I've been a business owner for almost 20 years. I've had times of flourishing and times of struggle.

I can think of the time I invested in a trade show (for my then portrait business) that turned out to be run by a con-woman (it's a long story).

I can think of the time I undercharged on a project (fast-forward to my full-service creative firm days) and it took way more work that I expected.

I can also think of the time I realized the scary but freeing truth that if I wanted clients I loved to work with, who would be excited to pay me what my time & talent was worth...

...I needed to put that brand (& those rates) out into the world.

And sure enough, I started making 3x more per client (& drawing people who were in awe of my work, not just price-shopping. What a joy they were to work with!)

I've seen first-hand what the power of shifting a few things in our brand (& mindset) can do for a business.

Building your brand story & then putting it into a stepping-stone marketing plan can be a joyful, meaningful process! (Think: business growth + personal growth!)

And there are many reasons to love marketing from a brand-story-forward approach:

As a brand and marketing strategist, I'm constantly talking about the power of a brand story and -- how your brand can sell for you, Female Entrepreneur.

(Which is well, amazing, because who wants to feel salesey, right!? Not this big-hearted, INFJ, enneagram 1 wing 9, introvert, that's for sure).

But sometimes I know my stuff like the way you know your fave dark chocolate chip cookie with sea salt recipe, and forget to start from the beginning when I teach… what really IS a brand?

And why does it matter?

Here's my quick and quirky overview...

I want to tell you, Big-Hearted Female Entrepreneur, that it's possible to grow your business, even in hard circumstances.

Here's the thing...

Life just keeps happening.

We're in one season, then the next.

Kids need us, parents need us, pets need us, our bank account needs us, our health needs us...

Sometimes in small ways. Sometimes in big.

We hear so much about action-steps and marketing paths and big-wins... but it's not often enough we just get to the core of something that's stopping many of us.

Fear, that is.

I know a thing or two about fear. It's taken me out a time or two, and I've pushed through it plenty. So let's talk about it.

I've been in the brand and marketing space for years now — specifically in helping big-hearted women show up online in a way that works with their personality, doesn’t feel “salesey,” and isn’t drastically connected to showing up online in a way that wears business owners out.

When we think about marketing, our first thought might be to how business fads, trends, and platforms can change quickly and AI is making waves in marketing every day. So do we sway with the trends and tech, or keep it simple and lean on other techniques?

I’m going to examine that first, and then I’ve broken down what I see as "what's working" for business & marketing in 2026. Are you ready?

I have something you NEED to hear.

The ONE most powerful way I know to draw new clients (or followers or collaborators!) in, is the power of (drum roll!!!!)... a strategic brand.

When you have an alluring, magnetic "brand strategy" in place, you'll never have to have those icky sales conversations again, because your clients are already warmed up... already ready to buy.

I have a story for you (and a secret-weapon someone I want you to meet).

Because this ONE THING can transform your business forever.

One of my good friends had a program awhile back -- focused ONLY on helping others create MESSAGING for their business.

She offered it for $5000, it took place over 6m, provided training + specific feedback, and was BOOKED SOLID, for years.

Why?

Did you know? Because I didn't.

I just learned that bananas are curved because they grow towards the sun.

They're drawn to light.

Which makes me appreciate them just a little bit more now.

I feel like bananas and I (including my business) have something in common.

We all want more JOY in our business, right?

And yet, too often we're plagued with draining thoughts like:

"when I hit my goals, THEN I'll feel the joy."

Right?

And we feel stress or overwhelm instead...

I've found that we can find JOY in our businesses when we use this very simple 123 FORMULA:

Sometimes it feels soooo hard to invest in yourself  (& your own business) -- but here's why it MATTERS.

But first -- why are we talking about this, Female Solopreneur Friend?

So I can inspire you to invest in... the RIGHT THING for YOU.

And I mean that with all my heart. 

This 6 QUESTION GUIDE will help you with ANY investment decision you want to make for your business.

I'm excited to announce -- I've pulled together something really special for you!

Think: simplified access to big-hearted women (in a variety of industries) who genuinely want to see you and your business grow.

The thing is -- this is not a random assortment of women.

Years of collaboration has produced amazing connections - and I want to share them!

Let me introduce you to The Beautifully Anchored Online Business Directory. A beautiful pdf guide of women you'll want to meet.

Today I want to share Jen’s story with you. Jen is brilliant, big-hearted, and has been a business owner for years.

But she was feeling stuck, trapped, and burnt-out in her work as a VA (virtual assistant) and OBM (online business manager) and knew she needed to break out of the cycle and find a fresh start.

Jen felt drawn to my brand and graciously hired me as her 1-on-1 strategist and coach (which includes access to our signature program, The Small Business Bay).

What we uncovered was that Jen was capable of a life of so much more. More freedom, more money, a more aligned purpose, more joy in her work.

Friend – if you’re facing a pivot or a brave change in your business, you’re probably dealing with decisions galore and maybe some fears or hesitancies too, alongside weighing where to take bold action to get you toward your future dreams.

Let me share a little bit of what’s helped me…

If your heart is to truly help people and make an impact in the world through your gifts, talents, & passions while you grow your business… then you’re in a good place, Entrepreneur.

But at the end of the day, maybe it feels like you're falling flat or stuck at a standstill. Maybe you’re striving but missing the mark, or simply uncertain what to do next.

And what you really want is to be living in a place of joy, abundance, and calm – while seeing the fruit of your work from your small business!  

It’s possible you’re doing all the things you're told you "should" be doing... but not getting where you want to go. Or getting there... but with so much stress!

The internet promise of a meaningful, profitable business (without the overwhelm) feels out of reach.

And you're not sure why...

What you need is a breakthrough.

Question for you… do you know EXACTLY what to do this week to propel your business forward?

I mean sure, you probably have a lot of small things on your to-do list.

...but are the BIG things clear? The longterm direction, strategy, goals toward that big-dreams?

Because if not... all those little steps you're taking, might just be pointing you in the wrong longterm direction.

Surprisingly, despite my perky and overly-confident high school girl tone, the paper revealed I had a good grip on ways I was unique -- and on the strengths and weaknesses that came with it. I even mention my entreprenurial spirit.

It made me reflect on my journey -- and brought up a lot of emotions I wasn't expecting to feel today.

Primarily that so many things in the past point us to who we are... and where we are meant to make an impact... today.

Sometimes the world is weird, your weeks are busy, the news is chaotic, and you're wondering where you fit in at all (or how to focus and see traction in your business). Here's the thing -- when you remember this one thing, everything is OK.  >>>>