Theresa McNeilly is the founder of Do The Work Books, a publishing studio that specializes in interactive planners, journals, trackers, activity books and more, using engaging visual prompts to encourage the participant to do the work.

Theresa was trained in Industrial Design at the top of her class and was labelled as “the person in charge of the book” that documented the developmental process in every team project. In the corporate world, Theresa worked as an industrial designer and product design manager in household consumer goods for more than ten years. Yet every time, Theresa would put together a “book” that documented the entire product development process.

In 2015, Theresa designed a workbook for her friend and since then she began a new journey working with independent authors — developing and designing unique workbooks in a range of areas that include wellness, transformation, and self-mastery.

After years of helping other authors publish their workbooks, Theresa published her first workbook in 2023 called My Book of Books: a guided journal for the books you read. Theresa's workbook was inspired by a worksheet she designed (just for fun) for an online community she was part of.

Theresa lives in a small town in the Muskoka region of northern Ontario with her husband, daughter, and son. Together, they enjoy family reading time every evening before bed.

Theresa Mcneilly is encouraging disconnecting from tech and leaning into writing with pen to paper for greater connection by supporting authors in creating their own guided content journals and workbooks that will instill knowledge, generate results and serve as a catalyst for transformation.

MY STORY

what to do?

I remember when I was little, always wanting and having to DO something. Making crafts was something I enjoyed doing but then I realized I liked making things for other people. I enjoyed creating with purpose.

In school I loved the creativity of our art class and decided to go to college for design. I was drawn toward and excelled in the design methodology. Several team projects labelled me as “in charge of the book" to document the entire project development. Being organized and detailed, while enjoying the design process, allowed our team projects to come together seamlessly and successfully. I graduated at the top of my class in the Industrial Design Program and worked in the corporate world as a product designer for 10 years. Whenever I need inspiration or a pick-me-up, I turn to books. My favourite aisles at the bookstore are the design, self-help, and of course, the journal and stationery section. I enjoy creating beautiful products and continue to better understand myself with self reflection.

Designing books

After leaving my full-time job and becoming a full-time mommy, I offered to help a friend design 2 pages of her book. The 2 pages turned into designing the entire book! As we collaborated and enjoyed the process together, it turned into something greater. It was not just a book, but a productivity tool, a daily agenda, a goal setting planner - a workbook!

I love to collaborate with heart-centered entrepreneurs to create tools to help others be inspired.

Let me help you bring your teachings to life by creating a workbook that allows others to take the time for their own self-reflection on a topic only you can teach.

We don’t learn unless we “DO”. No do, no learn. No action, no results. Do The Work Books is my passion and mission merging the design, self-help and journal sections to create beautiful workbooks that not only look good but also help others.

I now dedicate my time to helping others so they can help others. When I am not a stay at home mom in Muskoka, I make trips to Toronto visiting my favourite bookstore.

Theresa