Ladies Who Launch – Page 2 – Life Unfolds Blog

Inspiring Incubatresses

A couple of hours ago we wrapped up night two of our March Ladies Who Launch Incubator Intensive. I am blown away by this group’s overflow of positive energy and generous spirit. There is a deep soulful connection that these women created in just one week!

One of our Incubatresses Kate Prentiss was so moved by fellow Incubatress Karon Fields and her non-profit Rooms for Change, that she set out to raise $1,000 for Karon’s cause within a week. You bet we had to whip out the tissues tonight when Kate handed more than $1,000 to a surprised and speechless Karon. Kate’s act of kindness exemplifies the power of seeing a need, setting a goal, speaking it out into the world and enlisting support from others. As Victoria and Beth say in their Ladies Who Launch book, to launch anything you first imagine it, speak it, do it and then celebrate it. We sure celebrated tonight! And it’s just the beginning for these 10 star ladies. We have two more weeks of Incubator magic together and I can’t wait to see what more blossoms. It’s amazing what happens when you bring together a group of strong, creative and giving women!

On a side note, I’m really excited to have met Kate at the end of last year. Not only is she an incredibly talented designer and artist (who’s helping me with my brochure and several upcoming creative projects) she’s a super cool and inspiring friend. I knew she and I would click when I had my first meeting with her and her Creative Urge business partner Cami Walker (another totally inspiring, creative gal and fellow launcher). We were playing with unique brochure formats and all three of us were going totally ga-ga over little bits of folded paper! I was with my creative peeps!

And look at this cool poem Kate shared with me at the end of tonight’s session…

Wow, I’m so blessed to have these fabulous women in my life!!!

Girl Power

Last night was the session one of our January/February Oakland Incubator Intensive. We’ve got an amazing group of 10 women who are up to really cool things. We are in for an exciting and inspiring month of expanding visions, clarifying direction and moving forward! Having just come back from Ladies Who Launch leader training, I am raring to go.

My second dose of Girl Power came tonight. I just got home from the “Girl’s Guide to Kicking Your Career Into Gear” book signing where I got to meet Caitlin and Kim in person (photo above). I love that they bring a feminine perspective to the workplace and that their mission is to create a “New Girl’s Network” that blows the old boy’s network out of the water and helps us gals increase our confidence, fulfillment and prosperity in business. Their tips, stories and advice aim to level the playing field – no more women earning 77 cents to men’s dollar. Kim and Caitlin urge us women to ask for what we want, promote ourselves more freely and support each other. Amen, sisters!

It’s been cool that over the last couple of weeks I’ve been able to spend a little time with amazing women leaders of amazing companies – Karen Kimsey-House – the President of The Coaches Training Institute, Victoria Colligan – co-founder of Ladies Who Launch and now Caitlin Friedman and Kimberly Yorio of YMC Media and The Girl’s Guides. They are all inspirational and each are promoting strong female leadership with their own unique voice. What an honor to be amongst such tremendous Girl Power!

Questers, Dreamers and Launchers

The past 10 days have been a whirlwind of excitement, connection, fulfillment and fun! I visited Washington DC to be a Circle Coach for Quest, returned home to lead a dream box workshop at It’s Yoga and then flew out to Cleveland for our Ladies Who Launch leader training. I had a great time at all the different events. And this weary traveler is happy to be home (where it’s not snowing!).

Quest was amazing. What an honor to help shepherd our Questers on their journey of discovering their leadership essence and taking action on their inspiring Quests. I look forward to seeing how they each continue to make their unique impact on the world!

The icing on the cake was meeting up with my friends John and Marie last Saturday night in DC. I hadn’t seen John in about three years and this was my first time meeting Marie in person. What a treat!

Had one day back home to make dream boxes with the yoga teacher trainers including students from Mexico, Israel, Japan and all across the US. I’m always so moved by what the participants dream of and create!

Next up, Cleveland! On our first day there, Launy, Corinne and I ventured to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I’m no music buff, so much of the paraphernalia was beyond me. But I did get a kick out of seeing a letter that Madonna wrote to a friend while she was at the University of Michigan, Jim Morrison’s report cards from grade school and drawings that Jimi Hendrix did as a kid.

California girls Launy, me, Corinne and Claire braving the snow. It was so much fun to be at the training with these smart, savvy gals. And we’re so excited to bring all our launching energy back to our fellow Bay Area launchers.

Oh, and I just had to take a picture of the infamous chocolate cake that magically appeared after every meal. Good thing we had yoga class Friday morning to work off such decadence.

And finally, a beautiful shot of all 14 leaders in training from across the US and Canada along with our awesome trainer Stella. What an amazing group of women!

Ladies Who Launch in the Chronicle

Another quick post. Extra, extra! Read all about it… Just found out that the SF Chronicle article featuring Allie Covarrubias, our Bay Area Ladies Who Launch Director, came out today. Click here to read this energizing profile!

Right-Brain Business Plan – AEDM Day 29

How many of you cringe when you hear the words business plan? Or maybe even worse… budget, cash flow or P&L statement? If you’re like me, those terms (especially the financial ones), make your skin crawl. Yet, as an entrepreneur it’s vital to know where you’re going and what it’s going to take to get there.

So, how about approaching business planning (and life planning) from a visual, creative and fun perspective instead?

The idea of doing a more right-brain approach to my business plan came to me while brainstorming materials with my colleagues Starla Sireno and Tara Russell at The Fearless Entrepreneur. As we refine resources and exercises to use with our business coaching clients, it’s also important that we walk our talk, too. So, I revisited my business plan (originally in a boring, static Word document) and decided to update it for 2008 and beyond using my art visioning techniques.

Above are the front and back covers of my Artizen Coaching business plan accordion book. I started off decorating the front with a really cool art studio image from a magazine. Then I thought it would be clever to have the back be more of the “zen” in the Artizen.

Here are some detail shots of the interior.

Typically a business plan has sections such as: an executive summary, company description, industry analysis, target market, financials, marketing and sales plan, etc.

In the first couple of pages I wanted to just set the tone of my business and also list out the different products and services I’m offering or working on.

Next, I got clear on my strategic alliances and affiliations – who I’m working with and what organizations I belong to for networking and support. It’s a relief to know I don’t have to go it alone!

For the finances, I really wanted to concentrate on abundance and chose images/words around that. I have my P&L statement folded up in the little manila envelope so I can pull it out and look at it when I need to.

These last pages are about marketing and getting myself out there. Part of what triggered doing this project now was that today I received galley copies of the book that I’m featured in: The Girl’s Guide to Kicking Your Career in Gear and I got excited about next year! I also want to write a book, so there’s a little 3D book attached to one of the pages.

Tomorrow, I’m going to write out more details on the back of each page. Now that I have visuals and the emotional connection to what I’m wanting to create, I can articulate it more clearly in words. I’ll probably write out my strategy and tactics in a creative way, too, and have some images as well.

How do you plan out your business and personal goals? What if the process was more fun and engaging? What else would be possible for you if you let your creativity and intuition run wild?

[tags]National Blog Posting Month, NaBloPoMo, Art Every Day Month, business planning, right-brain business plan, art visioning, expressive arts coaching, business coaching, entrepreneurship, collage, book arts, accordion book[/tags]

Modern Domestic Goddess Recipe – AEDM Day 26

Today’s art is an homage to the revival of domesticity and “women’s work” with a modern twist. I originally wanted to do a piece using aprons (I love their symbol of home and housekeeping and they’re just so darn cute! – That’ll be for later). But as I played with the images I cut out, I cooked up this recipe idea. So, I pulled out a blank recipe card and started to list out the ingredients that make a modern woman. Those superwomen who juggle home, family, work, their own needs/values, health, meaning, fun, etc. and do it with panache, style and grace. What qualities would you add to the recipe? Seconds anyone?

[tags]National Blog Posting Month, NaBloPoMo, Art Every Day Month[/tags]

Passion in Bloom – AEDM Day 13

After the Lady Launchers left my home this evening, a glow of positive energy permeated my living room like fairies had sprinkled magic dust in our midst. During the second week of the Ladies Who Launch Incubator we share our expanded visions of what we see as possible for each woman. I’m always amazed at what innovative, savvy and compassionate ideas are conjured up in this exercise. And I just love it when each woman’s eyes light up upon hearing an idea that really hits home. There’s a sense of surprise and delight and of being truly seen.

The energy from the Incubator inspired my quick art project for Day 13. I wanted to capture the passion, heart and fire I witnessed tonight. I picked up my crayons and just let the colors flow. I started off with pinks and reds in the center, symbolizing the seed of an idea, the love of something close to the heart. Petals ablaze burst forth from the core representing the blossoming fire and passion. The swirls of pink and yellow are the warmth and light that each woman’s essence brings as they share their ideas and dreams, expand their vision out in the world and touch other people’s lives. I feel so blessed to be creating the space for all this goodness to grow!

[tags]National Blog Posting Month, NaBloPoMo, Art Every Day Month, Ladies Who Launch, Incubator[/tags]

Ladies Who Launch LIVE!

Friday was the big San Francisco Ladies Who Launch LIVE event. Despite battling a cold all week, I couldn’t miss this amazing gathering of more than 300 women. There were inspiring speakers, including Mariel Hemingway who talked about healthy living, and panelists giving expert advice on launching.

You can watch this segment from A View from the Bay to see highlights from the day and the fashion show (photo above).

Several of us were at the site on Thursday getting ready for the big day. We definitely bonded as we stuffed gift bag after gift bag with swag. It was like early trick or treating!

I can’t believe that the Oakland Incubator kicks off next week. We’ve got a great group of gals ready to launch their ideas and I’m excited to start launching! Stay tuned for more!

[tags]Ladies Who Launch, entrepreneurship, women in business, creativity, Ladies Who Launch LIVE[/tags]

We Have Lift Off

On Wednesday, the daytime September SF Incubator celebrated their final week together. All the Incubatresses helped each other with action items and provided contacts, support and encouragement. I’ve been inspired watching how all of them have really claimed their vision for their businesses. And it’s been breathtaking to witness the milestones they’ve accomplished in just four weeks. Watch out world!

Our lovely launchers pictured above include back row from left to right: Susan Meyer, Jaime Addington, Aurora Medina, Lindsay King, Megan Moyer, Pam McLaughlin, Jennifer Lynne, Allie Covarrubias (Bay Area LWL Director). Front row from left to right: Gina Wu, Britt Michaelian.)

All this launching has me super excited about leading the Oakland Incubator in November! Happy launching!

[tags]Ladies Who Launch, Incubator, women entrepreneurs[/tags]

Let’s Do Launch!

I’m always raving to people about Ladies Who Launch. I just love the positive, creative vibe of this vibrant group of women. Last night was the Launch Party for the Silicon Valley chapter. There was a great turnout at the Bryant Street Gallery and a buzz of excitement in the air.

Allie is our fearless Bay Area leader and she has enough energy to light up San Francisco. When she asked me last month if I was interested in leading the Oakland chapter, I was certainly intrigued! I went right away to pick up the Ladies Who Launch book to refresh myself on the Incubator experience and get an even deeper look at what the organization is taking a stand for. I devoured the book in less than a day. With every page I turned I said, “Yes! This is such good stuff! I love it!” Their message of feminine leadership and intuition so resonates with my coaching and creativity work.

According to the founders’ research:

“Women want to feel fulfilled, have fun, enjoy their femininity, and not sacrifice these desires for financial success. Women are redefining the very notion of success as they incorporate many elements, not just career or family, and want to be able to celebrate their personal creativity in whatever manifestation that means… Women are natural connectors, they derive fulfillment from relationships, and use them to move forward and execute ideas…Women tend to treat creative projects and new businesses like their children: they become emotionally attached.”

Their approach to embracing the feminine gives us permission to really go for our dreams, ask for help along the way and celebrate the process!

Allie invited the four Bay Area leaders together this afternoon for our first team meeting. I’m super excited to be collaborating with these savvy, fun gals! I know I’ll learn a lot and will have a blast along the way. And I can’t wait to get started sharing with other women the magic of the Ladies Who Launch Incubator program! I’ve been saying to my husband that I’m always having to drive into the city for cool networking events. Well, as they say a complaint is usually a request in disguise, so I’m loving the opportunity to bring this nationally acclaimed way of “launching” to women in my neck of the woods.

[tags]Ladies Who Launch, Incubator, women entrepreneurs, Oakland[/tags]