated vision, encouraged others, solved problems, and inspired growth. Whether developing leadership messages, speaking to students and staff, or reflecting on life experiences, writing has always been one of the ways I process purpose and share lessons learned.

The idea for Create Your Own Luck developed over time through both my personal journey and professional experiences. Throughout my career, people would often describe certain opportunities or accomplishments as “luck,” but I knew there was much more behind those moments. There were years of preparation, sacrifice, resilience, faith, discipline, and perseverance that people did not always see. I wanted to challenge the belief that success simply happens by chance.

I decided to publish the book because I believed the message could encourage people beyond education. In a world where many people are waiting for the perfect opportunity, I wanted readers to understand that growth begins when preparation meets action. The book is ultimately about leadership, mindset, intentionality, and refusing to allow circumstances to define your future.

Personally, I am passionate about transformational leadership, educational equity, innovation, and helping others maximize their potential. My experiences as a teacher, principal, state education leader, deputy superintendent, superintendent, and national board president have shaped my perspective and reinforced my belief that leadership should always create opportunities for others to succeed.

Q: The character of Maya runs through the book. What was it like writing those reflective leadership moments?

A: One of the most meaningful and enjoyable aspects of writing Create Your Own Luck was developing the reflective leadership moments woven throughout the book, particularly through the experiences and perspectives represented by Maya. Her character embodies curiosity, growth, resilience, and the willingness to ask difficult questions about leadership, purpose, and opportunity. Writing those moments was rewarding because they allowed me to explore leadership not just from the perspective of someone in authority, but from the perspective of someone learning, growing, and discovering their own voice.

At the same time, those sections were also some of the most challenging to write because I wanted them to feel authentic and relatable. I did not want the lessons to sound overly polished or unrealistic. Leadership is often messy, complicated, and deeply personal. I wanted readers to see both the victories and the struggles that shape growth over time.

In many ways, the characters and stories in the book are reflections of real experiences, conversations, and lessons I have encountered throughout my journey in education and leadership. As someone who has served as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and national education leader, I have seen firsthand how preparation, mentorship, adversity, and perseverance shape people differently.

What made writing this book special was the opportunity to combine leadership principles with human experiences. I wanted readers to see themselves in the journey and recognize that growth, opportunity, and purpose are possible for anyone willing to remain intentional, resilient, and prepared.

Q: What is the message you most want readers to carry out of the book?

A: The central message of Create Your Own Luck is that success is rarely accidental. I hope readers walk away understanding that preparation, mindset, perseverance, and intentional action often create the opportunities people describe as “luck.” Too often, individuals underestimate the power of discipline, consistency, and resilience in shaping their future.

I also hope readers gain a deeper understanding of leadership. One of the recurring themes throughout the book is that leadership is not defined by a title or position. Leadership begins with influence, service, vision, and the willingness to positively impact others wherever you are. Whether someone is an educator, student, entrepreneur, executive, or emerging leader, I want them to recognize that they have the ability to lead intentionally and create meaningful change.

Another important theme is resilience. Throughout life and leadership, there will always be setbacks, disappointments, and moments of uncertainty. I wanted the book to encourage readers not to allow adversity to define them, but instead to use challenges as opportunities for growth and transformation.

Finally, I hope readers leave inspired to maximize their potential and create opportunities not only for themselves, but for others as well. True leadership is not simply about personal success. It is about opening doors, empowering people, and leaving a lasting impact on communities and future generations.

Ultimately, the book is a message of hope, intentionality, and empowerment. The future belongs to those who prepare for it, pursue it boldly, and remain committed to growth even when the journey becomes difficult.

Q: How much of the book is drawn from real people and real moments in your career?

A: A great deal of it. While Create Your Own Luck is not a traditional autobiography, many of the lessons, conversations, leadership moments, and challenges woven throughout the book were inspired by real-life experiences from my personal and professional journey.

Having served as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and national education leader, I have experienced firsthand the realities of leadership, adversity, opportunity, and growth. I have seen individuals overcome incredible obstacles through preparation, resilience, faith, and determination. I have also witnessed how mentorship, relationships, and timing can completely change the trajectory of someone’s life.

Some of the characters and scenarios in the book are inspired by the educators, students, mentors, colleagues, and leaders I have encountered throughout my career. While the characters themselves are not direct replicas of specific individuals, they reflect the emotions, struggles, aspirations, and leadership lessons I have observed over the years.

The character development was especially influenced by moments where people had to choose between remaining comfortable and stepping into growth and opportunity. Those moments are deeply personal to me because I have experienced them myself throughout different stages of my career and life.

I also drew inspiration from my own experiences navigating leadership under pressure, making difficult decisions, overcoming setbacks, and learning that success often comes long before recognition ever appears publicly.

Ultimately, the book is grounded in authenticity. I wanted readers to feel that the lessons were real, relatable, and connected to genuine human experiences rather than abstract leadership theories alone.

Q: Is there a question about the book you wish readers would ask?

A: One question I wish readers would ask is: “What does it truly mean to create your own luck?”

My answer would be that creating your own luck is about living intentionally long before opportunities arrive. It means preparing when nobody is watching, remaining disciplined when progress feels slow, and continuing to grow even during difficult seasons. Many people see success only after it becomes visible, but they often do not see the years of sacrifice, resilience, setbacks, faith, and perseverance that made that moment possible.

For me, creating your own luck is also deeply connected to leadership and purpose. It is not simply about personal achievement or career advancement. It is about positioning yourself to make an impact on others, opening doors for people behind you, and maximizing the gifts and opportunities you have been given.

I would want readers to understand that the book is not encouraging people to chase perfection. Instead, it is encouraging them to remain intentional, adaptable, and courageous enough to keep moving forward even when circumstances are uncertain.

Throughout my own journey in education and leadership, I have learned that some of the greatest opportunities in life emerge from moments that initially looked like obstacles or setbacks. That perspective shaped much of this book.

Ultimately, I hope readers leave understanding that success is not reserved for a fortunate few. Opportunity often finds those who consistently prepare, remain resilient, and refuse to stop growing.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote or moment from the book?

A: One of my favorite quotes from the book is: “Success isn’t luck. It’s preparation meeting opportunity.”

That quote captures the heart of the entire book and reflects a lesson I have learned throughout my personal and professional journey. Too often, people only see the visible outcome of someone’s success without recognizing the years of preparation, sacrifice, setbacks, discipline, and perseverance that happened behind the scenes.

Another moment in the book that stands out to me is the discussion around leadership and influence. I write about how leadership does not begin when someone gives you a title. Leadership begins the moment you decide to positively impact the people around you. That message is deeply personal to me because some of the most influential leaders in my life never held the highest positions, yet they transformed lives through service, vision, encouragement, and consistency.

I also appreciate the moments in the book that address adversity and resilience. Some of the most meaningful growth in my life and leadership came during seasons that were uncomfortable, uncertain, or difficult. I wanted readers to understand that challenges do not disqualify them from success. In many cases, those moments are actually preparing them for greater opportunities ahead.

Ultimately, the book is designed to encourage readers to remain intentional, stay prepared, and recognize that their current season may be building the foundation for future success.

Q: What was the hardest part of writing and publishing while leading a district?

A: One of the biggest challenges in writing and publishing Create Your Own Luck was finding the time and mental space to write while actively leading in demanding leadership roles. Serving as a superintendent and national education leader requires constant decision-making, problem-solving, and attention to the needs of students, staff, families, and communities. There were many moments when the responsibilities of leadership could have easily pushed the book aside.

Another challenge was making the book authentic and personal without losing the broader message I wanted readers to receive. I did not want the book to feel overly theoretical or disconnected from real life. I wanted it to reflect genuine experiences, leadership lessons, setbacks, and moments of growth that people from different backgrounds could relate to. That required vulnerability and honest reflection.

Publishing the book also challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone. In education leadership, much of our work is focused on serving others behind the scenes. Writing a book and sharing your personal philosophy publicly is different because it requires you to put your thoughts, experiences, and beliefs in front of the world for interpretation and critique.

At the same time, that challenge became part of the purpose. I realized that if the message could encourage even one person to remain resilient, intentional, and hopeful during difficult seasons, then the process was worth it.

Ultimately, the experience taught me that growth often happens when we are willing to move beyond comfort and trust the value of the message we have been called to share.

Q: What is next for you, on the page and beyond it?

A: Writing Create Your Own Luck opened the door for several future projects that continue to build on themes of leadership, intentionality, innovation, and personal growth. One of the projects I am most excited about is expanding the leadership framework introduced in this book into a broader conversation around transformational leadership and future-ready organizations.

I am currently exploring additional writing centered on educational leadership, innovation, culture-building, and how leaders can effectively navigate change in rapidly evolving environments. Much of my work and experiences in public education have reinforced the importance of visionary leadership that balances accountability, relationships, innovation, and opportunity. I want future projects to continue encouraging leaders to think beyond traditional systems and embrace transformational thinking.

I am also interested in developing leadership-focused resources such as workbooks, reflective journals, and practical guides that can support aspiring leaders, educators, and professionals in applying these concepts in their daily lives and organizations.

Another project I am passionate about is continuing to develop The Intentional Leadership Blueprint, which expands on the idea that leadership should be purposeful, people-centered, and impact-driven. I believe there is a growing need for leadership conversations that are authentic, practical, and grounded in real experiences.

Ultimately, my goal as a writer is not simply to produce books, but to create ideas, conversations, and resources that inspire people to grow, lead intentionally, and maximize their potential to positively impact others.

Buy the book here: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
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