Building a Brand as a Mom | Motherhood

Building a brand is a full-time job. Being a mother is a full-time job. Doing both at the same time is not only possible but a rewarding experience for you and your children. There are situations and opinions that may say otherwise, but like anything else, you know what’s best for your life. You have to give yourself permission to be multilayered. Here are some helpful thoughts to arm yourself with as you center your experience as a mother and businesswoman.

1. Own the layered value & identity of your unique motherhood – Stop giving into the habit of defining the type of mother you are when asked about who you are or what you do. Blanket phrases like “just a stay home mom” or “working mother” or “full-time mother” are truly unnecessary and only demean how multifaceted and capable we are as women. It’s another way to inflict distracting mommy guilt, fuel the mommy war fires, and pre-judge each others mothering experiences. You are a mother. Period. And, it’s the ultimate form of leadership. Whatever you do, or don’t do for money & personal purpose is a layer of your identity but does not define or cancel your role as a mother. It’s in addition to. Being a mother does not diminish your ability as a businesswoman. Being a businesswoman does not diminish your ability as a mother. You are a mother and a businesswoman. Own them both, you have the exceptional ability to be more than one thing simultaneously. *Side Note* That goes for whoever you are… that’s not just for businesswomen by the way.

2. Keep your priority perspective centered – Your children only get one mother. You’re are everything to them. No matter how easily you can justify how important your work is, how impactful it is to the world, or how many people need you…your first priority must always be your family. There are no exceptions to this. What may seem like something trivial to you, means the world to your child. Your presence is the strongest love language to them. Being there is more important than anything you can provide for them. A broken family is a broken legacy no matter how successful your ventures are. Children need their parents.

3. Raise them up to be visionary minded – Being a mother and a visionary is a lifestyle. A living example of what it looks like to overcome obstacles, believe in something, and follow through. Include your children as much as you can, make it fun for them. When they are younger, give them a play office space in your work area so they can imitate you. As they get a little older, give them the opportunity to create their own business idea that they can work on while you build yours too. The possibilities are endless… and hey, you never know what they might inspire in your own work. Children are just mini powerhouses full of unfiltered imagination. Always ask them what they think, or what they would do. Instill in them that their ideas and thoughts have worth.

4. Be flexible & accept that things may not always go the way you plan – When you go into something with the understanding that you might have to adjust accordingly it helps that not become a crisis in itself. You may have to get used to doing smaller tasks when you can. (Find some of the time mastery tips I have learned to be most useful here.) You may also have to train yourself to work in conditions you’re not used to ( more noise, being interrupted, different workspace, etc.) You may not always get everything done in your timing either. But, it’s okay! Celebrate the small progressions and just continue to stack them up. Keep a list of everything you’ve accomplished just as you would a to-do list. As a mother, it helps to literally see it so that you can continue to encourage yourself.

Whatever motherhood looks like for you, it is exactly what it needs to be. Each family has different personalities, rhythms, needs and purposes. Be in tune to how to best cultivate what that is, and then rock it unapologetically. You CAN build a brand and be a mother. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. You got this power mama. We’re all rooting for you!

Originally published on Empire Life Magazine

What Does Creative Sisterhood Mean? | Womanhood

Sisterhood. What does it actually look like? When put into action it’s the lifestyle that can redefine relationships among all women. For far too long, women have put each other down, competed, and instinctively betrayed each other. This has left a lot of women guarded, isolated, and unsupported. It doesn’t have to be the norm, and we are the only ones that can change it. With these simple shifts in perspective, you’ll have actionable expressions of sisterhood that you can live out every day and pass on.

Always remember: She is still your sister with a vision

We get so caught up in what we are passionate about that we forget there are other women waking up every morning with a passion too. Instead of thinking of her as a threat, remember that she is a fellow dream doer. She too wants better for her life, family, and the world around her. She too has people doubting her while she pushes against obstacle after obstacle to be who she knows she was created to be. You can join in and make it harder for her, or you can rise together. Value her vision as you would your own.

Always remember: Someone else having skills does not diminish your own 

We have been brought up to compare ourselves to other women. The attributes and success of another caused us to feel doubt about our own, instead of empowered. There is plenty of money, interest & business to go around. We are all meant to impact different realms of influence and people. Some people and movements are activated by the signature mix that you have, and some are activated by the signature mix that she has. The diversity results in expanded impact. Think of that woman and her skills as an asset to the change you want to see in the world. You can both matter and add value. Nobody can cancel you out.

Always remember: There is more power in collaboration over competition. 

Even if you do the same exact thing as another woman, there is always possibility for collaboration if desired. You can expand ideas, networks, and resources by coming together. If you do complimentary things, both of your visions could go to higher levels by connecting. You end up offering your consumer tribes more to choose from. It adds to the value and signature edge of both of you. Again, be assets instead of threats to each other. Look for ways to support and intertwine what you do. Create a team of creative allies and watch how much you all increase. Multiple versions of genius coming together can do so much more than one genius alone.

No matter how you decide to show your sisterhood love, the foundational truth is that the energy you give is the energy you’ll experience. We can shift what sisterhood can look like. It’s not only for us, but for our daughters, and her daughters. We can give them the gift of never knowing what it’s like to be raised to distrust other women or see them as anything but beautiful sources of unstoppable possibility. We can give them that power back.

Want to spread the sisterhood vibe? Share this article with all the powerful woman you know, and let’s keep that perspective spreading! Love each other! Life just feels better wrapped in love and positivity, right?

Originally published on Empire Life Magazine

When Friends & Family Aren't Fans | Well Being + Lifestyle

Your consumer tribe is who your vision is for. Sometimes the people closest to you don't really get what you do, take it seriously, or find it important... And that's okay! For instance, I know I have friends that support me...but could care less about business, vision & branding. It's just not their thing. I don't get offended if they don't get excited about what I do, or if they unfollow me because what I share doesn't interest them. It's not a personal judgement or an attack. Yea, it can be hurtful or confusing to feel like most of your tangible support comes from people you've never met BUT sometimes that's the point, to expand your reach. Don't water down your vision seeking approval, hold onto negative feelings, or question your path...spend that energy creating something your ideal consumer tribe will love AND then continue to love the people in your life that found you to be awesome with or without your obvious genius level ambitions, lol.

How to Have a Healthy Relationship With Social Media | Well Being + Lifestyle

Social media has completely changed the dynamic of our society. Many of the walls and obstacles that entrepreneurs faced decades ago has disappeared as the world is now more connected. But, it can be a distracting double edge sword. As an entrepreneur you face the constant balance of being available for connecting and sharing while being fully present in your everyday life too. Below are 5 steps you can absorb daily to start having a healthier relationship with social media.

1. Evaluate – Do you find yourself reaching for your phone the moment you get up? Do you have your phone in your hand until the the moment you go to sleep? Can you get through a meal with someone without checking your phone? Be totally honest with yourself about your current relationship with social media. Watch your habits over the next few days and notice how much time you spend on it and how often you reach to check your phone. The fastest way to see how influential it has become in your life is to completely unplug for one day and see what it feels like. Sometimes you don’t realize the hold something has on you until you can’t get to it.
2. Block out your social media times – Create your own rhythm of when you go online and check or update your feeds. Shift your behavior to thinking of it as fully checking in and then fully checking back out. This allows you to step in and step out of that world without it being something that is constantly running in the background of your day. You don’t always have to be available to every update and notification. In fact turning off notifications is one of the most disciplined decisions you can make. Whatever it was really can wait and it allows you to stay focused on whatever you’re doing in real life.
3. Have a plan – Decide on an approach for how you want to spend your social media blocks of time. If you’re just going on to mentally check out, that’s cool, just make sure to be conscious of how much you’re checking out for. Set a timer on your phone if you have to. The same goes for if you’re going on for connecting and sharing. Have in mind the amount of time you want to do that for and stick to it. Social media can seriously become a black hole of wasted time if you don’t remain aware of that.
4. Be real with yourself – If social media is part of your content marketing or overall business connecting strategies, then definitely apply the above are ways to keep it balanced. But, if you’re always going online just to scroll around or if it’s become an unconscious habit out of boredom then you need ask yourself: is this the best use of my time? Literally ask yourself if looking in on the lives of what others are saying or doing means more than progressing the vision for your own life. It’s totally your choice, but I’m pretty sure that there’s always something more productive you could be doing with your time.
5. Keep it all in perspective – The world is not going to stop if you don’t comment right away to something within the few minutes it was posted. It also will not stop if you don’t see what other people are sharing in real time constantly throughout the day. Whatever they shared can be seen later in the day or during your blocked out times. Will your day really be that much better by constantly keeping tabs on what everyone else is doing? Why does it really matter? What does it really do for you? Be honest with yourself about the intention and motivation behind your social media usage.

Social media has it’s advantages, but to many people it has become a leash they don’t even realize they are on. Having a healthy perspective towards the amount of time and impact social media has on your life will ensure that you maintain a sense of enriched wellness. It may difficult to unplug at first, but pretty soon you’ll start to experience new levels of creativity, peace, and productivity in your days and become addicted to that instead!

Originally published on Empire Life Magazine

Don't Shrink to Comfort Others | Well Being + Lifestyle

What some see as "scattered" is just layers of inspiration and avenues unfolding. Don't give two thoughts to the assumptions of others. Their approval & comfort don't play a role in your vision impact. Love and respect the people around you but don't give them the power to pressure or narrow your path. You have layered greatness, that's what makes you a Multi-Vision Creative! Own it. If you need help streamlining or learning how to brand all your layers effectively leave a comment below or email ashley@sacredrebel.co and we can work on that together. As a fellow Multi-Vision Creative, I got you

Potential Can't Be Rushed | Well Being + Lifestyle

As creatives we can feel that pressure to prove the value and existence of what we are working on...because until then it can feel like it's "just talk" and hasn't been validated yet. The looks you get from people ( you know the look ) when you share what you're doing don't help. It screams "yea sure, that's cute, everybody is doing something now, good luck with that" but in reality who cares. You know your truth...it will speak for itself. Never let anyone have the ability to determine your vision timeline. There are plenty of "rushed brands" out there, let's not join that bandwagon. Take your time and uncover every ounce of your potential along the way.

The Real Traits a Female Visionary Needs | Business + Branding

Nobody could ever argue that an entrepreneur must be brilliant, organized, and creative. But, the modern female entrepreneur is a force unlike anything we’ve seen before. She’s a multifaceted powerhouse that is undeniably strong. Her strength comes from traits that flow from deep within. In our current market the following entrepreneurial traits are essential to standing out, and sustaining your vision.

1. Resourcefully Unstoppable- 
You can encompass every traditional entrepreneurial trait, but without following through, you just have potential. Follow through separates the day dreamers from the day achievers. It requires an extreme level of resourcefulness. Resourcefulness pushes through resistance and obstacles. An entrepreneur must look at every situation from multiple vantage points and always be willing to test out an unconventional approach. 

2. Progressive Authenticity - 
Yes, it is true that most markets are saturated, and people get bored of things quickly. To stand out, you must be see beyond the current trends, and be inventive about how you do that. An entrepreneur must master the ability to predict what’s ahead, and evolve in a way that is still authentic to their brand. Bandwagon branding never last, timeless creative evolution does. 

3. Connected Nature- 
A strong female entrepreneur see’s herself as a source. An extension of this is her ability to connect people, resources, and projects within her reach. She values a powerful network of fellow power entrepreneurs as a priceless asset. The ability to reach into her network for inspiration, collaborations, and insight benefits her and everyone within her world. She looks for opportunities to host events and link the possibility around her. 

4. Captivating Energy - 
An entreprenur that has a sharp mind but maintains an inviting energy will capture the intrigue of everyone she encounters. In this social media era interest is currency. The magnetic pull that someone feels not only to what you do, but for the visionary brand energy fueling it, is gold. This allows the relationships that you establish to be genuine.

5. Securely Confident - 
The entrepreneurial marketplace can expose you to a lot of competition, comparison, fakeness, and influence. But, a secure entrepreneur doesn’t spend any time worrying about being offended, uncertain, or unworthy. Getting caught up in the social politics of it all can water down the growth and direction of your vision. Your brand will suffer without a securely centered energy force pouring in and protecting it. 

Pursuing your dreams isn’t always the easiest thing to do.  When you nurture these traits your soul will enjoy the experience as you dominate the marketplace too. Pursuing your dream isn’t just about the outcome, it’s about the life and relationships that following those dreams exposes you to. 

When You Can Empower Through Delegation | Business + Branding

The concept of delegation can conjure up images of handing off mundane unwanted tasks to anyone willing to do them. But, effective delegation is an act of empowerment, trust, and opportunity. Visionary leaders understand that it goes much deeper than task assignment. It’s about creating a team. Facilitating a platform of possibility within the team members, and the vision itself. Effective delegation is a process, and below are 3 vital stages within that cycle.

1. Own your non-negotiables.
What areas of your business do you know only you can, and should, be fully doing? A practical way to identify this is by asking yourself, what area is your true superpower? Next, ask yourself, what tasks support producing that superpower? Many times the required skills that support producing the core content can be shared with someone whose own superpower is that specific area. Maybe your non-negotiable is taping great content for a video segment you’re creating. You could delegate the actual editing, set styling, or sound preparation to someone who does that as their non-negotiable superpower.

2. Assemble your Vision Village.
It’s take a village to raise a vision. The most important thing that you can do is be highly selective of who you link with. It must go beyond someone being willing, or even saying they can do something. You have to trust they will actually produce on their potential.  You have to recognize what they bring to the table, and how this  exchange can help them grow too. Being entrusted with something is affirming. Affirmation confirms and inspires something deep within. You get to be the facilitator of that affirmation for them, while simultaneously building your Vision Village.
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3. Transparent Development.
Delegation isn’t just about the assignment, it’s about the role it creates. In defining a role you have to be able to articulate the task, it’s intent, and it’s importance. Take the time to throughly breakdown the standard of how you envision the task being done. Encourage them to communicate any ideas they may have concerning improved ways to do the task. A true leader is always open to suggestions for progression. Just be clear on what they have authority over, and at what stage things needs to be run by you too. Extreme transparency along with wide open lines of communication will produce dialogue that undoubtedly keep your business not only functioning, but flourishing.

As a fellow perfectionist, I know trusting other people to love your vision baby the way you do is not always easy. But, mastering the art of effective delegation doesn’t mean losing control. It does not cancel out your opinion, input, or approval. It actually means utilizing the superpowers of others so you can utilize yours. Delegation done right can transform a vision into a movement. 

Visionary Mamalife | Motherhood

You can read the original feature here.

Empire Life did a feature for Mother's Day on Mompreneurs and I wanted to share it here as well!

On being a mom:

I am a mom to this cool little chick named Luna, and I love her to bits. For the past two years I have enjoyed seeing her personality unfold before my eyes. It’s important to me that she grows up in lifestyle of affirmation and possibility. It’s why we already travel the world with her and have her sit in on business and spiritual gatherings when appropriate. It’s never too early to absorb a positive rhythm. I am responsible for building her launching pad and it’s a true honor to be entrusted with that. Motherhood has been one of the greatest gifts i’ve ever received.

My view on motherhood:

"Motherhood is the ultimate role of leadership."

What's one bit of advice that you have for mother's who wish to build their empire?

Being a mother does not cancel the visionary purpose on your life. You can be a mother and still pursue the powerful things in your spirit. Too many women give up the call on their life for their children. Then their children might do the same thing for their children. This results in generations of unfulfilled purpose. Your dreams and ambitions don’t have to die when you give birth.

Is it easy to put in the work required to create an empire while raising children? Of course not. But, they need to see a mother who believed, committed and accomplished despite having every reason to set it aside or quit."

Creating Impact Within Your Vision | Business + Branding

Social responsibility within business is a privilege and an opportunity. The role of leadership is a gateway to implementation. You have instant influence and decision making capabilities. Are you prepared to channel that wisely and without ego? I ask because you are now entrusted with inspiring, motivating, and teaching everyone within your reach. There are countless way to positively impact the world through your business, but I listed two main avenues below that can have the largest ripple effect. 

1. Reach within. The culture of creating a blueprint.
Being a leader within business is an opportunity to redefine what the culture of work can look like for those within your team. You get to implement things that people usually only wish for in their work life. Why not make it fun and beneficial to work alongside you? What’s so wrong with giving people something to get excited about? Why did that become unheard of in the work world? Be the refreshing blueprint of what a healthy work culture can be. 

The possibilities for infusing a work place with unheard of awesomeness is limitless. If you create a new blueprint for how business can be done, I guarantee that similar companies will adopt the blueprint too. Spreading the shift until the 9-5 perkless work culture fades away into something that allows a true work/life balance to emerge.

Even if you’re technically working solo on your vision at this time, you’re a leader of an ideal. You represent something that not everyone thinks they can do. Your lifestyle is a direct example of an expanding dimension of possibility in what creating a living can look like. Use your influence to reach out and help others access what you achieved. When you recognize the desire for pursuing a vision in someone, offer to guide them. Your leadership and interest can have such a life altering impact. 


2. Reach out - The culture of creating a platform.
When you lead a business vision you have an opportunity to establish a “sister cause” platform through it. Something meaningful that people can get involved in. It doesn’t have to be obviously related to what you do. It’s more about listening to what is within your heart while creating community than anything else. Don’t be afraid to get bold with your ideas. Sometimes it’s easy to wait for non-profits to organize stuff like this, but as a leader, all you have to do is decide to do it. 

Both of these avenues give you a chance to create a transformational impact internally and externally. Without a passion for impact, you’re just a commodity. With a passion for impact, you’re a movement. The most important thing to remember is that whatever style of leader you are that true leadership is born out of humble service, not ego. True leaders give, provide, love, uplift, share, and serve. 

Originally published on Empire Life Magazine

When You Feel Like Everybody is Already Doing What You Do | Business + Branding

I’m sure you’ve heard, or experienced, how crowded the marketplace is for an up & coming visionary. It can seem like everybody has some sort of business going on. And, while it is saturated, at the end of the day that doesn’t mean that what you bring to the marketplace matters any less. It also doesn’t count as an excuse not to get out there. 

Sometimes when you feel like everyone is doing something, especially something you do, you can begin to lose your confidence. If that happens, just keep the four Perspective Design truths below in your spirit, and build yourself back up.

1. It doesn’t give you an excuse not to support.
Just because someone does something similar to you, they are still your sister with a vision. There’s enough business, impact, love and money to be experienced by everyone. Building each other up instead of hating on each other makes the experience more enriched for everyone involved. Hating only comes when you feel threatened, jealous, or intimidated. Let that go. Who knows… maybe even a collaboration can become of it. Either way, honor & celebrate the talents, accomplishments, and ambition in each other. She has a dream that means the world to her too. Believe in her. This is what women supporting women really looks like.

2. Define your signature value. 
No matter what you do, you bring your one of a kind experiences, inspirations, perspective, and style to it. This allows you to uniquely decide what you offer, and how you offer it, to create a signature experience. Know exactly what it is that only you can bring within what you do, and own it. There could be a 100 other people doing what you do… but the people that are supposed to be drawn to you will be because they will relate to the value they recognize in you.

3. Crowded doesn’t mean there isn’t room for you. 
The market can be as busy as it’s want to be. If you truly excel at what you do, and provide an experience, there will be space for you. People will be attracted to what you do. Quality rises above hype, and it remains long after trends and slightly committed visionaries fall off. Maybe lots of people want to be a writer, entrepreneur, designer, coach, thought leader, speaker, musician, or some sort of artist. But, that doesn’t cancel out your words, ideas, wisdom, creativity or art. Can you imagine if every musician thought it was useless to make more music because music has already been made? There would be no more music. You can apply that same theory to whatever your craft is.

4. Everywhere is crowded 
Yes, the entrepreneur, artist, & small business marketplace might be overcrowded. But, you know what other marketplace is overcrowded too? The 9-5 cubicle marketplace. Both are oversaturated, but you can make your mark in whichever one will make you happy. If you’re going to work, sacrifice, and put hours of your life into working on something… pick the industry you really want to put all that effort into getting into. 

No matter what you do... do it will your signature twist and with love.

Tweet: #BeAVisionBoss. Even if someone is within the same industry as you, they are still your sister with a vision. Believe in & celebrate her.

When you Feel Like You're in the Middle of an Epic Fail | Well Being + Lifestyle

Ever been in a situation that literally looks like a complete contradiction to the vision you stepped out in faith for? It just seems like THAT is the exact area that is a challenge, and not going the way you would've imagined, right?

But, if you look hard enough, you'll see it. You'll see that what looks like the end, is simply a strategic change in direction. You'll see what feels like the bottom as a clean fresh slate. You'll see that being stripped of things creates space for possibility.

Is it easy to always see it that way? Absolutely not. But, constantly applying that perspective will keep your spirit focused on the truth, and you'll flip that season to your advantage. You'll learn. You'll see the endless obstacle course of one challenge after another as training. Preparation for the things ahead. For visionaries, these seasons refine, highlight, and enhance areas of your personality you may never have known were your strong points. So, sometimes everything looking like the opposite of what you believed it would be, is actually extreme confirmation that you're in the middle of walking in to it. 

I say all that from a place of being right in the thick of that exact season. For five months we were in Malaysia & Thailand. While in Thailand two great things happened. First, we found a city that instantly felt like home to us that we plan to move back to. Second, an unexpected business idea was inspired. 

But, here's where the path we expected to be on totally shifted. We were loving Thailand, fully ready to stay and settle in. Yet, in February, we kept getting the feeling like it was time to go back to the States briefly before making a home in Bangkok. We planned to stay for only a month or so. But, about 7 hours into our first flight God revealed and prepared my spirit for something else. 

For almost two hours I sat there and just cried, flooded with direction, reality, disappointment, clarity, hope & surrendering. I started to see that there were foundations that needed to be laid here in the States for things first before going back again. Things that would propel our visions. Did I personally like that in that moment? Of course not, I wanted to head back to Thailand as soon as possible. But, I knew we couldn't let what we wanted to do cloud the flow of the vision that was rapidly unfolding with so much possiblity. The vision trumps everything, it's why we moved in the first place. 

While some things appeared to fall apart, many other things are growing beautifully into place in a way I could've never planned. There is possibility tangled within it all, and I am loving the continued adventure. Our focus is the vision, so whatever the path to get there looks like, we're on it with no hesitation. Again, is it easy? Nope. But, it cultivates an unstoppable nature within... and that's probably the point. I know we are not the only ones in this season, and that's why I wrote this, so if you're in it too...  don't let the resistance win. You got this. You're not failing, you're progressing more than you can imagine. 

What you may see as an end is just a beautifully strategic & purposeful change in direction. Trust now that you'll look back later & understand

USED - The Top Five "Not So Pretty" Things You May Feel When Pursuing A Dream | Well Being + Lifestyle

You won't see beautiful pictures of it, there won't be any parties thrown for it, and you won't get the obligatory Twitter updates or Instragram pictures of it. It's not always pretty, it's not always comfortable, and it's definitely not always easy to understand. It's the space of time between making the decision to pursue something, and when it actually begins to happen. The real story between the covers of the book. 

mom.enough

I’ve been reading so much everywhere about this TIME article about attachment parenting that came with the tagline challenge of:

”are you mom enough?”

It stirred up thoughts inside of me… and I’m not even a mom yet.