• Crushing on my AI
    AI - ChatGPT,  copywriting,  Entrepreneurs,  Implementation,  Marketing

    I think I have a crush on my AI… Ummm

    Ok, so…. first off – it’s not what you think… It’s more of a first-grade crush, you know, when you met your first friend, and they were incredibly kind to you. Maybe they even shared their snack or played jump rope or hopscotch with you on the playground…(yeah, I’m that old 😉 Who knows what kids are playing on the playground these days…. Ahhhh, and I digress… Back to my crush… Here’s what happened: I have been using ChatGPT for several months now. And I ended up paying the $20 a month, and I have to say, it is well worth it. So, if you’re not following what’s happening in…

  • Entrepreneurs,  Implementation

    Inspiration to Create Your Own Manifesto

    Let’s talk about manifestos and how they could be a perfect way to inspire you, your staff, or your team to make a huge difference in the last quarter of this year. You might be thinking that manifestos are just reserved for people who are trying to create a political revolution to overthrow governments. How is that even relevant to my business? Well, I will get to that in a minute. First, I thought it might be interesting to give you the top 5 manifestos that you may have heard of or maybe not thought of as a manifesto: Here’s the definition of Manifesto from Meriam Webster: “A manifesto is a public…

  • Implementation

    “Life is Good” – a Case Study – Lessons in Soulful Marketing

    Another fun Soulful Marketing Principles case study for you. This company has been my go-to for t-shirts for at least the last 15 years. I have over 30 of their t-shirts, from long sleeves to short sleeves to tank tops. And it’s not just because I love their fun designs, it’s also because it’s THE MOST comfortable cotton t-shirt I’ve ever worn. And the same size ALWAYS fits me. Then there’s the ultra reason I love them because they created a brand and a community I absolutely connect with. Their mission is simple “To spread the power of optimism.” In 1994, Brothers Bert and John Jacobs, after 5 years of less-than-stellar…

  • Clients & Customers,  Implementation,  Marketing

    Case Study – REI – How they use Soulful Marketing Principles

    I’m excited to dive into a more extensive case study with you. We’re going to explore some core principles of Soulful Marketing, and how it has created immense success into some well known niche brands. My hope is that it will spark some creative ideas on how you can weave these principles into your own business. Let’s take a look at one of my favorite stores/brands – REI. Alice and I have been to most of them in Northern CA and Oregon! We plan on camping later this year and had to stock up on some stuff. That’s why I decided they’d be a terrific case study. Before I share…

  • Clients & Customers,  Communication,  Entrepreneurs,  Implementation,  Marketing,  Motivation,  Outcome,  Product Launches,  Prospects

    The Final Fridge Adventure (Part 2)

    Last week I shared with you part 1 of my spouse and I’s fridge adventure. I shared with you some insights into the first two appliance stores we perused. And I gave you some takeaways of what to do and not do when it comes to your business and attracting clients. You can access it here. In this blog post, I want to tell you about the third place we visited to peruse refrigerators. It was a very different experience. This store was more of an upscale local appliance store. We bought our washer and dryer there, so we knew they were reasonably top-notch. And we like supporting our local businesses. As soon…

  • Challenges,  Clients & Customers,  Communication,  Entrepreneurs,  Goals,  Implementation,  Marketing,  New Year,  Overcoming Obstacles,  Prospects,  Questions

    The fascinating adventures of Refrigerator Shopping… (Part 1)

    It’s the beginning of 2023, and for me, it’s been a bit of a rocky start – with my New Year’s Eve CVD positive test, the cyclone rain bombs (and it’s still raining btw). And, finally, getting my Mom on a plane home… It was the best of times and the worse of times… 😉 I’m doing as much self-care as I can and focusing on what I’m grateful for… And one of those things is you! That’s why I wanted to share with you my spouse and I’s fascinating adventure of shopping for a refrigerator. I promise there will be some interesting lessons that will apply to your business.…

  • Balance,  Challenges,  Goals,  Implementation,  Motivation,  New Year,  Productivity

    Jumpstart your vision, best laid plans, and cosmic jokes…

    Happy January 2023! How are you feeling? The first couple of weeks of January always feels like a bit of a blur to me. All the anticipation, shopping, presents, and prep for the holidays and New Year’s leaves me spinning. So at the beginning of the month, I always try to take it slow. It’s kind of nice to ease into the New Year. Especially this year for me because the holidays were not at all how I envisioned or planned them. It felt more like a cosmic joke filled with everyone getting some type of illness, from the C virus (Spam filters won’t let me spell it out –…

  • Attitude,  Goals,  Implementation,  Motivation,  New Year,  Overcoming Obstacles

    It’s about the little things…

    When I recently presented to a group of 17 people about how to create your intention and vision for the New Year, I got some feedback that totally blew me away. Not because it was about me or my teaching. 🙂 Their comments about this exercise blew me away because I thought everyone knew these types of concepts. In my presentation, I mainly wanted to get everyone connecting together and answer some questions as a type of assessment for this year. I learned this exercise from my amazing coaches – Debbie Phillips and Rob Berkley, and I have done this process for 12 years. It’s called The Great Start Program. I don’t believe in…

  • Alchemy,  Attitude,  Balance,  Challenges,  Goals,  Implementation,  Motivation,  New Year,  Overcoming Obstacles

    “Change is good,” she said…

    Have you ever had something happen that you weren’t expecting and just turned your life upside down? Such as losing a big client, getting injured, getting sick, or maybe something happened to a family member. One thing I know — change is just hard, and actually, I’d dare to say, in all honesty – change just sucks… When things happen, you share it with your close circle of supportive people, right? So when I did, that’s when she said — “Change is good.” And then rattled on why… Well, depending on where you are in the process of acceptance, you may want to hug or throttle that person like I…

  • Challenges,  Entrepreneurs,  Goals,  Implementation,  Motivation,  New Year,  Overcoming Obstacles,  Questions

    This one question could make or break your business…

    As an entrepreneur, I know how hard you work at and on your business. Sometimes it can be grueling and stressful, especially if you do it alone. And even if you have some help, it still can be exhausting and challenging. It’s mainly up to you to create a successful business and make money that will keep it running for many years. This brings me to the one question that could make or break your business… Before I ask you, I want you to think back to when you made the decision to start your business and make a go at being your own boss. What was the impetus that…

  • Attitude,  Challenges,  Implementation,  Motivation,  Overcoming Obstacles

    If only – a personal heartbreaking journey

    My spouse Alice and I listened to Brene Brown’s Atlas of the Heart audiobook as we drove home from being away in Lake Tahoe for a week. And aside, I love listening to her books because it feels like a more intimate experience. She always adds extra stuff and talks to you like you’re in her kitchen over coffee. And repeats important phrases… (I will be doing a review of this book in the coming weeks.) While listening to her book, it sparked some interesting conversations, one of which was around the phrase “If only.” And another was one my Dad always said I needed to stop my “what ifing” myself… It got…

  • Balance,  Challenges,  Entrepreneurs,  Goals,  Implementation,  Motivation,  Overcoming Obstacles,  Procrastination,  Productivity

    Need a boost of productivity? I gotchu :-)

    This might be the dreaded post here, calling you out on your productivity… Oh wait, that doesn’t sound good… apologies… Let’s reframe that – I want to inspire you with some ways you can boost your productivity. 🙂 How productive are you? Do you feel like you’re not getting enough done in your business? Could you use a boost? Or do you feel like you got it covered? It’s now November, and the holidays that are literally banging down your door won’t distract you from finishing up those last few projects, right? 🙂 Well, if you’re anything like me and have Cheryl’s holiday cut-out cookies, blueberry scones, best Thanksgiving stuffing muffins,…

  • Challenges,  Clients & Customers,  Communication,  Implementation,  Motivation,  Overcoming Obstacles,  Prospects,  Questions

    You are one question away from…

    Not sure you’ve noticed that I’m kind of a geek when it comes to collecting information that I’m interested in. Especially when my curiosity overtakes me after I read a story about what someone did that was pretty fascinating such as Cyril Derreumaux. He traversed the pacific ocean in his kayak to reach Hawaii in 92 days. Or when Marc Andreeson set a record in California when he decided to buy the most expensive house in America for a $177 million compound in Malibu. What’s going through their head when they make these decisions? Or is anything going through their head? Maybe it’s just a deeply rooted feeling or an inner drive…

  • Challenges,  Coaching,  Communication,  copywriting,  Entrepreneurs,  Goals,  Implementation,  Marketing,  Overcoming Obstacles,  Product Creation,  Product Launches,  Taking risks

    The Value of Having Another Perspective

    Before I get into today’s topic, I wanted to clarify something from a reader about last week’s blog, “Taming Your Brain.” I had mentioned that if I hadn’t been meditating for many years, I wouldn’t have been able to recognize or be aware of my thoughts to start changing them and taming my mind. The beauty of this is – that it was MY PROCESS. It took me a long time because of ALL the things I let get in my way, like my issues with alcohol, stopping meditating for a while, and more. Then in the past six years of being in recovery, and now my addiction to learning…

  • Alchemy,  Attitude,  Challenges,  Entrepreneurs,  Goals,  Implementation,  Motivation,  Overcoming Obstacles,  Procrastination,  Productivity

    Taming Your Brain

    A bit of a heady mindset topic for this week. Stick with me on this brief journey into your brain and how we work on trying to change your neural pathways to form some fascinating changes in your work and life… Curious? Ready? Let’s go… For the past 20 years, I’ve been taking classes, studying, reading, and practicing meditation and mindfulness. From what I’ve learned – Here’s an example of how the mind works – You’re speaking with someone, and suddenly, something they said hits you weird, and you start to get mad or upset – some feelings start coming up. Do you stop at the moment and notice the emotion bubbling up?…