Last night I attended the CRAVE San Francisco Guide book launch party. I enjoyed seeing so many of my fellow “entreprenesses,” as the amazing CRAVE founder Melody Biringer calls us. Melody is an inspiring entrepreness who has built her own CRAVE empire including CRAVEguides in nine cities and CRAVEbusiness – a fresh approach to modern business.
And Melody knows how to throw a party, after all she started CRAVEparty, too. A fabulous party is not complete without delicious food. Several of the featured foodies in the book catered the event last night. The brownies from Batter Bakery (pictured in one of the pages above) were absolutely to die for! It was like licking the bowl of rich, yummy batter. Oh, how I wish I pocketed an extra one for the road! I’ll just have to go visit their shop in the city.
More than 100 women-owned Bay Area businesses (including mine, Artizen Coaching!) grace the pages of this beautifully designed book. I love that the book also highlights the women entrepreneurs by asking questions like, “What’s was the inspiration behind starting your business?” and “What is your indulgence?” If you want to get to know some super inspiring women and learn about the hippest shops in the city, order your copy below.
CRAVE San Francisco Bay Area: The Urban Girl’s Manifesto, Second Edition by Melody Biringer, 237 pages, full-color
$19.95 plus tax (I’ll cover First Class shipping to orders in the U.S.)
On Saturday, October 4th, I’ll be presenting at the groundbreaking Creativity in Business Conference in Washington D.C. When conference founder Michelle James approached me to speak, I was beyond thrilled for the opportunity to be in community with fellow creative entrepreneurs who really get the value of creativity in the work world! Not only am I excited to lead a break-out session on the Right-Brain Business Plan, I’m also looking forward to a full day of experiencing and learning innovative approaches focused on individual, group & organizational creativity in business.
Creativity is widely considered the new capital of 21st century business. New ideas, new innovations, new systems and new structures depend on accessing novel levels of creativity — for everyone, not just the creatives or “artists.” Everyone is creative and everyone could use an extra creative boost, especially in the world of business. At this event, we’ll explore different facets of creativity as the key driver in navigating and thriving in the new work paradigm.
This event is for entrepreneurs, leaders, managers, learning/innovation officers, trainers, consultants, coaches and anyone who wants to be more innovative and adaptive in the changing world of work. I bet that’s YOU!
CONFERENCE from 9:00AM-5:30PM: Lively, Content-rich, Experiential Break-out Sessions each with a different focus related to the theme of Applied Creativity in Business; Engaging Thought Leader Panels explore the creativity-centered work paradigm through the lens’ of leadership, social media, adaptive strategy and creative thinking.
FESTIVAL from 5:30PM-7:30PM: Comedy, Music, Networking, Book Signings, Give-Aways and hors d’oeuvres from Mie N Yu restaurant.
Register today! Early bird discount through August 31: $149 ~ Regular rate after August 31: $197
I can’t wait to be back in the D.C. area. I was out there last year as a Circle Coach for CTI’s Quest program and had a blast making new friends on the East Coast. This visit, I’m looking forward to doing yoga at Tranquil Space and connecting with my D.C. friends!
In high school, my speech coach encouraged me to “Be BIG!” To trust in myself, project my voice and boldy embody the characters I portrayed. He even had me practice standing more powerfully with my feet wider apart to take up space. The “be big” and “take up space” lessons continue to show up for me in different forms. Lately, they’ve resurfaced on paper in my intuitive painting class with a painting that just keeps getting bigger…
… and bigger…
… and bolder… AND BIGGER …
… AND BIGGER still … (This photo gives a sense of the scale compared to the folding chair to the right of the painting.)
… and yep, you guessed it… even B-I-G-G-E-R! (Now it’s getting so big that it’s hard to fit the whole thing in the iPhone camera frame!)
I’ve been working on the same painting for the past few months. It started off innocently as a single sheet of paper. Before I realized it, I envisioned images extending beyond the four corners of the initial sheet and added on a second piece. And then a couple of weeks later, I added a third. Each time I’d cringe as I’d call over to Chris to let her know that I think I needed to add another piece of paper. Facing an ever-expanding blank canvas was quite overwhelming, however, I knew I needed to follow my intuition.
The painting continues to grow and become more wild and strange. I’m learning to go with that and challenge myself to continuing pushing my own edges.
At the beginning of class a couple of weeks ago, I unfolded my painting and got ready to hang it on the wall. Chris came over and offered to help. As I stepped back to take in my painting, my first reaction was irritation — the images, bold colors and energy were so “IN MY FACE.” In response, I stood up, shimmied my hands near my head jazz-hands style, shook my body violently and, with my tongue hanging out, cried “Aaaaaaaaahhhh!!!!!” That’s how my painting felt and sounded to me! I went with that sensation and the rest of that class I painted with annoying, obnoxious florescent paints. The acrid colors evoked that same irritating vibration. I also ended up adding some 3-dimensional aspects to have it take up even more space. I looked at where my discomfort was and asked myself, how can I turn the volume up on this more? Funny that Chris hung the painting up flush at the left edge of the wall… she left room just in case the painting decided to get bigger. And it did! (If I had hung it up, I would’ve positioned it right in the center with no room to add on more. Gotta love having someone hold me bigger than I see myself!)
Through this painting, I’m also noticing what it’s really like to be in the process. To honor what I need in any given moment and to not be attached to staying there. For example, when I added on the 2nd to the last panel, I was feeling so overwhelmed with the bigness and boldness of all that was going on in the painting. A large body began to emerge which helped me feel grounded in all of the chaos. When I came back to the image the following week, I was worried about “marring” the peaceful quality of what I created, but Chris encouraged me to follow where my energy was in that moment and I began to incorporate vibrant colors and surreal images once again. I’m re-learning that I have capacity for the full range of boldness, bigness, chaos AND calm, grounded, centered. It’s not an either/or. And as I take up space, I’m learning to stand fully in my own bigness (and to admit that yes, indeed, I’m a Leo!). It’s certainly still a growing edge and there’s lots more juicy learning to come as this painting is not done with me yet! Plus, I’ll be starting Chris’ Expressive Arts Teacher Training this Friday.
Check out this gorgeous and inspiring video about Chris and Painting from the Wild Heart. Art student Peter Lee did an amazing job capturing the beauty and power of the intuitive painting process. Plus, you’ll see my painting in progress when it was almost a third the size it is now…
OMG, that’s me with the wild and succulent woman herself, SARK!
This afternoon, I joined about 70 other creative souls in a packed room at the Hayward Library to participate in SARK’s Juicy Pens Thirsty Paper workshop. What a treat to meet SARK in-person and experience her vibrant creative energy and warm spirit. She had me in stitches as she shared one hilarious and fantastical story after another. And when I wasn’t laughing my ass off I was nearly in tears, touched by her heartwarming tales. The afternoon was filled with one delicious morsel of inspiration after another. A few of the SARK-isms I’m savoring include:
“Delight yourself first and others will be delighted.”
“Action comes before inspiration. Inspiration comes from the actual doing of anything.”
Ask yourself, “How well are you loving yourself today?”
I also appreciated learning how SARK honors her introversion. As a fellow introvert, it’s comforting to know that someone who is so successful and in the spotlight has found ways to balance her energy through honing her extroverted skills (she’s a riveting presenter and her energy lights up a room) and protecting her need to be alone and to not be busy all the time. It was also good to hear directly from her how she can get distracted from her writing, but how she keeps her momentum through micromovements. Last year, I did an Art Every Day Month post with the page of reasons why I don’t feel like writing from the Juicy Pens Thirsty Paper book.
One of the activities SARK had us do was to craft our own writer’s manifesto. Here’s what I came up with:
We also filled in some micromovement wheels to help us find delightful, do-able actions that we could complete in just 5 seconds to 5 minutes. I’ve already accomplished two. The publisher catalogs from my trip to BEA are now stacked in a neat pile instead of strewn across the floor unintentionally acting as a makeshift pillow for Emmett’s head. Also, I added to my new “I am a published author” vision board on my Vision Board iPhone app. I included the photo of SARK and me and my writer’s wo-manifesto. Woohoo for accomplishing a few steps toward my creative dreams today!
And here I am with my friend the inspirational Laurel Bleadon-Maffeiwho was there assisting along with her wonderful husband Wes. My other creative buddies Chris Zydel and Michelle Favreault participated in the workshop, too! It made the day even juicier to be surrounded by these wonderful women.
If you haven’t checked out Juicy Pens Thirsty Paper yet, I encourage you to give it a whirl. It’s fun, inspiring and practical. Also, I signed up for the e-course Juicy Journaling with SARK: A nourishing adventure to start your day off write.
When I ask myself the juicy question, “How well have I loved myself today?” my answer is “pretty darn well.” I chose to say yes to being in creative community with likeminded spirits, I chose to honor my creative dreams by taking some micromovements, I delighted in affirming my creative gifts as writer/artist and last but not least I laughed my ass off. 🙂
Last Tuesday in San Francisco, my fabulous friends Allie Covarrubias and Claire Fontana unveiled their new venture called Hatch Network, a business education network for women entrepreneurs. They’re building a platform for women entrepreneurs to grow their company at any stage of the business lifecycle – from launching and beyond. I can’t wait to see this program take off! My friends the amazing financial planner Cathy Curtis, fellow coach and leadership graduate Jane Inch and Ms. Elegant Ergo herself, Ruth Lowenhardt are three of the mentors who will be leading Hatch pods in the coming months. They rock!
I’m always inspired by the drive, passion and energy of my fellow Bay Area women entrepreneurs. Check out the super cool video above for interviews with ladies from the Hatch community (including me!).
Several women entrepreneur groups have sprung up across the country. Check out these awesome resources:
This week’s chapter of The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women is definitely my growing edge. Secret #8 is about selecting empowering partnerships and alliances. This, to me, is quite different from tapping into the support and wisdom of my guides. I love connecting and collaborating with others. That inspires me and feeds my soul. What I find scary is diving into an actual business partnership where we are truly co-creating something together, sharing profits, etc. Even if it’s with someone I align with, lots of stuff gets triggered in me like the need to “protect” myself and my “intellectual property.” Feelings of scarcity and comparison can start to surface. I get that it’s all fear-based because it’s outside of my comfort zone and when there’s money involved that probably just eggs on my saboteurs even more!
I’m also independent, individualistic, introverted and, given that I’m a 4 on the Enneagram, I have a strong need to be unique and different and often feel like no one else understands me. All of which can be challenges in a partnership!
One of the most empowering partnerships I’ve experienced, though, was with my friend Brighid during the two years that we co-led a leadership retreat together. That’s us in the photo above on a high-ropes course. This particular physical activity tends to reveal dynamics at play in a partnership. The key to getting all the way to the other side is for each partner to lean in 100%. I’m in the black and white and you might be able to tell that I’m witholding just a bit, which is a typical pattern for me. What really helped us enrich our partnership overall was lots of open communication, checking out our assumptions early on before they snowballed into drama and knowing we could trust each other to each bring our natural gifts. The other key was having a shared passion and focus for what we were creating.
While partnerships can take a lot of work, I also know that there is tremendous learning and growth for me and my business when I stretch outside my comfort zone and partner with the right people. And while it can be more vulnerable, it can also be quite fun and fulfilling!
If you’re considering entering into a partnership or alliance with others, it’s really helpful to have a good sense of who you are – your strengths, your idiosyncrasies, your expectations and what you bring to the table. Gail McMeekin has a pretty in-depth self-assessment in this chapter to help you define your collaboration profile.
Also, here are some resources that I’ve found useful in creating more effective partnerships:
The MBTI is a helpful tool for understanding personal preferences and can provide lots of insight into team dynamics. What Type am I is a good introductory book.
The Enneagram is another insightful personality typing system. A fantastic book that talks about how the different Enneagram types partner together is Are You My Type? Am I Yours? And here is an online resource for Enneagram compatibility.
Today is the last day of the Art Everyday Month challenge! What an awesome month of creativity, exploration and play. I also love the community and new connections this challenge fosters!
During the final two days of AEDM 2007, I invented my Right-Brain Business Plan, so it was only befitting that I use the last day of AEDM 2008 to start my new Right-Brain Business Plan for next year!
One of my big accomplishments this year was hiring a Virtual Assistant. I’ve really enjoyed the extra support so that I can focus on the more strategic and profit-oriented aspects of my business. In 2009, I want to continue that process and develop more streamlined systems so I can work smarter and expand my business in new and exciting ways.
Plus, I want to continue increasing my media exposure. Would love to be back on The View From The Bay and to get on The Martha Stewart Show to demonstrate an Unfolding Your Life Vision collage book, along with other TV, print and online venues!!
Last year, when I set my financial goals, I didn’t realize this, but I focused just on the actual amount rather than also including what the money would actually get me. While I’ve come pretty darn close to my goal, I know I can dream bigger for next year and beyond! Since money is not what drives me in running my own business, I brought into my vision more aspects of the lifestyle I want to be living. I think that’s something that really came home for me when I participated in a money circle earlier this year.
All of this creating and art visioning during AEDM has inspired me to revisit the new letter from the future I started writing a few weeks ago. That will give me additional insights into my plan and I’m sure I’ll now have more things to add to my letter!
The end of the year is a great time to start thinking about what you want the next year to be like, so I hope you’ll do some visioning and planning, too! Please let me know, I’d love to see!!
No, I don’t have a bun in the oven! Nor is there one planned for anytime soon. However, when I was pulling magazine clippings for my values collage cards earlier this month, I happened to come across several Asian-American babies, kids and moms (and a dad!). I figured I’d grab them while I could since it’s rare to see faces like me in the mainstream media (although it’s getting better).
I’m still not 100% sure I’m ready to take the parenthood leap (and who ever is?!) I love my quiet mornings where I get to wake up without an alarm clock. I worry that being an HSP would make motherhood ultra-draining. Plus, Brian and I are used to living pretty independent and flexible lives (which include lots of sleep and a deep involvement in our work). Life is good. Sure, we’ve talked about having a family… in the future. When I look at this collage, I see a vision that’s fun, creative, loving, connected, healthy and joyful, so that makes the whole idea a little less scary. And it reminds me of the magic of childlike wonder.
Last week, I was in Montclair after my dentist appointment and I walked by this super cute storefront called The Tulip Grove. I’m going to a friend’s baby shower this weekend, so I figured I’d go in and get a gift. This is not just a baby shop, it’s also a community/education center complete with a classroom for workshops and support groups. I was talking to the store owner because I love to connect with local entrepreneurs and it turns out that I met her business partner last year at a Ladies Who Launch event. I remember her talking about this vision she had to create a destination spot for new moms. It was awesome to see how beautifully her vision came to life! And I love knowing that should the time come for me to need a resource like that, I know where to go!
Oh, and one other random thing about my collage… The strawberry is actually scratch n’ sniff! I just had to cut it out cuz it smelled so good. I used to have a scratch n’ sniff sticker collection when I was a kid, so it seemed appropriate for this piece. 🙂
A couple of months ago my book coach suggested that I do a visionboard-esque sell sheet for my book to help inspire me. She sent me a few examples of traditional sell sheets and encouraged me to make one with my own creative flair. So, that’s what I took on for my art for today. I’m also working on the back side that has more details like bio, media and marketing highlights and testimonials. Last year, I made a fake book jacket and that manifested in being featured in two books this year. So, I’m hoping that by creating this visual reminder for myself, I’ll be more focused on my writing and finishing the rest of the draft.
I enjoy writing when I allow myself to jump in and be in the flow. It’s just a matter of making that time and energy commitment. As I reflect on passing the AEDM half-way point, I notice that I habitually save the art for the end of the day. No wonder why, under normal day-to-day circumstances, art-making falls by the way side. Same with the writing. It doesn’t happen unless I carve out time on my calendar (and turn off my e-mail!!). So, tomorrow I’m blocking out noon to 4:00pm to spend on writing and book-related work in preparation for my weekly 9:00am Thursday check-in with my ever-so-patient book coach.
P.S. – The Tuesday Kiss the Paper posts are up. My question to the sisters this week was, “What do you wish for your sister?”
Tonight’s art is inspired by my week four question to Kate and Molly on the sisters’ blog Kiss The Paper. This week’s prompt is “What do you love most about you?” as a follow up to last week’s prompt “What do you love most about your sister?” It’s been so cool to witness the amazing creations from this dynamic duo! Makes me wish I had a sister!
I had fun answering the same question as my Art Every Day challenge for Day 11. You can click on the image above to see a larger version.
I’d love to hear… What do you love most about YOU?
