Pretty Damn Ambitious?

Unrelatable? I bake. I make candles. I dehydrate fruit. I make charcuterie boards. Every summer, I make sun tea. I grow hibiscus and succulents. I make quiche, kimchi, pickles, relishes, and preserves. I own several Le Creusets (had them for decades). Whenever I can make food look elevated, I take the time to do it. I host dinner parties with hand-pressed napkins, handwritten place cards, and carefully chosen gifts for my guests. My husband grows a beautiful vegetable garden that feeds us nearly year-round, and I love preparing dishes from it. ??????????????????????, ?? ??????, ???? ????????? Somewhere along the way, we started measuring Success by someone else's ruler. We let strangers on the internet tell us what is or isn't acceptable in our own lives. Uhh, hmmm. No, thank you. I will live by my standards with all the things that bring joy to my family and me. But here's what I know for sure: ???????????????? ??????'?? ???????? ?????? ?????? ?????????????????? ???????? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ?????????????? ?????? ????????????????. I approach my personal life with the same excellence and care as my businesses. My talent, effort, and best are not reserved for just one domain. ?????????????? ????????'?? ?????? ?????????? ???? ?????????????? ???? ???????????????? ???? ?????? ???????? ?????????? ???? ????????? ? Success ≠ Hustle at all costs. ? Success = A life rich in business AND personal fulfillment. Women have always been the architects of abundant, multi-faceted lives. ?????? ???????????? ???? ?????????? ???????????????? ???? ???????? ?????? ??????????? And speaking of women redefining Success, congratulations to the Duchess of Sussex on her incredible show and a well-earned second season. Like Meghan, I refuse to be put in a single box. Success isn't one-dimensional, and neither are we. How do you bring the same ambition and excellence to your personal life as you do in business? I'd love to hear. #JoyfulAmbition #RedefiningSuccess #WholeLifeSuccess

They sold you a lie. And I bought it too. They told you to hustle harder. Like waking up at 4 am and working through exhaustion. They said that’s how you’d win. But have you? ? You’re working harder than ever, moving nonstop but getting nowhere. ? You’re saying yes to impressive things on paper but feel soul-crushing in practice. ? You’re exhausted yet still feel like you’re not doing enough. ???????? ??????’?? ????????????????. ????’?? ????????????????. And here’s what they don’t tell you: Overload doesn’t just slow you down; it steals your clarity, energy, and momentum. I know because I’ve been there. 60+ hour weeks. A schedule so relentless that TSA agents at the airport knew me by name. The lies I told myself, "Just keep going, sacrifice a little more, and hold on a little longer; it will all come together." And sure, I was making progress. But I wasn’t making the big leaps I knew I was capable of. Because I was too busy to see I was doing it all wrong. Ambition isn’t about how much you can carry. ????’?? ?????????? ?????? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????? ???????????????? ??????????????. If you don’t make that shift, burnout isn’t just possible; it’s inevitable. Let’s get real: ?? Are you running your schedule, or is it running you? ?? Do your goals excite you, or do they just feel like another obligation? ?? Are you making real progress or just staying busy? If those questions hit a little too close to home, good Because in the next few weeks, I’m breaking this down inside my newsletter with 31K+ followers. The difference between ambition and overload, and more importantly, how to finally step into the clarity, confidence, and focus that leads to real success. Join us here https://lnkd.in/gsFx3kif No fluff. There is no empty motivation. Just the real, raw strategies that helped me escape the cycle and build a sustainable, fulfilling, and wildly successful business.

Water always finds a way. Over, under, through, nothing stops it. These past three days, my “office” has been right on the shore of Lake Michigan. Less than 50 feet from this massive body of water. I’ve been watching, thinking, and learning. I’ve been doing deep work on both of my businesses. The kind of big shifts that can truly change everything. The kind that require clarity, courage, and an unshakable belief in what’s possible. Water is life-giving, and it can be life-taking, just like entrepreneurship. It nourishes, transforms, and sometimes even breaks things apart so they can be rebuilt stronger. 3 things this beautiful lake has taught me: 1?? Stillness is power. The lake can be eerily calm one moment and wildly chaotic the next. But even when it’s still, it’s deep, vast, and full of life. The most powerful thing you can do is be still, listen, and trust what you already know. 2?? Your environment shapes your energy. Something about working with waves crashing nearby just hits differently. It’s a reminder that where you choose to work, think, and create impacts how you show up. If you feel stuck, change your scenery, even if it’s just moving to a new room or stepping outside for a walk. 3?? Momentum is in the rhythm. The waves don’t stop. They don’t second-guess. They keep coming, reshaping the shoreline one small movement at a time. Big wins aren’t one-time events. They’re the result of daily actions, stacking up over time. The more you show up, the stronger your momentum becomes. The lake doesn’t rush. It just keeps going. Pacing itself with every ebb and flow. It’s a great reminder for me to do the same. With a new season comes change. What changes are you making in your business and how are you building momentum?

In 2008. Life changed overnight. I launched my first business in the middle of a recession. The markets were down. Layoffs were in every headline. Businesses were shutting down everywhere. Sound familiar? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????????????? ????????????, ???????? ???????? $700 ?????? ?? ??????????. ???????? ?????? ????????. ???????? ???????? ???????????? ???? ???? ?????????? ???????? ???????????????? ????????????????????. ?????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?????????? ???? ??????????. I had no choice but to get creative and make every dollar count. That moment pushed me to build a recession-proof business. One that would thrive no matter what. Today, I see entrepreneurs making the same mistakes that led to failure back then. ?????? ?????? ?????????????? ?????????? ????: Bankruptcy filings rose 14.2% in 2024. Continuing an upward trend after a decade of decline. Business bankruptcies jumped 22.1%. With over 23,000 businesses shutting down last year. Non-business bankruptcies increased nearly 14%, impacting nearly half a million people. Don’t let that be you. Here are two moves you should make now: 1?? If revenue slowed tomorrow, could you sustain yourself for six months? If not, it’s time to cut unnecessary expenses and create a financial buffer. 2?? Diversify your income. One revenue stream is a liability. Look for ways to add new offers, upsells, or partnerships that make your business more resilient. Want the complete list? I break it all down for 31K+ followers in my latest newsletter. Join us here https://lnkd.in/gsFx3kif Where I write about the unfiltered versions of ambition and entrepreneurship weekly.

Is alignment overrated? Perhaps. Primarily if it's being used as an excuse. We wait for clarity before we move. We want purpose and perfect timing. ?????? ?????????????? ??????’?? ?????????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ????????. Big wins rarely come from perfect alignment. ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????? ??????’???? ??????????. They come from trusting momentum over fear. I teach alignment inside my Joyful Ambition Framework?. But I also teach this: Misalignment teaches you what alignment feels like. Experience shapes clarity more than thinking does. You learn by doing, not by waiting. Ask yourself: - Am I waiting or avoiding discomfort? - What if I acted without overthinking? - How much clarity would action create? ???????? ???????? ?????????????? ???????????? ?????????? ?????? ??????????. Stop waiting. Take the leap. Adjust later. #StartBeforeYoureReady #BoldMoves #AmbitionFirst #Ambition #JoyfulAmbition

Ever walked away from a conversation completely drained? Two weeks ago, I wrote about bloodsuckers, aka energy drainers, in my newsletter, The Thing About Ambition. “I came home after lunch with two long-time friends and felt completely wiped, like a vampire had sucked the life out of me. I brushed it off, thinking I was just tired or forgot my vitamins. But it kept happening. By the third time, I finally saw the truth. It wasn’t exhaustion. It wasn’t my health. It was them.” And yes, it was also me because I had changed. That ever happen to you? As we step into a new season, consider this your reminder to do a different kind of spring cleaning: ?? Audit your circle. ?? Identify who fuels you vs. who drains you. ?? Protect your energy like your future depends on it, because it does. Your energy is your most valuable asset. Guard it wisely. Be among the 31K+ ambitious professionals who follow my insights on building success your way. ?https://lnkd.in/gsFx3kif What do you do when you've outgrown a friend or a friend circle? #Ambition #Boundaries #EnergyMatters #EntrepreneurLife #GrowthMindset #JoyfulAmbition

The Visible Women Conference is back!! We just put up the lovely new website (if I may say so myself) and we are now ready to chat about having you send your teams to the conference! We have created corporate packages just for IWD month (because clearly IWD needs some love). We are already at 20% capacity so I would not sleep on this one. Here is what you can do (in this order): (1) Go see the new website (link in the comments) for ooohh and ahhhs? (2)?Get your own ticket (cause what are you waiting for)? (3) DM me for the sponsorship and corporate packages (because you don’t want to keep something like this to yourself) This is what I know for sure. It is a time for community…and the one consistent feedback from VWC2024 is that it was like no other women centered conference. I know the amazing community created was a huge part of that. So there. You have your marching orders. I hope we get to hang out in Montreal.?

Funding. One of the biggest challenges new entrepreneurs face. Forbes Business Council recently asked me to share my insights on how founders can secure funding, and interestingly enough, Entrepreneur Media asked me the same question a few years ago, leading to an entire webinar on the subject. The one key strategy I shared with Forbes: Develop A Strong Personal Brand Focus on building a strong personal brand that showcases your credibility and expertise. Investors often invest in people they trust, not just ideas. Sharing your story, values and vision through platforms like LinkedIn can inspire confidence and open doors to alternative funding sources. A strong personal brand positions you as a leader worth betting on while attracting the support you need. Thank you, Forbes Business Council, for the opportunity to contribute alongside 18 other council members. Enjoy: https://lnkd.in/g_Xd8GUD What strategies have helped you secure funding? Let’s share and support each other. #Entrepreneurship #Funding #PersonalBrand #ForbesBusinessCouncil #Leadership

Kicking off Women’s History Month by celebrating a woman who is, without a doubt, leaving her mark on the world, our 2025 Pretty Damn Ambitious? Coach of the Year, Cheryl A. Pullins. Cheryl is a true icon, an extraordinary leader, and an impactful coach. She has a way of seeing people, their potential and power even when they can’t see it themselves. I know this because I’ve experienced it firsthand. Her wisdom, guidance, and unwavering belief in women have shaped me and transformed our community. She challenges us to rise higher, to step into our full brilliance, and to own the space we were meant to take up. Cheryl, I’m beyond grateful to have you in my circle, and Pretty Damn Ambitious? is better because of you. Thank you for your heart, your leadership, and your impact. Congratulations! #Ambition #JoyfulAmbition #CoachoftheYear #WHM #WomeninBusiness

Holy wow! This morning, my voice is a bit raspy, but OMG. My energy is so next level. Still buzzing from the wisdom and pure magic of the 2025 Level Up Summit! From the individual sessions, panels, breakouts, networking, and workshops, the speakers DELIVERED for two powerful days. Thank you, Bibigi Haile, MSc., Adriana Tica, Leslie Ann Keeler, Rohene Bouajram, Christen N. James, Mel McSherry, Violeta Rangel E., CAIA, SCR, Dr. Stephanie Stoddart, MBA, Courtney Loechl, Cass Cooper, MHR, Alice Draper, Talica Davies, Shummy Hariharan, Valincia Bennett and Tamika Adams you didn’t just show up, you SHOWED OUT. You shared life-changing insights, poured into this community, and inspired us to take bold action. And to every ambitious woman who attended, WOW. Your engagement, your breakthroughs, your commitment to leveling up? That’s what this was all about. This was a movement. Felt across the globe! Powerhouse women saying YES to bigger impact, aligned success, and unapologetic ambition. And the best part? This is just the beginning. Missed a session (or want to relive the magic)? Recordings are available in the Zoom Events lobby until March 2 at 11:59 PM. To every speaker, attendee, and supporter, THANK YOU. You made this summit unforgettable. What was your biggest takeaway? Drop it in the comments; I want to hear it! ?? #LevelUpSummit #2025LevelUpSummit #JoyfulAmbition #WomenWhoLead #AmbitionInAction