In Episode #68, I sit down with Lieutenant Kellie Hall as we discuss what makes us powerful as women.  Kellie is serving active duty and is a top recruiter in the US Navy.  She is not only a woman serving a male dominated leadership role, but she is also a model, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and is competing in the Miss California competition at the end of this month.  
​
​The roles that Kellie has found herself in place her in the juxtaposition of femininity and leadership and have helped her create the platform that drives her two part mission in life: 
    1.  Empowering and helping women find their power
    2.  Shattering the sterotype of people’s expectations.  
​
Growing up, Kellie was a cheerleader, dancer, did track and field and never saw herself in the navy but did dream of being in the senate.  Inevitably, she chose the navy because of the personal challenge it presented to her. 
“If something is scary, I go for it because that allows the most growth.”  
Kellie shares how in the beginning of her naval career, people wanted to put her in a box telling her not to wear make up because she wouldn’t be taken seriously in her career.  She faced the same push back when she decided on a whim to try out for the Miss Ohio America Competition.  Once again, she saw this as a challenge, but also as a way to connect with likeminded women.  She tells us how she had fallen into these positions along her journey but knew that God had pushed her to take action along the path. 
“I did not recognize that I was powerful or how to use that power.  I kept falling into these areas, and when people told me not to do it, I just said Why Not?..”  She suddenly realized that power is not determined by your stature but in the delivery of your message.  

Kellie says that people can’t be empowered until they know what makes them powerful which is exactly why she has created a three step process for unlocking the power within: 
Three Steps to Unlocking the Power Within: 

1. Find the Passion 
2. Protect the Power 
3. Find a Mentor 

Kellie leaves us with her definition of POWER:  Utilizing skills and gifts that are given to you by God.  

Man!  What a POWERFUL episode!  If you enjoyed it as much as I did, please go write a review now and tell Kellie exactly how much you enjoyed the show!  
Also, tune in Jan. 23-26 to watch Kellie compete in the Miss California USA competition.  


These are a few of my favorite FREE things———>
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2.  Learning Something New!  Thinking about starting a podcast?  You’re going to want to check out the Class for Beginners that I created over on Skillshare!  Did you know you can learn all types of new information over there?  Take a look at my Podcasting 101 course and while you’re at it, see if there’s anything else you want to learn.  Use my code to get two free months of Skillshare to learn whatever new skill it is that you need to step into your purpose!  https://skl.sh/2lpoNBU

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This week in Episode #67, I sit down with  transformational life coach and speaker, Ashton Cantou,. Ashton helps individuals struggling with trauma as well as entrepreneurs get clear on their goals in life, own their power, and take action. She credits her deep understanding of people’s situations and behavior to her personal life lessons and experiences growing up.  
    Ashton shares how as a little girl she dreamt of becoming a veterinarian or a dancer but realizes these goals may have been imposed upon her rather than what she truly wanted to pursue in life. 
​We take a moment here to discuss our parent’s goals for our lives and what that means to us as adults.  She tells us: 
    “Once we can let go of the need to be approved of by our parents, we really have the freedom to go after our dreams in a way that makes sense to our soul.  At the end of the day it’s about love and acceptance and less about validation & approval.”
Ashton discusses with us how she was always passionate about philanthropy and helping others but often times found where her talent would take her, her character could not keep her. She discusses her struggles as a teenager and how she would make decisions that showed that she didn’t truly value her life.  Ashton shares with us how the decisions she made presented her as a failure in other peoples eyes, and in turn, that started to become her identity. She says that she felt as if every time she took two steps forward, she consistently took one step back. 
    "My talent would take me where my character couldn’t keep me I didn’t deem myself worthy.”
Ashton tells us that even in the midst of the fire and turmoil she could recognize the anointing on her life and God‘s work in her journey. Eventually after struggling with her faith for quite some time, she was baptized, left an abusive relationship and began mentoring battered women. She explains to us that this was her point of a literal surrender, and this was where she could see God‘s plan aligning for her life.
     “Finding this place of self love and confidence and tapping into my own purpose is why I went through it all.”
 She took a job in special ed serving special needs children, has become a life coach, is a motivational speaker, and is soon releasing a social emotional book for teen girls that are struggling with identity self-worth, and value.  Having worked with children, Ashton realizes that a young girl’s confidence begins to plummet from the age of 8-14 and hopes that with this book, they can own their beauty and come to a place of self love early in life.  


Ashton shares her 3 Greatest Life Lessons with us: 

1. When you lose your joy, you are out of alignment. 
2. Listen to your inner wise woman and quiet the noise. 
3. When experiencing failure, embrace the power off the pivot.  

I swear I have the best guests!  You can connect with Ashton over on IG @ashtoncantou and check out her LinkTree for her coaching services! 
Have you written a review?  Would you do me a huge favor and go let Ashton know how much you enjoyed this show?  Pretty Please! 


FREE STUFF------->>>>
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Thinking about starting a podcast?  You’re going to want to check out the Class for Beginners that I created over on Skillshare!  Did you know you can learn all types of new information over there?  Take a look at my Podcasting 101 course and while you’re at it, see if there’s anything else you want to learn.  Use my code to get two free months of Skillshare to learn whatever new skill it is that you need to step into your purpose!  https://skl.sh/2lpoNBU


Does your skin need some help to get ready for those Instaworthy photo shoots? You’re going to want to jump on board and try the products that have literally saved my skin!  Check those out here!  Become a preferred customer and score 10% off plus free shipping! https://brandivoth.myrandf.com/solution-tool

Hey friends!  Happy 2020!  Each year I pick a word to guide me through the rest of the year.  My words for the past few years have been: Purpose, Reach, Focus, and this year, Vision.  Often times we hear people tell us to focus on the vision, but we don't always hear about the distractions that can get in the way of that vision. 

This week, while lounging in this cozy chair, next to this fireplace, I took time out to think about the literal distractions in life that can get in the way.  In Episode #66, I share with you lessons that I learned in the mountains about  3 things that can cloud your vision.  I hope you enjoy!

1. Focusing On Distractions that Can Cloud Your Vision

• The White out 
  • We are currently enjoying a holiday vacation in a beautiful lodged perched atop a mountain.  The lodge has wrap around windows and a view that is breathtaking.  From my bedroom, I can see a massive range of pine tree clad mountainous snow capped peaks that extend into the heavens in a serene setting where you can’t tell exactly where the mountains end and the clouds begin.  We’ve gazed out the windows watching the sunrise and sunset over this spectacular landscape.  However, this morning, we awoke to heavy snowfall and close to a white out situation.  All I could see were a few pine trees right outside the window.  There were no mountains, forest, or peaks extending into the clouds in the background.  Just white, a solid sheet of white.  I had to stop and think to myself that so often, we are distracted by the current circumstances that can keep us from seeing the whole vision.  The mountains are still there.  They are still waiting to be climbed, skiied, and traversed.  They haven’t gone anywhere.  There is just simply a blanket of snow clouding the view and keeping us from being able to truly see them and the endless possibilities.   
  • HOW THIS APPLIES IN LIFE: 
    • Often times, we cast our vision on the goals we wish to achieve.  We decide to start a new career, begin a healthy lifestyle, or venture out onto our very own purpose journey.  We write down our goals that we wish to achieve in the future.  We create action plans and set time frames.  We can feel the excitement of the vision we have casted.  We can imagine ourselves at the end goal, seeing the vision come to fruition.  And, then, a whiteout begins:  A friend or family member says something negative about your vision and the sun becomes a little less bright as the view gets a little less clear and precise.  An advisor, investor, or prospective partner tells you no and that it will never work.  The snow begins falling and you start to squint to see the top of the mountain.  You realize how much hard work this vision is going to take and the snow falls harder.  You’re only seeing the mountains closest to you at this point.  You realize the financial investment this vision will require of you and before you realize it, the sheets of snow in the form of doubt, insecurity, rejection, and mental exhaustion have completely blanketed the vision in one giant white out.  
    • The vision is still there.  It is still waiting for you to bring it to fruition.  You have to accept the distractions for exactly what they are:  obstacles that will hide your vision momentarily.  However, when the snow stops falling, the vision is there.  You just have to see beyond it.  
    • TWO STEPS TO A VISION: 
      • ​Mental:  Your vision has developed in your mind.  You’ve dreamt it and can see it vivid detail. 
      • Physical:  You have to take action in order to achieve your vision. 

                              Most people never get past the mental stage. They see the vision and then let          the whiteout shut them down. The mountains are still there but you have to physically take the    steps to fully explore and enjoy all that they have to offer.  

1. Once you can accept the distractions in your life as simply a mental block, you have to put one foot in front of the other and put the work in to achieve your vision.  
2. Not Casting Your Vision Where You Want to Go

• I’ve been working with my god daughter this year to help her learn to ski.  Last year she did ski school but this year she felt confident enough to take on the mountain without an instructor.   We are in a new place and a mountain that she and I don’t know.  But, I wanted her to know that I believed in her and she could do it.  So, as we disembarked from the life, I went over our plan.  I talked to her about the slopes we would be skiing, reminded her to make her big swooping “S’s” and told her to just follow me and do what I did.  We took off down the mountain and I was so incredibly proud of how well she was doing and how great she had listened.  I told her to keep her eyes on me because, just as her instructor had taught her, where your eyes go, your skis follow.  She followed my path like a permanent shadow for the rest of the day.  There wasn’t one turn I made that she didn’t take as well.  When I sped up, she sped up.  When I stopped, she stopped.  However, along the way, I forgot to heed my own advice.  We were making our way down a bit of a difficult blue that had uneven terrain with piles of fresh powder as well as a few patches of ice.  Very aware of the two little girls that were following my tracks, I was doing my best to stay on the smoothest path possible.  As I was trying to avoid the powdery mounds, I didn’t quite make the turn as smooth as possible, crossed the back of my skis up, and couldn’t get them uncrossed.  I was quickly lying on the ground on my back, skis uphill, and my goddaughter standing there watching me as I heaved myself back up.  I had broken the most important rule.  Don’t look down.  When you look down, you go down.  My goddaughter wasn’t on the ground because she wasn’t looking down.  She was looking up, at me and following where I went.  (I’ll also add that I was thrilled that she was able to stop quickly and not plow into me.  That is all on her here!)
• When I looked down the mountain and at the trail I was skiing, that’s where I went.  I didn’t focus on my current location and the ground below me because that wasn’t where I was going. I was going down the mountain so that is where my focus needed to remain. 
• HOW THIS APPLIES IN LIFE: 

1. Cast your vision on where you are going.  
2. Find a leader that has already accomplished the goal that you wish to accomplish and follow them.  
3. Set your eyes on your future vision and not your current postion.  

• Our vision was to reach the bottom of the mountain and hop on another lift to find another slope to conquer.  In order to accomplish that, I had to set my focus on the vision and she had to set hers on me.  Together, we reached our goals.  

1. Unforseen Dangers & Chasing The Wrong Things: 

• We were enjoying a lazy New Year’s Day morning in the lodge.  Some of the group had headed out for skiing while the rest of us had chosen to stay near the fireplace as the snow fell.  The kids at the house decided to bundle up and head outside for some snowman building, snowball fights, and sledding down the driveway.  We adults huddled around a table near the window, sipping coffee and mimosas, while we watched the kids play in the snow.  As we were visiting, I mentioned that on one trail that we ran the day before, I had seen signs posted warning of a moose in the area and how they can be aggressive.  We all laughed about this because we knew the odds of seeing a moose were incredibly rare.  It was literally less than 5 minutes later when my best friend in the middle of recording the kids playing in the snow shouted “There’s a moose!”  We all jumped to the window to see much to our horror, a moose charging up the driveway and hillside towards our kids.  We scrambled around the large house trying too find the quickest way possible to warn the kids and scare the moose off.  As we tried to determine the quickest way to warn the kids, the moose turned from having a stare down with the oldest, and decided to charge towards the house.  The kids, unaware that these are aggressive dangerous animals, began running after him.  As my husband bolted out a lower level side door to shoo the animal away, we opened windows from the upstairs shouting at the kids to get in the house and stay away from the animal because it was dangerous.  We were able to safely get the kids in the house and shoo the moose off into the trees where it plopped down and staked its territory.  The entire event was both terrifying, hilarious, and exhilarating.  I marveled at the innocence of the kids and how they never realized they were in danger.  
• HOW THIS APPLIES IN LIFE:

• How often do we see an opportunity present itself that is actually an unforeseen danger.  It swiftly appears along the journey of reaching our vision and we can’t help but take notice.  It’s impressive, grand, and like nothing we’ve ever seen before.  We want to grab a hold and welcome it into our journey.  However, often times, these “opportunities” are detrimental to your vision.  They can cost you time, money, and harm.  They can send you chasing after the wrong things and further distance you from achieving your vision.  You need to be cautious before accepting people or things that want to further your vision in life.  You need to be aware of the unforeseen dangers.  You need to educate yourself.  

1. If you are starting a new business, build a team of advisors that you trust that you can go to for advice along the way, that will help you understand the parts of business that you struggle with.  But, do your research while assembling this team. 
2. If you are beginning a health journey, don’t accept everyone and everything that claim to help you along the way.  Ask those you trust for recommendations as to what has helped them.  Find what is best for you and your personal journey. 
3. If you are embarking on a journey of purpose, make sure that you stay true to what you value.  Seek out mentorship.  And, while I am an advocate of expanding your network and welcoming new people in, make certain that those you bring alongside your journey have the best intentions for your vision. 

• Bottom line, the world is full of moose and they are highly aggressive animals.  Do not chase after them.    
• 
  
• As we embark on the first day of a new decade, I hope you have cast your vision for 2020.  I hope you have set your goals, and I hope that you are able to identify distractions that may hinder your vision along the way. 
    

**Have you written a review & rated us yet?  Go do that please!  We’ll take 5 stars!!  And, I'll love you forever!  
**Make sure to follow my page for all the vision casting tips to carry you through 2020. https://www.facebook.com/thepowerprojectvlog/

As you cast your vision for 2020, here are some free resources that may help you reach your goals. 
***FloDesk is the best email platform I have ever tried!  I’m not even kidding guys, l love the templates and layouts, and it’s so easy to use!  Use code POWERPROJECT for 50% OFF!
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****Thinking about starting a podcast?  You’re going to want to check out the Class for Beginners that I created over on Skillshare!  Did you know you can learn all types of new information over there?  Take a look at my Podcasting 101 course and while you’re at it, see if there’s anything else you want to learn.  Use my code to get two free months of Skillshare to learn whatever new skill it is that you need to step into your purpose!  https://skl.sh/2lpoNBU

****Interested in starting a business of your own with low overhead and quick ROI?  Checkout my blog: www.the-powerproject.com/powerfulbusiness Read my story and let’s schedule a power call to chat more about how you can get started.  

I can't wait to see your Vision come clear in 2020.  
~B

​

In Episode# 65, I sit down with Annette Brechbill, military spouse, mom, entrepreneur, and global citizen.  Annette has a widely varied background in her career from working in the travel industry as a flight attendant to serving as a diplomat at the American Embassy in London, where she hosted 23 Secretary of State visits, the G8 Summit, NATO meetings, and multiple presidential visits.  While she found her passion in the networking and relationship building aspect of those careers, she realized that she enjoyed connecting people and meeting needs.  She has taken that passion and turned it into a career as a speaker’s agent where she is able to promote speakers and match the right speakers with the right audience. 

Annette shares with us how Arianna Huffington and William McCraven were two of the most impactful speakers she has had the privilege of knowing and how she has a desire to bring the right people to the right stages to impact more lives.  Her vision for  building a speaker representation consultancy company was to be able to connect the right people who aligned with the way that she values business and making a positive impact in the world.  Annette first had the idea of building this company while watching a documentary about Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine.  She realized that while Dr. Dre was the artist, Jimmy Iovine was the force behind the artist that connected him with the right opportunities. I loved that this was her Ah-Ha moment when she knew that, much like Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre, she too wanted to sell speakers, but a different kind all together! 
    “I didn’t want to be Dr. Dre, but I sure as heck wanted to be Jimmy Iovine."
Annette shares her 3 tips with us for expanding how speakers can see the value in a speaking activity rather than just the income it generates. 

3 WAYS TO REALIZE THE VALUE OF A SPEAKING ACTIVITY:

1. Look beyond the payment of a speech. Focus on the impact you can make on other’s lives with the message 
2. Connect with the audience on an emotional level in order to build community and broaden your reach. 
3. Identify how the experience will positively impact and further your mission or goal.

For tips on giving a power speech, download your GUIDE--->  HERE

Rachel Fesko: Last Minute Mom 
In Episode #64, I sat down with Rachel Fesko, a full time working mom who currently serves as a content manager at a software company while simultaneously building her media company. She is passionate about helping others not make the same mistakes she has along the business path, and in her free time, she volunteers at her church. 




Rachel and I discussed her two main focuses when it comes to business, life, and the church.  
      1.   Failure as an imperative growth tool 
   2. The Power of Obligation and how you can live your life free of other  people’s opinions. 

We discussed Rachel’s childhood growing up as a preacher’s kid and the pressure to look right and act right that came along with that while she also shared with us her experience in bible college, leaving a church, and going through a church split.  She took it to church in this episode while sharing her opinion on how people in the church tend to feel like they have to have it all together and are never really allowed to just be themselves.  But, she says that’s not really who Jesus was anyway.  He was the leader that stooped down and stopped men from stoning adulterous women.  She talked about how she feels as if God is sparking a revival and is not on the mission of a cruise ship but rather a rescue boat.  

Rachel went on to discuss her failures in business, what she learned from them, and her
three steps to moving on in business after failure: 
3 Steps for Overcoming Failure in Business: 

1. OWN IT:  Y​ou have to own that you failed and pull yourself up from the boot straps.  Then you have to realize that failure is truly your most important growth tool. 

• Meditate/Pray/Take a walk: think about why you failed 

   2.  DECIDE WHAT THE NEXT STEP IS:  

• Relaunch
• Different Industry 
• Research Customers: Who are they, what do they want? 

   3.  Launch your Product/Service in spite of previous failure 

• Do it scared. “Listen through the fear”. You will never know what all the steps are but you to take the first one.  

Would you do me a huge favor and go let Rachel know how great you thought this episode was by writing a review?  Pretty Please! 

**FREE STUFF from this episode**
Also, want a discount code for the best email platform I have ever tried?  I’m not even kidding guys, I love the templates and layouts of FloDesk, and it’s so easy to use!  Use code POWERPROJECT for 50% OFF!

Thinking about starting a podcast?  You’re going to want to check out the Class for Beginners that I created over on Skillshare!  Did you know you can learn all types of new information over there?  Take a look at my Podcasting 101 course and while you’re at it, see if there’s anything else you want to learn.  Use my code to get two free months of Skillshare to learn whatever new skill it is that you need to step into your purpose!  https://skl.sh/2lpoNBU

Does your skin need some help to get ready for those Instaworthy photo shoots? You’re going to want to jump on board and try the products that have literally saved my skin!  Check those out here!  Become a preferred customer and score 10% off plus free shipping! https://brandivoth.myrandf.com/solution-tool

Madison Anaya  
Host of “The Fearless Chase” Podcast

In Episode #63, I sat down with Madison Anaya as we discussed finding your purpose, overcoming obstacles, and getting comfortable allowing ourselves to become who we were meant to be.  Madison shared how she struggled with who she “should” be versus who God was calling her to be.  
She also discussed how she has sought out community through social media and built a platform for impact and how it doesn’t matter whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, we were all built for community and learning from one another.  Madison talks about God placing giant dreams on her heart and overcoming imposter syndrome by realizing it was more important to please Him than prove herself to others.  

Madison's 5 Tips for finding Purpose Every Day

1. IDENTITY:  Knowing who you are and how you will root yourself when the storms come.  
2. KNOW YOUR WHY:  Why are you giving up your time, money, energy, time away from family? 
3. BE STRATEGIC WITH MAKING A GAME PLAN :  If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.   If you can create a game plan for the next 5 steps, you can give yourself grace needed to be okay with the step you are on in your journey.  This will provide the confidence of knowing that you made it to the step you are on and can make it to the next step. 
4. BE WILLING TO TAKE A RISK:  You have to quit letting fear hold you back and step out in faith.  
5. COMMUNITY:  While you are chasing dreams and taking risks, the community element will let you know that there are other people out there that believe in you, will hold you accountable, and will remind you who you are and why you are doing this. 

If you're thinking about stepping out of fear and into a podcast like Madison and I did?  Check out my Podcasting 101 course on Skillshare!  With my code, you can get two free months of Skillshare where you can learn whatever new skill it is that you need to step into your purpose. 

​Have you written a review yet?  Do us a favor and tell us how much you love us! 

The hubs and I recently attended our first business conference together.  We loved it!  There is nothing else like being surrounded by thousands of like minded individuals striving to be the best versions of themselves.  I personally  love conferences! But, the biggest mistake I see people make is that they don’t take action after attending.  They get all hyped up and motivated but forget to utilize the conference as the tool it is.

Spoiler alert...  after leaving a business conference, you should actually implement what you've learned into your business.  


 At the conference, you should have networked with intention.  For more tips on how to network, Click Here. You hopefully exchanged business cards, phone numbers, and added each other on social media.  Keep the conversation going. Stay connected with the community you have been immersed in.  Whether you are attending a women’s conference, personal development conference, or business conference, these are your people.  Find the ones that live in close proximity and schedule a follow up.  Chances are, these people will help keep you motivated and focused.  Follow the hashtag that was used for that conference in order to make sure you are connecting with others that you may have missed at the conference.  

1.  Go over notes:  Review your information.  

• What stuck out to you, what lit a fire, what did you highlight?  What was the biggest takeaway you had from the conference?  Was there an “Aha moment?”  
• Organize these thoughts in one document.  This is where I take my handwritten highlighted notes and transfer them into a document on my computer in order to have them easily accessible for future trainings or referencing.  

2.  Follow the speakers:  these are your mentors whether you know it or not.  Continue this education. 

• If they have a podcast, subscribe immediately. (rate & review the podcast as well) 
• Follow them on social media.  Chances are, they’re just as motivating online as they are on stage.  
• Buy the books. 

3.  What is the number one thing that you realized you weren’t doing but should be?  Why is this relevant?  How will it greatly improve your life.  

• Did you realize your mental block that is getting in the way of your success?  You need to work on mindset.  Do the deep dive here.  Lean into every area you need to in order to develop the mindset it takes to achieve your goals:  Surround yourself with those that will encourage this, read all the books, listen to all the podcasts, create your morning routine, focus on developing the growth mindset.  Whatever it takes.  
• Did you realize that you need to focus on time management?  Get intentional about your schedule.  Time block and organize your days. 

4.  Decide what pro-active step will deliver the most positive results.  Hint: It's the one that makes you the most money.  

• If you are at a company convention: Do you have a new product?  That product needs to be brought to your market to generate sales.  This is more important than learning an entirely new marketing technique.  Get the information out about that product/program/etc.., whether you know the ingredients or all of the details, build value in the product itself.  Educate your community as to why they need that product and how it will benefit them.  Do not get stuck in analysis paralysis here.  Remember, if you don’t know the ingredients or particular details, you can always look that answer up. 
• You most likely had ideas at a women’s conference or personal development conference.  Did you dream of hosting a ladies bible study.  Did you think of a women’s retreat?  Did you have the idea for a team training?  Put that plan on paper & action.  Begin talking to your community about this idea.  Poll your audience.  Ask for suggestions, recommendations, the best time to have the event.  Build excitement around this idea. 
• Did you realize that you need to add an offer or service to your current business?  Create the action plan for what that looks like.  

5.  Create an action plan to implement the information you have learned.  

• Work on one goal at a time. 
• Break it up into a specific measurable time frame.

Now, I want to speak to those that attend Business Conferences primarily.  Often times it is 100% like drinking from a firehose.  All the information is given, you write furiously, and you’re so excited for the future.  You go home with all your new ideas and think:  Okay, I have to build an email list, create a landing page, create a giveaway for the landing page, use Canva for the giveaway, download Canva, learn how to use Canva and how to resize pics.  Oh wait, I have to learn how to take good quality pics with great lighting for Instagram and post over there at least once a day.  Speaking of that, I need to update my bio with my new link tree information.  Oh, and I need to start writing articles on LinkdIn.  But, I need to have a podcast first, so that I have information to share over there.  Which reminds me that I don’t even know how to record a podcast and I need to order one of those mics which plugs into my phone.   Also, I need to learn YouTube so that I can start creating some coaching videos to build out my following and create a course.  Sound familiar?  I have been there.  In all honesty, it’s something I fight on a daily basis.  All of this is important to business. All of these are crucial marketing platforms.  However, as a mighty team of 1 and a part time assistant, I can personally tell you that you can not do all the things at once.  You have to break it up into a plan and this goes back to what will deliver the most desired results the quickest.  

TWELVE WEEK ACTION PLAN 

•   WEEK ONE: You should know your brand at this point.  If you don’t, now is the time to lean into it.  Decide what 5 topics represent you and your brand.  What do you want to be known for?  This is not a logo and a color scheme. Refer to podcast episode #49: Branding with Brandi where I talk about what a brand is not.  I have included a Branding Bootcamp Guide as well to help you become crystal clear on what your brand is. Get it HERE.
• WEEK TWO: This is the easiest and will get people invested in your mission: Push content out on social media.  Make sure you are providing content that serves your unique audience with the three E's:  Entertain, Educate, and Engage.  Pre-schedule social media posts for the next 30 days.  Planoly is a great scheduling app for IG.  
• WEEK THREE:  Build a website (if necessary) I use Weebly and the templates make it very user friendly, plus I appreciate the built in options & upgrades.  E-commerce and email marketing are both user friendly.  This is not the cheapest option, but it has served me well.   
• WEEK FOUR:  An email list is crucial.  But, it takes time and is going to take time to build out.  Spend a solid week creating email content for the actual audience you currently have.  You should have an introduction email that is sent as soon as someone subscribes to your list.  This should be the email version of a conversation you would have at a cocktail party.  Who you are, what you do, what you enjoy, and why they want to hang out with you.  If you don’t have a podcast, blog, or youtube channel to direct them to, find other ways that you can bring value to them in that introductory letter.  Let them know what you are working on and your future ideas so that they have a reason to come back and read your emails.   Give them your takeaways from the conference you just attended.  Share with them your favorite cold weather recipe or maybe a parenting tip/life-hack that could help them out.  This is about nurturing your audience.  I have recently switched to FloDesk and am obsessed with this email platform.  The templates are gorgeous and it is so user friendly!  Setting up email automation has never been so easy. I do pay for this program, but with my code: POWERPROJECT you can save 50%.   There are plenty of Youtube videos and podcasts about email marketing.  Listen to anything Jenna Kutcher or Amy Porterfield put out about this.   
• WEEK FIVE:  Create a giveaway for a Landing Page.  A freebie is something that provides value to your audience (for Free) in exchange for their email address.  I use Canva to create my the actual PDF giveaway, and FloDesk has a form and workflow to deliver the PDF giveaway.   Your freebie should clearly convey the value you can bring to your audience in a concise manner.  This can be tips over: cooking, parenting, workout, travel,  business, whatever is true to your personal brand.  For instance, check out this guide to Flying with Kids I gave away.  I actually made it back when I used a different program, but you still get the point.  Check it out HERE.
• WEEK SIX-TWELVE:  Create your platform:  Podcast or YouTube Channel.  Do the research it takes to learn about broadcasting on the platform you choose & don’t get overwhelmed.  Done is better than perfect.  Once again, you can learn all this for free online.  To hear what I first did when starting a podcast, check out episode # 44 What to Know When Starting a Podcast. And, you can check out a free Skillshare Course that I offer that will help you get your podcast off the ground if you find yourself stuck and overwhelmed with all the things you don’t know yet.  Check out THE BASICS of PODCASTING and get 2 months of Skillshare for Free. 

Okay, it's a lot, I know.  But, just breath.  Go back to the beginning of this post and start there.  Work through this step by step until you get to where you want to be. 
It’s not nearly as overwhelming when you break it down into bite size pieces.

My girlfriends and I loaded up and headed to Waco, TX.  We came from Austin, Arizona, Fort Worth, North Texas, and West Texas.  Our itinerary was a retreat that started with brunch at Magnolia Table, followed by a visit to The Silos and Magnolia Market, capped off with a slumber party at Fixer Upper's Barndominium.  

I have to be honest here.  While I love decorating and shopping for home decorations, I was most excited about relaxing with my girlfriends and having girl talk.  I was amongst the minority as one of the only that had not seen the episode of this renovation.  If it's clean and has a comfortable bed, I'm happy.  However, I was pleasantly surprised at what a great stay this provided.  Not only was it absolutely adorable, it had all the creature amenities one might miss from home.  

After winding your way ten miles from the silos, you arrive at the Barndominium set amongst an ideal location in a field of wildflowers alongside a lake .  Sprawling patios welcome you with cushy patio furniture, a grill, mini fridge, and fire pits. Once inside, you'll find no attention to detail spared.  There are five bedrooms with queen beds that can sleep up to 16 guests.  The linens and pillows made for a peaceful nights sleep and did not leave me wanting.  The downstairs holds a sitting room and large dining table with chairs for 12.  Upstairs has the kitchen, breakfast nook, living area, and oversized balcony.  The only downfalls were that there are only two bathrooms (one on each floor) and that there was not an inside area large enough to comfortably accommodate the group for lounging.  

If you're considering what to bring, you seriously only need groceries and clothes.  Aside from the standard amenities, there were also dishes, cooking and serving utensils, coffee maker, coffee cups, wine glasses, cork screw, ice bucket, microwave, washer and dryer, all soaps, cleaners, etc...

Time did not afford us the luxury, but there is also a 20 acre lake attached to the property where you can canoe, kayak, or fish.

We opted to bring all groceries with us rather than dine out.  For dinner, we had door dash deliver pizza which took all the headache of cooking off of our little Mama shoulders.  After dinner, we capped the night off with s'mores roasted over the fire pits.  

If you're looking for a great property to host a girls' getaway, I highly recommended The Barn.

Dear Teen Son 
I blinked and you are becoming a man. 
A beautiful kindhearted Jesus loving man.
There is nothing I can do about it. 
I can’t go back in time to you asking me to “put on a princess dress & come dance with you” 


 I can’t keep you from doing stupid things, falling in love, or getting hurt.  
I can’t keep you from thinking I’m a moron or not taking my advice. 

This is your journey to walk.  
These are your decisions to make. 
These are also your mistakes to learn from.
​


But, I can whisper truths that I pray you will always hear in the back of your mind. 
You are loved beyond measure. 
You are seen and known. 
You are valuable. 


You are not defined by the number of a test grade or a sports score. 
Your character is not intertwined with athletic achievement or academic credit. 


Your character is instilled within you and comprised of your moral values.  
You are a child of God. 
You are tenacious and do not give up. 
You are resilient and get back up.
You are committed to your passions.
You love selflessly. 
You empathize deeply. 
You stand strong in your convictions. 


There is nothing you can ever do to separate you from my love. 
There is no mistake great enough for your Jesus to turn his back on you. 


You will undoubtedly take the path least traveled as the Leader you are.  
​When it gets rocky and you stumble,  remember that you don’t have to walk it alone.  


So go now.  Stand up tall. Grow into the Man God is calling you to be. 
Go dance with the girls in princess dresses, remember that chivalry is not dead, 
and, don’t forget to kiss your Mama!

​There is no greater crime in all of society than that against a child.

Sex trafficking is the second most profitable illegal crime in the world, generating $32 Billion annually, topped only by narcotics.  A child goes missing roughly every 44 seconds in the United States alone.  

Today, on the Power Project, you’ll be hearing from my friend Jodie Webb of Colors of Hope.  Jodie’s story is one of restoration and redemption.  She has answered God’s call for her life and is fully living a life of purpose.  By God’ s grace she has been able to transform childhood trauma into a lifelong mission that stretches across international borders to fully restore survivors and further prevent these atrocities.  

Not only will you be inspired and empowered by Jodie’s mission but you’ll also hear about navigating the obstacles of starting a non-profit as well as balancing a family life while pursuing a purpose.  

To learn more about Colors of Hope, go to www.colors-of-hope.org.   Get involved with the newest campaign @ www.inittopreventit.org.  
Follow Colors of Hope Equine Restoration on Facebook 
and @colorsofhoperestored on Instagram.  

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call now.  
1-888-373-7888 or TEXT:233733