Confidence & Leadership

Research shows that one of the biggest reasons people avoid asking for help isn't a lack of need—it's a fear of how they'll be perceived. In their study, Why Didn't You Just Ask? Underestimating the Discomfort of Help-Seeking, researchers Vanessa K. Bohns and Francis J. Flynn found that people consistently overestimate how uncomfortable it will be to ask for help and underestimate how willing others are to provide it. In other words, we create stories in our minds about being

There have been so many moments in my business where I knew what the right decision was… and still hesitated. Not because I didn’t have the answer—but because I didn’t trust myself enough to follow it. I was starting with a new client. He had over 30 employees. On my first day, I was excited to get started and develop a marketing plan. When I arrived at the office, I smiled at everyone and made small talk with as many people as I could. Then I entered the boardroom and everyt

What if confidence in networking had nothing to do with a perfect pitch or saying all the right things? The real shift happens when you stop trying to impress and start showing up as your full, authentic self—open, curious, and ready for meaningful conversation. When the pressure fades, networking transforms from something intimidating into something energizing and impactful. This approach not only sharpens your communication skills but naturally expands your opportunities an

If you’ve ever wanted to reach out to a business you admire, a woman you’d love to partner with, or a brand that feels aligned with your mission—but stopped yourself because you didn’t want to sound “salesy”… you’re not alone. Collaboration can feel vulnerable. Believe me I know. I have sent out 100s of emails to female business owners asking to use their space for an Ember Women event or companies to sponsor networking events. I’ll never forget when I had a dream of hosting

And Why It’s Holding Your Business Back More Than You Think We often talk about branding and messaging as something outward-facing—meant for customers, clients, and the public. But here’s the truth I’ve seen over and over again in organizations of every size: If your internal communication isn’t clear, your external messaging never will be. Teams can’t communicate what they don’t understand. And unclear internal communication doesn’t just cause confusion—it quietly drains pro

We’ve all had those big, exciting ideas that keep us awake at night—the kind that light up your brain and make you think, “This could change everything.” The vision is crystal clear, full of potential and possibility. But then comes the tricky part: turning that vision into something real, tangible, and actionable. If you’ve ever felt stuck between dreaming and doing, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too, and it’s taught me a few valuable lessons about what it takes to cross

I check out during the holidays. When I was working at the Utah Department of Health all of the agencies we worked with were out of the office from December 20 to January 6th. Why I never worked for an agency is beyond me. I celebrate the holidays and if you were a fan of my last business Hint of Lavender then you understand my level of celebrating. I want to be with my family, bake all day long and watch as many holiday movies as we can. I understand that is not everyone’s c

Business playbooks, templates, and formulas often promise success—but they can leave entrepreneurs feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or out of alignment with their true vision. Every business is unique, which is why the best strategy starts from within.