Visionary Life Magazine | Autumn 2022

October is a time of reflection and planning. Time to reflect on the year so far:

What has gone right

What has gone not so right

What goals did you achieve – personally or professionally

What changes did you need to make

It’s also a time for planning. It’s the last quarter of the year. The home stretch. Time to tie up the loose ends and plan for the year to come.

Both the reflection and the planning can seem daunting. But both are necessary. I’ve found myself doing a lot of reflecting and planning this year. Sometimes simultaneously. My reflections have led me to understand that there were things and people I needed to let go of to restore and secure my peace and joy.

As I look towards next year, I’m encouraging myself to continue that reflection and planning. And I’m also encouraging myself to keep purging what doesn’t serve me or is keeping me out of alignment.

Life is about choices.

We often want to blame the people and things around us for how we feel and what is happening “to” us. But at some point, we all must put our big girl panties on and take responsibility for the life we have created; for the people and things we have allowed in our lives; for the people and things, we have allowed to shape our decisions.

Take some time to reflect and plan. Take some time to fight for your life, like the sur-thrivers who have shared their stories of triumph over breast cancer in this issue. One of those amazing women is my mom, Sonia Charles. She is a 21-year survivor of breast cancer. And I distinctly remember her telling us in 2001, she didn’t have time to die because she had too many things she needed to live for. She fought like hell for her life. I watched her go through surgery, chemo, and radiation. She fought to stay on this earth with me, my sister, my dad, my son, my niece, and our entire family.

no way then that I can’t fight. Reflecting and planning is part of the fight.

There is life after diagnosis, and you have to decide what you want to do.

A journey towards not only creating a voice to this disease, but also to help other women who may be suffering or specialists hoping for direction and answers.

Woman entrepreneur shares her experiences as a breast cancer survivor and business owner.

It can be scary to put yourself out there as an entrepreneur starting something new, but when the opportunity presents itself, you need to grab it.

Isabel Sachs Krystina Wales Quinta Sally Kathy Condon Sarah Morgensen Tami Burdick Katie Restrepo

How these friends rise up their ranks in male-dominated fields and navigate a high-powered career as a parent.

Cover pHOTO:

Makeup by Mauria Smith. Hair style by Crystal Prince. Photo by Eric Richardson Photography

Skills will guide you to carve your own path when you are ready to bloom.

When you get outside of your normal routine and your typical surroundings, something magical takes place.

© 2022 All rights

Who Leverage

Life Magazine.

A TIME: HOW BREAST CANCER CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER

Cancer is a monster. It can affect anyone. It doesn’t discriminate. We need to be ambassadors of our bodies.

A

Conversation With My Mom,

A 21 Year Thriver Of Breast Cancer

am honored to share a conversation with my mother, Sonia Charles, a 20 year THRIVER of breast cancer. We sat down to talk about her journey battling stage 3 breast cancer.

My hope is that other women will find empowerment, comfort, and guidance within her story.

Kelly: When did you learn that you had breast cancer?

Sonia: It was in 2001, in August. At this time in my life, I had just started a job and didn’t have health insurance, so I had to take my $135 to the doctor’s and pay for it. But, knowing how important mammograms are, I was not going to miss it.

In the 20 years, I’d gone to get my mammogram from this office, the process was simple: the nurse takes the mammogram, sends it to the radiologist, the radiologist reads it, and the nurse comes back and says, “Okay, see you next year”.

But this time was different. This time, she came back to take a few more pictures, left for a while, came back, and said, “Okay Mrs. Charles, you’ll hear from me. I’ll see you.”

And without any hesitation in my mind. I knew something was wrong.

Kelly: So what did you do?

Sonia: I went home and went about my business as usual. And then, finally, I got a certified letter in the mail telling me that I need to see a breast surgeon. So, I folded it up nicely and put it away. Because not having any health insurance, there was no way I could face a doctor. This wasn’t like nowadays, back then, pre-existing conditions were not something that you got treatment for. So I put it away, and never said anything to anybody.

I knew I needed to tell my sister, as she was my caregiver. But, a few years prior, we went through a year of caring for her husband who passed away from pancreatic cancer. I didn’t know how I was going to lay this at her feet.

So I said nothing.

But, as you know, the Lord works in mysterious ways. My sister and I happen to have doctors in the same office, not the same doctor, but the same office. So she went to see her doctor. And the receptionist who knew us both very well said, “Oh, by the way, how is Sonia doing with her breast?” She was shocked because I had not said anything to her. And my sister, being a nurse, knew exactly what this lady was asking her.

Kelly: Wow. I did not know this part. This is all new to me. Okay, so what happens next?

Sonia: I had to wait until August to see a doctor. My sister accompanied me. We got there and I handed him the X-rays I obtained but never opened. He examined me and then he got under my arm. And he found the big boy.

One of the hardest parts was figuring out how I was going to handle this with the various people in my life. I had my two daughters and two grandchildren how was I going to tell them?

He confirmed the cancer and said, “Well, I cannot do anything for you, because we don’t accept the insurance that you have. But don’t worry. I have an excellent surgeon for you, and I’m going outside to the receptionist and she will call him and get it all set up.”

Kelly: So did you know it was stage 3 cancer at this point?

Sonia: No, he made no diagnosis because he was not going to take me as a patient. My doctor would have to be the person to handle all of that. But I was nervous, he had confirmed what I had already suspected.

One of the hardest parts was figuring out how I was going to handle this with the various people in my life. I had my two daughters and two grandchildren – how was I going to tell them? But I knew I had to wait until I met my doctor in person.

The time came to meet my doctor. After examining me, he was proposing a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy. Under my arm was a huge lump, which meant this cancer had not localized itself to the breast. It had now spread to the lymph nodes.

He told me it was stage three and laid out the treatment plan: chemotherapy, surgery, followed up with another set of chemotherapy.

Kelly: One of the things I remember is you saying, “I don’t have time for this. I have places to go and people to see.” How did you stay so strong? Did you ever feel like you wouldn’t make it?

Sonia: No, that was never part of my thinking. I knew several people who had died from breast cancer, but my doctor’s message to me didn’t convey that this was anything terminal. He made me feel like this was something we could work through. He was positive but not the kind of person who speaks with false hope. He laid everything out on the table. But he never made me feel like I needed to go out and buy a box.

Kelly: The fact that he didn’t speak death over you helped you to be positive. I think that is so important.

Sonia: Yes! When I talk to people who are going through similar situations, I always tell them that they have to trust their doctor. And you have to know that every doctor is different. Like surgeons, all they do is operate. There is very little interaction between patient and surgeon, generally. But my doctor was different. My surgeon followed me for six months after I had surgery. He worked with a team of doctors who, whenever I went to one doctor, he knew exactly what doctor I had seen previously, and was able to give me holistic care.

Kelly: One of the things I always admired was how you never let your diagnosis stop you. You had your surgery on December 19th, and we still had our Christmas Eve sing-a-long, AND you dressed as Santa Clause – as usual.

Sonia: Oh yes. I didn’t have time to be sitting around, laid up. Matter of fact, in order to have chemotherapy, my doctor told me I had to have a port inserted into my chest. I looked at him and said, “But I have a cruise to go on.” He asked me when it was, I told him Friday, and he said, “well, come in on Monday. We’ll take care of you then. And Friday, you can go on your cruise.” I told him that would be fine. I had places to go and people to see!

Kelly: I don’t think you missed very much work either!

Sonia: I always said that I would not go to work if I did not feel comfortable driving my car.

As far as I was concerned, I was 60 years old a young woman. I was just beginning life, looking to really hit the road Jack!

I didn’t want to endanger myself or anybody else. I woke up on my birthday actually, and wasn’t feeling so hot. I said, “You know what, I’m not going anywhere today.” So that was the only day I didn’t go. And then the other time that I was off was for the surgery. I had to take 5-7 days after the surgery. But yeah, other than that, I went to work every day.

Kelly: Watching you fight with such grace, going to work every day, staying positive has been so impactful to me. You’ve said before, “your story is already written.” And I always add a little on to that, I add, “feel free to edit accordingly.” You were able to edit your story. You were able to say, “this is not how my story ends” and you fought. So, how have you been able to take your story and reach people who are on similar journeys?

Sonia: Well, one of the things that I try to get people to understand is that this is not a journey that you can take by yourself. It is a journey in which you need somebody to walk with you. I try to tell people that if they're more open, they will get a better insight into what is happening to them.

One of the things that I try to get people to understand is that this is not a journey that you can take by yourself. It is a journey in which you need somebody to walk with you.

I also tell them to have faith in their doctor. You HAVE to feel comfortable, there is no way you’re going to make any progress otherwise. And you have to be able to talk to your doctor, and know they are going to be there for you. My sister sent me to the oncologist with a three-sheet legal pad of 40 questions, which I then presented to the doctor, who was the most marvelous person. He read and answered every question.

Because when you go to the doctor and he asks you how you are doing, you can accurately answer.

Another thing I tell people is to stay positive. I knew that if I had stayed in my house and laid in bed looking at the walls, I would not make it. And I just wasn’t ready for that. So I had to get my mind in a different mindset. As far as I was concerned, I was 60 years old –a young woman. I was just beginning life, looking to really hit the road Jack!

Kelly: And so you have. In the past 20 years, you’ve traveled the world – I don’t know that there’s many places you have not been! Oh – before we wrap up, earlier you talked about the pages of questions you took to your doctor. I wanted you to share with everyone what those three pages of questions turned into.

Sonia: It turned into a book written by my sister. And that book is called “The Little Pink Purse of Courage.” Inside the book are all the questions you need to ask your doctor. Questions that you need to ask but probably wouldn’t think of. Everything is in this book!

Kelly: I’m so glad that I had the chance to have this conversation with you. Thank you so much for your fight. I am so grateful to have such a strong mother who teaches me the power of positivity and how to push through. Is there anything else you want to share before we sign off?

If you are battling cancer, you need your key people around you. You cannot do it by yourself, no matter how strong you are, there always has to be a village. There is life after diagnosis, and you have to decide what you want to do. Sometimes it is not easy, and it doesn’t always work out. I am very blessed. I’ve had 21 years and whatever comes from here is, as they say in Jamaica, Brawta, extra blessings.

There is life after diagnosis, and you have to decide what you want to do.

I’ve had 21 years and whatever comes from here is, as they say in Jamaica, Brawta, extra blessings.

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HOW A SURVIVOR AND

Inever envisioned how one business trip could result in a diagnosis of a rare, under-practiced, poorly understood, and emerging chronic inflammatory breast disease affecting 2.4 women per 100,000.

I embarked on the trip as a freelance business coach, yet that trip would lead me to become a published author. Seemingly, my only concern for that January trip a few years ago was the potential for a winter storm. Little did I know, the exhausting and traumatic year and a half journey I would soon face.

Roughly about two months upon my return from that trip, I started experiencing a multitude of symptoms, including breast pain. Upon a selfbreast exam, I discovered a lump and a hardened area. I wasted no time in calling my primary care physician, who ordered both a mammogram and ultrasound after my physical exam. Unknowingly, my mammogram was BI-RADS 5; highly suspicious for malignancy. I would better understand later why I received a call from my primary care physician requesting I make an appointment with a surgical breast oncologist before I even had an ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy performed, which was already scheduled.

I would imagine many women who find a lump in their breast would be presumptuous and assume a pending cancer diagnosis, while in the back of their minds hoping it is just a benign growth. After that phone call from my primary care physician however, I was expecting the worst.

I was also still praying for a miracle. Surprisingly and relieved, my biopsy result reported it wasn’t cancer, defying the odds of that original suspicion, and likewise supporting the theory shared from my radiologist.

I was told I had Granulomatous Mastitis (GM). I was most certainly relieved it wasn’t cancer, though I could have never have imagined how this breast disease would soon reveal its ugly head like the monster it was. Speaking of monsters, six months later through my own research and advocacy we would discover what actually caused this condition. The species level gene sequencing pathology test I uncovered through a suggestion from a woman in my support group would ultimately help save my life.

Luckily, I had an amazing, open, and partnerapproach surgical breast oncologist who without hesitation ordered that test after I brought it to her attention. I also had a functional medicine practitioner who joined our team approach and advised on my treatment plan, along the timing of it. I feel this decision was the best for my specific situation, especially with how I approach my own health. I seek to source the root cause to disease, fix the cause, versus managing symptoms. This approach is practiced in functional medicine. I would then receive another diagnosis as well. We now not only had a cause to my GM, but we could also potentially cure it with the right treatment plan. Together we were the A-Team.

I didn’t have to have a mastectomy, but I had to have breast surgery, nine months of antibiotics, and a wound VAC for many weeks to eliminate that infection and cure my GM. Honestly, the worst part was probably the wound VAC, though it would be the last obstacle I’d face before I’d finally be able to reach remission from the disease.

Not everyone is lucky enough in a sense to cure their rare disease, but I feel I’ve personally made strides to give a voice to GM in particular. My advocacy includes several media interviews to share my story, some were alongside my specialist. Most recently, I published my book, Diagnosis Detective: Curing Granulomatous Mastitis, which shares my very personal and elaborate journey towards not only creating a voice to this disease, but also to help other women who may be suffering or specialists hoping for direction and answers.

I truly believe that God gives his biggest battles to his strongest soldiers. As I’m left with those two warrior wounds reminding me what I survived, and to keep being the voice for a rare disease that does not have to have the same traumatic outcomes for others.

I encourage anyone faced with a rare disease to learn everything you can about it. If you have the resources to acquire advice from a functional medicine practitioner, it could be worthwhile. Be an advocate for yourself as no one knows your body better than you do. You don’t have to feel alone, if you don’t have access to people close to you for support then find a support group who knows and best understands what you are going through.

I have now been in remission from GM for about four years. I live a healthy lifestyle, though my lifestyle in general has shifted. I am more a spectator when it comes to certain activities, but having now survived an environmental bacterial infection,

I’d be lying if I said I don’t have any PTSD from it. Something as common as taking a shower is now something I almost view as opportunistic at potentially changing my life again. I’m hopeful that my GM will remain in remission, just as I’m hopeful sharing this information may help someone who needs it.

Keep fighting, keep striving and keep going. You too can get score an A+ for your health!

Tami Burdick resides in Cincinnati, OH. 44, divorced, with no children.

She is well traveled and enjoys living a healthy lifestyle while inspiring others to as well. She enjoys cooking, baking, walking on trails at various parks, movies, baseball, trying new restaurants, wineries, juiceries and coffee shops. She loves music and attends live music events often. She seeks humor in everyday life as laughter is the best medicine for her. She has a wonderful circle of close friends, who enrich her life, and frequently spends time with family. She is naturally an extrovert; no one ever is a stranger to her, and rarely does she have a filter, but most appreciate her honesty. She’s led an adventurous life so far with a multitude of wonderful vacations, including five cruises.

She has pondered the idea of creating a foundation for Granulomatous Mastitis (GM) research, so it is possible one day that may just be her next venture toward helping cure GM, as well has plans for publishing another book.

"I truly believe that God gives his biggest battles to his strongest soldiers"

Establish Boundaries In Your Relationships & See How Life Improves

By: Ajayi Temiloluwa

The concept of setting boundaries in relationships is what a lot of people like to shy away from. This is because most people have the notion that setting boundaries in their relationships will hinder the relationship. There is this thought that lingers in people’s minds: this relationship will be too difficult to keep up with once I set and stick to my boundaries.

But boundaries are incredibly important. Most people have that instinctive knowing that boundaries need to be established so that relationships can thrive. But, boundaries look scary to a lot of people. What many people haven't realized is that boundaries are the distance at which we can love another and ourselves simultaneously.

In order to establish and maintain personal and professional relationships that are healthy and nourishing, you should constantly be assessing and reassessing your boundaries.

So, if you are on the fence about establishing boundaries in your relationships, take a look at how your life will be improved once you’ve done so!

Setting boundaries helps you…

COMMUNICATE YOUR LIKES & DISLIKES

One of the foremost things that setting boundaries brings to a relationship is that it helps us communicate –either directly or indirectly– our likes and dislikes to our associates, friends, and counterparts.

Setting boundaries up in relationships creates a portal that allows people close to us to know the things we like and the things we don't like. This improves the state of most relationships, unlike getting to hide things in the fog and allowing everything that does not go well with who we truly are accrue to a later phase in the relationship which might not be the perfect time/moment to address such an issue. Or worse it might be too late then.

RECOGNIZE THE DESERVED SPACE YOU HAVE IN EVERY RELATIONSHIP.

Relationships, both personal and professional relationships are like houses lined up on a street. On most occasions, you have a wall (usually called a fence) acting as a means of demarcation between your house and the houses next to yours on both sides.

Just like in the case of your house where the fence demarcates you and your neighbors boundaries in relationships automatically creates a space where you can do what you wish to do within that space, and your neighbors getting to do what he/she wishes. But the existence of the wall/fence does not mean you and your neighbors can't have a nurturing relationship from a rightly owned individual space.

BE MORE UNDERSTANDING OF DIFFERENCES.

Personal and professional relationships are largely constituted of individuals of common interest and simultaneously individuals with unique differences coming together to nurture one another in the best possible means each individual can afford.

To contribute true value in relationships, there's the need for each individual to understand the unique differences of the other persons and then through that lense see what ways they can compliment those unique differences.

If there were no established boundaries, there would be no way individuals would be able to understand the differences of one another and to see what ways they can compliment those differences uniquely.

SAY NO IN A HEALTHY WAY

One of the main characteristic of a relationship where there are no boundaries is the fact that a party or parties in the relationship don't know how to say and receive the word No- or any equivalent form of rejection or disapproval from their

Associate who has overtime presented himself or herself as someone that can be trusted and will do anything or everything possible to keep the relationship going and growing.

With boundaries in relationships, individuals can determine when it's a good time to say no to the other party and the recipient of the decline is able to accept the rejection without taking any offense because he/she understands that healthy relationships aren't co-dependent. Healthy relationships sometimes require the use of the word no in order to keep the established boundary intact and not to make the relationship one sided in any way or form.

MAINTAIN HEALTHY RECIPROCITY

One of the signs of a healthy and a promising relationship is the practice of healthy reciprocity without attachments and expectations.

Through the proper use of boundaries in relationships, individuals lay down a very good foundation to cultivate a relationship where true reciprocity is practiced. Individuals share and exchange all forms of energy without being dependent on the other party or without doing things out of guilt or some false sense of obligation owed to the other party.

Using and owning up to boundaries is one crucial way of achieving nurturing relationships; either those relationships are personal or professional relationships.

By setting up boundaries, a healthy ground is cultivated and this promising healthy ground, despite being in opposition to the mask-wearing and boundaries-absent nature of relationships that the average society promotes is the perfect ground to set up healthy relationships. Through boundaries in relationships, women can function in their personal and professional relationships from the place of true authenticity.

Ajayi Temiloluwa @bravewordz

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FORGES AHEAD WITH NEW BUSINESSSurvivor

Laura Sommers has worked in the specialty coffee industry in Seattle for over 30 years She founded Espresso Supply in 1993 and Simply Good Coffee in 2022 Sommers shares her experiences as a breast cancer survivor and business owner

When were you diagnosed with breast cancer and what was happening at your company at the time?

I was diagnosed on Christmas Eve 2009. Specialty coffee was a growing and dynamic industry, so Espresso Supply was growing along with it. We had recently introduced a brand of specialty coffee smallwares called Rattleware.

How did you keep the company going while you were in treatment?

I worked throughout my treatment. For surgeries and chemotherapy, I had to take time away from the office but as CEO there was no time off. When I was in chemo, I had infusions on Tuesday afternoons, so I was in the office that morning, but my treatment took the rest of the day.

The effects were delayed, so Wednesday I went to the office. Most Thursday afternoons I had to go home because I just felt terrible. I would work from home on Fridays and be back in the office on Monday morning.

Thankfully, when I started Espresso Supply, I structured the company to not be dependent on me. When my kids were very little, they would go to childcare two or three days a week so I could go to the office, and the other days I would work from home. My staff were already used to my intermittent presence in the office.

What was the hardest part of running a business while you were in treatment?

I had chemo brain fog, which caused things that had been simple to become extremely difficult. It’s challenging to be in leadership when you’re not feeling sharp.

I was trying to keep my company running and also keep my family running. I tried to eat dinner with them like normal, even when I didn’t feel like eating.

Besides medical treatment, what kind of support did you get?

As part of treatment, I was assigned a group of other women with breast cancer, which was very helpful. I’m a firm believer that even though we all try to be empathetic of people in challenging circumstances unless you’ve actually had those experiences you don’t understand them as well as you think you do.

I now know others in my industry who are going through cancer treatment and I’m happy to support them as needed. It’s not always breast cancer, though that is relatively common. The specialty coffee industry is mostly made up of small businesses, which often have women leading them.

You have since started a new company called Simply Good Coffee. How have the relationships you built over 30 years in the specialty coffee industry influenced this new project?

Those relationships are my primary motivation for starting Simply Good Coffee. There are several intertwined purposes for the company but one of them is to support small businesses. They’re the ones who built this industry. Since I’ve been in specialty coffee for so long, I’ve been able to reach out directly to small business owners to ask if this new idea would be beneficial for them.

The pandemic was an eye-opener for everyone. Coffee shops that relied on foot traffic in downtown areas struggled when everybody started to work from home. It was very difficult for any small retailer to survive. They’ll tell you today that they’re still very fragile

Selling home coffee brewers will increase their sales of whole beans and decrease their dependence on walk-in customers. So even if they’re located in a downtown area where they serve office workers and foot traffic, they can grow their business in other ways. Rather than customers buying a coffee maker from a big-box retailer, we want that profit go to their local coffee shop.

What’s your vision for Simply Good Coffee?

My vision is to educate consumers that the way you brew your coffee is very important and having a quality coffee brewer is essential for enjoying the coffee in the way that the roaster intended. Coffee is science, but it’s not rocket science, and anybody can make good coffee.

We are partnering with the coffee experts that consumers interact with nearly every day. The first part of the program is to send the shop a brewer so they can test their coffee. That’s the beginning of their relationship with Simply Good Coffee. They don’t have to buy it. If they like how their coffee tastes on our brewer, then we talk.

If the customer buys coffee beans from a specialty coffee business and at home it doesn’t taste good, then they’re disappointed. At that point, most people think that the problem is the coffee, so they’re unlikely to buy coffee from that shop again. In reality, the problem is usually the brewer. So often coffee gets blamed for the brewer’s shortcomings.

So many of us love our kitchen gadgets. We have an air fryer, an Instant Pot and a sous-vide. Those are fantastic products, but the coffee maker is what we use every day. So many times, I’ve seen people taste coffee brewed with a well-engineered brewer and they think it’s the best coffee they’ve ever had. They always ask the same question: What coffee is this? I tell them that although it is specialty coffee from a local roaster, the brewer is bringing out the best in the coffee, and that is what they are noticing.

You’re using the QR code in an innovative way. Can you explain how that works?

Coffee shops are busy places, so we are using the QR code in an innovative way to streamline everything. The customer can simply scan the shop’s unique code next to the brewer on display to make the purchase. What the customer gets at the coffee shop is the recommendation and the demonstration of the product. Sales come to Simply Good Coffee, which ships the brewer directly to the customer.

The coffee shop doesn’t have to store or track the inventory. They don’t have to pay for shipping or spend time on purchase orders. It became apparent in the pandemic that there were problems with supply chains and it’s one burden too many for fragile small businesses.

The mission of Simply Good Coffee is to help coffee businesses grow and prosper. Our intention is to be easy to work with and we want to keep the spotlight on the specialty coffee business. We want to educate all coffee consumers that using a brewer like ours makes the coffee the star of the show, highlighting the flavors and aromas the roaster intended and delivering the coffee experience that everyone along the journey from farm to cup was working toward. The brewer is simply the means to an end, the end being simply good coffee.

Heather Jasper @heatherjaspertravels @hjaspertravels

Having a growth mindset means that you view failure as an opportunity to learn and grow This can be a tough mindset to maintain, especially when you're constantly bombarded with messages that tell you that failure is bad

Now more than ever, having a growth mindset at work is essential for success. A growth mindset is the belief that you can improve and grow through learning and effort, and it’s a key ingredient in achieving your professional goals.

Here’s how you can jumpstart your growth mindset!

Engage in 1self-reflection .

Taking time for self reflection allows you to see where you need to improve and what areas you're already strong in. It also allows you to monitor your own progress and see how far you've come. Through this reflection, you may find that it is time to adjust course and make a few changes and that's okay!

2. Change your inner monologue

Your inner monologue plays a big role in shaping your mindset If you find yourself constantly thinking negative thoughts, try to reframe them in a more positive light For example, instead of "I'm not good enough," try telling yourself "I can get better with practice "

3. Let go of perfectionism.

Perfectionism is the enemy of growth When you're constantly striving for perfection, you're setting yourself up for disappointment and frustration Instead, focus on making progress and doing your best Remember that mistakes are part of the learning process!

4. Seek out opportunities to learn

Make a point to actively seek out opportunities to learn and grow. This could mean taking on new challenges at work, signing up for online courses, or attending workshops and seminars. By continuously learning, you'll set yourself up for success in the long run.

5. Embrace feedback

Feedback is essential for growth It can be tough to hear, but it's important to remember that feedback is meant to help you improve Try to embrace it with an open mind and use it as a learning opportunity

To redefine failure, you need a growth mindset that will help you improve and learn. Remember, there are no fixed traits, only areas that you can continue to grow

Are you ready to live life unapologetically AF? This book is not for the faint of heart. It’s for women who want to learn how to anticipate, short circuit, and out navigate the people, places and predicaments that will keep them from being great. In Unapologetic AF, Kelly Charles Collins shares her life lessons, strategies, and wisdom gained from a personal and professional life of twists, turns, and detours. From a single mother on welfare to powerhouse attorney and multiple six-figure professional speaker and CEO, Kelly reveals:

· the conflicts that became lessons

· the diversions and detours that shaped who she has become

· the moments that led her to owning her power

· the techniques that have paved the way for her success

In her salt of the earth, unapologetic AF style, Kelly guides you through 34 ways she unleashes her badassery as she navigates this journey called life. Wherever you are on your journey, Kelly’s strategies and techniques will empower you with the courage to unleash you inner badass no matter what so you can live life unapologetically AF.

New York City is a great place to become your own boss. The city is full of people looking to meet new faces in exciting places and, as a native New Yorker, I wanted to create opportunities that would bring people together. I also wanted to help generate revenue for female owned businesses.

In 2019, I started working as a speed dating host for an international company that provided speed dating events in various restaurants and bars across the U S and European cities The company would send me to a restaurant or bar that they would reserve space in for the event and I was given, via email, the list of guests Usually, it was 10 women and 10 men The company charged each guest $40 (no refunds!) and upon arrival, I would hand each person a scorecard in which they would record who they would like to connect with again

After the event, the speed daters would hand in their cards and if two daters named each other, it would be a match (kinda like Tinder), and their emails would be exchanged Before the event, I would organize the tables so it would be easy for people to move around, and during the event, I would rotate the men every five minutes with a gentle tap on the shoulder. Most of the events I hosted ran smoothly. Although, I did observe some things that the company could improve on.

LEARNING FROM THEIR MISTAKES

For starters, there was a regular lack of communication between my company and the restaurant or bar they would book their event in. Many venues didn’t understand how speed dating worked and the bartenders were often miffed when several of the daters avoided buying drinks, which put me in an uncomfortable situation I was being pressured by the waitstaff to get the daters to spend money and I was met with reluctance because the daters didn’t want to spend anymore money

Another common problem was the venue itself Some were either too loud for conversation or too crowded and expensive I also wasn’t in control of the ticket sales or the guest lists Some speed daters expressed wanting a refund that I couldn’t issue or I would hear complaints about not having anything in common with the people they were meeting For events, my company would just put people together based on their ages, but I realized that being around the same age doesn’t guarantee a connection People, especially those who are looking for romance, want to have real conversations, which usually stem from common interests.

LEVERAGING MY EXPERIENCE

I enjoyed being a speed dating host, but I did not enjoy what I couldn’t control, like where the events took place and who participated. Also as a former server and bartender, it didn’t sit well with me that the venue did not receive any part of the event’s ticket sales I felt like the company I was working for was taking advantage of the spaces they booked, which is why I left the company

A few months ago, I was contacted by a female owned craft beer company called Wild East Brewing Co A mutual friend had referred me to them Wild East was interested in hosting speed dating events at their bar in Brooklyn Instead of sending them over to the company I had previously worked for, I took this as an opportunity to become my own speed dating company. I proposed that we split the ticket sales and that each ticket would include a free drink. I’ve noticed that people are likely to buy another drink when the first one is on the house.

I believe that people, especially people living in cities, are tired of online dating and are looking for alternative ways to meet people I want to provide that service and even though the speed dating company that I worked for had its flaws, it taught me something I learned how to run speed dating events and now I am learning how to do it my own way

It can be scary to put yourself out there as an entrepreneur starting something new, but when the opportunity presents itself, you need to grab it and believe in yourself and the work you plan to do.

CT Marie

CT Marie is a New York writer, filmmaker, and actress. She created the web series, “Rent Control,” an award winner at the 2020 NYC Web Fest. Her essay, "Ugly Couple" was published in the anthology, "Dating and Sex: The Theory of Mutual Self-Destruction" edited by Amir Said and her short story, "Sugar Baby" was published in the anthology, "In Filth It Shall Be Found," edited by Outcast Press.

Other publication credits include: "Sexual Assault By A Bunch of Nobodies" (4W Publication), "Being Single Is Underrated" (Sylvia Magazine), "Profile 9204" (Outcast Press), and “This Italian crime drama believably depicts a dark world without exploitative rape scenes” (Episodes: An Emily St. James Subscription Newsletter).

When the opportunity presents itself, you need to grab it and believe in yourself and the work you plan to do.

@ctmarie92

By: Diana Silva Franco

Amajor part of being human is the feelings and emotions that we can experience They are the bridge that connects us with other human beings Some of you might believe that is the role words play in our lives but let’s think about it for a second: what are words without an emotion behind it?

Communication is a layered process: we have our words, our tone of voice and gestures, and of course, our emotions. These, when used consciously, can transcend a screen, and engage our audience think mom, kids, coworkers, potential clients, or even the bank operator but, more importantly, can generate this bridge that brings us closer when we are face to face.

When we are preparing to interact with another person, as we organize our thoughts and words, it is key to integrate the around that interaction: what are your sources of excitement, passion, inspiration? It does not matter what you are going to talk about, all speech sparks an emotion inside, and we can learn to use it in our favor.

The key is in being aware of what we are feeling, and understanding how that can be translated into our communication

So, here are some tips that will improve your communication at work, at home, and in your social life

Be aware of your emotions.

The first step is always self awareness It might sound like something only “deep” people do but it is a key element in many areas of our lives When we know what we feel, we can learn to control it That does not mean we should bottle our emotions or fake a smile 24/7 but that we can be honest with ourselves and learn how to use them in a constructive way

Use “I” statements when sharing your feelings.

This will help the other person understand where you are coming from without feeling attacked. For example: Instead of saying: “You never listen to me!” Try: “I feel frustrated when I try to talk to you and you are not really listening ”

Avoid Generalizations.

Saying things like “you always ” or “you never ” will only put the other person on the defensive If you want to be heard, try to be as specific as possible When we make generalizations, we leave no space for the other person to see things from our perspective For example: Instead of saying: “All men/women are ” Try: “I feel like I can’t trust men/women because ”

Seek first to understand, then to be understood.

This is a classic Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People but it definitely applies here. When we try to understand the other person, we create a connection that allows us to be better understood as well, a connection with them that facilitates communication. For example: Instead of saying: “This is what I think we should do…” Try: “What are your thoughts about this situation? I’d like to understand your point of view better.”

The Takeaway

Understanding the emotion helps you understand the person and that is the key to success If you understand how others feel, you can predict how they react In doing so, you’ll have a better chance at getting them to do what you want

But most people don’t understand that they think that if they just say what they mean, other people will figure it out

But that’s not how it works

People are complicated They have different values, different goals, and different ways of looking at the world If you want to get along with someone, you have to understand those things about them not just what they say but why they say it

Diana Silva Franco

@see_dailydi dianasilvafranco

Diana is a professional journalist, passionate communicator and restless soul, based in Bilbao, Spain. She left behind a life influenced by family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances to find her own voice.

She is deeply inspired by seekers and travelers. When she’s out she’ll most likely be engaged in long conversations that cover life wisdom, cocktail recipes and everything in between. Most of the time, however, she enjoys staying at home, enjoying music while her husband is cooking for two.

Diana has learned that everything she does needs to be either challenging or fun, so she is constantly looking for new books, online classes and hobbies. Anything that allows her to laugh at or get to know a different side of herself.

People are complicated. They have different values, different goals, and different ways of looking at the world. If you want to get along with someone, you have to understand those things about them— not just what they say but why they say it.

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Through Ladies Who Leverage®, women entrepreneurs learn to connect authentically, build strategically, and live life unapologetically AF. In LWL, badass women entrepreneurs find empowerment, support, inspiration, accountability, and a wealth of experience and knowledge to drive their success

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J O I N O U R F A C E B O O K C O M M U N I T Y L a d i e s W h o L e v e r a g e ® G l o b a l N e t w o r k

SONIA CHARLES Breast Cancer & The Fight For Her Life

NICOLE WALKER How Podcasting Changed Her Life & Success Journey

PRECIOUS WILLIAMS Pitching Her Way From Feeling Worthless to Priceless

Action Makes the Dream Happen! From Welfare to 7-figures with ELIZABETH CHRITTON

Duchess of Decorum, Pattie Ehsaei, on Crushing Patriarchy and Being A Badass

Merging Creativity and Entrepreneurship

By Edikan Umoh

Creativity is a broad concept and to a certain extent, it’s personal Sonya Barlow, the founder of Like Minded Females likens creativity to the ability to solve problems using innovation and imitation One of the problems she noticed was that women don't have enough confidence in the workspace So, she transformed her brunch club into a consultancy business it doesn’t get more innovative than that

“I was one of these women and I wanted to solve that,” she says, “You solve that through bringing people together, soaking up conversations, and through the community No one tells you how to solve a problem you have to find a creative way to do so ”

There are distinct benefits to merging two disciplines, it’s what many call out of box thinking We spoke to Elisa Doucette who transitioned from writing to running an editorial agency. “I can’t stand entrepreneurs who talk about the fact that they don't know what happens within their company anymore,” she says. “You should know all of the moving pieces well enough to see how they're moving together.”

She likens the creativity of an entrepreneur to what makes the gears of a clock work together to create the system. “Creativity is seeing all the pieces together and then cohesively bringing them into a story, a theme, or a product That's where the creativity lies, otherwise, you're just someone who knows what all the gears are ”

Developing Mental Models

Sonya and Elisa have implemented their personal mental models of interdisciplinary thinking in several aspects of their business from hiring practices to how they create services

During the pandemic, Sonya and her team created a blind matching algorithm for their mentoring services They took biases out of the matching system, which often is faced by women going through anything in the workspace “The pandemic hit and individuals didn't have functional resources and didn’t know how to build their confidence. And by using channels like Zoom, Google, and free establishments, I created a mentoring program as a pilot in 2020. We mentored 100 people We then leverage that in 2021, the same or similar, we went through 1000 people Then we established an algorithm and as a result of that, we mentored 1000 people across 24 countries with a 90% success rate

For Elisa, she infused creativity from being a writer into her marketing funnel

“When you're putting together any sort of marketing funnel you're taking all of these different moving pieces, and information and pulling them together to create a story and a journey for your customer ” she says, “It’s up to you to present the technical information in a way that’s not only appealing but interesting I've always been able to take a look at all of that data and information and make it tell a story rather than just looking at it as a report ”

“Selling is very much by the time I get on the phone with someone like I just want them to be at the heck yes point Like I don't want to talk to you until you're so in love with what we're doing ”

Their out of the box thinking also impacted their hiring practices Both of their teams are remote and uniquely flexible for their employees Elisa experienced working in the corporate world and wanted her company to be different. “About 13 years ago, I was working 60 70 hours a week in an office as a sales manager.” she says, “And I got out to be able to work whenever I want, wherever I want. And so that's the rule I wanted for my team. So they can work whenever they want, wherever they want as long as they hit assignments and deadlines and the work is at a quality that I expect.”

In general, I like to give my employees agency. “I give you the gears and the vision of what I want the clock to be ” she says, “I trust you to know how to build your own clock and I'll guide you if there are things that I think could be changed I hire them to be the experts so why not trust their expertise?”

Creating A Tailored Value

Doucette also noted that her foundation as a creative has helped her keep her head above water in the business world “The mindset has been as a business money has to come first which is a little bit stifling especially as a creative person,” she says “That's probably why I creatively get into some of my entrepreneurial things and like try to create customer stories and journeys and things like that because it's a way for me to like enact my creativity ”

Moreover, she started delegating the bulk of her administrative tasks “This year, I have actually been shifting more and more of day to day, responsibilities and to my executive assistant so that I can get back to creating and ideating again,” she says

Finally, Elisa’s storytelling ability made her regard her customers as more than avatars in her business journey. “One of the biggest things I’m becoming more and more bullish on is knowing your customer's story and your customer's journey,” she says, “That involves talking to your customer, being where they are, and viewing them as more than demographic data. The more you can understand that journey and that story and make your customer the hero of their own story, the easier it is for you to understand what to create for them, how to sell to them, how to market to them and how to talk to them ”

Although the economy side of the business is important, it doesn’t have to lead everything In the long run, creativity and entrepreneurship work together in such a way that makes you put the journey of your consumer at the forefront

Edikan Umoh @ ediks @usiwomaumoh

From Freelance To Founder:

SUSTAINABILITY AT EVERY STAGE

By Isabel Sachs

Angie Moody and Evelyn Huang are entrepreneurs, co founders, and friends, building a fintech company while raising young families They know what it’s like to rise up the ranks in male dominated fields, how to navigate a high powered career as a parent, and how to take action when building someone else’s vision isn’t good enough anymore.

Choosing to step outside the bounds of the corporate world can feel like a radical move, especially for someone who has spent years climbing the ladder of the male dominated financial industry, breaking glass ceilings, and running innovative teams along the way

For Ruby Money CEO Angie Moody, it was all but inevitable “I was tired of building someone else’s vision,” she shares from her home in Charleston, SC, where she recently relocated with her husband and two young daughters from San Francisco, seeking a more balanced pace and a stronger community.

Moody didn’t set out to find a company though. In 2020, she was running the team at Instagram that built “Instagram for Professionals,” the profile type toggle that gives influencers and businesses access to the analytics that have since become the cornerstone of the creator economy She identified the emerging needs of professional creators and small business owners and responded with a product that has reshaped the market Combine that with her earlier product leadership roles at Visa and Capital One, and she was set up with the chops and the clout to do anything she wanted

What she wanted, it turned out, was the flexibility and ownership that come with running your own business So Moody turned freelance consultant, advising start ups on product strategy. It was in the building and running of this business that the idea for her current endeavor, Ruby Money, emerged.

“I loved the flexibility that consulting gave me, but I found out very quickly that there is a lot of administrative tedium to running a smooth business of one. In my first year I had no idea what estimated taxes were and I didn’t contribute to any type of retirement account In the end, that cost me over $8,000,” Moody says of her early experience

Moody’s now co founder Evelyn Huang had been on a similar journey. After stints as the Chief Marketing Officer at Sunrun, a lecturer at the Stanford d.school, and Head of Design Strategy at Capital One (where she and Moody first met and became friends), Huang also had the connections and expertise to fully own the next step in her career She too elected to strike out on her own In 2017, Huang launched a freelance design business and a teaching side hustle

“I loved the craft and connection to my clients, but I was in for a surprise on what a maze it was to handle the money side even coming from a background in financial services. For the first time in my career, I didn’t set aside funds for retirement or stay on top of taxes I just didn’t know what I didn’t know,” Huang recalls

The pair originally met in 2014 while working together on the founding team of Capital One Labs, the group that eventually built Capital One’s mobile banking app. After moving on to even bigger executive roles at separate companies, the two kept in touch regularly to share advice, commiserate on office politics and dream about the future No surprise that when they shared their individual experiences starting up freelance businesses, the wheels started turning

Moody convinced Huang to join her as co founder, and the two spent most of their pandemic lock down time doing customer research, sketching prototypes, and raising money from a small group of mission aligned angels and investors to build their vision

In early 2021, Ruby Money launched its first app designed to help creative entrepreneurs pay themselves first Huang and Moody personally onboard every new Ruby Money member and even offer free money coaching and webinars to all their users as a way to develop deep relationships with their early customers.

The pair are also intentionally committed to a sustainable growth model for both their product and their team, a rarity in the world of startup “hustle culture ” On the product side, a true desire to problem solve is reflected in their deep understanding of the customer. Currently, the team is contemplating the right way to serve more customers without sacrificing quality or burning out their team. The question isn’t so much “What’s next?” as “What’s the most sustainable path to get there?”

Moody and Huang refreshingly believe they can achieve powerful growth in their target market without making the typical sacrifice start up founders are infamous for. They are incredibly efficient with their time and capital and each took an extended vacation this summer to prioritize time with their families. Though their experience means they could be earning significantly more in corporate roles, that's a trade off they are eager to accept That’s not to say it will be easy, of course only that, as the adage goes, it will be worth it to have created something of value that lifts others up while allowing them to stay true to their personal values.

The ultimate goal for Ruby Money, says Moody, is to “make entrepreneurship a sustainable option for every woman by combining education, connection and technology to reduce barriers, remove friction and ultimately save time and money ” There should no longer be any reason for highly skilled entrepreneurs to shy away from the financial benefits and flexibility of freelance work.

It all ties back to Moody’s sentiment about using her talents to build her own vision instead of someone else’s this time around. While she and Huang are doing that for themselves, the company they’re building is enabling others to do the same

Isabel Sachs

Isabel Sachs is a Minneapolis-based freelance writer and content marketing consultant helping startups grow brand awareness via inspired content & the power of community. Full disclosure; Ruby Money is one of her clients.

Should You Hire Employees or Contractors?

By Dana Miranda

A lot of founders jump to hiring employees too early in the name of rapid growth or, unfortunately, because they want the ego boost of feeling like a “legitimate” company. That often leads to correction through layoffs or employee turnover all bad for workers and owners

I’m a huge proponent of hiring contractors, because I personally appreciate the self determination that comes with working for myself and want to extend that to as many people as possible. I’ve also been inside startups that have hired irresponsibly and laid off masses of employees and want to help new founders avoid that fate So let’s look at why businesses hire contractors versus employees and what you should consider when deciding which is right for you.

Costs of contractors vs. employees

Let’s get the obvious out of the way, because this is probably the first thing you think of: Contractors are cheaper to hire than employees

You’re not responsible for payroll taxes for contractors, and you don’t have to offer benefits like health insurance and retirement savings to compete for contractors. Employees come with legal requirements that could cost money, like unemployment insurance and worker’s comp.

Cost is often the reason young businesses haven’t yet hired employees. But as your business grows and you feel ready to take that next step, consider other reasons you might prefer contractors over employees.

Contractors keep your business nimble

Hiring an employee is a major commitment your business makes to someone Many small businesses fail to take that commitment seriously and wind up with high turnover when underdeveloped processes burn out employees, or resort to layoffs when business needs change

“It gives you more flexibility to work with a team of contractors,” says Alexis Grant, serial entrepreneur and founder of They Got Acquired “And when you ' re figuring out what a business is going to look like in the early days of the startup, it's nice to have that flexibility ”

Hiring contractors while your business is growing and changing rapidly keeps you nimble, so you can increase or decrease work as needed

“When you ' re figuring out what's going to resonate, you need that flexibility to be able to pivot on a dime,” Grant says

Contractors add diverse perspectives to the team

“The question is not only what works best for your business, but what works well for the people that you work with,” Grant points out.

Not everyone prefers full time employment, and not everyone has room for it in their life. Structuring roles for freelancers lets you bring a variety of perspectives to your team For Grant, that means diversity of expertise and background for her content team Hiring one full time reporter to do all of the work would add efficiency and ease to the business, but it would also cut out those diverse voices

While contractors come with the drawback that they’re not wholly invested and focused on your business because they’re running their own businesses and working with other clients the variety in their experience can benefit your company, as well You benefit from the skills contractors pick up on other projects

Even if you decide your team needs a full time employee, look for ways to supplement their work with contractors (especially in content creation) to maintain that diversity

Empower, don’t exploit, contract workers

A lot of the conversation around “contractors versus employees” centers on how you ’ re legally required to classify a role If that’s the debate you ’ re in, you ’ re likely not treating your workers as well as you could

Definitely don’t attempt to misclassify a full time role as an independent contractor to get out of paying taxes and benefits that’s full on exploitation and illegal But even founders with the best intentions fall into the trap of exploiting contractors because they don’t understand the purpose of the role.

Contractors aren’t a proxy for employees. They’re specialists, partners you hire to support your business in ways you can’t do on your own Don’t expect contractors to mimic your methods and processes and show up on your schedule Respect their expertise by presenting them with the outcome you want to achieve and trusting them to deliver it.

Contractors are running a business, just like you are. Approach them as a fellow business owner, and treat them with the autonomy and respect you expect in your position

You can do this for contractors in junior roles, too Support them in growing the career they want This is how Grant has been fostering loyalty among freelancers for more than a decade and why so many writers have followed her from project to project.

“Basically I treat [freelancers] like people and ask them how I can help them in addition to them helping me, ” Grant says. “I find just being really good to freelancers generates loyalty ”

Before hiring employees, ask yourself these questions

As your business grows and you ’ re ready to bring on your first full time employee, ask yourself these questions to determine whether that’s the right structure for the role:

Do you have enough money? Not only right now, but do you expect to generate enough revenue in the long term to cover that person ’ s salary, taxes, and benefits?

Do you need a full time person for this job? Some specialists are important to have on your team, but do you have enough work to make that a full time role? Don’t be afraid to structure roles creatively to maintain diversity of backgrounds and skills

Do the people you work with want full time jobs? If not, are you willing to lose them and start over to transition to a full time role?

Do you want to onboard a full time employee? Grant points out that she prefers to work with and train someone as a contractor first to avoid the “ energy and time suck” of bringing on an employee that might not be a fit

Dana Miranda

Certified Educator in Personal Finance® and founder of Healthy Rich, a platform for inclusive, budget-free financial education. She’s written about work and money for publications including Forbes, The New York Times, CNBC, NextAdvisor, Insider and a column for Inc. Magazine.

@justdanamiranda @healthyrichteam

FROM

Discovering My Niche

Motherhood is the most under rated obstacle course women embark upon with often very little emotional, mental, and physical support In the United States, the 6-week maternity leave policy often pushes highly talented women out of professional careers and into the stay-at-home mom trap

After completing my doctorate in Biochemistry & Cell Biology and a successful post-doctoral stint at Rice University, I had my first child. Initially, the 6 week maternity leave extended to an unpaid 6 month leave and eventually a farewell to what could have been a promising scientific career. I was another woman in STEM that fell through the “leaky pipe.”

I bid adios to lab experiments and fully embraced my life as a stay-at-home mother...somewhere between dirty dishes, laundry, and millions of hugs and silly laughter, the desire to return to Science faded but never actually perished.

New Possibilities

By: Dr. Faiza Hussain

While the coronavirus pandemic unleashed chaos and uncertainty, it also paved the way for a newer type of working style, remote work. As I homeschooled my children, I realized that while it’s not possible to look for a job in a lab/office, I can look for remote positions and work from home. It wasn’t till I started applying to “remote” positions that I got a harsh reality check; the stigma of a long gap in my resume was enough to label my skills as insufficient.

Here I was, a Woman in Science with a Ph.D. degree scrolling through rejection emails on a daily basis. Once the initial shock and ensuing depression subsided, I decided to persevere through a more creative route. For that is the essence of all doctoral programs, perseverance in the face of failure and creativity to navigate the roadblocks. I was 100% invested in starting my own company that would provide writing services to a myriad of clients. I am passionate about writing, and communicating ideas and research findings to demystify Science was a specialty that was well recognized by my doctoral advisors

Leveling the Playing Field

I devoted my time to strictly researching the different types of business entities that I can register, talking to CPAs and accountants, and finding website developers. A little bit of research helped me figure out ways to save money. For example, an accountant can register an LLC for a quarter of the cost of what a CPA charges.

Website development was another big expense; I decided to hire a mid-range web developer knowing that my website will evolve with my business. The website didn’t have to be perfect; it just needed to be a professionally curated work in progress.

While working through the logistics of starting a new company, I rekindled connections with my former colleagues through both LinkedIn and email. Reconnecting with former colleagues and friends helped me explore new avenues of potential work and also re-establish a network of professional connections after an eightyear hiatus. I registered my company, which added a layer of legitimacy to the services I was marketing, and gave visibility to my services far beyond what my name as a freelance writer could achieve.

I was now playing in a leveled field and the odds were no longer stacked against me. I actively searched for remote writing contracts on social media platforms, such as LinkedIn and Twitter. The key to turning heads through social media is to directly email the potential client a short introductory email. If a potential client is a mutual acquaintance of a member of your professional network, then use that connection to your leverage. Through this approach, I landed my first 5 figure contract for a 6 week grant writing project for none other than the mecca of innovative research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Having EditingWiz as a vendor for MIT paved the way to market my writing services to other institutes of higher education, as well as both private and corporate clients

Always a Learner

Although Ph D is considered a terminal degree, life teaches us that we are perennial students constantly learning to keep pace with the ever changing needs of time Through the scholarship program by the Mom Project, I am also working towards a Digital Marketing Google Certification The virtual course is taught by Google employees; there is no better source to learn the art of digital marketing than from Google itself

This course will help me integrate the proven methodology of digital marketing for advertising EditingWiz to a wider audience Also, I am starting to diversify my writing portfolio by taking on more non scientific and academic writing roles, such as newsletter articles, blogs, press releases, and journalistic ventures This upskilling certification will help me branch out and build my own personal brand of writing not restricted only to scientific communication

As a highly skilled wet lab scientist almost a decade ago, I never imagined running a business that is centered on writing The path to success is often not a straightforward one for many of us As we live, our priorities change and primary caregivers often have to sacrifice their careers The key is to recognize that even as you dedicate yourself to caregiving, you are upskilling as you multi-task and manage a life dependent on your diligence and devotion. These skills will guide you to carve your own path when you are ready to bloom!

Dr. Faiza Hussain

@EditingWiz1

I live in Woodlands, TX with my two girls and husband. I have a doctorate in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from Rice University but decided to be a stay-at-home mother after my eldest daughter was born. After an eight-year break, I started my own company, EditingWiz LLC, which provides writing services to a myriad of clients ranging from higher education faculty, biotech CEOs, to prospective college students. It has been both an adventure and a truly rewarding experience. The best part is that my children are starting to see me as someone beyond just a mother…a Scientist and an Entrepreneur. I enjoy reading, writing, and vacationing with my family.

I bid adios to lab experiments and fully embraced my life as a stay at home mother...somewhere between dirty dishes, laundry, and millions of hugs and silly laughter, the desire to return to Science faded but never actually perished.

WHEN COACHING LEADS TO

dBy: Krystina Wales

Struggling to overcome a challenge in our personal lives can feel taxing and overwhelming When the fight gets too big for us to tackle alone, we invite others in be it friends, partners, or a therapist.

When partners experience a tough spot in a marriage or domestic partnership, couples therapy is often a safe place where the individual on the other side of the proverbial couch has the expertise and practice to guide conversations toward resolution

Luckily, coaching in a professional setting has become more socially acceptable, and I predict will continue to be even more so as a result of the pandemic.

In recent years, organizations have begun to view executive coaching or leadership coaching as a tool to develop leaders, rather than just as a punitive measure for a challenging executive Even independent of your organization, a leadership coach can help you grow and develop professionally in meaningful ways.

My mentor helped me navigate a difficult work situation for two years before she changed careers to become a certified leadership coach Our work together in those two years didn’t come close to the progress we made in eight weeks of focused coaching, though

BENEFITS OF COACHING

Leadership coaches help executives and other professionals navigate the unique challenges of leading teams of people with varied personalities and lived experiences. For those who have led teams before, it’s not just delegating and dictating. It’s mentoring, hand holding, strategizing, and balancing sometimes very conflicting personalities That work takes practice and intention

Leadership coaches can also assist with problem solving, identifying management styles, navigating change or transitions, and developing emotional intelligence or self awareness.

My coach worked with me on my emotional intelligence Using tools and resources she provided, I was able to remove emotion from decision making and conflict resolution to focus on facts and perspectives

For example, I was consistently experiencing frustration when managing projects. Under her guidance, we identified the issue as a lack of expectation setting in the project’s early development stages Instead of my lizard brain personalizing the issue, I was not only able to take the emotion out of it, but was also able to take control of changing the narrative and a project’s trajectory in the future

Krystina Wales

It might have taken her a while to admit it, but Krystina (she/her) is a writer. Whether she is crafting ad copy, profiles or speeches as a marketing director for a healthcare organization, or writing about being a mom, Krystina Wales is committed to telling the truth and telling it well. With more than 10 years of experience telling stories, she has a knack for and a love of making a difference with partners whose values align.

@krystinawales

To Inspire Your Badassery Epic Destinations

Sometimes a change of scenery is to get the entrepreneurial and creative juices flowing. When you get outside of your normal routine and your typical surroundings, something magical takes place. All of a sudden you see possibilities that you didn’t see before. Discovering new places and new people makes it easier to reset. You may even find yourself thinking about reinventing yourself.

San Francisco, CA

Yellowstone National Park

Be inspired by nature at the nation's first national park. Yellowstone offers a huge variety of natural wonders all in one park. Among the most awe-inspiring are Artist Point and Mammoth Hot Springs. Visit the Old Faithful Inn and check out the incredible craftsmanship of this national historic landmark. Stay here or in one of the other lodges for the unbeatable convenience of staying within the park.

Florida’s Nature Coast

Florida’s nature coast offers countless ways to unwind in the wilds of Old Floria plus fantastic dining options for foodies. Located on the northwestern Gulf Coast near Tampa, the area is full of adventure. Explore untamed Florida as you wind your way through mangroves and marshes with an airboat tour. We loved Ozollo Boats, whose owners grew up here and know the area like the back o their hand. The fun continues as you slide into your wetsuit and prepare to swim with the manatees at Crystal River. These enormous, gentle creatures winter in the warm springs of Crystal River, one of the very few places in the world where it’s legal to swim with these protected animals.

Jackson, Wyoming

While you’re in Yellowstone, don’t miss the nearby Grand Teton National Park. The two parks are next to each other. The Tetons are arguably one of the most picturesque settings in the country. We even chatted with an artist as she worked at her easel from the back of her truck. Stay in Jackson, a gorgeous mountain town with a bustling downtown area with lots of local shops, galleries, and restaurants. Grab a photo in front of the antler arches at Jackson Town Square

Are you looking for a city vacation with a slice of nature?

San Francisco is the perfect spot. Tucked inside the city is the incredible Presidio National Park site, where you’ll find acres of green space, hiking trails, irresistible lodging choices, and onsite restaurants. Grab a bicycle (check with your lodge for loaners) and head to nearby Crissy Field, and Golden Gate Park for the perfect photo op in front of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. For dinner, grab an uber to the Marina District for amazing restaurants.

Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ

Only 3.5 hours from the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, Pinetop-Lakeside is a completely different vibe. This small mountain town is laidback, unpretentious, and quiet. It’s where the locals from the valley go to beat the heat in the summer and hit the slopes in the winter. In all seasons, this area offers abundant opportunities to relax outside and relish in the clean mountain air. Plus, the town is big enough to offer a multitude of good cafes and one award-winning Belgian brew house, Pinetop Brewing Company.

Price /Person

So whether you like a weekend in the city, a national park road trip, or adventures in small towns, visit any one of these awe inspiring destinations across the United States and you’ll leave feeling energized and empowered

Sarah Morgensen

SJ is a professional travel and food writer based in the Midwest. She's currently on a quest to visit all 63 National Parks, with Glacier and Great Smokey Mountain National Parks at the top of her list. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications. She holds a BA in history and is a member of the North America Travel Journalist Association (NATJA) and the International Travel Writers Alliance.

By Sarah Morgensen

By: Katie Restrepo

What better way to refocus and clear your mind than in the great outdoors?

By routinely scheduling time for camping, you’ll power charge your week and enjoy many health benefits.

If you’re feeling good inside and out, it’s easier to keep balanced boundaries for success with work and home life.

Top 3 Camping Benefits

Camping comes with multiple health benefits.

Being outside is great for your mental health, and setting up camp plus typical camping activities (such as hiking) are great for physical health.

Perhaps one of the best benefits is how much camping promotes healthy relationships. Whether you’re camping with friends, a significant other, or family, there’s something about camping that just brings everyone together.

Mental Health

One way camping helps with mental health is by helping you destress. Allowing yourself to step away from your endless to-do list helps ease your stress levels.

Re-focusing while in nature is a great way to meditate and self-reflect. Take in the natural beauty of the plants and animals around you.

Camping allows for such a great night’s sleep too (once you get a great setup with sleeping pads or camping mattress). Away from the city lights and the lights from your phone charging station, it’s easy to fall asleep and wake up to the natural cycle of the sun.

Problem-solving while camping makes sure you’re using your mind. Whether starting a fire or piecing together the tent, you need to use tools and your brain to set up and take down camp.

Not only that, but if things don’t go quite according to plan, you’ll need to find a solution.

We ended up camping at a site with absolutely no shade on a hot weekend. By getting creative, we used the hiking poles and the rain-fly (outer shell) of our tent to create shade over the picnic table.

Physical Health

Camping helps get you moving. We started walking around our neighborhood after dinner to better stretch and prepare for weekend hikes. It’s a small change, but when you miss some camping trips the weekday walks also decrease.

Many campsites are fun to walk around and enjoy ranger programs. You could be close to nature walks through botanical gardens for family-friendly hiking with kids or more challenging hikes.

Setting up the campsite also helps keep you active. Most tents are not hard to set up, but it does keep you moving to unload, put everything together, and take it all down again a couple of days later.

Perhaps one of the most underrated ways camping helps keep you physically healthy is the food. Yes, you can easily pig out on s’mores and hot dogs, but when you camp every month you start to get creative.

Cook your meals ahead of time, freeze them, then heat them up at the campsite.

Plan out your snacks and healthy beverages (lots of water!) with some thought about what makes balanced nutrition.

That’s the thing about camping. Unless there’s a restaurant nearby, you're stuck with the food you came with. If there are no chips, you’re going to be excited about those carrots and bell peppers.

It’s also a great time to have some fun with new recipes!

Relationship Health

Trying out those new recipes is one of the many ways to bond while camping.

We pre-measured ingredients for a campfire berry peach cobbler, and our girls were able to easily help us mix up the ingredients. It was a fun and tasty activity.

Some great pastimes are telling stories or jokes or singing around the fire. This not only helps with creativity but lets everyone laugh and have fun together without relying on technology.

Take this time to “unplug” since many campsites may not have a great cell phone signal anyway. Instead of multitasking and being on your phone while talking, focus on the moment.

Camping an average of once a month helps you realize how much extra stuff you really don’t need. Leave the extra toys and gadgets at home. This will make it easier to keep your camp space tidy and will challenge you to get creative on how to pass the time.

Another great way to spend time camping is to enjoy discovering new things on walks around camp or hikes nearby.

Sharing experiences is a strong way to connect with others and makes a huge positive impact on helping improve communication. Whether camping with family or friends, allow yourself to live in the moment.

Why go Camping Once a Month

So why camp an average of once a month?

Once camping, hiking, and being outdoors becomes a monthly habit, you’ll start craving the quiet getaway weekends and the benefits that go with it.

Multiple camping trips a year creates a routine that helps you pack and set up camp quickly and efficiently.

Looking forward to your outdoor retreat will lift your spirits in the work days leading up to your miniadventure, and a positive outlook will help you maintain focus and be more productive.

Camping with Family & Friends

Camping as a family, or with a group of close friends, helps you focus on your most important relationships.

It’s not enough to go from work to TV dinner to sleep, then repeat. Camping infuses a different venue and type of interaction into your life.

We get to focus on each other instead of on all the responsibilities. Of course, the chores and work still need to get done, but camping allows you to refocus together and enter a new week with a better alignment of priorities.

A core memory for me is rocking my baby to sleep in my arms (because babies still wake up at night no matter where you happen to be) while I’m sitting up in my sleeping bag. I looked around and saw my husband and our oldest daughter sleeping peacefully while our baby girl snuggled in close while falling asleep. Looking up I saw the stars through the top of the tent and just felt an overwhelming feeling of being blessed.

When you feel your passions and family time are balanced, there’s nothing stopping you from crushing your goals.

How to Start Camping

Some places have tents and basic camping gear available to rent if you don’t want to invest in your own camping items yet.

Once you have your basic gear to help you with the weather and comfort level, find a site to go camping. Many popular places such as National Parks and favorite beaches fill up quickly, so I always suggest booking 6 months in advance. Some less frequented campsites may be booked more last minute, but scheduling them ahead of time also helps with follow through.

Start with sites closer to home so you don’t have long drives on a Friday-Sunday trip. We like to leave after work on Friday and come back home Sunday morning. Two nights and a full day of camping fun is just enough to recharge, especially if you frequently camp.

Take a look at recreation.gov or other campsite booking websites for places to go near you, get it on your calendar, then enjoy the benefits of camping.

Katie Restrepo

@famtravelfolio

Katie is a travel blogger focusing on helping and inspiring parents to travel with their kids from outdoor adventures to theme park fun and more at familytravelfolio.com. She's a Disneyobsessed bookworm who loves to explore with her husband and their 2 girls. You can find her learning fun facts about animals or eating sour candy while planning another fun adventure.

On the 20th of October 2018, a dark cloud suddenly blankets my bubbly self

I was diagnosed with breast cancer

I was 22 years old. Young, ambitious, and full of life. My boyfriend and I had just moved in together prior to the birth of our son We were so enthusiastic, with fantasies of growing old together.

The first time I suspected something was amiss, I was seven months pregnant I felt a lump on my left breast During my routine hospital visits, my gynecologist requested an ultrasound. The test results were okay.

Eight months later, I could still feel the previous lump Now, plus others I told my gynecologist about the same. I’m ordered for a second ultrasound. The result, normal! I recall him assuring me there was nothing to worry about Breastfeeding could be the reason my breasts were dense. He’s a doctor, maybe I was just being paranoid, I thought. However, my intuition felt something wasn’t right

I stopped breastfeeding Not to be mean to my baby, I just wanted to listen to my body. In the worst case scenario, I wanted him safe.

The Bomb

The third time I met the gynecologist, peculiar symptoms were visible There was bloody pus discharge from my nipples which were then crusty. My areola had a dark spot that wasn’t vanishing. I requested an MRI test. Casting my doubts, I wanted to rule out cancer

My heart was so calm as I lay on the MRI machine. I was at peace with the path I had chosen.

HOW BREAST CANCER CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER

By Quinta Sally

All I wanted was to know my fate. A solid diagnosis. I snapped with the mention of an urgent mammogram and biopsy. My fears were almost confirmed.

After a week of sleeplessness, my biopsy results were out I was diagnosed with HER2 positive breast cancer

Am I Really Surviving This?

I’m neurodiverse. I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome right before my thirteenth birthday. Because of the shock, I was mentally disrupted. Medication seemed not to be working For the first time since I started using the meds, I felt like a lunatic I used to cry and self hurt It took a whole month of reassurance to accept that things would be okay It wasn’t a death sentence.

Bold Enough

We called the Texas Cancer Center It was a call of hope Everything was so encouraging The next day, we were at the facility for initial consultation The environment was so serene that one could confuse it for a resort. People were laughing, smiling, chanting, and hugging with such ease. It was such a calm moment. I felt at ease. Amidst tears, I broke down. Tears of joy and hope I knew it would be the best place to help me walk my journey

Unfortunately, the cancer had spread throughout my left breast. I had to undergo a double mastectomy. I was cautious of the cancer spreading to the right breast. All I wanted was the cancerous tissues out. In the process, cancer was also detected in my sentinel lymph nodes A second surgery was in the offing! Right away, they had to remove lymph nodes from my left armpit. According to the PET scan results, the malignancy hadn’t spread. Of course, another reason to be grateful.

I was given time to recover from the surgery before starting my chemotherapy sessions After three months, I was good to go I went through eight chemotherapy sessions, besides nine weeks of radiation. Upon completion, I was on trastuzumab (Herceptin) for a year. This is an antibody whose target is HER2 positive breast cancer I continued my monthly check ups

December 2021, I was declared cancer free. I cried. I felt like hugging anyone I met. I called everyone I could reach to break the news. I had conquered the world!

At the hospital, I had a lovely Care Team. I made great friends whom we ’ re still in touch with; patients and employees. The oncology dietician gave me hacks on how to shop for healthy foods, preparation as well as how to manage and prevent any side effects of the medication She also recommended a couple of supplements to aid in faster recovery

Love and Life

They say love is unconditional. My cancer journey proved it.

My boyfriend and I had just moved in together The hassle of a diagnosis, a baby, and a cancer patient He didn’t tire nor give up on any of us. He was with me at every step.

I felt unattractive after losing my hair and breasts He still loved me and made me feel beautiful It made me believe love has nothing to do with how you look

One Step at A Time

Cancer changed me. Forever. I will always be optimistic in life I’m always choosing faith and hope Accepting anything that’s beyond my capability

Through my ailing period, I had a clear understanding of what matters. I always appreciate people and the little things in life.

Cancer is a monster It can affect anyone It doesn’t discriminate We need to be ambassadors of our bodies Regular cancer screening makes it detectable in the early stages. Listening to our bodies is important. Any anomaly requires immediate medical intervention.

Enjoy life It might be the last day Yesterday is gone Make today count

Quinta Sally @quinter sally

I'm a stage three breast cancer survivor. I love sharing my journey to be a source of hope to other cancer patients.

I find solace in reading and writing. I'm a freelance health and wellness writer.