October 16, 2025
The Trauma that Built Me
I have the phrase “find comfort in the uncomfortable” tattooed on my arm; it’s a reminder that growth happens in the uncomfortable, and while this is true, it’s also my […]
May 4, 2025
I Can Do All Things Through Adderall & Shaken Espressos
“Can a person live on iced, shaken espressos only?” I texted my best friend, Sue. “Yes,” she responded. That, right there, is why Sue is my best friend. The past […]
April 22, 2025
You Are the Face of Your Business—Start Acting Like It
It was standing room only. Business owners packed into a room to talk about something most of us avoid like the plague: ourselves. Not our services.Not our logos.Not our team’s […]
March 24, 2025
Reality TV: The Bode Edition
Imposter syndrome won this past weekend. I think I spent most of Sunday staring at a wall, contemplating all of my failures. What a great time. Highly recommend spending your […]
March 3, 2024
The Great Resignation, The Great Exhaustion and Quiet Quitting
The Great Resignation, Great Exhaustion, and Quiet Quitting – what does it mean to small businesses?
February 22, 2023
Bode’s Life Lessons (From 16 Years in Business)
I started writing this blog last year, and then Imposter Syndrome took over and I killed it. So now it’s more like 17 years but who the hell is counting […]
November 2, 2022
Too Much
If I had a dime for every time someone referred to me as “too much,” I’d have a pretty decent chunk of change. Like…what does that even mean? Often-used words […]
August 19, 2022
Hire Slow
If I asked you what your hiring process is would you say: 1. Post job to Indeed/LinkedIn or other job boards, 2. Filter through applicants, 3. Schedule interviews, 4. Interview, […]
June 30, 2022
8 Dogs and A Motorhome
While our country was reverting back to the 1950s before women were considered equal to their male counterparts…I was on a road trip with 8 dogs and a very patient […]
May 10, 2022
Normalize Being Childfree
Guys, guess what? Women have worth outside of motherhood. Gasp! I know, who would have thought? It’s true! You’d think I was walking around with horns and a tail by […]
April 15, 2022
Exhausted
I spoke to several female business owners/professionals in the past few weeks and they all have one thing in common, they’re exhausted. Just absolutely burned out. Their mental health is […]
March 4, 2022
Oh the places you’ll go and things you’ll learn.
Dear Little Bode, We’ve been watching you the past several months as you’ve dealt with loss, grief, growth, conflict and so much more. You’re gonna be alright kid, you’re tough, […]
January 31, 2022
Accept the Damn Help
Why the hell is it so hard for us to accept help? The only time we’re in it alone is when we’re too stubborn to rely on those around us. […]
May 24, 2021
Find comfort in the uncomfortable
Many of you reading this know I have this saying tattooed on my arm, it is my reminder that growth is never easy and requires all of us to push […]
July 20, 2020
Rough around the edges
I was privy to an email the other day that referred to another female professional as “sweet and young,” and it wasn’t meant as a compliment. It irked me, like […]
December 26, 2019
Don’t mess with the bear: Stop with the sexism
I’ve been running a business for around 13 years, if there is one thing I hate above all else it is the questions women are asked that no one would […]
September 17, 2019
The business owner support group
I had an interesting convo with my therapist the other day (more people should admit they see one, helps erase the stigma), we were chatting about the stress a business […]
May 3, 2019
Let’s get old together
I turned 40 last week, and no this is not some blog manifesto…so just calm down. I’m not sure when getting older became such an awful thing, I fricken love […]
January 24, 2019
Be comfortable with change
Be comfortable with change is the best piece of advice I can offer you. Life is going to throw a lot of curve balls your way, so line up to […]
October 29, 2018
Failure to reinvent
Change is inevitable; we have all heard it before – but many of us seldom do anything about it. I had the opportunity to hear Josh Linkner speak last week […]
August 9, 2018
Leadership lessons from an accidental leader
Most entrepreneurs and business owners fail terribly a leading. No one tells you when you start your business, that you will someday have to manage an entire team. At the […]
July 9, 2018
Be the leader you wish you had
The worst bosses I ever had…were women. I know I am not alone, many share the same experiences. These experiences have driven me to be a better leader and to […]
March 26, 2018
Make decisions in the present
Perhaps one of the most harmful things we can do as business owners is dwell on the past. It is hard to look forward and not backwards when we are […]
March 22, 2018
Consistency is annoying, but necessary
As entrepreneurs and business owners, our days are anything but consistent. It is a word we loathe, how can we possibly be consistent when everyday is full of surprises and […]
February 19, 2018
So…you want to be an entrepreneur
I would never discourage anyone from starting their own business and going out on their own, but I do think it is important to have all the facts before making […]
February 14, 2018
The balance myth
I’ve been having a conversation with several other business owners regarding balance and finding that within your life. Can I just say, I think it is utter bullshit? When did […]
January 22, 2018
Evolving business habits
When starting a business the only thing you can think of is….$$$. How will you pay bills? Hire employees? Feed your dog? Fast forward and you are now a relatively […]
January 19, 2018
Throwing a message (not just a party)
Yesterday, 8THIRTYFOUR officially celebrated 11 years with our community, clients and staff. While our anniversary gave us an excuse to throw a party, our intent was much more powerful than […]
January 17, 2018
Learning to celebrate
Apparently 11 years is a milestone for a small business, or so I’ve been told. This week we are throwing a party to celebrate 8THIRTYFOUR’s eleventh anniversary, while also highlighting […]
January 9, 2018
Small Biz Musings Top Blogs of 2017
My top blogs of 2017 were incredibly personal and a bit painful to write. I narrowed last year’s blogs down to the top 5. In each of these my passion […]
December 4, 2017
Motivation in loss
How do you stay motivated when faced with overwhelming loss? Whether it is a death, personal failure, business failure or other; motivation can seem unattainable – especially when all you […]
November 21, 2017
Screwing up and moving on
I failed today in setting an example, in leading, in following our core values. I let frustration and stress get the better of me. Want to know the great thing […]
November 7, 2017
It can’t be perfect
It is hard to fight perfection. We are taught that we should always pursue it, even if it isn’t attainable. Why is that? If it is a lesson in failure […]
September 7, 2017
Change is scary
I’m sure I have written on this before, but I don’t care. It’s my blog and I’ll write if I want to. My firm of 10 years just moved into […]
August 28, 2017
It’s ok to ask for help
I made the decision to go see a business coach/counselor/therapist – whatever you want to call it….and it was the best. Granted, I’ve gone once but I’m clearly already cured. […]
August 15, 2017
Behind closed doors
Behind closed doors and in private we are constantly thinking, worrying, fretting and planning. This is what business owners don’t tell you: The termination of an employee is not a […]
August 10, 2017
Let’s negotiate
Negotiation is a part of every aspect of our life. In your personal life it could be trying to get your spouse to do a chore or run an errand. […]
July 17, 2017
Setting boundaries
When do you put the phone away for the night? When do you close your laptop? Boundaries is something a small business owner will never have. We don’t shut it […]
June 2, 2017
It sure is lonely
Being a business owner is incredibly lonely. I am reminded of this daily, when I have no one but myself to turn to when it comes to tough decisions. No […]
January 30, 2017
Why you should quit your job
This past week I met with a young woman in her 20s that was considering starting her own business, primarily because she didn’t see another option. Her degree was not […]
December 22, 2016
Why guilt?
Why is it that guilt is an accepted and normal part of a small business owner’s life? I was taking time this past week to reflect on what I would […]
July 28, 2016
Taking emotion out of the equation
Making difficult decisions is part of being a business owner, whether it is parting ways with a client, admitting you screwed up or having unpleasant conversations with an employee. Running […]
May 12, 2016
So…if you get hit by a bus
A bit morbid of a subject but something, as a business owner, you absolutely have to think about. This is especially relevant if you are the sole proprietor. After owning […]
