As we say goodbye to the sunny days of summer and welcome the cooler breezes and colors of fall, we also welcome Celebration season in the Polka Dot Powerhouse world! I don’t know about you, but I’ve heard so many of our members say that Celebration is one of their favorite things about being a Dot—and I can totally see why!
There’s simply something magical that happens when hundreds of Dots come together from all over the world to spend a weekend connecting, learning, and elevating as individuals, as businessowners, and as a sisterhood. We laugh, we dance, we cry, we hug. We meet new people, we deepen existing connections, and we enter a space where we feel totally and completely seen and accepted. Magic truly is the best word to describe this experience.
I’m someone who loves people, crowds, and the elevated energy of a space like Celebration, so I always come home with my cup overflowing!
But I also get so much value from my individual, one-on-one connects and cherish the opportunity to drop into a level of intimacy that can’t happen within a large group.
And not to be left out, I am also a massive fan of Shannon’s monthly Positivity calls! There’s been a few times when I considered skipping the call because I was in the midst of a very abundant work day but then changed my mind at the last minute and hopped on—and I didn’t regret it for one second! I always come away from those calls feeling so joyful, energized, and grateful.
Whether you’re someone who loves the big group events, the intimate individual connects, or energizing virtual experiences, Polka Dot Powerhouse has something for everyone. And THIS is my favorite thing about being a Dot.
Enjoy this issue of Pink Ink— and I hope to see each of you in the Polka Dot world soon!
Creatively yours,
Danielle Anderson Member Magazine Editor
IMPORTANT DATES
NOVEMBER 22
11am CST
DOTS GIVING EVENT Online
DECEMBER 9-13
THE POWER OF SISTERHOOD VIRTUAL PROMO EVENT
(details coming soon)
JANUARY 16, 2025
MCHENRY / LAKE COUNTY, IL
CHAPTER LAUNCH
Carissa Beaman
WHAT IS POLKA DOT?
MONTHLY ONLINE MEETINGS
NOV 25 @ 12PM CT USA
MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER
As I write, we are mere weeks away from coming together for Celebration in Boise, Idaho. When you read this, Celebration will be a few weeks behind us. It’s abundant time for sure.
In the weeks leading up to Celebration, preparation is in full swing. Our team is head down, all hands on deck, focused heavily on making this Celebration the very best for our members who are attending. If you’re a fairly new member, you may not know this, but we have an amazing, ALL-IN team that puts their full heart and soul into our sisterhood. It’s remarkable. It’s humbling. It’s inspiring.
In the weeks following Celebration, our team and the attending members will be recouping from a Dot Bubble hangover and basking in the beautiful, glittering light of another impactful and life-changing Celebration. If you've seen the countless photos and posts on social media, you likely know all about this, and you know we had a blast.
Within the space of the weeks before, during, and after Celebration, one thing is the same: I am overcome with immense gratitude for this sisterhood and every single leader and member in it. All of our team’s hard work, all of our members' dedication and passion, every day that my sister Tina sends new sisters for us to meet and learn from—it's all part of the magic that goes into Celebration.
Thanks again for being you. You matter to us more than you can possibly know. We see you.
With gratitude and respect,
Shannon Crotty Founder/CEO Polka Dot Powerhouse
Connecting the Dots: ELEVATING YOUR MEMBERSHIP
Tip #4: It's In the Details
Different from the days of chamber events, being a Dot is not about exchanging business cards—at the core, it's about exchanging energy and connecting.
But with approximately 3,000 Polka Dot Powerhouse sisters around the world, it is challenging to remember all the details about each one you have met in person, shared a virtual connect with, or engaged with during a group event.
Here are a few tips on how to keep the details straight:
Keep a Dot Notebook:
Write down the name of the person you connected with, the date of your connect, and a few details about the person that stood out to you. You may even want to jot down a few things you want to know more about during your next connect. Remember to pull this notebook out and use it as a reference for future connects or collaborations. You never know when an idea may spark.
Use the “Manage Connections” Tool: Polka Dot Powerhouse has made it easy for you to keep confidential
notes about your connections. Go to the website, log in, and select View Your Profile. At the top of your profile page, above your photo, you will see a drop down arrow next to Connections that says, “Manage Connections.” When you select that, anyone you have connected with via the website will be listed along with a blank box underneath. That box is for you to use as an online journaling tool. No one can see it (unless of course you share your screen) so how you keep notes is up to you! Be sure to scroll to the bottom and click “Update” any time you add a note so it saves!
Timeliness is Key:
Taking notes during your connec tion calls is perfectly acceptable. You can even let your Dot sister know you’re doing that. If you are just jotting down notes on a piece of scrap paper, be sure to tran scribe them afterward as soon as possible so you don’t forget the details you had hoped to remember.
Time is our most precious commod ity, and Dot sisters spend a lot of it with one another. Keeping track of who inspired you or sparked an in terest to learn more is an additional
way to find a connection and build the foundation for a relationship. Happy connecting!
Lisa runs a Connecting the Dots: Tips to Elevating Your Membership call each month.
You can find details about the monthly meetings at https:// www.polkadotpowerhouse. com/members/connecting-thedots
Be sure to log in to your account first. If you have any questions, please reach out to Lisa@LisaCondon.com.
Lisa Condon Member Orientation Coordinator
Have You Subscribed to Our
YOUTUBE CHANNEL?
You won't want to miss these fun interviews with Managing Directors, Decade Dots, Rockstar Referrers and MORE! Shannon Crotty, our Founder and CEO, sits down with these incredible women to talk about the magic they've experienced on their journey with Polka Dot Powerhouse.
Hear the story of how Polka Dot Powerhouse became what it is today! And what membership may be right for YOU or someone you know.
GRETCHEN FRANA
DIAMOND MEMBERSHIP
DIAMOND TEST DRIVE
November 27, 2024
4th Wednesday - Business Connect (90 minutes) 11am-12:30pm Central
Diamond Membership is a connected, collaborative community focused on professional growth and development at every skill level. We value exchanging knowledge, best practices, and supportive solutions within the various opportunities that Diamond Membership provides.
QUESTIONS?
Email Elaine Turso, Diamond Membership Director at elaine@polkadotpowerhouse.com
Shannon Crotty’s Special Member Connects will now be held once a month. Members must now be logged in to register for the Positivity Calls. Members > Positivity Zoom
On each Positivity Zoom, we will draw from attending members for a membership renewal. You must be present at the time of the drawing to win. Join us for our next Positivity Zoom!
December 2nd @ 9:00am
Central Standard TIme
do you know someone interested in starting their own local chapter of Polka Dot Powerhouse?
REGION 3
UT, CO, KS, AZ, NM
REGION 4
MN, WI, IA, IL, MI
REGION 7
KY, TN, WV, VA, NC
REGION 8
MS, AL, GA, SC, FL
REGION 9
NY, NJ, CT, RI, MA, VT, NH, ME
REGION 10 HI, AK
Guided by Mary E. Knippel
5 AND 10 YEAR BADGE REQUEST
We would like to celebrate the longevity of our committed Dot sisters. 5- and 10-year Dots can submit for their exclusive pins and badges directly and easily on the website now!
Members > Account > 5 & 10 Year Submissions
(Be sure to check your membership history prior to submission to verify your eligibility.)
do you know someone interested in starting their own local chapter of Polka Dot Powerhouse?
THANK YOU to our 2024 Celebration attendees, speakers, volunteers, vendors, and leaders!
TWO YEARS LATER From Tears to Triumph
By Alex Stiffler
When I look back at the last two years, I can’t help but feel immense gratitude for the path I’ve traveled. It all started on October 19, 2022, when I attended my first Polka Dot Powerhouse meeting in York, Pennsylvania. At that time, I was grappling with personal health issues and navigating a toxic work environment that left me emotionally and physically drained. Honestly, I went to that meeting simply to escape my office for a few hours, never imagining it would lead me to such a pivotal shift. To my surprise, I ended up crying with the women of the York Chapter that day. Their warmth and compassion broke through the walls I had built, and for the first time in a long time, I felt safe enough to let my guard down. What I didn’t expect was that this single meeting would change the trajectory of my life in ways I could never have imagined.
Finding a Support System in Polka Dot Powerhouse
Walking into that meeting in York, I was nervous and unsure of what to expect. I had heard about Polka Dot Powerhouse and knew it was a space in which women could connect with and support one another. Despite growing up with all sisters, I had never really considered myself a “girl’s girl” and often struggled to connect with women on a deeper level. As a result, I didn’t expect much from the meeting beyond a few introductions. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
The room was filled with women from all walks of life—business owners, professionals, stay-at-
home moms—and despite their differences, there was a powerful sense of community. It didn’t take long for me to feel at ease. The women in the room radiated positivity, and for the first time, I felt like I belonged somewhere. The women I met that day were more than just friendly faces—they were sisters in arms, dedicated to lifting one another up and pushing each other toward success. Little did I know, these connections would play a pivotal role in the courage and strength I would find to change my life multiple times throughout the coming two years.
Taking a Leap
In late 2022, I was still working in a very toxic environment, and the strain was starting to take its toll on my mental and physical health. I had doubts and insecurities about leaving that job, but through my connection with the Dots, I was able to have honest conversations about my struggles and received invaluable advice and support.
Slowly but surely, I gained the confidence to walk away from that toxic situation and venture into a future I had only dreamed of.
Despite its harmful impact on my health, leaving my secure job was one of the scariest choices I had ever faced. But with the encouragement and resources from my Polka Dot sisters, I found the courage to take that leap of faith. I left my job and focused all my energy on building my own business in late January 2023. The transition wasn’t easy—I was navigating uncharted territory and working to establish myself in a new and unfamiliar area. But I wasn’t alone on this journey.
As I set out to build my business in Pennsylvania’s Capital Region (Harrisburg, Camp Hill, and Mechanicsburg), I met many incredible people. The new local community was welcoming, but something was missing. There wasn’t any space designed specifically for women to
connect on a deeper level, or really any level, like the Polka Dot Powerhouse chapter I had visited in York. I knew this was something that could benefit many women in the Capital Region area, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was time to create that space.
Becoming a Managing Director: A New Chapter
That’s when I decided to take it to the next level and become a managing director for Polka Dot Powerhouse. It was a significant step, and the decision didn’t come without its own set of challenges. Even though I had experience and passion, I had a lot to learn. The journey wasn’t always smooth sailing, but the support I received from the Polka Dot community was unwavering. I started the process of becoming an MD and exploring the possibility of launching the Capital Region Chapter in June 2023, and with each passing month, I grew more excited about what this chapter could offer women in our area.
One of the most memorable days on this journey was April 5, 2024— my birthday. On that day, I was officially approved as a managing director, and our chapter page was created. It was also the day my new employer, a former business partner, publicly posted the career opportunity I’m now thrilled to be immersed in. The timing felt serendipitous, like everything was falling into place exactly when it was supposed to.
On June 10, 2024, I started a new job, marking the beginning of a new chapter in my professional life. At the same time, I was transitioning my successful franchise back to corporate, which was another monumental step in my business journey. And then, on June 11, 2024, we officially launched the Capital Region Chapter of Polka Dot Pow-
erhouse. The energy and excitement were palpable, and it felt like everything I had worked toward was finally coming to fruition. I also took a very long, much-deserved nap on launch day!
The Power of Mentorship and Personal Growth
One of the most transformative parts of this journey has been the nine months of mentoring with Mindy Van Vleet, Regional Support Director for Polka Dot Powerhouse, and the coaching I experienced with various individuals. During this time, I not only learned how to be a leader within Polka Dot Powerhouse but also discovered so
much about myself. The process was deeply introspective, and I realized what truly mattered to me— both what I wanted to focus on and what I was willing to let go of.
I had been carrying many responsibilities, and for a long time, I felt like I had to do it all. I’m eternally grateful to the MDs I interviewed with who helped me dial in on what my soul truly needed. Their insight and support made all the difference, and I am so thankful for the way they embraced me through it all. Thank you for your unwavering understanding during that time—I couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you.
But through it all, I learned I didn’t need to do everything. I could focus on the things that filled me with purpose and passion and let go of the things that didn’t align with my vision for the future. I also learned how important it was to set boundaries and prioritize my well-being, which is still a work in progress.
The mentorship I received from Mindy, Wendi, other MDs, our chapters leadership, and all the Dots over the nine months before launch was invaluable. I had the support of a community of strong, successful women who had walked this path before me, guiding me every step of the way to becoming a better leader and into the MD I am. They reminded me that it was okay to
make mistakes, to ask for help, and to take things one step at a time. Their wisdom and encouragement helped me stay grounded during the interview and launch process, and I emerged from this experience with a clear sense of who I am and what I want to achieve.
Building a Community for Women
Launching the Capital Region Chapter has been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done. It wasn’t just about creating another networking group—it was about building a space where women could feel supported, encouraged, and empowered to chase their dreams, just like I was. I wanted to create a community where women could find genuine connections, share their struggles and successes, and know that they aren’t alone.
The feedback from our Capital Region and other local Dot sisters has been overwhelmingly positive, and I can already see the impact that Polka Dot Powerhouse is having in the Capital Region area of Pennsylvania. Women are building strong personal and professional relationships, collaborating on projects, and cheering each other on through both the highs and lows. I feel so proud to be part of something that brings so much positivity into the world.
The Struggles Along the Way
My journey over the last two years was far from easy. Beyond the everyday challenges of starting and running a business, I faced significant personal struggles. I was dealing with an anxiety disorder, and navigating health issues added layers of complexity to an already difficult situation. For five long months while opening my business, I had no income. After I received my new career offer, my
husband lost his job as well. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another! As a mother of three boys, balancing the demands of family and career felt like a constant juggling act. And honestly, it still does some days.
There were moments when the weight of these challenges felt unbearable. The stress of managing my health issues, combined with financial instability and the pressures of parenthood, tested my resolve. In turn, I gained much of the weight back I had worked so hard to lose the year before. But through it all, I found strength in the support of my Polka Dot sisters and the courage to push through. Their encouragement and the sense of belonging I felt with them provided a beacon of hope during the darkest times.
Looking Ahead
As I reflect on my journey, I am filled with gratitude for the twists and turns that led me to this moment. From that first meeting in York to becoming the Managing Director of the Capital Region Chapter, I’ve learned so much about myself, my values, and what I want out of life. I’ve discovered that it’s okay to let go of things that don’t serve me and that it’s more than okay to pursue the things that set my heart on fire.
I chose to share this story to remind each and every one of you that it’s okay to change your mind, to grow, and to evolve in ways you might not have initially planned. It’s okay to be a high performer and still desire a simpler, more fulfilling life. There is something truly riveting about being exactly where you're meant to be and learning to recognize the signs the universe sends you along the way.
Embracing change and pursuing what truly resonates with your heart can lead to profound personal transformation and fulfillment. My journey is a testament to the beauty of following your instincts and the power of being open to new possibilities. I feel incredibly blessed to be surrounded by the most exceptional leadership team and Polka Dot sisters. Together, we are building something special, and I know the best is yet to come. Polka Dot Powerhouse has given me the courage to take risks, the support to grow, and the community in which to thrive—and for that, I am forever grateful.
Alex Stiffler is the Sales & Marketing Director at Down East Granite and Managing Director of the Capital Region Chapter of Polka Dot Powerhouse, where she focuses on community building and women’s empowerment. The eldest of four sisters, she developed leadership skills early, which have shaped her professional success. Married to Dave since 2018, they are raising three boys: Mason (9), Eli (4), and Lucas (2). Known for her energetic presence, Alex enjoys gardening, reading, and crafting in her free time, and is a fan of the ACOTAR and Harry Potter series.
Alex Stiffler
ATTENTION DOTS!
Pink Ink Magazine is officially open for submissions, and we want to hear from you! The mission behind Pink Ink Magazine is to celebrate the culture of our community, which can be boiled down to one word: SISTERHOOD.
We aim to pack each issue of Pink Ink with as much sisterhood as possible, and to do that, we need your help! If you have a story or experience you want to share that might be a good fit for the magazine, we’d love to see it. Below are the official Pink Ink Article Submission Guidelines for you to follow to increase your chances of having your article published.
Submission Guidelines:
• Submit your article as a Microsoft Word file or sharable Google Doc to Member Magazine Editor, Danielle at danielle@polkadotpowerhouse.com
• Aim for approximately 1,000-2,000 words
• Include 5-8 photos to use in addition to the article; send these as attachments to your submission email
• Your article should include a catchy title
• Be sure to proofread and fix any typos prior to submission
• All material needs to be your original work and previously unpublished elsewhere
Examples of What to Submit:
• Your Dot story
• An experience that involves sisterhood
• A story that shares about uplifting and encouraging women
• What connection, collaboration, or community means to you
Examples of What NOT to Submit:
• Articles that sell or directly promote your business, services, or products
• Recipes or how-to articles
• Content that is industry specific
• Articles that don’t correlate directly to sisterhood
Important Notes:
• Submission of an article does not guarantee that your article will be published; we reserve the right to reject any article for any reason. If your article is accepted for publication, you will be notified directly.
• Accepted submissions may be published in any issue within the publication year as we see fit.
• If we choose to publish your submission, your article will undergo editing by our magazine editor.
Reach out to Member Magazine Editor, Danielle at danielle@polkadotpowerhouse.com with any questions. We can’t wait to hear your stories!
#DOTSDOINGGOOD
We love to celebrate all that our Dot sisters are doing to make the world a better place.
Use hashtag #dotsdoinggood to help us find your posts and celebrate you in the future.
Use hashtag #dotsdoinggood to help us find your posts and celebrate you in the future.
Beth
Celebration Programs & Sponsorships Coordinator
Kelley
Celebration Event Speaker Coordinator
April
Celebration Hospitality Liaison
Celebration Swag, Gifts, & Awards Coordinator
Mindy Van Vleet Regional Director
Amy Robertson Website Manager
Wendi Giuliano Regional Director
Josh Gore Website Director
Anna Brice Project Director
Shawna Stanley Graphics & Visuals Director & Dot Store Coordinator
