Living in a north-facing fourth floor apartment in Phoenix means that we get quite a color show every sunrise and sunset. Sometimes the oranges and pinks and purples are so vibrant and searing that I shake my head and laugh. There are many moments during the day when there’s so much to worry about and […]

A prospective client called and said, “I haven’t needed to market over the past 15 years. I’ve gotten plenty of work through word-of-mouth referrals. But everything has changed and I need to be on social media.” She explained her goals: Use LinkedIn more effectively (she has thousands of connections from her years in business!) Start […]

How do you know if what you’re doing is working? How do you know if what you’re doing is right? It comes down to the signs you’re looking for, doesn’t it? They could be marketing metrics like leads or engagement, or approval from other people, or the opportunity you wanted. I get fixated on specific […]

For years and years (and to this day!) I didn’t let myself try things I wasn’t already good at. A pick-up game of soccer? Nah, I’ll just watch. Video games? No thanks. Slap cup? Only grudgingly because I didn’t want to feel left out. I avoid most things competitive, where others rely on me and […]

You’re at the gift shop of the botanical garden. The store has vaulted ceilings, natural light, and the soft sound of water burbling over smooth stones. You wander to the personal care section. The gift shop carries perfume, lotions, and different kinds of soap: some look like rocks, some look like fudge, some are crusted […]

One time, as a young green member of a communications team, I had to call a newsroom. The company I worked for was opening a new store, and we wanted as much publicity as we could get. A man answered the phone and asked what news I had. I put on my cheeriest voice and […]