I posted this quote to my business’ Facebook Page today. It’s a quote I don’t think I’ve heard before, but I loved it the moment I heard it on my Calm meditation app this morning.
It may seem weird, but I always look forward to reading the MLK quotes on this anniversary. I am continually overwhelmed by how much wisdom, determination, and courage was wrapped up in one person. It’s almost unfathomable.
Hearing his words, no matter where they’re posted, humbles me and brings me to tears every year, and I am a better person for it.
I even wrote about it on this previous post, “Why I Fight,” which explains my admiration for him, Moses, and Abraham Lincoln, and how I am part of their legacy in the search for social justice. So are you, should you choose to be. There is a place for each of us.
I pray we do not post a quote on days like today and leave it at that, though. I pray we remember his legacy and sacrifice, and strive to be better people, and better citizens of this planet. Everything we do affects everyone else, to sum up another one of his quotes.
May we be people of peace and love, not of fear and division.
Since leaving my old job in May, I now frequently get asked what kind of work I do. So, I figured I’d take the time to spell it out here.
The gist is that I am a writer and consultant (mostly marketing and communications) for nonprofits, social justice organizations and social enterprises. I also do a little magazine writing, and hope to expand that soon. Now and again, I do other odds and ends upon request or for friends, but writing and consulting is really the core.
I particularly love partnering with small organizations. I’ve found that many of the people who run and are employed at those organizations do so because they have a heart for the work, but may not be strongly suited for the strategy when it comes to communications and marketing. This is where I come in. I have always loved helping small businesses grow, and being in on the ground floor to build them up. So, when I apply my skills to their needs, I can help them get their message out in a bigger and better way. And in working with those three types of businesses (nonprofits, social justice organizations and social enterprises), I am ensuring a greater success for the types of companies that I want to support personally and see thrive.
Here are a few examples of the work I’ve done so far, and an introduction to some of my fantastic clients:
Atlanta Dream Center: They protect and support the area’s most vulnerable populations, including the homeless, at-risk children and women who have been trafficked or prostituted. Among other things, I wrote many of the communications pieces for their annual benefit dinner, such as the website, save the date, invitation, newsletter announcement, press release and sponsor package. I also created a marketing plan that they can use to more effectively organize the event moving forward, and provides a comprehensive strategy for the who’s, why’s and how’s of the annual dinner. Additionally, I consulted on all aspects of the dinner, and was able to give marketing and communications insight they didn’t have before. All of this resulted in their most profitable fundraiser to date—by far! I have been a volunteer with them for the past three years, so I was beyond excited to see them surpass their goals, and for a new audience to become aware of their amazing work.
Habitat for Humanity: Ok, so you’ve probably heard their name before. They provide safe, affordable homes to individuals and families around the world. Habitat is a solution to the global housing crisis, and while I’ve always had great respect for the organization, it’s in overdrive now that I’ve learned so much more about them. We both celebrate the big 4-0 this year, so I’ve been rewriting some of their web pages as they prepare for a new digital online presence. And I’ve been able to work with a friend from college, so that’s been fun too.
Connect Faith: I started writing for this magazine several years ago when I was at Orange because the focus is Christian event planners, and I fit that mold at the time. So, it’s been a place where I could use the knowledge from that job to help educate and inspire others in that field. I also attend a lot of Christian conferences, as you already know if you’ve read this blog much at all, so I could share the things I was learning with a larger audience. They are a great publication, and it’s been fun working with them. I hope to also be able to write for some of their other magazines soon. And, as I mentioned above, I hope to write for other publications as well before too long, particularly in the areas of social justice and travel.
Be the Bridge: This budding organization utilizes resources and conversations to further racial reconciliation. They believe that the Church must become a bigger answer to this issue, and are equipping people to host racially diverse small groups that create open lines of communication. We should not be having the “race conversation” as only white people or only black people, but as friends and Christians. My friend, Latasha, started this organization because she was willing to have the awkward, but necessary conversations, and build bridges that foster healing. It’s important and timely work. They just held their launch parties here in Atlanta a few weeks ago, so I assisted in strategy and communications, and also did live Tweeting, Instagram and Facebook during the two inaugural events.
Dr. Bombay’s and The Learning Tea: This darling little tea shop in Atlanta’s Candler Park neighborhood funds “life scholarships” for girls in India. With these funds, girls can go to college, have a safe place to live, and have all their basic needs provided for. And her chai tea is my absolute favorite! I was introduced to Katrell, the owner, in 2012, and we’ve been friends ever since. I even traveled with her to India in July 2015 to meet the girls! I provide ongoing communications and marketing consulting services for both organizations, as well as for her book, Tiger Heart.
Naeem Fazal: My friend, Kitti, collaborated with Naeem on his first book, Ex-Muslim. It’s really fascinating and funny and heart-warming, so check it out. She was unable to collaborate on his second book, so she recommended me. We’re just getting started on the book proposal, so we have a long way to go. But it’s been fun getting to know him. This project falls into more of the odds and ends category, but my friends who know I’m working on this ask me about it a lot. I guess books are just more interesting. 🙂
TrueNorth: I just started working with them, and I’m really excited about the work that they do! My friend, Anne, started this organization just a couple of years ago after working with women who had been trafficked and prostituted. She decided that she wanted to work more “upstream” to focus on more of the source and start of the issues, rather than toward the end when women had already been abused. I think that is a terrific strategy. So, she is creating resources and providing information to combat our sex-saturated culture. Porn is a huge issue now, which probably isn’t hard for you to understand. But did you know that kids as young as eight are now seeing pornographic images, and most porn is consumed while individuals are at work? Anne wants to get to the root of that issue, and also help remove some of the shame associated with these behaviors so that individuals, children and families can get the help and freedom they so desperately need, and can only be found in Jesus. She currently speaks about the issues, and is working on a book and Bible study, and will also soon be expanding into events. So, I’m assisting in the writing, strategy and execution of their year-end giving campaign. I can’t wait to see her work and presence in the community grow!
Hopefully now you have a better understanding of what I’m doing now that I’m a full-time entrepreneur. It’s been so fun to partner with these causes that I believe in, and to do different kinds of work that furthers good things in the world.
If you know of anyone that I can help in these ways, please reach out! (Website coming soon!)
PS: Don’t I have some amazing friends? I’m so proud of them, and blessed to be a part of their work.
Once again, I attended the annual Catalyst Conference two weeks ago here in Atlanta. My favorite day of the conference is Labs. It’s the day where you get to choose who you want to hear, and tailor the topics more to your interest. I was able to sit in on some great ones this year! Check it out…
People of other colors are not our tokens. They need to become friends.
John 17, we must be a credible witness – Tasha
Creating new laws and amendments are not the same thing as dismantling the system. – Tasha
It’s ok for you to listen to someone else’s pain, and not know what to say. But please listen. – Jo
It’s ok for you to hear someone else’s pain and not know what to say. But we need to listen. – Jo
The Church has been the taillights when it comes to racial reconciliation, when it should be the headlights. Aren’t we the ones who have HOPE through Jesus? – Tasha
If you are someone with a platform, maybe you should use it to pass the mic to someone else with more knowledge on this issue. I have a black son, but I do not know what it is to be black. – Jennie Allen
Always start with prayer. – Tasha
Get to know People of Color as people first. Change happens when we find commonality and develop real relationships. – Tasha
Diversify your life in small ways first. – Tasha
Reconciliation will cost you. It could be pride or comfort, or even your politics. It’s hard work. – Tasha
I can support the police while speaking up for justice. – Tasha
Get off social media, turn off the TV, and get some real-life People of Color friends! Don’t try to understand our culture from a media perspective. It’s often wrong. – Tasha
Romans 12:4-6 Message, Christ’s body and its many parts
In each of our life stages, we feel at some point that we are drowning.
Guilt and shame are entirely different. Shame is not of God. Guilt needs to get our attention. And guilt is the only time a good, Christian girl can say, “Go to hell!” – Liz 😉
Many times we are so overwhelmed in our world, we stay confined there. When in fact, we should get perspective and distraction from other people’s world. We forget that we are all living someone else’s dream. Be grateful for where you are, and run with it. – Esther
Look up “Simply Christian” by NT Wright (permanence, proximity and presence)
We all need 3:00 a.m. friends. Be the one to lead with vulnerability. – Rebekah
Be brave in saying what you need.
Your vulnerability is one of the greatest gift you have to give. – Rebekah
Don’t put the pressure on others to come to you. Go to them. If you are white, put yourself in a place locally where you are in the minority. Sit in it for a while. – Tasha
Joshua had to be told to be ‘strong and courageous.’ We all feel inadequate in the beginning of big dreams. – Jennie
We don’t have to be afraid of what God tells us to do because He has bigger and better plans ahead anyway. We just have to start down the path. – Liz
It’s better to proactively get counseling for a year than to wait and need it for 10. – Jo
Your platform is not a place to do your therapy. Go first as a good example, but do it in a good and responsible way. – Liz
What are the visuals that people see in your church? For example, are all your missions pictures of white people saving the poor, black people? What does this communicate to your children? – Jo
If you have a multi-ethnic or diverse church, it doesn’t mean that you’ve arrived. The issue of racial reconciliation isn’t a box to be checked. It’s an ongoing conversation. – Tasha
Your church needs to be a safe place for kids of all ethnicities. If it’s not, the children of color will take impressions, feelings, memories, comments and even micro aggressions into adulthood. I know I have, and so have my friends. The Church should be a place where all feel welcome and wanted. That is what the gospel is all about. – Tasha
Last week I had the privilege of attending the Yellow Conference in Los Angeles for the first time. If you aren’t familiar with it, the event is for creative and entrepreneurial women who want to do good things in the world. This is only the third year of the event, and there were about 500 of us present. It was a lot of fun, a great time for learning, an opportunity to make new friends…and perhaps even land a few new clients.
L – Live in the moment. We all still have to avoid the tyranny of the moment. Don’t check email for a while after waking up. Leave space in your life to respond to the needs of others.
O – get Outside.
W – be Willing to ask the who, what and where of everyday choices.
Jedediah Jenkins, travel writer
Your dream for your life is the thing you were meant to do.
Your goal is a version of your dream, but not the big thing.
What do you want to spend 10,000 hours doing so you can be the best at it? (Gladwell’s Outliers principle)
Elle Luna, #ChooseMust
The crossroads of should and must.
Make less art. Become art.
“Should” comes with a lot of expectations. Should is from the outside in.
“Must” is the truth of who you area.
“Should” is a “must” in training.
The first thing a prisoner needs to understand is that they are in prison. 🙂
Fill your canvas. Choose your story.
TED Talk – job vs career vs calling
Find your “must.”
Krysta Masciale (krysta @ bigdealbranding.com)
You can kick butt from a gentle place!
There is nothing more powerful than a brand who owns it.
When were you last functioning in your sweet spot?
Don’t choose to be a replica. Choose to be yourself.
Intersection of values and talents, and where the market exists = that’s where each of us needs to be.
No one buys the knock-off without wishing they could afford the real thing.
Identify your top five values. The people with those same values will find you.
Is the thing you want for the world also the same thing you want for yourself?
Your impact is valued by those closest to you. Impact those closest to you first, then go bigger.
You need to make the biz side of your biz your friend, not your enemy.
Friends are fun. Find time for them. You understand each other. You need each other.
Find time: education. Weekly investment. Set aside dedicated time.
Understand each other. Love without judgement. Scarcity/abundance principle.
Social media is the running conversation around your brand.
Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.
Understand each other. Be a generous listener. What do you need? What does it need?
If you can’t do what you do profitably in 40 hours per week, it’s not a practical business. But you can also give it a year or so to get there.
Make sure you have an accurate representation of what goes into creating and delivering your service. Cost of sales includes what it would cost you to replace you.
Taking care of each other’s needs:
How do I know what to charge per client?
Desired salary x 2.5 = gross sales
Desired hours worked / average time per job = job production
Job production / sales = average number of jobs needed
Dived “desired hours” by 1/3 due to 1/3 admin and 1/3 marketing
Include 11 months instead of 12 for vacation/holidays
I’m excited to be heading to The Yellow Conference this week! It’s my first time at this event, which is dedicated to creative and entrepreneurial women. And as an added bonus, it takes place in my self-adopted second home of Southern California. Should be an awesome event!
Since leaving my old job in May, I now frequently get asked what kind of work I do. So, I figured I’d take the time to spell it out here.
Once again, I attended the annual 
Last week I had the privilege of attending the 
Mental Post-Its 