There is something so sparkly and exciting about flipping that calendar page over to the new year. I recently learned that the month of January was named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions, and I thought that was so interesting.
Many of us really lean into that space this time of year— setting goals and resolutions and using the new year to launch us in the right direction with fresh energy.
Yet others have come to honor their natural rhythms and find themselves pulling back and sinking into a restful winter reprieve for the season.
Whichever experience you choose to have when the clock ticks over to a new year, I know one thing for sure: there’s a Dot who can relate! And that’s one of my favorite things about this community.
Dots, as a whole, are both extremely diverse and deeply connected. This community allows room for BOTH/AND to be our experience, rather than the exclusionary energy of either/or, which means we get to show up in our full selves and feel safe to do so.
And that, my friends, is a beautiful thing.
In this new year, I wish for you deepened connections, strengthened relationships, and to feel more at home and at peace in your own being than you ever have.
Here’s to a magical 2025!
Creatively yours,
Danielle Anderson Member Magazine Editor
VISION FOR GROWTH
Start the year with clear intentions for personal growth and community impact. Set bold goals together to fuel the year ahead.
Action Items:
Share Your Vision: Post about your 2025 goals in the group. Inspire others with your plans and ambitions.
Goal Partner: Pair with a fellow member for accountability and check-ins. Build a support system for achieving goals.
Invite New Visionaries: Bring a friend to a chapter meeting to share the vision of growth and connection.
Use the hashtag #VisionarySisterhood so we can cheer you on!
IMPORTANT DATES
JANUARY 16, 2025
MCHENRY / LAKE COUNTY, IL
CHAPTER LAUNCH
Carissa Beaman
FEBRUARY 11, 2025
NORTHERN COLORADO, CO
PASSING THE TORCH
Taylor Malott
WHAT IS POLKA DOT?
MONTHLY ONLINE MEETINGS USA CT
JAN 29 @ 11AM
FEB 10 @ 1PM
FEB 26 @ 2PM
MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER
I am so excited to welcome in 2025 with my beautiful Dot sisters.
I’m not one to wait until the ring of the new year to make big goals. I like to see the page as blank and identify new goals for myself throughout the year. That being said, there is absolutely something so special about the fact that we’re all here and fortunate enough to see another year begin.
So we have the gift of another year, what are we going to do with it? We are the architects here. What do we want to accomplish as a sisterhood, as a family this year? It’s up to us.
People often want to complicate connection. The desire to change it into something else or change it into what other groups are doing inevitably creeps in. But the magic that so many miss is that connection is perfect as it is. We don’t need to change it. We don’t need to try to improve it. It seems too simple, but connection is one of the most impactful and powerful opportunities we have in life. It’s such a gift.
And after that initial connection happens, it can become ANYTHING and change countless lives for the better. One of the things I love most about our sisterhood is we don’t dictate where those connections lead. It’s up to each member to decide what each connection means to them and how they utilize and grow it. I love that so much.
As we welcome in this new year, I want to celebrate that you have thousands of Dot sisters waiting to connect with you and that you are the archi tect of what you build within those connections. am so excited for us all!
Happy New Year! I am sending you so much love.
With gratitude and respect, Shannon
Shannon Crotty Founder/CEO
Polka Dot Powerhouse
See you at the next Positivity Zoom with Shannon on January 20th @ 1pm CST! See Page 8 for more details.
Connecting the Dots: ELEVATING YOUR MEMBERSHIP
Tip #5: Getting Involved By Exploring Opportunities Beyond Membership
As a member of Polka Dot Powerhouse, there is no shortage of meetings and activities to attend. From local chapter meetings to social events and Shannon’s monthly positivity call, opportunities happen almost daily. As a connection company, all events are curated to fill your connection cup. And, fill it they do!
Yet, some of you may be craving something more in addition to connection, and it is possible to find that something “extra” in Polka Dot Powerhouse.
Here are a few ways to explore your options:
Local Support and Leadership Team: Every chapter of Polka Dot Powerhouse has a Managing Director who leads the way. Yet, they don’t do it alone. They carefully select a leadership team to support them, some with a formal title and others who assist as they can. For example, the Lewes, Delaware chapter has a Caring Committee in which they find ways to support local Dots through life’s celebrations and challenges. (I know, because I was a part of it before I moved.) This group is in addition to the formal leadership team. Talk to your MD and see how you can get involved at a local level. An idea can take hold, like hosting a “Cup of Gratitude,” at your local level
and even expand to other chapters. Innovation is only limited by your imagination.
Volunteer: The Polka Dot Powerhouse organization has a multitude of events throughout the year, the most prominent being annual Celebration. Each of these events have volunteer opportunities. If you are attending one of the events and have interest in doing more, let the Events Team know. A lot of work happens behind the scenes to make things run smoothly, and your help will be invaluable and welcomed. Also, if you have an expertise that you want to share, talk with your MD and see if they have ideas on where you may have opportunity to use it.
Tell Your Story: Sharing your Dot story is inspiring, and it’s possible to share it beyond individual connec tions. For instance, you can submit an article to Pink Ink, telling your unique Dot story. If you have not read your sisters’ stories from previous issues, go back and read them. You will learn about their lives and see yourself in them. Just like you never know who is watching, you also never know who needs to hear your journey.
Getting involved doesn’t always have to be a long-term commitment either. The beautiful thing about Dots is that we step up when things need to get accomplished, and collectively, Dots
are continuing to make an impact on the communities in which they reside. Your Dot journey is unfolding exactly as it should be, and for that we are grateful.
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
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.
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
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!
January 20th @ 1pm
February 5th @ 7pm
March 17th @ 9am
April 16th @ 2pm
May 5th @ 9am
June 11th @ 2pm Central Standard TIme
DOT STORE
Have you checked out the Dot Store lately? We still have some fun Summit & Celebration gear available. If you love it, grab it before it's gone! Order today on the Polka Dot website.
Designs & products are not always guaranteed to make a return, so grab them while you can!
WELCOME TO THE LEGACY TEAM, AMY!
Amy is officially on the Celebration Team as the Hospitality Liaison!
Amy Marazas is a Video Marketing Coach from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, who helps everyone with their videos—from their film reels to VHS to helping them create a video studio in their office! She enjoys talking about all things video— personal and business. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Matt, and their two adult children, Dwight and Samme. And when she isn't traveling and exploring, you can find her at home cooking, baking, and painting!
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.)
CONTINUING TO CELEBRATE ALL OF OUR '24 CELEBRATION AWARD WINNERS!
DIAMOND MEMBERSHIP
Diamond Membership has a new theme! Bold, Bright, and Brilliant. What does this theme mean to our members?
1. “Sparkle like you mean it.” - Shawna Stanley
2. “I definitely need to be bolder!” - Suzanne Jabour
3. “Walk boldly in your life, shine your light bright wherever you go, be brilliant as you can every day.” - Denise Bender
4. “I’ve been saying I need to shine my light, so that’s where the bright part resonates with me. But also living boldly, taking strong and confident steps forward. Being authentic. And brilliant just reminds me what we are all smart cookies! Intelligent in our own special ways. I see it as we have the best of three different categories and we are well-rounded and positive.” - Nikki Smith
5. “It’s an important reminder that we all have a light to shine. Too often we diminish our light. Too often we dismiss our light. Too often we don’t remember how special we are. This mantra illuminates the truth.” - Carol Williams Small Group Masterminds are
Top 10 reasons to join Diamond #1: UpLevel
We asked our members to answer one of three questions and here is what they said:
How has being a Diamond encouraged you to uplevel in your business?
How have you upleveled your business since being in Diamond? How do you plan to use Diamond to help you uplevel your business?
Barb V: “Through my Diamond membership I have re-established my connection to my true and authentic self and re-released my SUPERPOWERS while letting my light shine and serving others. I have set my intentions and goals through the monthly Diamond Goal Setting, bounced idea (both good & not so good) off others in the Large Group Mastermind, and I have created some amazing collaborations from Diamond Sisters in my Small Group Mastermind and from being preset at Diamond Business Connect. I love my Diamond Membership.”
Sheryl Motiff: “Through my Small Group mastermind I learned to share my business with the members in my chapter in a softer way.”
Treena Chabot: “I wrote a book since being in Diamond, and there are more to come, because I have gotten clear on what authentic alignment means.”
QUESTIONS?
Email Elaine Turso, Diamond Membership Director at elaine@polkadotpowerhouse.com
ATTENTION DOTS!
We’re seeking article submissions from YOU!
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:
MAGAZINE
• 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!
Celebrating Dot Members Across the Globe
GLIMMER IN THE BATHTUB
https://book.passkey.com/e/50931843
Business Industry Type (if applicable):
Type of ad you are purchasing (please circle all that apply):
Contact Beth Walker for details bethw@polkadotpowerhouse.com
Chapter cheer pages/Dot Love (No ads)
_____ Full-Page (B&W) 7” (w) x 9.75” (h) $300 _____ Quarter-Page (B&W) 3.3125“ (w) ” x 4.5” (h) $75
_____ Half-Page (B&W) 7” (w) x 4.5” (h) $150 _____ Dot love note (B&W) 3.3125“ (w) x 1.5” (h) $25
• All advertising requests are given on a rst come, rst served basis (event sponsors have rst refusal rights)
• Email this Ad Request Form to: BethW@Polkadotpowerhouse.com
• Once the form is received you will get an invoice from Polka Dot Powerhouse
• Camera-ready ad submissions are due no later than June 7, 2025
• No cancellations or refunds will be given after June 7, 2025
PLEASE EMAIL YOUR CAMERA-READY AD IN AS A 300 DPI PDF OR JPG TO: BethW@Polkadotpowerhouse.com
PLEASE EMAIL YOUR PRINT-READY AD IN AS A 300 DPI PDF OR JPG TO: BethW@polkadotpowerhouse.com
I understand if there are any mistakes in my artwork, they are due to my own incorrect submission. I have attached my ad in its entirety and I understand no refunds will be provided after June 7, 2025. Invoices must be paid in full before June 7, 2025.
Printed Name:
Signature:
Date:
DOTS OF LOVE How Sisterhood Healed My Heart
By Jamie Wolf
It was 3 a.m. on a Wednesday and I found myself attending a Zoom meeting. You may be wondering, who holds meetings that early? That’s ridiculous! And normally I would have thought the same. But when Polka Dot Powerhouse spread its international footprint even further across the globe, it started holding meetings at times friendly to all time zones. And I wanted to be in the company of this group of driven women on this early morning call. As I listened to the stories of women from all walks of life, I felt so much gratitude for what Polka Dot Powerhouse has given me. When Shannon Crotty asked if anyone wanted to share what the group has meant to them, I couldn’t hold back. Up shot my virtual hand, and out tumbled the words, starting at the beginning.
My first encounter with Polka Dot Powerhouse was several years ago at a women’s business conference. At the time, I wasn’t in a place where I was looking for anything like Polka Dot Powerhouse, so it didn’t leave a lasting impression. I just remember a very energetic woman inviting me to a meeting to network, and I was not enticed. But in July 2022, after launching my first business, I took a class at our local women’s business center where I was reintroduced to this incredible group by my instructor, a proud Dot herself. With a business to build and a renewed sense of purpose, I accepted an invitation to attend a meeting as a guest of another Dot. At this point, I knew meeting other like-minded women and business owners was exactly what I needed.
Jamie & Eau Claire, WI Dot Sisters
For me, 2022 was a year of profound loss. It was the year I lost my mother; she was my role model and the woman who taught me how to be the mother I am today. Her absence left me feeling lost and broken. Despite being surrounded by love and support, I still felt an unshakeable emptiness in my heart. Aside from being the number one person I looked up to, my mom was also my biggest cheerleader. She supported all my endeavors in every
Jamie & Mom
way she could, and this was my first big venture without her standing behind me.
I’ve always been an extroverted and confident person, but like everyone, I have my insecurities. Group settings, in particular, have always been challenging. While I can strike up a conversation with anyone, I often feel like an outsider in larger gatherings, as though the attention I receive is out of pity rather than genuine interest. This feeling has shadowed me for as long as I can remember.
As you can probably imagine, the idea of spending two hours in a room full of 30 women I didn’t know was nerve-wracking. I hadn’t even met the Dot who invited me! But as soon as I walked in, a warm, genuine smile greeted me. It was Denise Bender, the managing director of the Eau Claire, Wisconsin chapter. “You must be Jamie!” she said with such sincerity that my nerves instantly calmed.
Her welcome was unlike anything I had experienced aside from my mother’s love—it was the kind of warmth I craved but didn’t know I was missing.
During that meeting, I had the opportunity to speak, and the response was overwhelming. Every face in that room was turned toward me, fully engaged and supportive. It was clear that these women genuinely cared about each other and valued every word spoken. By the time the meeting ended, I knew I had to be a part of Polka Dot Powerhouse.
The same thing happened at our chapter meeting in May 2023. Still fairly new to the sisterhood, I showed up early and alone. There were already dozens of Dots at the convention center, and I felt incredibly self-conscious walking in. I was bracing myself for glances of disinterest and the feeling of being ignored. Instead, every woman near the door smiled and greeted me with warmth: “Good morning! How are you? Do you want some coffee?” Once again, my anxiety was quelled, and I made about ten new connections that day.
Since starting my first business, I’ve discovered new passions and even started a second! I brought the idea to a fellow Dot, Lisa Harris Gore, who’s an expert in the industry I wanted to break into. At the time, I’d only met Lisa once, but she was the first person I thought of when I had a rough vision and a quirky name of what I wanted to create. We met for coffee, and after sharing my idea, Lisa was almost more excited about it than I was! Thanks to her help and mentorship, my business, Baked as a Cake, has not only become a reality but has also seen success in just a few months.
Recently, though, I ran into my first major hiccup with the bakery, and Lisa was there for me every step of the way. Without the Dots—and
Lisa’s support specifically—I probably would’ve thrown myself a pity party, overwhelmed by the stress. Instead, support from the Dots has helped me see this hiccup as proof that I’m growing, gaining traction, and making waves. Because that’s what confident women do!
When I decide to do something, I don’t just dip my toes in—I cannonball in with everything I’ve got. With Polka Dot Powerhouse, my goal was simply to make friends. Looking back, I realize how low-reaching that goal was, because now it feels like every Dot I’ve met has become my friend. But what I’ve truly found is a community of incredible, powerful, and unbelievably kind women. It blows my mind that a global organization with over 2,000 members can maintain such a positive, nurturing culture, but we all know it starts at the top. I want to take this opportunity to personally thank Shannon Crotty and Denise Bender for their leadership and their love. My life is forever changed because of these two women.
What amazes me most about meeting so many incredible women through Polka Dot Powerhouse is how hard it is to find genuine friendships outside of it. In the past, I may have trusted too easily and ended up getting hurt. In my experience, women can be catty, cliquey, and downright mean to each other sometimes. Years ago, I worked at an all-female branch of a credit union and was excited to be part of the team at first. It was my first experience in a female-only professional environment. My immediate supervisor made me feel welcome, but that was about it. With the rest of the women in the branch talking behind my back, calling my positive attitude “fake,” and my boss going out of her way to find faults in my work, I felt more outcast, unwanted, and looked down on than ever before. It hit all my insecurities about not being good
Jamie & Lisa
Jamie & Denise
Jamie & Jennifer
enough or worthy, no matter how hard I tried. I was so stressed from being in that toxic environment, I went into a deep depression and gained about 40 pounds. I lasted about five months there before I accepted a pay cut to return to the branch at which I had originally worked. I could not get away fast enough! Thankfully, that experience was the complete opposite of what I’ve found with the women of Polka Dot Powerhouse.
As my first year wound to a close and it came time to renew my membership, money was tight. I sat down with my husband and said, “I cannot lose Polka Dot. Anything but the Dots.” Without hesitation, he nodded and helped make it happen. As a member of the Polka Dot family, I have grown so much over the past two years, and my own family has noticed. They’ve seen me become more confident, self-assured, and genuinely happy. And it’s not just happiness—it’s joy. I now find joy in so many aspects of my daily life that I had previously overlooked, and I owe it all to the Dot sisters I’ve surrounded myself with.
So when Shannon asked for volunteers to share on that 3 a.m. call, I made it clear that my experience as a member isn’t a story about what Polka Dot Powerhouse means to me; it’s one about how it has changed me. Sharing my story with those women felt like a full-circle moment, a chance to honor the sisterhood that has played such a vital role in my life.
When I finished sharing my story, I realized there wasn’t a single dry eye in the Zoom room. It wasn’t my intention to make everyone cry, but it showed me again how deeply caring and connected the Polka Dot Powerhouse culture is. And although I’d never met any of those Dots before that day, I still felt like I was among dear friends. I now know that while you can’t replace the people you’ve lost, you can fill the void. You can build a community so strong and supportive that one day you wake up and realize you’re the happiest you’ve ever been. It truly takes a village.
Jamie is a dedicated entrepreneur, author, and advocate for empowerment and community. Through her businesses and personal journey of resilience, Jamie inspires others to embrace their authentic selves and overcome challenges. As a wife and mother, she values positive relationships above all else. As a proud member of Polka Dot Powerhouse, Jamie has found strength, joy, and
Jamie & Eau Claire, WI Dot Sisters
Jamie Wolf
#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.
LEGACY LEADERS
Wendi Giuliano Regional Director
Mindy Van Vleet Regional Director
Amy Robertson Website Manager
Josh Gore Website Director
Anna Brice Project Director
Shawna Stanley Graphics & Visuals Director & Dot Store Coordinator
