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Bad Business Advice I Blissfully Ignored
You’ve probably heard this one before: “If you want to be successful, you have to [insert generic advice here].” But… following bad business advice can sometimes do more harm than good. Whether it’s “niche down or get drowned out” or “scale fast or fail,” there’s no shortage of rules when it comes to building a business. And I get it… some of it works. But a lot of it? Let’s just say I smiled, nodded, and did the opposite. And here’s the kicker: I’m better for it. The advice I ignored led to more creative freedom, better-fit clients, a saner schedule, and a business that actually feels like me. Let’s…
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7 Realistic Productivity Tips That Keep Me Sane(ish)
Am I really qualified to share realistic productivity tips? Hmm… Let’s just say my daily routine wouldn’t exactly make it onto a productivity podcast. There’s no cold plunge. No journaling by candlelight. No perfect app that tracks my every move. I do what works for me… and most of it would probably raise some eyebrows. But that’s the point. It works, and that’s what makes it realistic. My days are full, my work gets done, I’m around when my kids need me, and I stay (mostly) sane in the process. And if some of that comes down to strange little habits I’ve collected over time? So be it. Here’s a…
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5 Steps to Doing a Goal Audit Without an Existential Crisis
Over the weekend, I found a crumpled note at the back of my desk drawer that said: “Revamp workout routine!” No date, no context… just vibes. And honestly? It could’ve been from last week… or a year ago. That little discovery made me cringe. Then, realize it might be time for a goal audit. It reminded me how easy it is to set goals (or even just loosely think about them), but never really circle back to ask if they’re working… or if we even still want them on our list. So I paused. I pulled out all the goals I’d set earlier this year and asked: What’s still relevant?…
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7 Reality TV Marketing Lessons That Aren’t About Going Viral
Look, I didn’t mean to become an expert in reality TV. It just… happened. One minute, I was folding laundry to the soothing chaos of Real Housewives of New Jersey, and the next, I was mentally taking notes on how Teresa’s personal brand somehow survived flipping a table. And prison. Yes! She survived flipping a table and federal prison. And somehow came back with a book deal and a glow-up. And that’s when it hit me: reality TV is an absolute goldmine of marketing lessons. I know, I know, it sounds ridiculous. But if you squint past the drama, sequins, and aggressively edited dinner parties (or the survival challenges, renovation…
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How to Build a Marketing Team from Scratch
When people ask me, “How do I build a marketing team?” the first thing I usually say is, “You’re probably already doing it; you just may not realize it.” I’ve worked with a lot of small businesses that didn’t have a formal marketing department. Some had one overworked person doing All. The. Things. Others had no one at all, just a founder Googling “how to run Facebook ads” at midnight. So, if that’s you? I see you. And this post is for you. Whether you’re starting from zero or trying to make your first marketing hire, here’s a concrete, step-by-step guide for how to build a marketing team, even if…
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Should You Niche Down? Maybe. But I’m Not, and Here’s Why
Every time I scroll through Instagram or listen to a podcast, someone is shouting about the power of picking a niche. “If you’re talking to everyone, you’re talking to no one.” “Confused people don’t buy.” And my personal favorite: “The riches are in the niches.” Cool. Noted. Pinned to a digital vision board somewhere in the back of my brain with other bad business advice where I will never see it again. But here’s the thing: I’ve never really fit into a niche. And I don’t want to. I’ve tried. I’ve done the niching-down thing. I’ve built hyper-focused brands. I’ve tailored messaging to one specific audience. I’ve mapped out ideal…
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5 Spring Reset Ideas That Don’t Involve a Cleanse or a Rebrand
I’m not doing a “new me” this spring. I don’t have the energy for some full-blown reinvention. And truthfully? I kind of like the old me. She’s really been through it, but still has a few endearing quirks. For example, she has this thing for reality TV, goes to bed weirdly early, and keeps a list of oddly specific notes in her reminder app. (Current favorite: “Organize the pantry, toss the mystery tea bags, and stop pretending the decorative lentils are part of a meal plan.”) Instead, what I am doing is a soft reset. Not a cleanse (been there, done that!). Not a challenge (have enough of those, thank…
