Learn how to use long tail keywords to attract your ideal clients (who are ready to buy) to your website. Plus 3 actionable tips to find the right phrases.
Read MoreThis interview is part of the Chasing Dreams interview series. I’ve interviewed a variety of entrepreneurs and small business owners who have chosen a different path in life in order to go after his or her dream career. Have an entrepreneur in mind you’d like to learn more about? Let me know! Mia Bell is an entrepreneur who completely switched paths to pursue her dreams. She was studying to be an eye doctor when a professor unknowingly sparked the flame that would later become her passion and business helping natural, organic beauty and lifestyle brands get their spots on store shelves (and thrive when they get there).
So many of us are afraid to listen to our gut, thinking what we'd love to do is too hard, too late, or too different. But what's the cost of not trying?
Mia's story is proof that you can change directions, no matter where you are in the process.
Let’s dig in!
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My pivot into the Beauty Industry happened while going through my pre-med studies in college. I wanted out!
This was quite a shock because I had been so set on becoming an Eye Doctor. But none of it felt right anymore. My intuition was telling me that I was meant to serve in a different way. I finished up my Bachelor’s degree and moved to Los Angeles where I enrolled in FIDM's Beauty Merchandise Marketing program. While there, a teacher said something that turned everything I believed upside down."Ladies, we are being exposed to toxins through our everyday beauty products." It sounded like complete crazy talk. But after taking a cosmetic chemistry course, it dawned on me how liberal beauty companies can be with the use of questionable ingredients. And how easily accepted it is!
There just HAD to be healthier options out there. For several years I did sales & marketing for mainstream beauty companies all while desperately searching for natural, conscious product alternatives. I even had a blog where I would write about my product discoveries in Spanish. It was the first of its kind at the time.
Getting to know many small natural brands through the blog, I quickly learned about their struggles with getting their products into more stores and ultimately getting them into the hands of more people. I knew just how to do that thanks to my work at larger companies.
Every fiber in my being pushed me to honor that call. Everything about it felt RIGHT.
Being okay with the unknown. Nothing and no one can fully prepare you for what you'll encounter on the way towards achieving your dreams.
Some days will test you. Some days will lift you. I’ve learned that you just have to keep going!
I'm a recovering, busy body workaholic. To some this may sound downright silly. But it’s a real thing that if left unchecked can be crippling physically, mentally and emotionally.
I've finally learned from all of my burnouts. So, to help minimize anxiety, I cut out caffeine 4 years ago and I even make it a point to enjoy all meals slowly at the dining table (not on the fly, not in the car, not at my desk). I routinely listen to guided meditations so that I can reduce frantic thoughts and meet everything throughout the day with full energy and a clear mind.
And to recharge, I've been following a great piece of advice lately- do activities you used to do as a kid for fun! That's been a mix of tree climbing, hiking, hitting some softballs, reading every night, taking naps, coloring (yay for adult coloring books!) and making special trips to be near a river, lake or the ocean. I highly recommend doing this!
To do great work, you've got to show up as your best possible self.
My work is primarily in the sales realm. I've been rejected thousands of times!
Rejection is a key part of making things happen.
It can be your biggest teacher. In the early part of my career, hearing "no" was devastating. But my mindset about it has totally changed. I get up every day not looking to avoid the 'no's", I get up looking for the people that are going to say "yes!" And if it takes me getting past 5, 10, 20 "no's" to find that 'yes' then so be it.
The 'yes's' to what you want are out there and you have to find them.
I first process my thoughts out loud. So yes! I talk to myself! I then retreat to a quiet place, cuddle up with some tea and I read or watch something that will inspire me to get through it. I’m also incredibly fortunate to have tribe of strong, business women that I can text or call at any moment.
It's absolutely important to have a support system that can relate to you. You need your peeps!
That it's superficial. I'll admit that conventional beauty companies, their messaging and their sales tactics are completely profit driven but the blooming niche that I serve; ethical, health conscious, natural beauty has a more positive mission.
These small, independent companies are passionate about making the world a better place in so many ways. They sell their products in sustainable and renewable packaging. They use wild crafted, all natural and organic ingredients that you can pronounce (even eat!). Many are vigilant to source from ethical organizations that pay fair wages and respect this earth. They formulate high performance, effective products without harmful chemicals, questionable fillers, nono-particles and contaminating plastic microbeads. These brands don't believe in testing on animals. There are even vegan brands which formulate their products with no traces of animal derived ingredients.
And as a community, their messaging promotes the acceptance of your own authentic beauty. It’s a wonderful and exciting space to be a part of!
Oh do I have a big one! It's realizing that I am the only one in charge of my happiness and destiny.
I resisted this idea for a long time. We give too many external factors power over us (other people, the economy, the "I don't have's", the "I don't knows", the "because of x" excuse).
Once I took complete ownership of my path and life, I stepped into a place of knowing a truth- that I have everything within me to succeed. If I don't have it, I will find it. If I don't know it, I will learn it. If it's not given to me, I will ask for it. If it's not in front of me now, it will surely be there soon.
Reach out to me! I absolutely love connecting with other like minded folks.
And additional advice I would give is this- START.
Don't wait for perfection. Start where you are today, with what you have and do the best work that you can.
Everything takes longer than we expect. Don't delay your dreams even more by waiting for things to be perfect.
To be honest, it will never be perfect because what you create and who you are will always be evolving. That's the beauty of the journey. Just START.
When I'm in a true place of service. This means giving of my time, heart, skills and knowledge to causes and entrepreneurs that are doing kind, generous and impactful work. And of course, being around other dreamers!
I've always been inspired by the works of Mother Teresa, Oprah and Maya Angelou. Marie Forleo (Marie TV), Hilary Rushford (Dean Street Society). Carrie Green (The Female Entrepreneur Association) and Angela Jia Kim (Savor The Success) have been business mentors from afar.
Must-have books on to have your list:
And lately, Pandora's Tropical House station has been inspiring a pep in my step!
There have lots of great moments in my career thus far but my most favorite moment is now. MIA BELL BRANDS is in the middle of its 3rd year in business, my team is happy, my clients are amazing, our retail partners are wonderful and I have a family that supports me in all that I do.
Being grateful for the now is important. And I trust that the future will be just as beautiful!
2 things: (1) My son just turned 2. He's quite the ray of sunshine! (2) I'm preparing for the next stage of growth for MIA BELL BRANDS which will be a combination of hiring additional staff, offering even more business classes for indie beauty brands and finalizing several new ventures. Can't wait to be able unveil everything!
Mia Bell is the CEO & Founder of MIA BELL BRANDS, a national sales representation and business development firm for brilliant, natural beauty & lifestyle brands. A beauty product lover since grade school, Mia was shocked to learn about the use of questionable, toxic ingredients by some of her favorite brands. Armed with her sales and marketing background she joined the growing Healthy Beauty movement. Today, Mia and her team help get safer products onto store shelves and teach conscious companies how to thrive in the marketplace.
Learn the basics of how to do keyword research, my favorite free research tools and how to use keywords effectively for your blog or website.
Read MoreI NEED to do this! >> The Self-Audit that Changed My Life It IS possible to survive a socially-packed season while keeping your introvert sanity. >> How To Be an Introverted Social Butterfly
A smarter way to add value. >> How to Use Bonuses in Your Business to Turn More People Into Customers
You'll want to save this. >> 30 Desirable Content Upgrade Ideas
Been there... >> Yes, There Is Such a Thing as an ‘Introvert’ Hangover
I've found myself sharing this a lot lately, as colleagues try to recommend buying Instagram followers... >> Instagram Insecurity
A photo posted by Danielle Zeigler (@danielleadairz) on
A photo posted by Danielle Zeigler (@danielleadairz) on
A photo posted by Danielle Zeigler (@danielleadairz) on
Join me on Instagram for a behind the scenes look at my business + life.
5 Tips to Survive a Conference as an Introvert - Complete with an 'elevator pitch' template and scripts for networking questions. You CAN kill it at events!
Read MoreHow to increase your blog traffic quickly by taking a look at your Pinterest analytics. Read on to see how I used my own account as a case study for step-by-step instructions for reading your stats and improving your strategy.
Read MoreIs there really a 'best time' to pin? It depends. Learn how to analyze your target audience to find the best time to use Pinterest for Business.
Read MoreNot only will these tips help you get more people pinning from each post, but they'll help you stand out on Pinterest to get more repins and brand recognition. Read on to learn how to best optimize your blog posts while using Pinterest for Business.
Read MoreHow should you write your bio? How can you add keywords to your Pinterest profile? Learn how to set up & optimize your Pinterest for Business account to increase referrals, increase sales, and get more from each blog post.
Read MoreThis interview is part of the Chasing Dreams interview series. I’ve interviewed a variety of entrepreneurs and small business owners who have chosen a different path in life in order to go after his or her dream career. Have an entrepreneur in mind you’d like to learn more about? Let me know!
Today's interview is with Cristina, founder and designer behind Sombras Blancas Art & Design. Cris started her business about four years ago as a part-time occupation and after a few years was able to make it her full-time job. She markets her services through her website and Etsy.
I know many of you have side hustles with the hopes of one day going full-time, so I was excited to share Cris's journey of getting started by selling her services on Etsy.
[Read more about Etsy shops: Chasing Dreams Interview with Amanda Heslinga, Owner of the Popular Rocks With Sass Etsy Shop]
This adventure started some years ago when a friend of mine asked me to create a logo for a fair trade campaign he was preparing on our university. It was then when I realized I wanted to take it seriously. I had always gravitated towards creative and artsy activities so this came as a great opportunity.
I started selling my pre-made logos and graphic design services on Etsy as a part-time occupation back in 2012.
I’m now working as a full-time freelance designer and I’m so glad I took this route.
I can say I have been pretty lucky during this whole journey.
In my case, I was a college student when I decided to try, and I was still receiving economic support from my parents. This made it possible for me to go through the early stages of the process without having to worry about my income or balancing multiple jobs.
Apart from that, I think the biggest struggle I’ve faced has been learning to manage all the different aspects of the business by myself. During my regular day I am a graphic designer but also a customer support agent, an accountant, a postwoman and a social media manager.
Something every business owner should embrace in order to keep a healthy balance, especially if working from home as is my case, is maintaining a regular work-out routine. I go to the gym early in the morning 3-4 times a week, right before starting my work day, and I definitely feel the effect it has in my emotional well-being.
For me, the best way of getting over rejection is to analyze what might have gone wrong and put in place new processes or strategies that can help in the future.
Obsessing over failure is the least productive thing you can do with your time.
Whereas this other approach will very possibly lead to new successes and happier customers.
If I had been asked this question a couple of years ago, my answer would have probably been, “I keep working non-stop until I create something good."
However, I’ve learned that this strategy is useless in most cases. When I’m feeling in a creative slump, the best thing I can do is take a day off. That doesn’t mean that I am completely unproductive. I simply turn my back on my design work (and my computer, if possible) and focus my energy on other creative fields I enjoy: illustration, music or just reading a book.
Usually, the following day I’m looking forward to get back to work with renewed ideas in mind.
There are plenty of misconceptions about the work of graphic designers, but the one I still find striking is that some clients see us as mere translators with the ability to convert their exact wild ideas into a digital format and won’t accept any suggestions or ideas that would certainly improve the final result.
I feel bad in those cases because they are paying for a professional service and then not allowing me to do my job. These are just a few exceptions, thankfully.
Most of my clients come to me with a general idea of what they 're looking for but are happy to see the concept evolving throughout the different revisions.
So far, the biggest lesson I've learned through this experience is that you can't measure your success by focusing on daily numbers. I've found it better to track (at least) bimonthly stats. That way, you can use all your energy to create new products and services instead of worrying to death each time you go more than 2 days without a sale.
Anyone who knows me would smile when reading this answer because I always give the exact same one: start before you are ready.
It's something I’ve always believed but even more after having run this business for some years now. There is no better way to learn all those things you have no clue how to accomplish.
Researching and planning are great but they will never give you as much experience as trying by yourself.
When talking about my business, receiving photos from past clients that show their own businesses are thriving always inspire me to keep working like nothing else. It makes me feel like I'm a tiny part of their journey and that's the best fuel I know.
It may sound cliché but those who have inspired me the most throughout this journey are my parents. Since I was little, they impressed on me a strong set of values such as working as hard as I can and being independent. That's what has driven me to where I am now.
In terms of books, I would say ALL THE BOOKS. I am an avid reader and I try to read more and more diversely every day. I especially feel inspired by fantasy stories and South American literature.
When looking back to the evolution of my business, I think the most exciting moment I’ve experienced has been when I launched my own website, which was the first one I designed myself, including e-commerce functionality that gave me the ability to market my products and services independently from other marketplaces.
I'm currently planning a whole redesign for my website with a fresh look. I'm super pumped about it and looking forward to see the result!
Have any questions for Cristina about selling services in an Etsy shop or getting started on Etsy? Ask them in the comments below!
Hi! My name is Cristina, I’m 26 years old and I am from and live in Spain. I am the designer behind Sombras Blancas Art & Design. I offer branding services for small businesses and startups at an affordable price, mostly logo and website design but also marketing graphics and custom illustrations.
Website // Etsy // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Pinterest
While I'm pretty bad at following through with 30 day challenges, I still love the idea and inspiration I get from them. I'm not ready for #12 on that list, but #11 and #13 caught my eye.
If you don't have time to meditate, you need it the most. Here's why it's the best gift you can give yourself (with some science-backed research for anyone not convinced!).
I'm currently obsessing over these abstract paintings. I wish I had this ability!
Add value to your service offerings instead of slashing prices. Pricing has nothing to do with numbers, as the ladies from Think Creative Collective recently wrote.
Do you intentionally schedule your weeks? I've tried to in the past. This guide from Jen Carrington has inspired me to try again.
I love that we're close to the city but far enough to have woods behind our house. 🌳🌳 #pittsburgh
A photo posted by Danielle Zeigler (@danielleadairz) on
A photo posted by Danielle Zeigler (@danielleadairz) on
Join me on Instagram to for a behind the scenes look at my business + life.
How cute is this succulent display with a magnetic poetry board?!
A photo posted by Danielle Zeigler (@danielleadairz) on
Lately I've been getting real and sharing how our imperfections and struggles can actually help people more. With that, I've opened up about burning out and needing to take more time for self-care.
While I don't believe a work-life balance exists in the way of a perfect 50/50, I DO believe in the ebbs and flows. I believe in pulling ourselves back to a home base and remaining self-aware.
Taking care of yourself is not selfish. In fact, this is one of my favorite quotes:
"Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel." - Eleanor Brownn
And of course, my own motto is: When you feel your best, you'll do your best.
Today we have Per Wickstrom sharing his 5 favorite tips for work-life balance.
Per struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for decades. Thankfully he found help through a rehab program and began his path to recovery. He has a passion for helping others and went on to develop his own drug rehab program.
Per understands the power of helping one another. He's learned a great deal about the importance of self-care in business and entrepreneurship.
I appreciate and respect his journey, so I couldn't turn down the opportunity to have him share.
Please join the discussion and share your own self-care and balance tips in the comments!
On the road to professional success, it can be easy to lose sight of your personal life. When work is your focus, seeing loved ones, pursuing hobbies, and taking time for yourself often fall to the wayside. But it’s important for your mental health and the well-being of your family to find a balance between work and home. Here are a few tips for maintaining a happy work-life balance:
Whether you do it in the morning when you wake up, or just before starting work to get you focused, set aside time to meditate each day. We’re so quick to move straight into the next activity that we rarely pause to appreciate the transitions throughout the day. Our minds should get to take a moment to relax and reboot!
You probably have a lot of different responsibilities to take care of on a daily basis, so it’s understandable that they might be on your mind. But if you can learn to focus completely on the task at hand, you’ll not only be happier, you’ll be more productive. Leave work at work and keep home off your mind as much as possible.
Emergencies can happen at any time, so it’s not fair to suggest you leave your phone completely out of reach while at work. You can, however, limit your vulnerability to false alarms and interruptions. If you work a desk job, for example, that might mean turning your personal phone on airplane mode while you finish working on a project. If you’re at home, it means turning off your phone and any alerts about work. Be in the present moment where you are.
If you work at a desk job or somewhere you can be on your phone, don’t sit on social media all day. Limit yourself to only work-related websites, and if you find yourself feeling tempted, there are even apps you can install on your browser that will block unproductive sites.
You may tell yourself that it’s all for the family, but if you think you might be overworking, reexamine your motivation. Why are you working so much? If it’s to provide a better life for your family, make sure you’re not sacrificing vital time with them now. Sure, a third grade production of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” may seem like a little thing to miss if there’s a multi-million dollar deal on the table, but consider that you may be losing your family little thing by little thing.
Don’t skip the holidays. Sure, they’re a day that you could really get ahead. But it’s a free day off! Make the most of it! See your best friend, hang out with your kids, visit the local park, or even simply appreciate a few hours of extra sleep. You ever notice how holidays tend to come at times when you could really use a break? Embrace it.
Finding success in your professional life doesn’t have to mean giving up the rest of your values and hobbies. By finding the right balance, you can excel in any area and even use the different hats you wear to work in each others favor.
Per Wickstrom is the CEO ofBest Drug Rehabilitation Center. Founded on the principles of natural healing, BDR is one of the largest holistic rehabilitation centers in the country. He is a recovering addict and firm believer that everyone has the power to make healthy changes for themselves. To learn more, follow Per on Twitter and Facebook.
A few weeks ago I received an email from a blogger friend. I was SO excited by the content of the email, but had no idea how huge and inspiring it was going to become. Ashley Beaudin asked me, along with a group of amazing online entrepreneurs, to participate in a three day event called #TheImperfectBoss Campaign.
She said, "I want to ask you (with my big wild heart) if you would join me in this project in an effort to revolt against this pressure of perfection and rise as women owning our unique calling. Because perfection is a myth we must break through."
Transparency and imperfection as a business owner are among my favorite topics.
As much as I love my career, it's not easy and it's nowhere near perfect. And you know what? We're ALL just figuring it out as we go.
965 Likes, 77 Comments - Melissa Camilleri, Founder (@shopcompliment) on Instagram: "I was invited by my friend Ashley at @fireandwindco to share some real life truths about running a..."
That was a resounding theme in the responses to the campaign on Instagram. Along with fear, rejection, and mistakes.
348 Likes, 43 Comments - Sarah | No-BS Blog Strategy (@xosarahmorgan) on Instagram: "This week I'm joining a bunch of badass biz-owning babes in sharing what it really looks like to be..."
Another one of my favorites was the honesty about what a real day-in-the-life can look like for a digital entrepreneur.
Some people get the idea that “working from home” means staying cozy in your PJs and working from bed. Which is TRUE…kinda…sometimes.
The reality for most of us is more like what Kelsey describes below. Things get so hectic your priorities change from getting dressed and sitting at your organized desk in a pristine office to launching right into work no matter what you’re wearing or where you are.
219 Likes, 37 Comments - Kelsey | Paper + Oats (@paperandoats) on Instagram: "Day 2 of #theimperfectboss campaign with @fireandwindco - anyone else struggle to wear normal..."
And I can’t write this post without including this theme: overcoming the stigma and challenges of mental health.
I urge you to change your mindset. Instead of believing you will help others “once you have it all together,” instead realize that
you will help more people when they see that you struggle but are doing it anyway.
While I planned to participate all three days, the reality was that I rushed to post something at 10pm the first day and then didn’t get around to doing any others. I did interact and learn a lot from everyone else, though.
Burn out is why I didn’t get around to the other days. Also, you’ll notice the bottom of this photo is cropped. I forgot “the” in the hashtag and couldn’t muster up the energy to retake the photo. hah!
Since there was such an amazing response, Ashley has made the campaign an ongoing thing. I’m pumped to be joining in when I can (and remember to) each Thursday.
For now, here are some of the real, imperfect boss moments that I hope help others realize that none of us live a polished-internet-ready life. I hope it inspires someone to realize that they can do it too, whatever “it” may be that they want.
But without these long roads, mistakes and experimentation, I wouldn’t have learned as much. I wouldn’t have seen what it actually takes to create and run all of the working parts of a business.
I wouldn’t be able to teach and help from a place of experience.
Learn my favorite free tools that make blogging easier, from creating beautiful graphics to getting more shares on your blog posts. Plus download my free cheat sheet with 6 must-have blogging tools!
Read MoreThis interview is part of the Chasing Dreams interview series. I’ve interviewed a variety of entrepreneurs and small business owners who have chosen a different path in life in order to go after his or her dream career. Have an entrepreneur in mind you’d like to learn more about? Let me know! Today’s interview is with Dana Barron and Bridget Shannon, founders of Crop Tops & Kale. CT&K helps women enhance their wellness, beauty and style in a simple, minimalist way. Their message and work are completely in-line with my values, and we hit it off right away during our first meeting.
Plus, both Bridget and Dana are graduates of The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and Bridget was previously the social media director for IIN. I just love how they approach wellness and life in general from a minimalist, approachable perspective.
I had chills while reading this interview because you can feel the passion and dedication they have to their vision. They're both so honest about the fear and excitement of starting a blog and business that I promise you'll come away feeling inspired for your own path.
Let’s dig in! (and stay tuned, because you'll be hearing from them again on my blog in the future.)
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It’s been an evolution. We've both always known the nine-to-five lifestyle wasn’t for us, but there wasn’t a single aha moment. It was the culmination of saying yes to ourselves and what we were interested in a thousand times as we went along. In shifting our own limiting beliefs as to what’s possible and committing to trusting ourselves and our intuition. The path really started to roll out when we got clear on what we actually wanted to do and not just what we thought we should be doing. Our initial concept has evolved over the past year, and we’ve pivoted a few times. Adopting a minimalist and essentialist mindset was key to gaining this clarity and direction.
There is so much noise. So much distraction, especially online. We can’t do everything—so what is it that we REALLY want to do? What is the impact we REALLY want to make? We just kept asking ourselves those questions.
The voices in my our own heads. A positive mental attitude is the number-one thing that decides what we can do and what we cannot do.
Dana: For me, that means staying out of my own way so I can stop doubting myself and just sit down and do the work that I know deep down is valuable. It’s a daily practice to stay on the right side of it.
Bridget: For me, this means deciding what is most essential in my life, and asking what it would take to achieve my dream (moving out of the city and leaving a comfortable job to do the work that matters most). Removing the ego from the equation has been huge.
Dana: Sleep, abstaining from alcohol, and exercise. Sleep is number one. If I’m not sleeping well, everything goes to hell. And I actually quit drinking alcohol entirely for 90 days as a sleep and mood experiment. It’s incredible the positive impact it’s had. I'm sleeping like a champion now. And when I don’t drink at all—as opposed to a glass or two a few nights a week I was having—my mindset, which I mentioned above, is exponentially easier to control. And I’ve also been battling anxiety for most of my adult life, but when I cut alcohol out, it almost entirely evaporates. It’s mind-blowing. And exercise, specifically circuit training, helps me stay clear and energized. So nothing ground-breaking here but, getting good sleep, abstaining from the booze, and working out have been doing the trick for me. Oh, and I’ve recently been really into reading Mike Dooley and Gabby Bernstein as mental exercise—staying in my "trusting the Universe" mindset.
Bridget: I recently moved and am working rough hours, so staying healthy is a work in progress at the moment! But there are a few simple things that when overlooked can totally throw me off. Sleep and exercise are huge. When I’m sleeping seven or eight hours a night and working out regularly I have more clarity, energy and enthusiasm. Another big one for me is unplugging. Lately my tendency is to turn on the computer first thing in the morning, and I have a hard time checking out at night. When I leave zero time for disconnecting, it not only takes away from sleep and exercise, but can lead to more anxiety and frustration. I’ve learned how to say no to things I don’t want to do that may pull me out of balance. A few rituals that help are long walks with my dog, reading a good book at night and cooking healthy meals.
Dana: One of the best ideas I’ve extracted from the hundreds of self-help and business books I’ve read is from Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom. In it, Ruiz says, "Don’t take anything personally." I try to keep that in mind at all times.
Bridget: Trusting the process has been key for me and knowing that things have a way of working themselves out, regardless of what you expected or thought the outcome might look like. You have to put yourself out there if you’re going to be writing and working online, so learning to let go of other people’s opinions is important. Also, having a solid back-up plan and surrounding myself with people I love and trust has given me the confidence to go for my dream.
Dana: I cry. I take a hot shower. I curl up in bed with a book. I talk it out with my husband. I find that when I’m struggling with self-doubt, the best plan is to just go do something else, take my mind off of it. And come back to the work when it’s passed.
And I always try to remind myself that just because I’m thinking something, doesn’t mean it’s true.
Bridget: A friend once told me that when she was training for a marathon, she constantly repeated to herself “one foot in front of the other.” I apply this logic to anything I struggle with, from a long run to an awful day. I try to keep in mind that everything has an end point, so this day WILL be over and tomorrow I’ll feel a lot better. I allow myself to let it pass and tackle the next day with new energy.
Dana: That blogging is easy or that you just write posts and that’s all there is to it.
Bridget: Ditto.
Both: It’s so much easier (and more fun) when you have a partner who shares your mission!
Both: Just start. You’re not going to get it right the first time. Just get going. It will evolve.
And remember that it’s not about you, it’s about the value you’re creating for other people. That always helps us when we’re scared to ship something.
Dana: Right after I’ve written something I’m really proud of or read something that really resonates.
Bridget: Helping someone. Whether that’s through writing, a conversation or an action. When I can do work I love and feel passionate AND it helps someone—that’s magic.
Lately Erin Boyle at Reading My Tea Leaves, Caroline at Un-Fancy, The Minimalists, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown, Miracles Now: 108 Life-Changing Tools for Less Stress, More Flow, and Finding Your True Purpose by Gabby Bernstein, and Manifesting Change: It Couldn't Be Easier by Mike Dooley.
Dana: I ran a cleanse a few years ago. I had about 35 women enroll. One of them was a woman in her 60s living in Maine, a friend of my sorority sister’s aunt (I love when stuff like that happens!). When I spoke to her after the cleanse, she said her husband wanted to send me flowers. Because after doing the cleanse for just ten days, the chronic pain she’d been living in since her bout of Lyme Disease—a decade earlier—had totally vanished. She felt like she had her life back and her husband wanted to know who gave him his wife back. She cried. I cried. We all cried. I can’t remember ever feeling so professionally fulfilled. It reminded me that there is always SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE who needs what we have to offer the world. Our job is to do the work, put it out there, try to find them, and give them all we’ve got when we do.
Bridget: A big turning point in my journey was deciding to leave my full-time job to go after what I really want to do. There were a lot of factors involved and a ton of fear, and but I’m really proud of the decision because it was the first time I stood up and declared “This is what I want to do. I know it’s going to be hard and it’s risky, but it’s worth it to me.”
Another favorite moment was when we agreed on our partnership terms at a bar (after about three beers) on a cocktail napkin. Maybe not the most official process, but it meant we were both all in. I still have the napkin.
Dana: This project with Bridget. It’s basically all I think about these days. There’s so much good we can do and most of the time, it’s super fun. It’s so exciting to do the work and watch something grow.
Bridget: Starting this new chapter. I’ve never been more pumped about work and all the possibilities life has to offer. Change is scary, but it’s incredibly liberating and exciting.
Minimalist Health Coaches
Dana Barron and Bridget Shannon are the Co-Founders of Crop Tops & Kale, a website dedicated to living healthier and happier through the pursuit of less but better. After years of studying personal development, lots of trial & error, complicated diet protocols, and several wardrobe malfunctions, they've figured out a formula to live happier, more fulfilling lives. They write about simple wellness, safer beauty and minimalist style to help readers live their best lives and make the world a better place.
If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you've probably noticed my attempts at simplifying my life (such as here & here). For me it's been an ongoing task that requires frequent reminders and resets. But that's okay! That's life.
I've been thinking about it a lot again (maybe that urge to spring clean?). Not only in regards to physical objects, but also in regards to my business and obligations, as Jennifer mentions in number two below. Danielle Dowling recently asked, "Of everything on your to-do list, what could you live without?" that really made me stop and think.
So I'm excited to have Jennifer Scott from Spirit Finder on the blog today reminding us of the invaluable benefits of simplifying your life, plus plenty of tips to help us get there.
Many people tout the benefits of simplifying your life. On the surface, living a minimalist lifestyle may not sound appealing to everyone. But the many benefits to be gained from simplifying your life might just change your mind.
Some people decide to simplify their lives due to financial stress. The many things and luxuries we indulge in only increase financial strain for those who are already financially crunched. By skipping luxuries we don’t really need, such as expensive vacations, frequent meals at high-priced, fancy restaurants, and the latest brand-name fashion trends can save substantial amounts of money that you can save for a rainy day or put to a good use, such as paying off credit card debt.
Skipping these luxuries doesn’t mean you have to give up the benefits of them, however. Instead of buying new clothes, shop at a used clothing store to snag trendy clothes and accessories without the brand-name price tag. Keep in touch with family and friends through conference calls and video chats instead of springing for a plane ticket for a family reunion. There are many ways to realize the end goals of the things you spend money on without the high cost.
Simplifying your life is about more than just “stuff.”
It also means minimizing your commitments and your schedule, as well as learning to say, “No,” to the things that you don’t truly have time for. By choosing to commit only to what you can realistically fit into your schedule, you’ll reduce stress and have more time to dedicate to the areas of your life that are most important to you.
For example, by avoiding over-committing, you’ll have more time to prepare healthy meals, get adequate sleep, and even exercise, all of which contribute to your overall health and well-being. When you take good care of yourself, you’re better able to cope with stress.
[further reading >> 38 Ways to Simplify Your Life + Feel More Peaceful]
When you simplify your life – both your environment and your schedule – you’ll find that you’re able to be more present in the moment, attentive to the people you’re conversing with, and able to devote your full attention to whatever task you’re focused on. Being present allows you to develop mindfulness.
Being present can have dramatic impacts on your life; in fact, people who are more present tend to have greater charisma. Charisma, of course, is beneficial in many ways, from allowing you to excel in the workplace to enhancing your social life and opening doors to fantastic opportunities that you might otherwise miss out on if you were marginally focused, inattentive, or distracted.
One of the biggest struggles adults face today is the challenge of balancing family and career. We wish for more time to spend with our children, more time to rest and recharge, and more time to pursue our career goals. There never seems to be enough time in the day, but simplifying your life can help to solve these challenges.
By simplifying your schedule, you can devote time to the various facets of your life that are most important. Decide to unplug every weekend, for example, and devote Saturday and Sunday to quality family time. When you make the decision to prioritize what matters and schedule time for it, you’ll feel less stressed and more balanced overall.
There are many benefits of simplifying your life; the four discussed here are merely a few of the major areas of life that reap rewards when you decide to live a simpler lifestyle. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of small, seemingly insignificant benefits that contribute to the greater sense of well-being and balance you’ll achieve by opting for a simplistic lifestyle.
Jennifer Scott is a lifelong sufferer of anxiety and depression. She created her website, SpiritFinder.org, as a platform for advocacy on opening up about mental health. Through the site, she hopes to share the types of steps and success stories that can help others realize their own power. When she isn’t working on her website, she enjoys traveling, working with animals, and seeking out new friendships and adventures.
Running my own business often requires me to make tough choices about which tasks get the highest priority. Unfortunately, this often results in my health and fitness getting bumped further and further down the list when something urgent rolls in. (and everything business-related feels URGENT, right?) Being active and fit is not only great for your mental health, happiness, and overall well-being, but in turn benefits your business. This is why I'm so pleased to have Jennifer McGregor on the blog today.
She's sharing 5 tips for busy entrepreneurs like you and me to manage our time and fit great workouts in on a regular basis. #4 is the tip that's helped me the most. At the beginning of each week I try to schedule in which CrossFit classes I'll attend.
Please welcome Jennifer and read on for her super helpful tips.
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Every woman wants to be healthy and fit, but finding the time to work out every day is easier said than done when you’re a busy, working professional. It’s a gripe shared by many working women these days who recognize the value of exercise in their daily routines yet can’t seem to squeeze out a precious extra hour or two each day. We can’t put more hours in a day, but we can find creative ways to burn some calories and fit in a workout despite a busy schedule.
Here are 5 exercise tips for the busy, working woman:
You’re not alone in your quest for better physical fitness while having absolutely zero hours to hit the gym. Some fitness pros have created quick, no-equipment workouts that you can do pretty much anywhere and anytime you have a few spare minutes. For instance, this workout by Jessica Padykula from SheKnows takes just 20 minutes and hits all the key areas using your body weight. If you do it right, you should finish fatigued.
Choosing moves that burn the most calories and tone your target areas will help you focus your efforts. Activities like swimming, squash, cycling, and running are all excellent ways to strengthen and tone muscles, boost overall energy, and get a cardiovascular workout all at once. Plus, they’re most effective when done with an exercise buddy who can be there to cheer you on!
Yes, that means getting out of bed a half hour to an hour earlier, and it will probably be brutal for the first few days (or weeks). But the rewards are well worth it. After you get your heart rate up and your blood flowing, you’ll be wide awake and ready to take charge of your day. There are few other opportunities throughout the day to steal an extra hour, so take advantage of the wee hours of the morning before your day kicks into gear.
Get your planner out or open your calendar app and take a look at your schedule for the week ahead. If you have an open evening, schedule in time to hit a local yoga class that day. On days when you don’t have early-morning meetings at the office, plan to hit the gym before work. When you schedule in time for taking care of your health just as you do your other obligations, you’ll find that it’s easier to find the time—because you’ve already set it aside.
For some busy working women, packing up your gym bag and driving to the gym is a major deterrent. After all, that adds more time to the overall obligation of getting your workout in. If this is a challenge for you, skip the gym and create a space in your home that you can use to work out whenever it’s convenient. Quick exercises like squats, push-ups, and tricep dips are easy to perform at home – no instructor needed. If you have a dog, take a morning or evening walk around the neighborhood or play a game of chase in the backyard. Exercising with your dog is a great option because it can be done right at home any time and feels more like playing than a workout!
Being a busy woman—mom, wife, daughter, employee, or whatever roles you’re juggling—doesn’t have to mean you can’t make your health and fitness a priority too. Use these tips to make a regular workout part of your healthy lifestyle, no matter how crazy your schedule.
Jennifer McGregor has wanted to be a doctor since she was little. Now, as a pre-med student, she’s well on her way to achieving that dream. She helped create PublicHealthLibrary.org with a friend as part of a class project. With it, she hopes to provide access to trustworthy health and medical resources. When Jennifer isn’t working on the site, you can usually find her hitting the books in the campus library or spending some downtime with her dog at the local park.
In celebration of Women's History Month, I've compiled 14 of my favorite quotes from women, sure to motivate and inspire! Pin them for later when you need an extra boost of confidence.
Read MoreAs an entrepreneur or small business, you know that taxes can be pretty harsh. Make sure you're taking advantage of everything you're able to.
Read MoreThat’s not my size (anymore) <-- A must read. I have a feeling a lot of us can relate.
5 Things To Never Do As A Solo Traveler
14 Things to Do With Used Coffee Grounds
Why Strong, Brave People Aren’t Afraid to Quit
Creating a Fulfilling and Effective Routine When You’re An Introverted Creative
The Best Sources For Vitamin D (That Aren't Sun)
Wild Blueberry Cacao Smoothie Bowl
7 Ways to Survey Your Audience
+ I've been busy exploring and getting adjusted to Pittsburgh, so if you're interested in travel shots or anything like that, take a look at my Instagram.
+ I welcomed on a ton of new clients the past two weeks who I'm very excited to work with.
+ Anyone else HATE tax time as a solopreneur? I've been buried in prep work.
A photo posted by Danielle Zeigler (@danielleadairz) on
Beautiful waterfall at McConnells Mill
A photo posted by Danielle Zeigler (@danielleadairz) on
Looking out from inside a small cave under a waterfall.. so beautiful. 😍
A photo posted by Danielle Zeigler (@danielleadairz) on
Ultimate ussie...in a cave behind/under a waterfall. #caveselfie
A photo posted by Danielle Zeigler (@danielleadairz) on
Join me on Instagram to for a behind the scenes look at my business + life.
I’m an SEO + content marketing strategist with over a decade of experience in the industry.
I work with passionate, purpose-driven business owners and marketing directors who are tired of trying to do All The Things and spreading their efforts too thin. They want to know what's working, what's not working, and where they should really be spending their time and money.
But I'll be honest- I'm not here for the people chasing vanity metrics. My philosophy is grounded in people-first marketing and what I've dubbed #SEOwithSoul. I don't believe in hacks and "beating algorithms" as a long term strategy.
Read more about me here.
