In the face of adversity

I’ve always loved color, funky patterns and I guess fashion in general. Fun fact, I used to write a fashion column for Grand Rapids Magazine. I started with the always iconic brands, Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe - I believe this is what they call throwaway fashion? I couldn’t afford anything else, and I hated the idea of wearing the same thing week after week.

Since then, I’ve refined my taste a bit, and Anthro is my store of choice along with JCrew, Ann Taylor (when it’s not trending towards dowdy + Mennonite) and women-owned brands like Bee + Fox for graphic statement tees.

What hasn’t changed is the fun I have with color, patterns, shoes, and accessories. It’s part of my personal brand and how you show up in person is just as, if not more important than how you show up online.

This is personal branding, it’s your Big Deal Energy.

@dodgejd is a business owner, friend and a HUGE supporter of the Women’s Entrepreneurial Fellowship…he also serves as a mentor.

All of our mentors are business owners who have been operating for at least 10 years, are also second-stage and have an expertise the cohort of WOSBs need.

So, this is your reminder to apply: www.sbamwef.org - applications close on September 15 (you probably have an extra day or two - cause I’m traveling).

@smallbusinessassocofmichigan

AI is a sharp tool, not the decision-maker. Spot the risks, ask better questions, and build structures where AI supports your mission without replacing your people or your accountability. @widnational

The Bode pack makes every presentation better.

This was the interpretive dance portion.

This is where I reminded everyone integrated is better.

@brittanichambers is one of my favorite people.

I have known Rebecca Dutcher for longer than I care to admit and when she applied for the last Women’s Entrepreneurial Fellowship...I was PUMPED.
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Look at her words. Read them.

This is the last year, the Fellowship will be covered by grant funding. The application deadline is September 15th.

If you don’t meet all the qualifications, apply for the Women’s Owners Network.

Both programs are for women-owned businesses and both were built by business owners for business owners and it’s everything I wish had been provided to me. It would’ve saved me a lot of time and money.

You can apply for WEF here: www.sbamwef.org/apply

Our commitment to uncomfortable is why we started the Uncomfortable Community Conversations quarterly events to highlight issues affecting our businesses and community.

We’ve tackled the skills crisis, systemic bias towards WOSBs in our financial systems, and in September, we’re gonna talk perimenopause and the impact it has on business owners.

Our next convo on September 24, will focus on Perimenopause and how it’s impacting women business owners and professionals as we navigate brain fog, exhaustion, lose executive function and still the our responsibility, load and the expectations put on us remain the same. Something has to change.

Link in bio to register.