I Help Women

I don’t wake up every morning thinking about branding or design or websites.

I wake up thinking about you, I think about my clients, I think about the ladies taking my workshops, I think about moms trying to stay sane while building businesses and raising their kids. I think about the questions you are going to ask me about your business and how I can give the best answer to those questions.

I think about how to get you to see yourself as the wonderful creative person that you are.

I think about how to help you get the courage you need to take the steps you need to take in your business.

For so long I was really striving to figure out how to explain that what I like to do best is help women.

I kept asking myself …

Is giving someone a kind word or lifting someone up when I see that they need it, good enough. Is it worth it? Does that connection with just one person make a difference in the world? Or does it need to be bigger? Is helping women create their businesses big enough? What is the “something bigger” that I’m supposed to be doing?

But in the last year I’ve realized that it doesn’t matter what I’m doing. I could be creating websites, designing magazines, teaching workshops, or cooking dinner, and this is serving women with the skills I have now.

I’m going to grow. I’m going to keep coming into my own and I don’t know exactly what that looks like. I only know that at the core, whatever it is that I’m doing will be of service to women. It might be through philanthropy, it might be through the book I’m writing, it might simply be me being the best mom I can be to my kids.

I’ve quit worrying about what the big work is and when I’ll get to it. This is the big work.

If you ask for help I’ll do what I can with the skills I have now, as the woman I am today. I will give you my time, my energy, my brain in the form of workshops and consulting and encouragement of all kinds.

Helping women is what I was put on this earth to do.

As Sarah Yost would say it’s my holy work, my sacred work.

So what is your holy work, your sacred work and how can I help you do more of that?

8 Gifts I’d Love to Find Under My Business Christmas Tree

My husband, Jamie, always makes fun of Christmas with my folks because my side of the family is a study of extremes when it comes to holiday gift giving. We buy really practical stuff for each other like socks, shampoo, and tooth brushes, and then really fun, silly, completely impractical stuff like a case of sardines or a Whoopee cushion.

If you know me well, you’ll know I have a hard time treating myself. When Jamie asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I sort of panicked. I didn’t really know what I wanted. 

So, I asked my friends and colleagues to tell me about their work. What products and services did they create or sell that would be great gift for ladies like me this holiday season.

Here’s a list of all kinds of fabulous gifts created by lots of fabulous ladies!

Compiling that list was a good start. It help me stop and think about what I really want for Christmas, and please no Whoopee cushions this year! The list I gave my husband (below) is 100% me: practical, with a bit of whimsy, and a big dash of business.


1. World Domination Summit

Hello hubby, put us on the wait list for January, please! Come July I want to be in Portland. $506.95 per person.

2. Lynda.com

I could live on Lynda.com. I’d spend my days learning all kinds of new software and business skills and photography tricks. Gift subscriptions start at $25/month.

3. The Merry Inksters

I write a lot and I want to write more. I know I need accountability and a community to keep me motivated when the writing gets tough. Membership is $26.95/month (if you sign up by December 31, 2012). December 17th update: The Merry Inksters is also offering a 3 month gift membership for January-March, 2013.

4. Superhero Cuff from Natasha Wozniak Jewelry

To remind me daily of all my superpowers, especially for those times when I don’t think I have any. $350


5. 2013 Seize The Year Calendar

Yes, I would love to seize the year and to be able to see all that I have planned out for 2013 at a glance. $30

6. Life Is Messy Planners

Life is completely messy, but I have a feeling Mayi’s planners would make the mess so much more fun. $40

7. Ze Frank Invocation Poster

If you haven’t yet watched this video http://ashow.zefrank.com/episodes/1 from Ze Frank you must. I’d love a poster to remind me that I will be fine, that I don’t need cheese, and I just need to start this sh*t up! $25

8. WTF Stamp

I would just like to be able to use this when I need to. You know, when things are getting a little surreal, and I can’t say anything out loud. This would come in really handy. $9

What gifts, practical and not-so-much, would you love to see under your entrepreneurial tree this year?

9 Holiday Gifts for Women by Women

I love getting to know online business ladies who are product makers, crafters, creators, artists, writers. Every day they are putting in the hard work and time it takes to see their ideas come to life. They are making books, clothing, jewelry, workshops, and more … just for you (and me!).

I asked my maker friends to tell me about their creations, to show me what they’ve been busy putting out in the world this year. I hope you are inspired to check out their work this holiday season and then go on and create those things that are in your heart.




1. Wake Up Sugar Scrub from My Vintage Body Spa by Alyssa Middleton:
Natural, organic and fair trade ingredients to pamper and treat all us busy entrepreneurs!

2. Purple Leaves, Red Cherries by Tania Elfersy and Andrea Katzman. An award-winning gift book for new moms and mothers of young children.


3. White Dangle Chandeliers from Christine Marie Studio by Christine Thatcher. Bold bohemian jewelry.

4. Fear*less Photography retreats with Catherine Just.

5. The Busy Parent’s Guide to Photosanity by Alethea Fitzpatrick. Start capturing the fleeting moments of your children’s lives in brilliant photos.


6. Republic of Freedom Cards for the Non-conformist by Heather Thorkelson. Six different designs.

7. Celadon Collection from Tranquility Tuesdays by Charlene Lewang.
Personally sourced Chinese tea and handmade teaware.


8. Peace, Love and Gratitude Yoga Mat from Widsom Mats by Jamie Kanner. Eco-friendly, non-toxic yoga mats with peaceful quotes.

9. Batik Yoga Pants in Blue on Blue from Batikwalla by Victoria Dresdner.


Who are your favorite makers, creators, artists, writers, workshop leaders? What’s on your wish list from them this year?