Family, Flair, and Philanthropy: Boston & Ellis's Journey to Support Susan G. Komen

Welcome to another edition of Kickin' it with Kristen — your midweek motivation every Wednesday!

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??Aha! Moment

This week, I’m switching gears from my usual AHA moments to share something a bit more personal—a super proud aunt moment that I just have to shout from the rooftops! ????

A while back, I mentioned how my nephew Boston and niece Ellis were fascinated by my entrepreneurial journey. Well, their curiosity has transformed into something truly amazing—they’ve launched their own little business making handcrafted bracelets! ??

And get this—they’ve already landed their first big order for a group of women heading on a cruise this November. These personalized bracelets will not only add some flair but will also help the ladies spot each other in the crowd. How creative is that?

But here’s the part that makes my heart swell with pride: Boston and Ellis aren’t just budding entrepreneurs—they’ve also launched a new line of Breast Cancer Awareness bracelets, and they’re donating $1 from every sale to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. ?? It’s inspiring to see how, at such a young age, they’re combining business with purpose.

Now, this is where you can come in! If you’re looking to support two incredible young entrepreneurs and contribute to a worthy cause, you can snag one of these fun, meaningful bracelets (order here). With each purchase, you’re not only getting a beautiful handcrafted piece, but you’re also helping raise funds for breast cancer research. ??

I couldn’t be prouder of these two, and I know you’ll love their work as much as I do. Let’s rally behind Boston and Ellis and get these bracelets on as many wrists as possible. ?????

If you want to help, share this post, tag a friend, and most importantly, grab a bracelet and wear your support for both young entrepreneurship and breast cancer awareness. Together, we can make a positive impact!

You can order a Breast Cancer Awareness bracelet today for yourself or a loved one. Click here to submit your order.

#ProudAunt #YoungEntrepreneurs #BreastCancerAwareness #BEBling

1??One Thing I...

?? Learned - This week, I stumbled upon a total game-changer—Airtable! ?? If you haven’t heard of it, imagine if a spreadsheet and a database had a super-organized, visually appealing baby, and you’d get Airtable. It’s a cloud-based tool that helps you organize projects, data, and workflows in ways I didn’t even know were possible. Seriously, it was like a light bulb moment when I realized how much more efficient and streamlined everything could be!

Unlike your typical Excel sheet (no shade to Excel, but let’s be honest…), Airtable lets you link records across tables, customize your views, and create dynamic, relational data structures. Whether it’s for project management, CRM, or content planning, this tool can do it all. You can set up grids, calendars, galleries, or even Kanban boards—and the best part? It’s super user-friendly and customizable, with integrations like Slack and Google Drive.

I’m already thinking of all the ways I will use it in my work and personal life to keep things running smoothly. Honestly, I’m not sure how I got by without it! If you love getting organized or want a more visual way to manage your projects' moving parts, I highly recommend checking it out. ??

What tools are you loving these days to keep things organized? #ProductivityHack #OrganizedLife #WorkSmart

?? Read - This week, I stepped WAY out of my comfort zone and joined a Fantasy Football league—for the first time ever! ??

Now, if you’re like me and always heard about Fantasy Football but never dipped your toes in, here’s the deal: You draft real NFL players to create your dream team, and based on their real-life performances, you earn points each week. I had no idea how intense (and fun) it would be until I found myself fully immersed in the draft! Each pick felt like a mini victory or a high-stakes decision. ??

What really surprised me is how much strategy goes into it. You can’t just draft your favorite players and call it a day (trust me, I tried). It’s about analyzing matchups, considering injuries, and even factoring in bye weeks—basically, all the things coaches do. ??

It made me realize that Fantasy Football isn’t just about sports; it’s about team building, strategy, and being ready to pivot when things don’t go as planned (hello, injuries!). It’s no different than leading a team at work—where every choice can affect the outcome, and you’ve got to be ready to adjust on the fly.

And you know what? Win or lose, it’s a blast. If you’re into sports, strategy, and a little friendly competition, I highly recommend giving it a try!

?? Watched - So this week, I finally sat down to watch Bachelorette Australia, Season 1 (yes, I'm way behind)—and let me tell you, it was like stepping into a whole different reality TV universe! ???

Compared to the U.S. version, the difference was huge! The men were respectful and mature and asked for a kiss instead of just going in for one like it was a race. And get this—there was almost no drama, and the guys seemed to like each other! I couldn’t believe it. Seeing that level of decency front and center in reality TV was so refreshing.

It honestly made me think—was this intentional by the producers, or is it just that Australians are classier? Either way, it was a nice change of pace. The respectful vibe between everyone made me realize how much I miss seeing that in other reality shows.

Imagine how different the TV landscape would be if all reality shows adopted this dynamic. If producers in the U.S. took a page from the Australian playbook, it could transform reality TV into something way more positive and enjoyable to watch.

Maybe I’m dreaming, but wouldn’t it be great to see that same level of respect and maturity across the board—in both TV and real life?

?? Accomplished - This week, I accomplished something that truly fills my heart—being there for my family. ??

From supporting my parents and in-laws to showing up for my nieces and nephews, it felt like an emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible. There were moments of cheering them on, wiping away a few tears, and lending a hand as they made some big life decisions. Whether it was giving advice, running errands, or just being a listening ear, this week was all about those meaningful connections that remind you how strong family bonds can be.

And I won’t lie—I’m exhausted! ?? But it’s the kind of tiredness that feels good because you know you’ve been there for the people you love. At the end of the day, that’s what really matters, right? The sense of fulfillment that comes from seeing your family happy and supported makes every bit of effort totally worth it.

Even though it was a busy week, I made sure to carve out some time for self-care and reflection. It helped me stay grounded in the importance of family and those unspoken ties that bring us even closer. ??

How do you balance taking care of loved ones while also making time for yourself? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

#FamilyFirst #GratefulHeart #MeaningfulConnections #SelfCare

??Insight for the Week

Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will. - James Stephens

?Ask Kristen

Thanks to everyone who sent in questions. This one came from the state of Illinois!

Q: When you are helping someone through change, how do you think about it?

A: Change can be daunting, but with the right approach, it can also be transformational. That's where the ADKAR model comes in handy! This model breaks down the essential elements of change into five actionable steps:

?? Awareness: First, help the individual understand the need for change. Lay out the benefits and highlight the risks of not changing. Awareness is the first step in bridging the gap between reluctance and acceptance.

Example: "Hey, did you know that switching to this new process can save you two hours every week? Imagine what you could do with that extra time!”

?? Desire: Next, ignite their desire to make the change. This involves tapping into their personal motivations and aligning the change with their goals.

Example: "Think about how seamless and stress-free your day will be once you master this new system. Your future self will thank you!"

?? Knowledge: Arm them with the needed knowledge and skills to make the transition smooth. Provide resources, training, and continuous learning opportunities.

Example: "Here’s a step-by-step guide and a few training videos to help you get started. Let's walk through these together!"

??? Ability: Now, focus on building their ability to make the change happen. Encourage practice, give constructive feedback, and be patient as they learn.

Example: "Let’s do a trial run together. Don’t worry, I’ll be right here to help out if you stumble!"

?? Reinforcement: Finally, ensure that the change is reinforced over time. Celebrate small wins, recognize their progress, and provide ongoing support to make the change stick.

Example: "You’ve made fantastic progress! Let’s keep this momentum going. How about we schedule a quick check-in next week to see how it’s going?”

By embracing the ADKAR model, we’re not just facilitating change—we're empowering people to transform their lives in impactful and lasting ways. And remember, each step forward is a step worth celebrating. ??

Feel free to reach out if you're looking for more personalized advice or support, whether for corporate meeting solutions through HelmsBriscoe or life coaching. Let's make every change a success story! ????

Until next time, stay curious and keep kickin' it!