TRANSKRIPTIO 🔗
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I would definitely say that I was not a big risk taker.
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You can't.
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You don't know what it's gonna feel like.
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You don't know what it's gonna look like.
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You don't know what's gonna happen, right?
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I think that in and of itself is probably a lesson around taking a leap.
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I bet on myself.
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I trusted that I could do it, and I continue to push myself even when I was in the depths of it.
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Hello, everyone, and welcome to our weekly power lounge.
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This is your place to hear authentic conversations from those who have power to share.
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My name is Amy Vaughn, and I am the owner and chief empowerment officer of Together Digital, a diverse and collaborative community of women who work in digital and choose to share their knowledge, power, and connections.
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Join the movement at Togetherindigital.com.
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And today's episode is a part of another member feature.
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In our series, we are spotlighting the voices, the stories, and the expertise that live right here inside our Together Digital community.
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And I am so excited to welcome Cassie Coles uh to the Power Lounge.
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Cassie is a fractional marketing strategist who helps organizations stand out in a sea of sameness through authentic and audience-first social media strategy.
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With nearly a decade of experience spanning content planning, audience research, campaign development, paid social, and performance measurement, Cassie knows is known for building systems that last, the frameworks, editorial calendars, reporting, and team trainings that let organizations manage social with confidence long after her engagement ends.
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But today, we're talking about something that doesn't show up on the resume.
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For Cassie, childbirth in single parenthood has fundamentally changed her relationship with risk.
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After making it through the challenges that once felt impossible, the professional risks that followed started to feel a whole lot more possible.
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It isn't a conversation about glorifying hardships.
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You don't need to have lived Cassie's story to take something away from it, though.
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It's about doing something that is incredibly hard and that can expand your belief in what you're capable of next and how confidence is often built on evidence, not just positive thinking.
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Cassie, I am so grateful that you're here today.
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Thanks for joining us.
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Yay, thank you, Amy, for having me.
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I'm really excited.
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Me too.
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Again, I think what you have come through, and again, this is the beauty of being a part of a community together, right?
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I've I have had the benefit of seeing this evolution because you've been a member for many years now.
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I've lost count.
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You've been a volunteer, you've been an active participant, an attendee.
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And so I've got to see you through, you know, by a proxy, a lot of changes.
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And I can just say that, you know, I've been so impressed and seeing like your strength and your grace through all of it, because I know it's not been easy.
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Um, and so yeah, I'm just really happy to have you here to share your story because I love that you talk so openly about what you've gone through and experienced because I know it's going to help and inspire a lot of women who are listening today.
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I appreciate that.
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Yeah, it's crazy.
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I'm actually coming up on eight years of uh membership with Together.
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That's amazing.
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Oh time flies when we're where does it go?
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I don't know.
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No, it was just the beginning of the pandemic, and I was sitting in my apartment alone, and I'm like, how do I network with people?
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And here we were.
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I was like, here we are feel school.
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Look at these strong women.
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Let's go.
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Well, and I know for a fact too, like you some of your closest friends now are people that you met through the community, like your closest friends and allies, which I love to see.
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That makes my heart very happy because it is so much more than just the career success as well.
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For sure.
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It's a special group.
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It is.
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All right.
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Well, let's start with your work.
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You help organizations stand out and the sea of sameness on social.
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What does that look like in practice for you?
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And how did you land on fractional work?
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Sure.
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So I'll start with my story of how I landed on fractional work.
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So um in my mind, I always knew that I wanted to get into the freelance world and I wanted
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to be in business for myself.
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But I think for me, I saw that as a second career.
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I was like, yeah, late 40s, early 50s, once I'm really truly established, I will make the change, right?
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Um, but after having my son, um, I realized that I was ready for something different.
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So I had helped some friends along the way just for free and helping them get their social media set up, in establishing a brand for them.
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Um, and then in 2024, I landed my first paid client.
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And what I truly loved about that was seeing the impact that I could have on small businesses.
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She's a solopreneur.
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Shout out Donna Kastner, she is an incredible woman.
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Um, and so I got a taste of success and thought, hmm, maybe I could do this sooner.
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Um, I have always been a self-starter.
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So even when I was on in-house in-house marketing teams, each role that I took within marketing was brand new to the organization, right?
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And there's a lot of opportunity to start new processes and implement new SOPs, um, that I not only saw success in doing that, but really enjoyed that part of the job.
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So I think when it came to freelance, I was like, oh, yeah, I've done this before, sure not for myself.
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Um, but I I was really excited about the opportunity to take that leap, having some confidence from those past experiences.
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And I just really enjoy when my days look different, right?
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So having a variety of tasks and different um challenges that I have to find solutions for, obviously, and having different clients and having to secure my own business now, I see plenty of challenges on a day-to-day basis.
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So, no, but that makes things a lot of fun and it keeps things fresh and exciting for me.
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So that's how I landed in freelance.
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Um, when it comes to helping my clients build out a social media strategy that really helps them stand out on social, especially when it comes to their organic strategy.
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There are a few components that I really like to consider and lean into.
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So the first is a competitive analysis.
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Do not underestimate the value of doing a competitive analysis.
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While a lot of people can name right off the bat who their competitors are, they maybe haven't dug in deeper into what they're doing on social and beyond.
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Um, so I typically have a client provide me with that top three to five competitors, and then I'll try to find a couple additional that they may not have thought of.
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Um then what I will do is I'll look at what is performing well for them.
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Um, what are the content types that they're using?
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What are some themes or topics that they're touching on?
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If they are your true competitors, the people who are following them and interacting with their content are probably the people you want to be following you and interacting with your content.
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And then what's most important about competitive analysis is looking at the gaps or opportunities.
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What are the areas that none of your competitors are playing in?
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What are the things that they're not yet talking about?
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Obviously, you want to make sure they align with your product, service, and brand, but it's important to see you don't want to create a strategy where it's like, okay, you know, this competitor is doing this, this, and this.
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We need to do that too.
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Yes, maybe you need to take a look and say, okay, I can tell that short form video is really working well, which we all know short form video is working well for everyone.
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But you know, you might see some areas that you want to test out in your own strategy, but think about what is unique about your brand and what can you bring to the table that is different.
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So that's the first thing.
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Second is gonna be building audience personas.
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A lot of clients that I've worked with, I will head into that first meeting and I ask them, you know, tell me a little bit more about who you're selling to.
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Oh, everyone, right?
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Um, if you are trying to sell and speak to everyone, no one's gonna hear you, no one's gonna see you, right?
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You need to get a little bit more specific and intentional so you can build messaging that is very unique to that specific audience.
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So audience research is really, really key to building a strong strategy and speaking to the unique challenges that those audiences are experiencing and how your service or product can help them overcome that, right?
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Um, and then finally is your people.
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So when I say your people, uh when I'm going in to build a content strategy for my clients, the first question I say, I ask is, you know, who on your team is going to be comfortable being on video?
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And there's a lot of ooze and e's and uh sometimes there are a couple of people that have already raised their hand or are
open to being on video, um, but often that is a challenge, right?
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And if people aren't willing to get on camera, uh the strategy probably isn't gonna be successful.
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So you need to establish who on your team is comfortable showing up on camera.
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Um, that can be your internal team of experts, that can maybe be some brand advocates.
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Do you have customers or clients that would be willing to get on camera and sing your praises and do content on a consistent basis?
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What about the leaders within your organization?
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If it is a no across the board, there's there's other options, right?
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There's partnering with a creator influencer that's close to that target audience or or what you're selling and uh working with them.
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Obviously, that's gonna come at a cost to you, but it's really important to figure out who is gonna be comfortable on camera.
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And then secondly, it's really important to let those people be their authentic selves on camera, right?
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I think we can all suss out um the performative nature of social media.
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Um, and people just aren't gonna connect with that.
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Let people be themselves, let them show up and and have fun with it.
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If they're the expert of your product, they know the products.
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So let them let them get on camera and talk, right?
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Um, so I would say those are the three most important.
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Um, so competitive analysis, audience personas, and utilizing your people.
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That's great.
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I love it.
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And I love the point that you made towards the beginning, too, about the fact that you recognized and realized it what you wanted to do for yourself, you had already done several times over for someone else and starting up an entire like in-house marketing agency and services.
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And for those who are listening, I would just really encourage you to reflect on that question too, for yourselves of like, what transferable skills, what things have I already done and created, what systems, what processes, what have I already built?
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Because I think that's the thing about people.
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I think they think, I mean, it it takes a certain type of person, sure, to run their own business.
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But I think more people are capable of it than they give themselves credit for because of the fear of risk, right?
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Um, and we'll get to more risk conversation here in just a second.
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Um, but also um, I was kind of, you know, thinking about you're so right, of like that trap of comparison for brands.
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It's especially, but it doesn't even matter how small or big the brand is.
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It could be a billion-dollar brand and it could be like a small startup or a small business that's like under 100,000 gross a year, and they'll be like, well, over here they're doing these things, and then they're on TikTok.
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And then it's like, but is your audience on TikTok?
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Are you apples to apples?
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Or are you not really selling the same thing?
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And so yeah, I feel like marketers have to preach that a lot of, you know, you can't be for everyone because if you try to be for everyone, you are for no one.
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Um, and then again, I loved your point too about putting your people into the content and sharing that story.
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I think the word authentic gets overused a lot in our industry.
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It gets overused and underdone.
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And in the and the consumers are smarter than ever.
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Consumers, you're right, they can see through the bullshit.
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So, like you can try to force it, but if you let people show up and be themselves in a in a way that is still vulnerable, but you know, appropriate and and relevant, yeah, you're gonna see the return on that.
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But it is a scary thing.
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So whether it's like as a person or a business, you know, uh, risk is is something that a lot of us kind of try to steer clear of.
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How would you describe your relationship with risk, both personally and professionally?
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Um, maybe before you went into um working for yourself and then after?
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Yeah, yeah, that's a great question.
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I would definitely say that I was not a big risk taker.
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I mean, I think it's so interesting when you think about risk, right?
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Because I think there's a little bit of risk in everything that we do.
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But when it comes to taking big risk, I would say no.
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I definitely steered clear of that.
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Um, you know, I've always been the type of person who is going to over-research someone.
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I'm going to ask all of my friends and peers and family members for their perspective before I make a decision, right?
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Um, so and I think that also comes from the part of me where I'm I'm somebody who has struggled with anxiety, right?
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So I think
a lot of even what some people might consider small acts can feel risky to me.
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So I'd say I I have historically kind of stayed away from risk for sure.
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I think that's so true.
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And so many people are in such a similar place.
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So thank you for being honest about it.
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Um, and I do think, you know, it's really easy for us to outsource our knowing.
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You know, I am very much a person who likes, you know, uh you're familiar with Enneagram types, right?
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Yes, yes, yes.
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Yes, okay.
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Do you know yours?
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I am a four-wing three.
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Okay, yeah, that tracks from what I know.
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That makes a lot of sense.
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And I'm a nine, so I'm like merging and harmonizing and peacekeeper.
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Yeah.
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So I gotta get everybody's input before I feel like I can move forward.
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And sometimes it buries what I want beneath all of that.
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And I do think as women, specifically and through societal conditioning, we kind of all have that tendency, right?
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We want to keep the peace, we host, we support, we nurture.
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So, like Enneagrams aside, it still becomes a thing.
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Um, and so that's one thing I'm always looking to say like, do I really want other people's input, or am I just outsourcing my knowing because I don't trust myself in the answer?
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Um, and I will say, you know, sometimes, you know, you can like microdose yourself in risk, you know, like you were saying small little things here and there, just to kind of put yourself out there.
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But then sometimes life just kind of forces that on you.
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And you said that childbirth and single parenthood has fundamentally changed that relationship that you have with risk.
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I only want you to share as much as you're comfortable with, but like what was the moment that you realized something had shifted?
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Or I mean it could obviously be an overtime thing too, but what did that look like for you?
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Yeah.
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Um yeah, I I think that having a child and going through that process just changes you.
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And when I talk to people about it, um, and I might get a little emotional.
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Um that's all right, it's allowed here.
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Thank you.
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Um, you know, and having my son Sully, who has just turned two.
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Um but you know, I felt reborn in a lot of ways.
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And well, I'll I'll start back at um, you know, being pregnant, right?
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Um your body is changing so much, you're going through so much, right?
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Um, and during that process, I knew that for me, I wanted to have an unmedicated natural birth.
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Um, and you know, I did a lot of research.
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Um, I took hypnobirthing classes, you know, I talked to friends and family members to learn more about their, you know, labor and delivery and their experience.
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Um, but it is very much a situation of you can't prepare for that experience.
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Yeah, you can't you don't know what it's gonna feel like, you don't know what it's gonna look like, you don't know what's gonna happen, right?
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I think that in and of itself is probably a lesson around taping taking a leap into the unknown, right?
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Um, you know, but I I think through that experience, I really gained a different level of confidence that I didn't have before, right?
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Um that is a very messy, gritty, visceral experience that you're going through, right?
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Um, but I powered through even in that mess, and that um that it is laborious, it's called labor for a reason, right?
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Like emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally draining.
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Like that is it's it's like nothing else, right?
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Um, but I think I I continued, I I bet on myself.
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I trusted that I could do it, and I continued to push myself even when I was in the depths of it.
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Yeah.
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Um, and I think that there is a level of confidence that that comes from that that I carry with me today.
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And it's funny because he's only two, but he it also feels like I burned this child 20 years ago, right?
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Yeah, it feels like so long ago, but I still do there are um uh moments throughout that experience that I call on when I am heading into a challenging or difficult situation today.
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I love that.
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Um, yeah, yeah.
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And so I think from that, um, you know, there was a big part of me that was like, I can pursue my dreams.
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And not only can I, but I want to because there was also a switch within me that um, you know, for the first time ever, I'm not just making these decisions or doing these things for me.
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Right.
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I'm also setting an example for this tiny human.
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Uh-huh.
00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:34.000
And I think, I think it's funny because like as I say that, I'm like, oh yeah, then, you know, then I maybe people maybe you'd want to keep it safe, safer, you know, so you could provide because you know it's it's important when you have a child, you have to think about providing for them their basic needs, you know, or cute but expensive before you're teaching them the values or or living in your values and setting an example for them, you have to take care of them, right?
00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:50.000
But I think for me, um I wanted and want Sally to see his mother as someone who is being um true to herself and what she believes in and going after what she wants.
00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:53.759
And so taking that leap, I was ready for it.
00:19:53.920 --> 00:20:03.839
I also was in a position where I wanted like the flexibility to be with him more, yeah, was more important to me.
00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:04.319
Yep.
00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:04.799
Right?
00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:13.200
I was like, this kid is going to daycare five days a week, and I want to be with him, which he goes to five, he goes to daycare full-time now.
00:20:13.359 --> 00:20:19.440
But at the time when I was making this decision, that was part of that process, was being there for him.
00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:29.920
Um and similarly, um, maybe some different realizations as becoming a single parent um and a single working mom.
00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:52.720
But um, you know, I I think when I when I think about risk and making really big, really challenging decisions, I try to sit with those uh thoughts and say, what am I losing or damaging by staying here?
00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:55.440
Yep and not taking the risk.
00:20:55.839 --> 00:20:59.599
Because I think we look at risk and we're like, oh my god, but what if it doesn't work out?
00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:02.640
But you know, what if I lose this, this, and this?
00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:05.200
It there could be loss along the way.
00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:05.680
Sure.
00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:11.039
There is loss, and in becoming a single parent, I lose time.
00:21:11.839 --> 00:21:20.559
I lose um having a partner living in the same space, being able to step in and take care of Sully.
00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:33.759
Like there are things that you lose, but I really think it's important when you're thinking about taking a big risk, is but what if I stay?
00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:40.720
And so I think that that was a really crucial part for me in that process.
00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:59.680
And I I think um, you know, one of the one of the things I've I've gained along the way is um the perspective, the understanding that, you know, everyone always says it takes a village, and you know, Lean on.
00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:01.759
Your people in your community.
00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:06.799
And it's maybe another thing that us as women struggle with is asking for help, as we all know.
00:22:07.039
--> 00:22:11.119
Um, but I've had to I've had to ask for help.
00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:14.319
I've been put in scenarios where I can't do it on my own.
00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:24.640
And so I have been able to really lean on community and see how much people want to love and support you.
00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:25.279
Yes.
00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:34.160
And it is, I'm like getting chills talking about it because I am so fortunate to have those people in my life.
00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:51.440
Um and even the people that you know you have a you have a strong connection with, maybe, and and I call on my actually my um Together Digital Peer Circle, which I've been a part of the entire time I've been uh with the network.
00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:54.799
And uh we are we meet monthly.
00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:55.519
I love it.
00:22:55.680 --> 00:23:20.240
We have makes me so always and the group of women, it is oh I mean, we talk about obviously the per professional struggles and we we help each other with the asks and gives, but the personal stories that we are open to sharing with one another and the support and the love, it's just like unmatched, right?
00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:22.799
We become true friends.
00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:31.599
And although we might not see each other out of that monthly meeting, like it is still like the bonds there are so so strong.
00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:34.480
And those women have showed up for me, right?
00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:40.079
And have supported me through so many changes and phases and stages.
00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:56.079
Um, and so yeah, I think through becoming a single parent, um understanding the true value of your village and asking for help and letting people show up for you because it feels good for them too, right?
00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:56.480
Yeah.
00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:58.240
Um I love it.
00:23:59.039 --> 00:24:00.720
Yeah, yeah, for sure.
00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:02.480
So beautiful, so beautiful.
00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:04.240
Thank you for sharing so much.
00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:12.160
And yeah, I yeah, when you talk about um childbirth, I think, you know, I think a lot of people who are listening can probably relate it.
00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:17.039
It made me laugh because like the whole idea of a birthing plan, I was like, what's the point?
00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:20.480
You know, and I think for me there was this interesting moment.
00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:21.680
I think it's so cool.
00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:25.519
Like you could probably talk to every woman and have and hear something different.
00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:27.119
But for me, it was surrender.
00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:32.000
For me, it was letting go of the outcome because, same, I chose, you know, natural.
00:24:32.079 --> 00:24:36.880
And again, there's no right or wrong, there's no judgment on how people choose to have their kids at all here.
00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:38.559
Um, but that's just what I wanted.
00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:42.400
Honestly, a needle in my back terrified me more than natural labor, personally.
00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:50.559
I well, I have deep trauma, like in in my in my subconscious, I was epileptic as uh between the ages of one and five.
00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:52.880
So I had a lot of needles in my back as a kid.
00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:56.480
So the idea of that, my body was like, hell to the no.
00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:59.039
And so yeah, and I was lucky.
00:24:59.119 --> 00:25:00.160
I got birthing hips.
00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.839
We've all had quickie births within our family.
00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:03.359
Doctors are like, that's not a thing.
00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:05.200
And I'm like, wow, wait and watch.
00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:08.400
And both of my kids under under under six hours each.
00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:10.000
My son was actually three hours.
00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:10.640
Yeah.
00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:11.759
Yeah, thankfully.
00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:14.799
And he even got stuck for like 20 minutes on my hips.
00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:16.960
So that's amazing.
00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:17.759
Good for real.
00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:22.079
Yeah, that was that was that was scary and crazy for about, you know, 20 seconds.
00:25:22.160 --> 00:25:24.640
But then yeah, I was like, I have people around that'll help me.
00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:26.480
But I think, you know, it is.
00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:34.400
There's something to all of that process, whether you're giving birth or not, just in the sense of becoming a parent as well, that like, yeah, you're responsible for an entire life.
00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:36.799
They're looking at you, they're looking to you.
00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:39.599
Um it's not even about the pressure.
00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:49.680
I think it's just about the, it's such a, it's such a shift in your your perspective on the world and the way that you see things and your priorities, like you said.
00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:51.200
And I we saw this a lot, right?
00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:53.119
During the COVID, the numbers will show it.
00:25:53.279 --> 00:26:03.200
You know, while we're all struggling to find out what to do with our kids while every school and daycare is closed down, a lot of us were like, well, wow, we can work from home and do laundry and manage our kids.
00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:05.519
It wasn't ideal, but we did it.
00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:10.799
And that now that we know this flexibility, do we want to go back to this five days a week?
00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:12.559
No, in the office, hell no.
00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:30.160
And so I think that there's just been this big, huge confluence of women specifically, but I've known some dads who have done this too, that are just demanding hybrid, demanding more flexibility or leaving and going out on their own because we know that it's plausible and that work can still get done.
00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:41.200
Um, another thing that you said that I was like, um, I'm trying to remember
exactly what it is that you said, but it was like you have to sometimes lose things, you know, or let go of certain things like to gain.
00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:46.799
And so that's what I jotted down was like sometimes you have to lose what's holding you back to gain what's meant for you.
00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:50.000
And that can be really hard, dude.
00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:53.440
I mean, that could be leaving a job that you've been out for years.
00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:57.920
It could be leaving a relationship that's double digits, and that's scary shit.
00:26:58.000 --> 00:27:02.400
But if like if you don't get that thing out of the way, you're never gonna find what's meant for you.
00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:03.440
So it's like, you're right.
00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:06.720
Is it worth sitting stuck versus taking the risk?
00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:11.359
And I think that we all reach that point sometimes where it's like it's worth the risk.
00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:18.079
Um, and it just makes me so overjoyed and happy every time I hear about a peer group that's been in existence for as long as you guys have.
00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:22.400
I think we have at least maybe six or seven that have been like solid.
00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:36.799
We've got one, one or two others that have been around for almost like a whole 10 years, which it just makes me happy because, like, again, you need these professional soulmates, women who understand that life and work are so intermeshed.
00:27:36.880 --> 00:27:42.880
You know, we try to compartmentalize, we try to, you know, keep things separate, but it all affects the other.
00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:48.079
And we need people who understand and get where we're coming from on all sides.
00:27:48.319 --> 00:27:50.000
And so I think that that's so great.
00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:53.279
And you kind of referenced our ask, give, and grow.
00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:56.240
Um, so our peer groups do like this ask and give exchange.
00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:57.680
And you you said it earlier too.
00:27:57.839 --> 00:28:00.880
Women have a hard time, you know, with asking.
00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:03.839
And not even just asking, but then receiving the help they ask for.
00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:05.839
Whew, that's almost harder.
00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:08.319
Now that I've asked for it.
00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.279
Thank you enough.
00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:11.599
Can I do 10 times or more for you now?
00:28:12.079 --> 00:28:12.799
Exactly.
00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:15.200
But I think, you know, you're right.
00:28:15.359 --> 00:28:19.200
Like it's a muscle that you grow and it gets better and stronger and easier with time.
00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:23.519
And then, like you said too, when you start to realize people genuinely want to help you, right?
00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:29.759
So I've been having a whole lot of banking issues, and I'm not even gonna get started and tell you guys because it's so messed up.
00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:33.200
But I'm
on a call and I'm so stressed out and I'm so frustrated.
00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:36.240
I'm talking to this guy at the bank and he's being so kind.
00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:38.480
And I'm clearly, he's like, How are you today?
00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:39.440
And I'm like, you know what?
00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:40.319
I'm gonna be honest.
00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:40.960
I'm not great.
00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:42.000
This is really stressing me out.
00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:44.160
He's like, okay, we're gonna get this figured out.
00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:44.720
Don't worry.
00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:46.480
And I was like, thank you.
00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:54.480
And he's a complete stranger, you know, probably sitting somewhere at home, working from home with his kids and his dogs in the back.
00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:57.200
And he's making me cry because he's like, it's okay, Amy.
00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:59.440
We're gonna get through this and we're gonna get it figured out for you.
00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:01.279
I'm like, thank you.
00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:04.000
People want to help, even strangers.
00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:05.359
Even strangers.
00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:06.000
Yeah.
00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:07.359
Oh my goodness.
00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:14.559
All right, let's talk a little bit too about how you kind of referenced um confidence coming from evidence rather than just positive thinking.
00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:18.160
What does that mean to you and why do you think so many of us get it backwards?
00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:19.920
Why do we need the evidence first?
00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:23.599
Or no, why do we need the positive thinking first versus the evidence?
00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:28.319
Well, yeah, no, I think evidence is key first.
00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:32.160
Maybe did I say positive thinking here?
00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:38.079
I'm just gonna dive into what I'm thinking here.
00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:44.160
So yeah, I think you know, positive thinking is so key.
00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:47.039
It's a huge piece of the equation.
00:29:47.359 --> 00:29:54.480
For for me personally, um it has not always been what moves the needle.
00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:55.359
Um, actually.
00:29:55.519 --> 00:30:01.839
I think, you know, often though, when we are taking risk, we are stepping into something unknown.
00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:07.680
So we maybe don't have that evidence yet of doing that specific thing.
00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:16.240
But I think much like, you know, in a resume, transferable skills, I try to think about transferable successes.
00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:24.240
So, you know, what are some sex successes that I have had overcoming something hard?
00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:38.240
Or um, you know, what is an example of a time when I have um, you know, tried something new and maybe I wasn't totally successful, but I learned something from it, right?
00:30:38.400 --> 00:30:43.279
And so I think it's really important to call on those examples.
00:30:43.599 --> 00:31:04.319
And because I do have so many badass women in my life, men too, um, but a lot of just incredibly smart, brave, um, intelligent, dynamic women, I feel that there is also an opportunity to um draw on other people's successes, right?
00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:08.480
Um if somebody else can do it, why can't I?
00:31:08.640 --> 00:31:09.119
Exactly.
00:31:09.279 --> 00:31:09.680
Right?
00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:31.519
Um, so I think that those are some key components when it comes to looking at um some evidence and and pulling from that, and then obviously continuing to um think positively um about you know, if even if this doesn't go as planned, that's what I'm gonna say.
00:31:31.599 --> 00:31:40.480
Because I think even when you it doesn't go as planned, or you some people say fail, um you're still learning.
00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:57.680
Like I've seen so many incredible quotes on Instagram where it's like if if everything you look at, you the goal is experience, love that you will be successful, right?
00:31:58.000 --> 00:32:07.599
If I'm heading into something that I've never done before, I'm not gonna say the goal is to make a million dollars, the goal is to gain experience.
00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.079
Okay.
00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:10.720
Let's go then, right?
00:32:10.799 --> 00:32:24.160
It takes a little bit of the maybe the fear out of it, maybe it can still be scary, but yeah, I think um, you know, reframing and and putting that um perspective on it can be helpful.
00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:29.680
But yeah, I think we've all done hard things, um, right?
00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:38.640
And so, or or even because hard is also a perspective, and you know, we all define hard differently.
00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:44.640
Um but we have all done things that we haven't done before.
00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:47.599
We're new, we're new at every like every experience.
00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:49.039
We had to be new at it at some point.
00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:49.759
Yep, exactly.
00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:51.759
So you have had success.
00:32:51.920 --> 00:32:53.440
Yeah, you know, that's how you have to look at it.
00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:55.039
So I think that's gonna be helpful.
00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:58.319
That's gonna be such good advice for Sully, too, as he starts to get older.
00:32:58.559 --> 00:33:01.440
My kids are nine and 12, so they're a little bit older, obviously.
00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:03.680
And I have to tell that to my son all the time.
00:33:03.839 --> 00:33:07.119
You know, it's just like, oh, I don't know how to do this, or I don't know how to do that.
00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:08.319
I'm like, of course you don't.
00:33:08.400 --> 00:33:12.480
Nobody just wakes up one morning knowing jujitsu, you gotta go and start learning, right?
00:33:12.720 --> 00:33:15.279
Or a bike or anything else for that matter.
00:33:15.440 --> 00:33:16.559
And so it is all learning.
00:33:16.640 --> 00:33:23.920
And it does again, I always get the quote in my
head from Nels Nelson Mandela that is like, I never lose, I only win, or I learn something.
00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:25.920
And I love that experience quote too.
00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:27.039
I'll be definitely using that.
00:33:27.119 --> 00:33:30.480
And I do think it's a mix of evidence-based plus positive thinking, right?
00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:34.319
Because I think, well, I know that there's negativity bias.
00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:35.680
That's a part of how we survive.
00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:45.200
That's that reptilian part of our brain that's consciously like fight, constantly fighting to say, like, here are all the risks, because we have to play it safe for survival's sake.
00:33:45.519 --> 00:33:48.960
And it's really easy for us to see the negative only.
00:33:49.279 --> 00:33:52.079
And so I do think there's a big aspect of positive thinking.
00:33:52.160 --> 00:34:01.839
And I know we're always trying to tread that line of like toxic positivity, but you can't just ignore the need to be positive about something or believe in yourself.
00:34:02.079 --> 00:34:07.359
Um, and I love how you're drawing from others' success and saying, if she can do that or he can do that, so can I.
00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:07.920
I love it.
00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:08.880
I think that's great.
00:34:09.119 --> 00:34:10.239
Yeah, yeah.
00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:11.280
All right.
00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:19.440
And that kind of gets to the next question, too, of like this quote of that you had that you shared was the do the impossible once and everything else feels easier.
00:34:19.599 --> 00:34:25.199
Can you walk us through a professional bet that you took that you didn't think you would be we have you would have taken before?
00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:27.519
Yeah, yeah, for sure.
00:34:27.760 --> 00:34:30.159
And I and I want to say this too.
00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:35.360
Um it's important to continue to do hard things, right?
00:34:35.519 --> 00:34:41.840
Um, so you know, everything might feel easier, but that doesn't mean easy, right?
00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:44.559
Um, so we need to all continue to do those hard things.
00:34:44.639 --> 00:34:54.079
But I would say that starting my own freelance business um was definitely the biggest professional bet that I took on myself.
00:34:54.320 --> 00:35:03.280
Um when I quit my full-time job at the time, and that was just a year and a half ago, which is kind of crazy to think about.
00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:06.639
I feel like I've been doing it for much longer, which I think is a good thing.
00:35:06.800 --> 00:35:09.920
I've had really great experiences with all different kinds of clients.
00:35:10.159 --> 00:35:22.800
But um, you know, at the time when I quit my full-time job, I had one freelance client, very small, small project that I was working on and getting paid monthly for.
00:35:23.039 --> 00:35:27.440
Um, you know, so I had to figure out a lot very quickly.
00:35:27.599 --> 00:35:31.760
You know, I had to think, okay, how am I gonna price my services?
00:35:32.159 --> 00:35:34.000
Which is a very stressful and scary thing.
00:35:34.079 --> 00:35:39.599
You don't want to, you know, you don't want to overprice, you don't want to underbid, you need to be paid your worth, all these things.
00:35:39.760 --> 00:35:45.440
You need to consider the fact that um I'm taking care of my own benefits, my own vacation time.
00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:48.320
You know, there's so much that you have to think about, right?
00:35:48.960 --> 00:35:53.280
Um, and then I also had to build out proposal templates.
00:35:53.440 --> 00:36:00.960
I had to write contracts, things that I had no experience with prior, right?
00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:13.119
Um, you know, and one of my least favorite no, and no, it's it's becoming a little bit more of a favorite part for me, but it is finding clients and selling.
00:36:13.679 --> 00:36:16.480
That is a unique experience.
00:36:16.639 --> 00:36:29.199
I think we're all always selling, even on internal teams, but it's different when you have to get in front of uh potential clients and get them to take the call and then sell them on your services.
00:36:29.760 --> 00:36:34.480
So, you know, I also had to manage my time differently.
00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:39.519
So there was there was a lot, there was a lot that I had to figure out.
00:36:39.760 --> 00:36:44.239
And of course, just like with anything, there have been ups and downs.
00:36:44.719 --> 00:36:54.079
Um, but I think through this experience, I've gained more confidence in my professional abilities than ever before.
00:36:54.239 --> 00:36:54.559
Yeah.
00:36:54.800 --> 00:37:03.280
Um, you know, and I've seen success in doing a lot that was once unknown to me.
00:37:03.360 --> 00:37:06.719
So it's been a really incredible journey for sure.
00:37:07.199 --> 00:37:08.159
I'm so happy for you.
00:37:08.239 --> 00:37:08.960
That's so awesome.
00:37:09.760 --> 00:37:17.280
I mean, I've jokingly and lovingly said if you ever just want to get your ass kicked and handed to you and learn everything about yourself, run a business.
00:37:18.159 --> 00:37:22.239
You because employee review time of one, right?
00:37:22.320 --> 00:37:36.320
Like 360 review, me versus me versus me versus me, and my clients and my metrics and my finances, like, you know, and it's to me in a weird way, that's okay because it's one thing that I know I have some control over.
00:37:36.559 --> 00:37:44.000
Um, and as I've grown and expand, I've been able to like bring on and hire people, and that's a whole nother set of experience that you get to kind of work through and figure out.
00:37:44.239 --> 00:37:48.639
And a lot of times it is recognizing and realizing, you know, where you kind of go wrong.
00:37:48.800 --> 00:37:57.519
Like, I will not lie, I've stepped in it several times and again had my ass handed to me, it felt like, by the business or the situation, or a decision.
00:37:57.760 --> 00:38:00.880
And, you know,
but those are the things that you grow through, right?
00:38:00.960 --> 00:38:07.440
So I'm kind of curious on that flip side, you know, was there a time when a risk maybe didn't go the way you'd planned it?
00:38:07.599 --> 00:38:08.800
And what did that teach you?
00:38:08.880 --> 00:38:10.400
What did it open up for you?
00:38:10.880 --> 00:38:12.960
Yeah, I had to think about this one a little bit.
00:38:13.119 --> 00:38:15.760
And I was this morning thinking about it.
00:38:15.840 --> 00:38:17.360
I was like, oh yeah, I remember.
00:38:17.519 --> 00:38:22.400
So, anyways, I um went to school for hospitality management, graduated from UC.
00:38:22.719 --> 00:38:33.119
During my time at UC, I had an internship at the Hilton Netherland Plaza downtown, very prestigious at the time, um, working at the front desk.
00:38:33.360 --> 00:38:36.400
And that was my full-time job throughout college.
00:38:36.719 --> 00:38:39.920
And that was a really, really hard job.
00:38:40.079 --> 00:38:40.880
We'll just say that.
00:38:40.960 --> 00:38:46.559
Um, customer service, client-facing, you work weekends, you work holidays, hotels are open all the time, right?
00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:53.119
And so when a position became available and human resources, I jumped at the opportunity.
00:38:53.280 --> 00:38:59.119
I was like, okay, entry-level position, I'll have regular Monday through Friday hours.
00:38:59.519 --> 00:39:07.119
I'm I'm really passionate about the um employment, um, you know, employee relations.
00:39:07.519 --> 00:39:15.119
And I had been, uh I'd served as the chair on like the Blue Energy Committee, which was like the volunteering committee committee.
00:39:15.199 --> 00:39:17.679
So I was like, you know, regularly pulling people together.
00:39:17.760 --> 00:39:19.119
So it's like, this is awesome.
00:39:19.360 --> 00:39:20.480
So I applied.
00:39:20.719 --> 00:39:27.039
And then my best friend, roommate, and co-worker also applied, and she got the job over me.
00:39:27.280 --> 00:39:32.960
And that is a very painful situation for uh two young women, you know.
00:39:33.119 --> 00:39:38.239
It's funny because I hope this opens the conversation for us to have a little combo about it again.
00:39:38.960 --> 00:39:44.079
I'm sure for her, she was excited, but also like, oh, I can't celebrate too loud.
00:39:44.320 --> 00:39:44.639
Right.
00:39:45.039 --> 00:39:47.599
That was that was really painful.
00:39:48.000 --> 00:39:50.719
That was ooh, brutal, right?
00:39:50.880 --> 00:39:51.280
Yeah.
00:39:51.519 --> 00:39:53.840
But what it did is it redirected me.
00:39:54.079 --> 00:40:02.159
I got an opportunity in more of a leadership role at a different hotel, and I gained a ton of experience there.
00:40:02.400 --> 00:40:08.480
I met a lot of people, um, and it ultimately led me to where I am today.
00:40:08.639 --> 00:40:09.519
Nice, right?
00:40:09.679 --> 00:40:16.159
Um, so yeah, it was definitely um an experience, right?
00:40:16.320 --> 00:40:24.880
It was uh, it was you know something that I was super hopeful and excited about that didn't work out, yeah.
00:40:25.039 --> 00:40:28.320
Um, but ultimately for the builder.
00:40:28.719 --> 00:40:30.079
Led to the right thing, yeah.
00:40:30.320 --> 00:40:31.119
That's right, that's right.
00:40:31.280 --> 00:40:39.039
And it's funny how we say that oftentimes in relationships, but not really for professional or career that like rejection is redirection, right?
00:40:39.360 --> 00:40:42.880
And like where it leads you, it's opening up another door.
00:40:43.039 --> 00:40:45.840
And so I think that applies to both instances.
00:40:46.159 --> 00:40:46.639
All right.
00:40:46.880 --> 00:40:48.719
What is the difference to you?
00:40:48.800 --> 00:40:50.159
Oh, wait, actually.
00:40:50.880 --> 00:40:53.039
I'm kind of curious on that note.
00:40:53.280 --> 00:40:58.559
How has that shift of, you know, again, rejection sometimes means redirection?
00:40:58.719 --> 00:41:01.039
How has that actually showed up in like maybe your marketing work?
00:41:01.119 --> 00:41:03.599
Has it changed the kind of recommendations you make?
00:41:03.760 --> 00:41:08.239
Um, how do you push your clients towards something that feels maybe less safe?
00:41:08.320 --> 00:41:13.519
Like kind of all of these kind of stories and experiences and platitudes kind of combined.
00:41:13.599 --> 00:41:16.480
How has that helped you with that that part of the work you're doing?
00:41:16.800 --> 00:41:17.920
Yeah, for sure.
00:41:18.159 --> 00:41:29.519
Um as far as well, social media and just any marketing role that I've served in, um, I've kind of always been about pushing boundaries.
00:41:29.920 --> 00:41:31.519
And I think it's really important.
00:41:31.840 --> 00:41:37.199
And social media in particular is really a place where you can test and play and see what works.
00:41:37.519 --> 00:41:40.960
And I think some organizations are still very afraid of that, right?
00:41:41.440 --> 00:41:49.440
Um, but you have to take some bold steps and you have to be courageous.
00:41:49.599 --> 00:42:02.159
Um, because as I mentioned earlier in our conversation, people can feel if it's like forced or faked or doesn't align with the brand.
00:42:02.239 --> 00:42:09.280
So I think it's really important to just have fun and be creative and say the thing.
00:42:09.519 --> 00:42:22.239
Um and what's really great is when I do have a client that is open to having fun and playing a little because the data then shows that it performs better, right?
00:42:22.480 --> 00:42:37.039
Um, you know, if your team gets together the morning after the Super Bowl and they make a meme with a Super Bowl commercial, you know, a still of a Super Bowl commercial, and it pops off, you know, it took 10 minutes, there wasn't a bunch of red tape.
00:42:37.119 --> 00:42:43.199
We didn't, we weren't thinking, you know, crazy about it and running it through multiple rounds of reviews.
00:42:43.519 -->
00:42:51.119
Um, so I think it is it's super helpful when a client is open and then you can say you can show numbers don't lie, right?
00:42:51.199 --> 00:42:52.880
Especially when it comes to organic strategy.
00:42:52.960 --> 00:42:57.440
And a lot of the work that I do is organic top-of-the-funnel activity, right?
00:42:57.679 --> 00:43:05.599
So that is gonna be the, you know, impressions, reach, um, engagement that you're seeing right there on social.
00:43:06.079 --> 00:43:07.199
Yeah, to help break through.
00:43:07.360 --> 00:43:08.400
I think that's super wise.
00:43:08.480 --> 00:43:11.519
Having worked for some of the clients I've worked for in the past too, I totally get that.
00:43:11.599 --> 00:43:13.039
They're very risk adverse.
00:43:13.199 --> 00:43:21.840
Um, just because just historically speaking, red tape, bureaucracy speaking, legal, the legal department, probably folks.
00:43:22.480 --> 00:43:23.760
Um, but you're right.
00:43:23.840 --> 00:43:25.440
That I I used to pitch it a lot.
00:43:25.519 --> 00:43:26.480
It's a test and learn.
00:43:26.639 --> 00:43:28.400
We're just gonna do a little test over here.
00:43:28.480 --> 00:43:31.119
It's gonna be small, but you're gonna see impact.
00:43:31.199 --> 00:43:37.119
And then I'm gonna show you with the numbers that this worked, and then you're gonna give me more money, and we're gonna do it bigger and better, even more so next time.
00:43:37.280 --> 00:43:41.119
So I think that's a great, great strategy of kind of helping push those boundaries.
00:43:41.199 --> 00:43:44.880
But then also like always setting that standard of like, I'm somebody that's here to push you.
00:43:45.039 --> 00:43:51.760
I think oftentimes whether it's agency or working for ourselves, I think we forget we work for the agency or ourselves.
00:43:51.840 --> 00:43:55.840
Like we are there to serve the clients, but we're there to serve our expertise and our knowledge.
00:43:56.079 --> 00:43:59.599
And this was always a challenge where it was like, if you're trying to push, sometimes.
00:44:00.000 --> 00:44:04.559
I think, especially when we're dealing no offense account friends, they're there to be the middleman.
00:44:04.639 --> 00:44:10.079
And I know it sucks or middle woman, but you know, I think you have to bring stuff that pushes.
00:44:10.239 --> 00:44:11.920
Otherwise, like, what are they paying you for?
00:44:12.079 --> 00:44:15.360
They could just do the work in-house and make it mediocre, you know?
00:44:15.679 --> 00:44:18.000
That's my own little soapbox for the day on that.
00:44:18.239 --> 00:44:19.440
Next question.
00:44:21.679 --> 00:44:28.159
So on that note, I think, you know, to me, there is a fine line, right, between intentional risks and just kind of being reckless, right?
00:44:28.239 --> 00:44:35.440
Because there are people out there in business, in marketing, and advertising who will just do it to do it, and brands, even as well.
00:44:35.760 --> 00:44:39.760
Um, let's see,
one that comes to mind, uh, was it what's their name?
00:44:39.920 --> 00:44:40.480
Good golf.
00:44:40.559 --> 00:44:43.360
Is that the name of the people that just did that social media ad?
00:44:43.440 --> 00:44:44.239
Did you see that?
00:44:44.559 --> 00:44:44.880
Oh.
00:44:45.119 --> 00:44:46.559
We have yet to talk about this on the show.
00:44:46.639 --> 00:44:47.840
So I'm gonna bring this up.
00:44:47.920 --> 00:44:51.280
I'm I can't remember what the name of the company is now because I'm so mad at them.
00:44:51.440 --> 00:44:56.000
So literally, it's a couple of guys who have a golf company, and they you have to look this up.
00:44:56.079 --> 00:45:07.280
They created a social media ad where a woman has a driver in her hand, and one of the owners walks up and pushes her flat on her back, and he's like, never touch my drivers.
00:45:08.880 --> 00:45:13.679
And we're like, how and why did this get approved?
00:45:13.840 --> 00:45:18.480
And it was in partnership with um, I'm not into golf cycles.
00:45:18.719 --> 00:45:19.360
Sorry, guys.
00:45:19.519 --> 00:45:23.679
It was with some big other golf company that have now like severed the relationship.
00:45:23.840 --> 00:45:25.199
Sorry, I'm butchering the whole story.
00:45:25.280 --> 00:45:33.199
I know everybody listening is like, come on, good or bright Amy, but nonetheless, you get thank you, good, good golf and cowway.
00:45:33.440 --> 00:45:34.000
Thank you, Matt.
00:45:36.960 --> 00:45:38.320
Very big brands.
00:45:38.480 --> 00:45:40.480
Um, but just the audacity.
00:45:40.559 --> 00:45:47.039
And then even just the woman that was in the video being like, You thought this was okay, check like lady, come on, what's up, girl?
00:45:47.199 --> 00:45:48.239
Like, wake up.
00:45:48.480 --> 00:45:51.280
Uh that was a risky move, and it did not pay off.
00:45:51.440 --> 00:45:52.960
To me, that was reckless.
00:45:53.119 --> 00:45:54.320
That wasn't intentional.
00:45:54.480 --> 00:45:56.559
And if it was, they're dumb.
00:45:56.639 --> 00:45:58.239
They need to hire a new strategy team.
00:45:58.400 --> 00:46:07.119
Uh, so all that aside, how do you decide which bets are worth making, especially when you're the one now responsible for paying the bills, Miss Single Mama?
00:46:08.480 --> 00:46:10.639
Yeah, no, that's a really good question.
00:46:10.880 --> 00:46:34.079
Uh, I mean, I think the example that you gave, very extreme, but you need to before I mean, before taking something like that live, you need to ask different audiences, like different people, if if it's peers, if it's mentors, if it's and a diverse group of people too, to understand like who could this potentially offend.
00:46:34.320 --> 00:46:34.639
Yeah.
00:46:34.960 --> 00:46:41.920
And I don't know, I have a hard time with something like that not thinking that they knew, right?
00:46:42.000 --> 00:46:45.119
Like, yeah, are you that saying about press?
00:46:45.440 --> 00:46:48.880
Yeah, the saying about like um all press is press, right?
00:46:49.039 --> 00:46:50.800
Like, even the all press is good press.
00:46:51.199 --> 00:46:52.559
All press is good press, right?
00:46:52.639 --> 00:46:52.800
Yeah.
00:46:52.880 --> 00:46:58.079
So like I don't know, that feels very blatant to me and like a little bit scary.
00:46:59.039 --> 00:47:00.960
I would think Callaway would have known better.
00:47:01.199 --> 00:47:03.760
Yeah, you would think, you would think they're a very big brand.
00:47:03.920 --> 00:47:06.559
Like that's a pretty big risk on their part.
00:47:06.639 --> 00:47:08.159
So yeah, for sure.
00:47:08.320 --> 00:47:12.960
But I I think that there does need to be some process of approval when it comes to stuff like that.
00:47:13.280 --> 00:47:23.039
Um, I think personally, like I've been fortunate enough to not fail to the point of you know being stressed out about financial stability, etc.
00:47:23.599 --> 00:47:35.199
Um, but I think some of the things that you can do to kind of um, you know, mitigate that or or to just get better at taking risks.
00:47:35.360 --> 00:47:41.360
Um, first of all, and this is something that we kind of touched on earlier in the conversation, but it's practicing taking risks, right?
00:47:41.519 --> 00:47:41.760
Yep.
00:47:42.000 --> 00:47:44.480
Um, and that can that can start really, really small.
00:47:44.719 --> 00:47:47.599
And for everyone, that's gonna feel differently, right?
00:47:48.000 --> 00:47:53.039
Um for someone, it might be sharing an idea in a room full of leaders.
00:47:53.360 --> 00:47:56.639
For me, I tend to be pretty direct in my professional life.
00:47:56.800 --> 00:48:00.559
That wouldn't feel super big, but for other people, that might be uncomfortable.
00:48:00.880 --> 00:48:06.239
Huge being vulnerable and saying, okay, I'm gonna, I'm gonna raise my hand in a meeting and speak up, right?
00:48:06.480 --> 00:48:10.000
Maybe it's asking someone out that you think is cute at a coffee shop.
00:48:10.159 --> 00:48:10.480
Okay.
00:48:11.039 --> 00:48:17.119
Um, you know, it could be approaching one new person at a networking event, whatever that is.
00:48:17.280 --> 00:48:23.199
Yeah, um, do it and make it a part of your weekly practice.
00:48:23.360 --> 00:48:23.599
Yeah.
00:48:23.760 --> 00:48:28.000
There's an Instagram, I won't say it because there's an expletive in it.
00:48:29.440 --> 00:48:32.400
But on Fridays, it's it's eff it Fridays.
00:48:32.480 --> 00:48:42.239
On Fridays, I love that the girl, the girl literally, and I I will admit I haven't been doing it every week, but I had it in my calendar at 10 a.m.
00:48:42.400 --> 00:48:46.400
on Fridays to do something that scares me, to do something.
00:48:46.960 --> 00:48:47.760
Like, you know what?
00:48:47.840 --> 00:48:49.280
I'm just gonna do the thing.
00:48:49.440 --> 00:48:49.840
Yeah.
00:48:50.079 --> 00:48:52.800
So make it a part of your practice because otherwise you won't.
00:48:52.880 --> 00:48:53.440
Because guess
what?
00:48:53.519 --> 00:48:55.119
As human beings, we like being comfortable.
00:48:55.199 --> 00:48:57.199
We don't like being challenged, we don't like being scared.
00:48:57.360 --> 00:48:59.679
So make sure you work it into your practice.
00:48:59.760 --> 00:49:02.719
And then when you're ready, I would say take a medium-sized risk.
00:49:02.880 --> 00:49:03.119
Yeah.
00:49:03.199 --> 00:49:05.440
Um, something that's really gonna move the needle.
00:49:05.679 --> 00:49:09.840
I think we do reach a point in our lives sometimes where we're like, I just need to take this risk.
00:49:10.000 --> 00:49:13.840
And you just rip the band-aid off because you are not happy where you're at.
00:49:14.159 --> 00:49:16.239
But if you can plan for it, that's even better.
00:49:16.400 --> 00:49:18.320
So let's take a medium-sized risk.
00:49:18.480 --> 00:49:22.559
Um, I think doing a little bit of research beforehand is important.
00:49:22.719 --> 00:49:22.880
Sure.
00:49:23.119 --> 00:49:30.079
Don't start a business where you have no idea if the target audience is in the location of the building you want to buy.
00:49:30.239 --> 00:49:30.400
Yep.
00:49:30.639 --> 00:49:32.239
That is irresponsible, right?
00:49:33.119 --> 00:49:34.880
So some research is critical.
00:49:35.039 --> 00:49:40.719
Um, and then one of the actually, this comes from a girl from my peer circle.
00:49:40.960 --> 00:49:51.199
She um said that her parents always told her that she needed this is this is a lot, but seven sources of income from seven different places.
00:49:51.599 --> 00:49:52.000
I know.
00:49:52.079 --> 00:50:00.960
And when she rattled off all the things, she had like six or seven, and we're all just like, oh hi, you are the most impressive woman.
00:50:01.199 --> 00:50:01.440
Right.
00:50:01.599 --> 00:50:08.400
Anyways, but there is something to be said about diversifying your income or your business.
00:50:08.800 --> 00:50:12.960
So it puts you in a position where if you're gonna take a risk, you still have something coming in.
00:50:13.360 --> 00:50:13.920
Head your bets.
00:50:14.400 --> 00:50:14.559
Yep.
00:50:14.800 --> 00:50:15.440
Head your bets.
00:50:15.679 --> 00:50:16.000
Exactly.
00:50:16.159 --> 00:50:20.960
So those are some of the things that I think are important to think about um before taking a big risk.
00:50:21.199 --> 00:50:21.679
Mm-hmm.
00:50:21.920 --> 00:50:22.480
I love that.
00:50:22.559 --> 00:50:26.639
There's um, if you guys haven't listened to much of his stuff, I've I've talked about him before on here.
00:50:26.719 --> 00:50:32.960
And I know it's ebbed and flowed everybody's appreciation for for him and the things he says, because everybody gets heavily scrutinized.
00:50:33.039 --> 00:50:39.599
But Adam Grant, who's an organizational psychologist, speaker, writer, um, there is a book, Originals, I think it was.
00:50:39.679 --> 00:50:44.960
And he talks about the time he stepped in it with uh Warby Parker, um, the glasses company.
00:50:45.119 --> 00:50:48.480
He had them at Wharton and they asked him to be an initial investor.
00:50:48.559 --> 00:50:56.480
And he said no, because they refused to drop out of college and leave their jobs and go all in on this idea.
00:50:56.639 --> 00:51:02.079
And he's like, Well, if you're not gonna completely invest yourself, then I'm gonna stay, I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna take the risk.
00:51:02.239 --> 00:51:08.639
But what he didn't see was they were hedging their bets, that they were playing it, they were taking a risk, but also while still playing it smart.
00:51:08.800 --> 00:51:12.960
And so risk doesn't mean you have to be ignorant, dumb, and just be like caution to the wind.
00:51:13.119 --> 00:51:16.559
You can take risks and do it in a way that is thoughtful and intentional.
00:51:16.719 --> 00:51:20.480
And now he's kicking himself because we all know Werby Parker now, right?
00:51:20.559 --> 00:51:24.639
And they definitely hit it big pre-pandemic, and he lost out on some money there.
00:51:24.719 --> 00:51:30.320
So and I love that he was willing to be open and honest and talk about that because they taught him an important lesson.
00:51:30.559 --> 00:51:33.920
All right, I'm gonna skip down to the last question and then we're gonna go to our power round.
00:51:34.000 --> 00:51:39.199
I also want to give a chance to any of our live listening audience to chime in and drop into the chat.
00:51:39.280 --> 00:51:41.679
I've been so engaged in talking and listening to you, Cassie.
00:51:41.760 --> 00:51:44.239
I totally was like, wait, the chat, I haven't looked.
00:51:44.320 --> 00:51:45.679
I don't see any questions right now.
00:51:45.840 --> 00:51:52.480
But if you have questions, friends, that's why we want you here with us live as well to be able to listen, get what you need from our guests.
00:51:52.559 --> 00:51:54.800
So if you've got a question, drop it in the chat.
00:51:54.880 --> 00:51:58.880
Um, otherwise, I'm gonna ask you this and then we'll go into the power round.
00:51:59.119 --> 00:52:10.800
So, looking ahead, what's the next big bet that you're making on yourself that you would want to tell a together or soon-to-be together digital member who's sitting on a risk and they might be afraid to take?
00:52:12.000 --> 00:52:17.199
Yeah, it's funny you mentioned this because I just met with my mentor this week.
00:52:17.360 --> 00:52:19.760
Was it two days ago on Wednesday, Lucretia?
00:52:19.920 --> 00:52:20.880
We all love Lucretia.
00:52:21.280 --> 00:52:21.519
We do.
00:52:21.679 --> 00:52:24.719
Yeah, so we met for coffee and I was actually sharing.
00:52:24.800 --> 00:52:41.280
I'm not ready to publicly share this big bet or this big business idea that I have, but I'm definitely brewing something up right now that's a little outside of my current uh profession and what I do.
00:52:41.679 --> 00:52:45.119
Um, but it's something that is um multi-generational.
00:52:45.280 --> 00:52:46.000
We'll say
that.
00:52:46.400 --> 00:52:52.159
And I will say this for the entire group, anybody who's listening or anybody who wants to share.
00:52:52.320 --> 00:53:00.960
If you have any information on um how or if you can purchase an old Trisha's building, let me know.
00:53:01.360 --> 00:53:04.960
Oh Cincinnati friends.
00:53:05.039 --> 00:53:07.280
Oh my gosh, we're all like leaning in right now.
00:53:07.440 --> 00:53:09.360
Everybody else is like, what are you talking about?
00:53:09.760 --> 00:53:12.079
Specifically the one in Fairfax, perfectly.
00:53:12.320 --> 00:53:13.440
Oh my gosh, right?
00:53:13.760 --> 00:53:14.079
I know.
00:53:14.320 --> 00:53:15.440
Close to the best one.
00:53:15.519 --> 00:53:16.400
It's the OG, right?
00:53:16.480 --> 00:53:16.800
Isn't it?
00:53:17.039 --> 00:53:19.840
It is, yeah, with the big main assignment right there.
00:53:20.000 --> 00:53:30.400
But yeah, definitely um so excited about that and really thinking that through and actually talking to people about it, because that is what I'll say.
00:53:30.559 --> 00:53:40.719
Um, if you are a together digital member and you have a risk you've been sitting on or afraid, um, first of all, I think it's really important to get super specific about what that idea is.
00:53:41.280 --> 00:53:44.239
Um and then from there, say it out loud.
00:53:44.480 --> 00:53:48.000
Not just writing it down in your journal, but say it to other people.
00:53:48.320 --> 00:53:53.119
Talk to other members, talk to peers, talk to strangers, talk to family members.
00:53:53.440 --> 00:53:59.360
Um, you know, people, if people are like, wow, cool idea, then what's the next step?
00:53:59.440 --> 00:54:00.800
Let's take it to the next step.
00:54:00.960 --> 00:54:08.320
And then if it's like, you know, you kind of get some responses and you want to go back to the drawing board, do that, but don't be afraid.
00:54:08.480 --> 00:54:12.000
I just think that life is way too short.
00:54:12.159 --> 00:54:17.440
I mean, I know we're all talking about the you know, potential demise of the world because of AI.
00:54:17.599 --> 00:54:27.840
Um, and I was actually with some friends the other day, and um they were going to look at a house and they're like, well, if the world's gonna end in 10 years, anyways.
00:54:27.920 --> 00:54:31.920
And I was like, why don't we just live that way, anyways?
00:54:32.400 --> 00:54:36.079
I think that like no day, no day is promised.
00:54:36.239 --> 00:54:37.119
No day is promised.
00:54:37.360 --> 00:54:37.840
That's so true.
00:54:38.079 --> 00:54:44.400
So if you want the house, if you want to, if you're passionate about an idea and you've been thoughtful of it, you've shared it with people, do it.
00:54:44.559 --> 00:54:45.519
Just do it.
00:54:45.920 --> 00:54:46.719
That's it.
00:54:46.960 --> 00:54:47.599
I love it.
00:54:47.760 --> 00:54:49.199
Ah, so inspiring.
00:54:49.440 --> 00:54:50.239
Thanks, Cathy.
00:54:50.480 --> 00:54:51.920
Oh my gosh, this has
been so good.
00:54:52.079 --> 00:54:56.880
And actually, I'm dropping that into just so you know, I'm tagging you and I'm dropping you into the members only Slack.
00:54:56.960 --> 00:55:01.760
I want to ask them that question like, what is a risk that you are sitting on that you could use help with?
00:55:02.000 --> 00:55:10.079
We have our asks channel, but I think sometimes getting prompted is a great way to kind of get people encouraged to do it, which is, you know, why we've got you here today, too.
00:55:10.159 --> 00:55:14.079
Because I was like, Cassie, get over here and record this with me.
00:55:14.400 --> 00:55:15.199
Awesome.
00:55:15.440 --> 00:55:15.760
All right.
00:55:15.920 --> 00:55:18.239
Well, I don't see any questions in our chat for now.
00:55:18.480 --> 00:55:20.480
Members, you know where you can find her, you know.
00:55:20.559 --> 00:55:24.159
Um, and if you're in Cincinnati also, too, you know where you can find her.
00:55:24.400 --> 00:55:25.280
Um, all right.
00:55:25.519 --> 00:55:29.679
What is the biggest risk you ever taken that nobody else knew about?
00:55:31.599 --> 00:55:33.440
I that's a hard one.
00:55:33.599 --> 00:55:38.639
I am kind of like an open book, so I don't I don't I don't know that I have one.
00:55:39.119 --> 00:55:39.679
That's fair.
00:55:39.840 --> 00:55:40.559
I'm the same way.
00:55:40.639 --> 00:55:42.159
I'm always like, and it's funny, I was.
00:55:42.639 --> 00:55:43.760
I share all my experience.
00:55:43.920 --> 00:55:45.039
I'm like maybe two open.
00:55:45.119 --> 00:55:45.519
I don't know.
00:55:45.679 --> 00:55:46.320
But yeah, I can't.
00:55:46.719 --> 00:55:47.199
Same girl.
00:55:47.280 --> 00:55:47.760
It's okay.
00:55:47.840 --> 00:55:50.320
Uh you know, nobody's told us to stop.
00:55:50.400 --> 00:55:51.760
And if they wanted to, they could.
00:55:51.920 --> 00:56:02.480
And I because I think it it doesn't just serve us, it serves them, I think, you know, because it opens up that door for vulnerability, opportunity, collaboration, which is what we all want and need, right?
00:56:02.559 --> 00:56:07.840
Because it ultimately leads to belonging, which is just that most basic human need outside of food and water.
00:56:08.159 --> 00:56:26.320
Um, but yeah, like I I do think that there's um a lot to be said on, and I love that you're continuing to lean on like look folks like Lakretia, who's also been a part of our community for 10 years, like to know that you're still leveraging the group in the community with even like new ideas just makes me so freaking happy.
00:56:26.559 --> 00:56:28.079
Um, and yeah, don't feel bad.
00:56:28.159 --> 00:56:31.679
I think we talk about putting things out into the universe, but I think it's more than that.
00:56:31.840 --> 00:56:34.719
It's because we think it's just going into the abyss.
00:56:34.800 --> 00:56:35.199
It's not.
00:56:35.360 --> 00:56:36.880
People are listening and people want the help.
00:56:37.039 --> 00:56:41.039
So when
you do put that out there, yeah, you're gonna get what you put out into the world.
00:56:41.119 --> 00:56:43.199
You keep it to yourself, it's not gonna go anywhere.
00:56:43.679 --> 00:56:44.159
That's right.
00:56:44.480 --> 00:56:46.960
All right, finish this the sentence for me.
00:56:47.039 --> 00:56:58.559
The scariest part of a big bet is I would say the potential for damaging loss.
00:56:58.880 --> 00:56:59.360
Mm-hmm.
00:56:59.679 --> 00:57:00.000
Yeah.
00:57:00.400 --> 00:57:01.280
Yeah, right.
00:57:01.360 --> 00:57:18.079
And I know we talked, I know it's uh maybe a little contradicting to what I've said earlier because you know, we can I think we can gain something from every experience, but you know, I haven't been in a position where I've you know experienced damn damaging financial loss.
00:57:18.239 --> 00:57:19.039
What would that look like?
00:57:19.119 --> 00:57:19.760
That's scary.
00:57:19.840 --> 00:57:23.360
That's scary to think about when you're taking a big risk.
00:57:23.519 --> 00:57:28.239
Even if you've planned everything out and you've thought of everything, there's still potential for that.
00:57:28.320 --> 00:57:30.480
So yeah, I think that's definitely the scariest part.
00:57:30.800 --> 00:57:31.199
Absolutely.
00:57:31.280 --> 00:57:31.840
That's fair.
00:57:32.239 --> 00:57:35.280
Your go-to reminder when imposter syndrome shows up.
00:57:37.280 --> 00:57:41.119
I like to remind myself that no one really knows what they're doing.
00:57:41.360 --> 00:57:41.840
I don't know.
00:57:42.480 --> 00:57:43.920
We're all making it up as we go along.
00:57:44.079 --> 00:57:49.280
We're all making it up, we're all faking it, make it till you make it, is what my mom was gonna say.
00:57:49.440 --> 00:57:55.039
No, but I I think um I I will also say this though.
00:57:55.280 --> 00:58:05.440
I try to remind myself of meetings that I've been in with leaders who are very experienced in their career but know nothing about social media.
00:58:06.000 --> 00:58:22.400
I'm the expert in the room, and I so I call on those experiences, and I'm like, I I think it I think when we are so deep into our careers, we are so knowledgeable and we have these years of experience, we forget that like, yes, it feels like second nature to me.
00:58:22.559 --> 00:58:24.559
It's not second nature to everyone else.
00:58:24.880 --> 00:58:27.039
So I think that's really important to think about too.
00:58:27.519 --> 00:58:38.719
I was gonna say, I think we're just really good at um talking ourselves out of things, doubting ourselves, questioning ourselves, and not really giving ourselves the grace that we necessarily show others.
00:58:38.960 --> 00:58:41.039
Um especially grace, right?
00:58:41.119 --> 00:58:45.920
And so when it comes to imposter syndrome, like again, I a lot of these lessons keep popping up for my kids.
00:58:46.159 --> 00:58:52.239
My son was like upset because he just learned how to ride a bike and not entirely his fault.
00:58:52.320 --> 00:58:57.679
It was more of like a timing and life and you know, heat outside issue, you know, kind of a thing.
00:58:57.760 --> 00:59:00.320
And so we're there, we're there now, but he's still a little bit wobbly.
00:59:00.400 --> 00:59:06.079
And we were riding bikes to school yesterday, and he kind of ran into the bushes, and I couldn't help but laugh.
00:59:06.159 --> 00:59:07.920
He ran into the bushes and he was okay.
00:59:08.000 --> 00:59:12.239
Like I made sure he was okay, and then I chuckled, and he's like, Oh, mom, I'm so embarrassed.
00:59:12.400 --> 00:59:13.199
All these people saw me.
00:59:13.280 --> 00:59:15.440
And I'm like, honey, no, nobody saw you.
00:59:15.599 --> 00:59:16.400
Like, that's the thing.
00:59:16.480 --> 00:59:21.360
We all think everybody's paying attention, but no, everybody's living in their own little world and their own little heads.
00:59:21.679 --> 00:59:26.639
They are not paying attention, and your mistakes don't matter half as much to them as they do to you.
00:59:26.800 --> 00:59:30.239
And if it does matter that much to them, who needs them?
00:59:30.960 --> 00:59:31.840
Who cares?
00:59:32.000 --> 00:59:33.920
Like, that's their responsibility, then.
00:59:34.079 --> 00:59:35.039
Like, who cares?
00:59:35.199 --> 00:59:37.119
I know, you're right, but why can't we?
00:59:37.199 --> 00:59:45.280
We we we laugh about that, but we still, to an extent, you know, at least for me, I still to an extent, it's still a hard thing.
00:59:45.519 --> 00:59:46.880
Yeah, yeah, it's a hard thing.
00:59:46.960 --> 00:59:55.360
So I'm like, buddy, we just gotta learn to laugh at ourselves, not take it too seriously, and dance like nobody's watching and fall like nobody's watching.
00:59:55.679 --> 00:59:56.239
That's right.
00:59:56.320 --> 00:59:56.800
That's right.
00:59:57.119 --> 00:59:59.599
And fail and mess up like nobody's watching.
00:59:59.840 --> 01:00:01.760
Because probably nobody really is.
01:00:02.480 --> 01:00:03.920
Um, all right, Cassie.
01:00:04.000 --> 01:00:05.679
Well, we are at the hour that flew by.
01:00:05.840 --> 01:00:15.599
Thank you so much for all of your honesty and your candor and your vulnerability and sharing your story and reminding us often that we are more, far more capable than we give ourselves credit for.
01:00:15.679 --> 01:00:20.559
So whether you're starting, stuck, stalled, or spinning or soaring, how's that for all the alliteration in the world?
01:00:21.199 --> 01:00:26.719
Today's conversation gives you a little bit more evidence to bet on yourself to connect with Cassie and learn more about her.
01:00:26.880 --> 01:00:29.599
Fractional social media strategy work, you can find her on LinkedIn.
01:00:29.840 --> 01:00:31.119
Members, you can connect with her.
01:00:31.199 --> 01:00:33.920
We have a lot of members who are doing work together, partnering up.
01:00:34.000 --> 01:00:38.239
So if you've got, you know, a client that's asking you for this and you're like, this isn't my lane, Cassie's your gal.
01:00:38.400 --> 01:00:39.360
So reach out to her.
01:00:39.519 --> 01:00:47.199
And if you'd like to be a part of our community where women in digital share their knowledge, power, and connections, uh, maybe even be featured here on the podcast with us.
01:00:47.360 --> 01:00:53.039
You can join the movement and this amazing, beautiful, wonderful community that we have all come to love and appreciate so much.
01:00:53.199 --> 01:00:56.239
Togetherandigital.com is the website again.
01:00:56.480 --> 01:00:58.239
But yeah, we love it.
01:00:58.400 --> 01:01:00.559
We are so glad for you all to be here with us today.
01:01:00.639 --> 01:01:02.079
And most of all, Cassie, to you.
01:01:02.239 --> 01:01:05.280
Thank you so much for being a part of this community and sharing your story.
01:01:05.360 --> 01:01:06.400
I really appreciate it.
01:01:06.719 --> 01:01:07.679
Thanks, Amy.
01:01:07.760 --> 01:01:08.480
Thank you, everyone.
01:01:08.880 --> 01:01:10.320
All right, everyone, till then.
01:01:10.400 --> 01:01:11.760
We hope to see you next week.
01:01:11.920 --> 01:01:14.559
Keep asking, keep giving, and keep growing.