Why not start out the new year with an introduction!
Five rapid fire this-or-thats, five favorites, and five deeper questions.
Let's do this!
Coffee, but only decaf.
I am a little of both, but more often a nightowl.
Both, as long as they are decently healthy. For weekday cooking I keep it relatively simple.
Listen. I’m a BIG Audible fan, I’ve been on Audible since 2010. I probably get through 15-20 books a year. Reading an actual book is hard for me. I have 3 chronic migraine disorders, including vestibular migraines. This impacts my vision, balance, and causes headaches. So listening to books has been my go-to now for years.
Podcast. Again, because of the migraines I often can't do music. In fact any background noise while I try to do work or a project makes my brain hurt!
I have had a soft spot in my heart for James Taylor since I was a kid. I loved his song writing and would sit in my bedroom for hours listening to his records. I’ve been to his concerts three times. The first was when I was in high school. My best friend and I were both into JT and when he came to town our sophmore year, our parents let us go. It was a small venue and we really wanted to get an autograph. We guessed he’d be staying at the only hotel 1 block away. So we waited, and waited and yes, we were right! We got him to sign our tickets!
France. Everytime I’ve been to Paris, or really anywhere in France I fall deeper in love. I love how France has always embraced and cherished the arts and its tremendous history. However, anywhere in Europe is always quite a rush. I can’t get enough of all the historic architecture!
Shell fish! I love crab, clams, oysters. Steamed clams are often a go-to for me in a good seafood restaurant.
I will admit to watching the Kardashians from time to time. I know, cringe! They produce that show so you actually feel like you get to know them. Yes there are some manufactured arguments here and there, but nothing like what they do in the Housewives franchise. I absolutely can’t do those shows!
Anthropologie. The physical store always puts me in a good mood. But when I was younger, my favorite store was Smith & Hawken. You’ve got to be over 40 to probably remember these stores. They were expensive and had all the best gardening equipment. It was like the Nordstroms of gardening. Smith and Hawken consistently inspired new ideas for me, especially after I bought my first condo and then house in the late 1990s. They had fabulous Christmas decorations and the best paperwhite bulbs every Thanksgiving. Miss this store so much!
I have an innate ability to take something complex and break it down into a system of execution. At Nike, I was known for my “systems thinking” ability. That’s corporate speak for making a plan that can be repeated, taught to others, and executed simply. As a business owner now, wearing so many more hats than I imagined, I find it impossible to create systems for everything. Not everything needs one, and there just isn't time. So I've had to relax this tendency and learn to move faster; you just have to make a choice and go.
The last big remodel I did was fantastic. I had so much fun. It stretched me in so many ways. Photos below.
Longevity. I have built many teams over the years and the individual human connections that continue to this day are so special. I feel the same about an idea, framework or product that remains durable and relevant still after many years, is successful and provides tremendous value.
I’ll give you three! Laziness, entitlement, and intolerance make me crazy. I have had jobs since I was 13 years old. That gave me options I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I also learned young the power of learning new things. Have you ever seen the reel where a woman says “I was born with the how hard can it be gene.” Thats me. I watched both my parents do hands-on projects for my entire life. I enjoy rolling up my sleeves, getting dirty and figuring out how to do, whatever it is. I believe we are entitled to what we work for, not what we think we should have. That mindset makes me so frustrated.
Intolerance of differences is an absolute non-negotiable. We are all different. We conform in various ways though as an act of cooperation. That’s what makes society work. However, we must not forget that behind a label of conformity, there is still difference. That difference is where all the beauty lies.
When I left Nike I was so motivated to do something more creative, where I was the creative decision-maker. At that point I had not been active on social media that much. A couple friends told me numerous times I should spend some time on Instagram. When I finally did I was blown away. It was a consistent feed of art, design, ideas….I was hooked. Since then I’ve learned that you really have to curate your account. Don’t click on the stuff you don’t want in your feed. That’s really helped as I now manage 4 accounts, 3 for the business and one personal.
I hope this gave you a little more insight into who I am. If there are some other burning questions, please don't hesitate to put them in the comments below and I'll provide answers!
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