Do you have something you absolutely love and hate about yourself? I can think of a few things, but the one that creates a lot of dissonance for me is my tendency and ability to plan. It’s a blessing and a curse. On the positive side, I can be relied upon to be as prepared as possible in any given situation. From packing for a family vacation, to coaching a client, or giving a keynote talk, you can bet your…
If you’ve ever attended an inspiring conference, event, or talk, I’m willing to bet you’ve experienced the post-event paradox of feeling simultaneously inspired/raring to go and utterly overwhelmed/paralyzed. Am I right? On the one hand, you’ve had an incredible amount of top-level information poured into your brain. On the other, you’ve had an incredible amount of top-level information poured into your brain! You see the problem? It’s too much. This paradox was precisely what I wanted to talk about in…
Have you ever felt like building a profitable and purposeful creative business is a lonely, uphill struggle? I know I have. I’ve also known the joy of feeling fully seen, heard, and supported by peers, professionals, and community members as I navigate uncharted (and often scary) professional and personal territory. We ALL need people who – unencumbered by the personal baggage and demons we carry – are able to see our vision and are willing to hold space for it…
If you’ve been hanging out with me for a while, you’ll know I can pretty much tie any life experience to entrepreneurship. And this post is no different. 😂 This one was fun to write because it has ALL the elements of a messy human experience: ego, growth mindset, grit, and resilience. The (literal) vehicle for this experience? Roller skates! It all started a couple of months ago when I COVID-purchased (aka impulse bought in an attempt to reduce stress…
As a business owner, mum, and someone who likes to be liked, I have been known to say “yes” to things I don’t have the capacity for, I’m not the right person for, or just don’t want to do. Maybe you have too. Perhaps it’s offering to take on a project you know will mean burning the midnight oil. Perhaps it’s clients who regularly haggle on price or scope creep. Or maybe it’s agreeing to host the baby shower or…
Perhaps you have some great clients who agree to your fees, respect your time, and love the results you deliver (we love those ones!). Or, maybe you have clients you love, but can’t really afford you and consistently push back against your rates (that one’s a bit tougher). And you probably have had the awful clients that nickel and dime you, torture you every step of the way, and are never happy (I give you full permission to let those…
Have you ever had a project or client relationship careen off the tracks through no discernible fault of your own, leaving you feeling hurt, confused, and doubting yourself? I know I have. What I’ve learned from it all is relationships or projects only go sideways when an expectation goes unmet. That’s it! And guess what – boundaries are a great way to communicate and establish expectations – ensuring everyone knows where they stand, what’s expected of them, and how to…
Some years ago, my young family and I lived in Harlem. One of the many things I loved about it were all the small businesses that dotted the brownstone lined streets. From the florist and cool hat shop (because if you can’t rock a hat in Harlem, where can you?), to the bakeries and restaurants, every business invited you into a unique experience, culture, and story. Serengeti Tea and Spices was a particular favorite of mine. The first time I…
As a business coach for creative business owners, I can honestly say most clients entering my practice aren’t charging enough. Not nearly enough. And I understand why. I remember a pricing conversation in my days as an agent for independent creatives with a prospective client that I’m sure will sound familiar. The prospect was a large national brand looking for an estimate for tagline development. When I quoted the fee, the woman on the end of the phone practically fell…
It’s January 20th, 2021 – Inauguration Day in the US and a new chapter has begun. And while I’m aware of the work ahead, I’m feeling SO much hope and gratitude. I hope you are too. As Joe Biden reeled off the crises (very much plural) this administration is inheriting, he talked about heart, intention, and purpose as much as he talked about policy and action. He spoke of how values, the right people, a clear plan, and consistent action…
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