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 […]
5 ways to amplify your personal brand

I had a great conversation this past week with good friend of mine, who is in an influential and important role in Grand Rapids. She was looking to amplify her […]
Is gratitude extinct?

Is gratitude lost in todays society, never to be found again? Am I jaded in thinking that younger professionals want things handed to them without first working for it? It […]
It’s on you to grow your network

Hello everyone seeking a job, connection, friend, mentor, advice – stop bugging everyone. Make it happen yourself. No one owes you anything. They certainly don’t owe you their time, an […]
#MPC17 – Networking

Is it important to be seen? To network? The answer is quite simply, yes. 834’s Lansing partner, Vanguard Public Affairs, and I are taking in the Michigan Policy Conference on […]
Make your own opportunities

I met with a potential client this past week and we started talking about networking, being a connector and building valuable relationships. I know I have talked about this in […]
Stop trolling!

In the past few months I have been solicited multiple times through LinkedIn, email or phone. These individuals always have a great partnership opportunity for 834 and it is always […]
I do it for wine.

As I got ready to attend my 3rd or 4th event this week, I thought – what the hell keeps me motivated to attend all of these business events? Wine. […]
The community factor

I wanted to start this blog out with “The problem with young-ins nowadays is…” but then I thought better of it. When I was just beginning my career I had no […]
Becoming the salesperson of ‘you’

In the last week it occurred to me what a terrible job professionals do marketing themselves. Developing your personal brand and communicating your value proposition is key to success. Everything […]