I tried to imagine where it had hung, once upon a time. I read the inscription over and over, and imagined it as part of a large, heavy door, facing the public square in some mid-sized city. I could see people look at it, turn their eyes away, hurry along, hoping no one they knew would ever have to go through that door. Continue reading

When I found Nettie, again, after many years of silence, we took up right where we left off. Our conversations (behind the scenes) were full of the stories of life we needed to share. And therein lies the best part of today's Smart Woman Conversation with Nettie Reynolds - storytelling. Continue reading

Anastasia calls herself a "generational expert" and she doesn't do this lightly. She recognizes the need for all of us to work together. I give her oodles of credit for figuring out the #newjobnewlife hashtag (how that happened is in the video and it's interesting... so pay attention as you watch), given that so many of us are on that path. Continue reading

We are curious creatures, we human beings. Women, especially, are seekers of truth and justice - for our children, if not for ourselves. For our community, for those we love unconditionally. We long for a sense of significance. We ache for righteousness. We strive for acceptance. We desire to be noticed. But, we are too often not present for the result. Continue reading

Margo Lovett has a voice that makes my soul melt. There is a quality to the softness of it that makes me listen more closely to what she's saying. It also exudes confidence. When she speaks, I think the world is listening. Certainly, my heart hears and tells me this is a good thing. Continue reading

Yes, being polite is a good thing. Knowing when to express apologies and when not to, is a learning experience. The message here is that you cannot fix the whole world, and being sorry for that is not endearing you to customers or clients or prospects. In fact, it may be harming your growing relationship. Continue reading

We drove to the Outer Banks in one day. Long trip, yes. But, worth it. The three story house rented by three families, was more than adequate. Complete with an elevator (holy cow!), the house came with air conditioning, great windows with views to the street outside and small glimpses of the ocean. Of course, the trip was mainly for the children. We put in our sweat equity to give them memories that will last a lifetime. Continue reading

Let's talk survivors. People who never give up. People who believe in a better tomorrow. People who don't let yesterday dictate how happy the can be today. Continue reading

The moral of most novels is …more complicated because the human condition invites a long, serious discuss on morals as presented in novels. Not to mention, some understanding of the hero's journey. Novels exist to entertain. They take us out of our ordinary lives and give us glimpses into worlds we would not know, otherwise. The moral in most of them is that being human is okay. Or, being an alien based on the author's human experiences, is okay. Continue reading

In memory, these days, I see that child and watch her move cautiously in her world, all the while basking in the summer sun, with groups of friends who had nothing more on their minds than whatever mischief they could cause that day. It was all about the freedom. Continue reading

As a busy entrepreneur, you no doubt have had that day when you got up, showered (no, I don't shower every day, it wastes water), made your face up (no, I don't do my face every day, why would I?), and got dressed for success, in preparation for a meeting with a new client, a prospect, an old friend who has a referral for you; whatever it is or was, you did the work, put in the effort, arrived at the coffee shop and... got a text."Can't make it. Am otherwise engaged at the moment. Reschedule?" Continue reading

This was home in the sense of my whole being, my soul, and my purpose in life, were there, in that lounge, in that building, with those people. We were more than friends, and beyond family. We were parts of a bigger whole. It's hard to explain. Continue reading

What is a conscious entrepreneur? It’s someone who is conscious about building a business.It’s a woman who may suddenly recognize that her art, her talent and creativity, and her desire to share, can become a profitable business. Continue reading

How many emails did you answer today? Ten? Twenty? More?Are you a bit overwhelmed with emails - watching hundreds come dinging into your mailbox every morning, noon, and night?If you are, you’re like hundreds of other small business women who feel overwhelmed with all the content being thrown at them, like rice at a wedding.It’s time to stop. Stop! STOP! JUST STOP! Continue reading

Victoria, to her credit, decided to follow her gut instinct when she was hit by a bolt of lightning one day. No, not a real lightning bolt. We’re talking the kind of “I have a big idea” lightning bolt. Continue reading

I remember one day, back before I became independent, sitting at my desk while one of my bosses (I had four at this one company) sat across me giving me the evil eye. I remember being shy and afraid, but holding it in check. Continue reading

In this conversation, the topic of art looms large. Are you artistic? Catriona shares a great story of how she never thought what she did was artistic, but she finally learned, maybe she realized it one morning when her view of what art is and what it isn’t changed, that she is as artistic as any of us. Continue reading

It seems that I have a lot of luck in my life. People tell me, “You’re so lucky to live so near your grandchildren.”Not really. I had a plan. The plan was to move from CO to NY to be near my grandchildren. Luck had nothing whatever to do with it. I made the decision. I made the choice. I followed the plan. I made the move. Continue reading

Her sense of curiosity might be at the root of her sense of adventure. I think they go together, don’t you?I’m curious. I love learning. I’m even adventurous, a bit. I’ve moved cross-country twice. That was quite an adventure.When it comes to flying over the ocean, however, I draw the line. Continue reading

Each and every one of these women were asking for help getting over the rocks and stumbling blocks. Help figuring out a business plan, or a way forward. These are women who want to know more about selling online. Women who want to create their magic, and work with a mentor to get her to that next level. Because she knows she cannot get their by herself. Continue reading

Kim shares and explains how she see the word “abundance” in relation to our lives and her life. Abundance is a powerful word if you take the time to understand it. And it can mean so many different things - including being thankful for family and the business idea that got you started as an entrepreneur. Continue reading

It’s merely a regularly updated web page or web site. A good many folks talk “blogsite” now, instead of website or blog.The origin comes from “web log”… and dates far back into a galaxy far far away. But, really, just on the internet. Techies were using web logs long before business folks, like us, hopped on the band wagon. Continue reading

One of the best parts of this conversation is when Hollie says, “Magic happens.”We talk about magic a good bit, here at Nurturing Big Ideas. I believe in your talents and magic. Having Hollie say those words, unbidden by me, made my heart soar. You’ll have to watch to discover why she said them, and what she means by them. Continue reading

Your muse may be an angel. An angel you know. We all have them. I am not religious, let’s put that out there, but the concept of an angel at your side is a universal one, and the warmth of such comes from a caring Universe. A Universe I tell you all the time that wants you to be wildly successful! Continue reading

Think of too tall or too short as not who you are but what you bring to the lectern. You bring experience dealing with the unfair nature of otherwise smart people to place you in a box you don’t belong in. Continue reading