Podcasts about design mom

As moms, we're often given tons of societal pressure on how we have to give our kids all the right things—then told to "chill out" when it comes to the worrying part. Gabrielle Blair, author of the new book THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, is here to tell us that adulthood doesn't look like it used to, and that there are many paths to the success and happiness that all our kids deserve. Gabrielle Blair is the the founder of DesignMom.com and the author of the New York Times blockbuster bestseller Ejaculate Responsibly. Gabrielle, Amy, and Margaret discuss: How the idea of the "reliable path to success" is actually harmful for a lot of parents and kids Simple (and free/cheap) ways to use your home to create the family life you want Why Gabrielle disagrees with the "you only get 18 summers" rhetoric that permeates parenting circles Here's where you can find Gabrielle: designmom.com @designmom on IG #thekidsareallright #thekidsareallrightbook Buy THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9781523526505 We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/ mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid's behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent, parental stress, kids stress Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you've ever wondered whether best-selling author Gabrielle Blair -- A.K.A. Design Mom -- finds parenting fun and easy or just makes it look that way, you're going to love this conversation! We're talking about the new book she co-authored with her husband Ben, The Kids Are All Right: Parenting With Confidence in an Uncertain World, and wow does she have great ideas! She shares her tips for defining and creating a "family culture," reducing parenting stress, finding more joy and happiness in the process, and making sure you have your eye on "the long game." Plus, I ask her how the heck she gets her kids to voluntarily haul rubble and strip paint in the house they're renovating! Trust me -- you'll totally steal her advice. ----- Support Our Awesome Sponsor: Phyla Skincare: If you struggle with acne or have kids who do, save 25% your first order with code COOLMOM on Phyla Phortify Probiotic Serum. (There's a reason Ryan Reynolds is an investor!) This is the breakthrough, science-backed, derm-recommended, probiotic acne serum that prevents breakouts, all without side effects or harsh chemicals like Accutane. Hard recommend! ----- Our Cool Picks of the Week include an incredible designer you can now find at Target for less, and @swingthevote on Instagram, which offers a wealth of info for college students voting out of state and looking for information and volunteer opportunities. ---- Follow Spawned: Apple, Spotify, Amazon Find Gabrielle Blair: Website, Substack, Instagram, Threads Find Liz Gumbinner: Instagram, Substack, Threads Shownotes from today's episode: Cool Mom Pick Podcast Page Subscribe for cool picks each week right in your inbox: coolmompicks.com/subscribe/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gabrielle Blair, mother of 6 blogging at Design Mom, co-founded Alt Summit 10 years ago and remains a champion for female entrepreneurship. Her motto could be described as dream big, then execute small. In fact, she admits in this episode that if she had known from the beginning where her dreams would have taken her she probably never would have attempted them. She opens up about the business “failures” turned important lessons, how she moved her family (of 8!) to France for years despite not even having passports to begin with, and speaks aloud her big personal dreams just like you've been encouraged to do this month. The size of your dreams doesn't matter to anybody but you, and your ability to accomplish them isn't up to anybody but you! See a pattern here? Tune in and be inspired to know how small steps take you big places. For new weekly episodes during the summer months, sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! Access exclusive supporter benefits Free DSL Training Waitlist for the next Sticky Habit Intensive Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by AirDoctor, use code MONICA for up to $300 off air purifiers Lolavie, Get 15% off LolaVie with the code PROGRESS at https://www.lolavie.com/PROGRESS #lolaviepod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trina McNeilly is an author, speaker, and founder of the popular lifestyle blog, La La Lovely, where she has been sharing matters of the heart as well as design-related finds for over a decade. Hailing from a third generation newspaper family, Trina is right at home writing, editing, selling ads, and publishing.Trina's work also includes The Lovely Life Podcast, "The Everyday Observer" on Substack, speaking, art direction, styling, design projects, and freelance writing. She has been featured in the New York Times, Moody Radio, The Land of Nod Catalog, Design Mom: How to live with Kids: A Room-by-Room Guide, Apartment Therapy, and Style Me Pretty Living. While she has done a lot of writing on the topic of decorating homes, Trina's true passion is helping to bring the message of finding our home in the person of Jesus. Her heart's desire is to introduce others to the love of the Father. Through Him we find our identity and a full life that can start in even the emptiest of places. Trina lives near Nashville with her husband, Stephen, and their four children.This is a special episode since host Mindi Linscombe grew up with Trina. They  lived in the Rockford, IL area in their childhood and young adult years. In this interview, Trina and Mindi dive into: Trina's early years as an "OG Blogger" around 2008.Trinas current writing on Substack: "The Everyday Observer". How God Values Beauty.How Trina coped and found beauty during her parents divorce and hard seasons of life.Soul Clutter.  How Trina got more clarity to unclutter (her mind, will, & emotions) from fear, anxiety, depression, and false narratives.How it's hard to grieve someone who is still alive. Trina's reflections & lessons learned since losing her father in 2023.    How every ending is really a beginning. Three ways you can experience more peace & joy in everyday life: Observe, Own, and Overcome. Overcoming: How it's an everyday choice to continue to overcome and unclutter your soul. How you can take Trina's 2 minute quiz on how to deal with stress & overwhelm in your life. Check out @thsomethingnewshow on Instagram to see how you can win a signed copy of Trina's Book "Unclutter Your Soul". ***Connect with Trina McNeily:

When a mommy blogger ignites a movement to shift the conversation around abortion accountability to men, the world takes notice.  Gabrielle Blair is one of the original design and motherhood bloggers who, in 2018, took a risk by sharing her thoughts on abortion on twitter. Well, it went viral, leading to the publishing of her movement-making 2022 New York Times Best-Seller, Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way To Think About Abortion.  In this conversation, Gabrielle shares her stories and insights from her life as a designer, thought leader, activist, and mother - and reminds us of the freedom that comes when we give ourselves permission to be all that we are - all at once - even on social media.   She is a true multi-hyphenate entrepreneur and multi-faceted mother, and I am truly thrilled and grateful to bring our conversation to you. -- More about Gabrielle: Gabrielle Stanley Blair is the author of the book, Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way To Think About Abortion — an instant New York Times Bestseller. She is also the founder of DesignMom.com. Started in 2006, it has been named a Website of the Year by Time Magazine, praised as a top parenting blog by The Wall Street Journal, Parents, and Better Homes & Gardens, and won the Iris Award for Blog of the Year. Her first book, Design Mom: How to Live with Kids, also a New York Times Bestseller, was published in 2015. Gabrielle is also a founder of Alt Summit, the blockbuster annual conference for online content creators and creative entrepreneurs, currently in its 13th year. As a thought leader for over 15 years, Gabrielle has written and moderated hundreds of discussions on difficult topics, and interviewed some of the most influential people in the world. Her writing is quoted and shared across the globe daily. Gabrielle and her husband, Ben Blair, have six children — Ralph, Maude, Olive, Oscar, Betty, and Flora June. After six years in Oakland, they moved to a small town in Normandy, France where they are renovating a house from the 1600s. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.

From Slate's Hear Me Out podcast: … stop with the breakfast-in-bed. As we reflect on the summertime season of parenting holidays in the U.S. — Mother's Day in May and Father's Day in June — it's worth remembering that these holidays' histories are deeply political… not unlike parenting itself. Parenting is complicated, now more so than ever. In the best of circumstances, it's a two-way relationship with a person who didn't ask to be here. So what can we expect from our children? Gabrielle Blair, founder of DesignMom.com and author of Ejaculate Responsibly, joins us to make the case that kids aren't bound by blood to do, or be, anything. If you have thoughts you want to share, or an idea for a topic we should tackle, you can now email the show: hearmeout@slate.com Podcast production by Maura Currie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of Hear Me Out… stop with the breakfast in bed.   As we approach the summertime season of parenting holidays in the U.S. — Mother's Day in May and Father's Day in June — it's worth remembering that these holidays' histories are deeply political… not unlike parenting itself. Parenting is complicated, now more so than ever. In the best of circumstances, it's a two-way relationship with a person who didn't ask to be here. So what can we expect from our children?  Gabrielle Blair, founder of DesignMom.com and author of Ejaculate Responsibly, joins us to make the case that kids aren't bound by blood to do, or be, anything.  If you have thoughts you want to share, or an idea for a topic we should tackle, you can now email the show: hearmeout@slate.com Podcast production by Maura Currie You can skip all the ads in Hear Me Out by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/hearmeoutplus for just $15 a month for your first three months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of Hear Me Out… stop with the breakfast in bed.   As we approach the summertime season of parenting holidays in the U.S. — Mother's Day in May and Father's Day in June — it's worth remembering that these holidays' histories are deeply political… not unlike parenting itself. Parenting is complicated, now more so than ever. In the best of circumstances, it's a two-way relationship with a person who didn't ask to be here. So what can we expect from our children?  Gabrielle Blair, founder of DesignMom.com and author of Ejaculate Responsibly, joins us to make the case that kids aren't bound by blood to do, or be, anything.  If you have thoughts you want to share, or an idea for a topic we should tackle, you can now email the show: hearmeout@slate.com Podcast production by Maura Currie You can skip all the ads in Hear Me Out by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/hearmeoutplus for just $15 a month for your first three months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of Hear Me Out… stop with the breakfast in bed.   As we approach the summertime season of parenting holidays in the U.S. — Mother's Day in May and Father's Day in June — it's worth remembering that these holidays' histories are deeply political… not unlike parenting itself. Parenting is complicated, now more so than ever. In the best of circumstances, it's a two-way relationship with a person who didn't ask to be here. So what can we expect from our children?  Gabrielle Blair, founder of DesignMom.com and author of Ejaculate Responsibly, joins us to make the case that kids aren't bound by blood to do, or be, anything.  If you have thoughts you want to share, or an idea for a topic we should tackle, you can now email the show: hearmeout@slate.com Podcast production by Maura Currie You can skip all the ads in Hear Me Out by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/hearmeoutplus for just $15 a month for your first three months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of Hear Me Out… stop with the breakfast in bed.   As we approach the summertime season of parenting holidays in the U.S. — Mother's Day in May and Father's Day in June — it's worth remembering that these holidays' histories are deeply political… not unlike parenting itself. Parenting is complicated, now more so than ever. In the best of circumstances, it's a two-way relationship with a person who didn't ask to be here. So what can we expect from our children?  Gabrielle Blair, founder of DesignMom.com and author of Ejaculate Responsibly, joins us to make the case that kids aren't bound by blood to do, or be, anything.  If you have thoughts you want to share, or an idea for a topic we should tackle, you can now email the show: hearmeout@slate.com Podcast production by Maura Currie You can skip all the ads in Hear Me Out by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/hearmeoutplus for just $15 a month for your first three months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of Hear Me Out… stop with the breakfast in bed.   As we approach the summertime season of parenting holidays in the U.S. — Mother's Day in May and Father's Day in June — it's worth remembering that these holidays' histories are deeply political… not unlike parenting itself. Parenting is complicated, now more so than ever. In the best of circumstances, it's a two-way relationship with a person who didn't ask to be here. So what can we expect from our children?  Gabrielle Blair, founder of DesignMom.com and author of Ejaculate Responsibly, joins us to make the case that kids aren't bound by blood to do, or be, anything.  If you have thoughts you want to share, or an idea for a topic we should tackle, you can now email the show: hearmeout@slate.com Podcast production by Maura Currie You can skip all the ads in Hear Me Out by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/hearmeoutplus for just $15 a month for your first three months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of Hear Me Out… stop with the breakfast in bed.   As we approach the summertime season of parenting holidays in the U.S. — Mother's Day in May and Father's Day in June — it's worth remembering that these holidays' histories are deeply political… not unlike parenting itself. Parenting is complicated, now more so than ever. In the best of circumstances, it's a two-way relationship with a person who didn't ask to be here. So what can we expect from our children?  Gabrielle Blair, founder of DesignMom.com and author of Ejaculate Responsibly, joins us to make the case that kids aren't bound by blood to do, or be, anything.  If you have thoughts you want to share, or an idea for a topic we should tackle, you can now email the show: hearmeout@slate.com Podcast production by Maura Currie You can skip all the ads in Hear Me Out by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/hearmeoutplus for just $15 a month for your first three months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This International Womens Day we are putting the emphasis on men. Mika is joined by Gabrielle Blair, author of the book, Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way To Think About Abortion. We have a candid conversation about the miscalculated pressure on women to be the primary user of birth control, why the world needs better research into vasectomies and how to process abortion trauma. This episode will revolutionise your understaffing of birth control “Every time I'm taking (birth control…), I'm really managing my partner's fertility.They're ever present fertility. I'm not really managing my fertility. I'm ingesting a drug daily, or a hormone daily because of their constant fertility. So I want to be really clear, most of the time, when you or I have sex, or any woman has sex, they cannot get pregnant. Like it's just, it's just physically impossible. (But…) Every time a man has sex every time he can potentially impregnate someone.” - Gabrielle BlairGabrielle Blair is the founder or award winning blog platform Design Mom. She is considered a top expert in creating accessible conversations about hard topics, parenting engaged and independent kids, and creating a home where both parents and kids can thrive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“We've put the burden of pregnancy prevention on the person who is fertile for 24 hours a month, instead of the person who is fertile 24 hours a day, every day of their life.”  -Gabrielle Blaire, author Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way to Think About Abortion  4 years after Gabrielle Blaire aka award-winning blogger DesignMom wrote an epicly viral twitter thread stating men are 100% responsible for unwanted pregnancies she follows up with a instant New York Times best seller: Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way to Think About Abortion.  The title of the book is provocative but it makes some very good points. In 28 short arguments Blair shares why the debate about unwanted pregnancies and in turn abortion needs to shift from focusing on women and instead focus on men and what they do with their bodies.  It's a conversation that provides a whole new perspective at an age old issue, flipping how we talk about birth control on it's head.  Connect with Gabrielle:  Get the Book: Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way to Think about Abortion Design Mom Twitter — @designmom Design Mom Instagram — @designmom Twitter by Design Mom Instagram  Connect with Angie:  Subscribe to Youtube: https://youtube.com/ohmygoff Angie's IG: https://instagram.com/ohmygoff Angie's FB: https://instagram.com/ohmygoff Website: https://ohmygoff.com

Gabrielle Blair a Shameless Mom of 6 and the founder of DesignMom.com. Started in 2006, it has been named a Website of the Year by Time magazine; praised as a top parenting blog by The Wall Street Journal, Parents, and Better Homes & Gardens; and it won the Iris Award for Blog of the Year. In 2015, Gabrielle published her New York Times bestseller, Design Mom: How to Live with Kids, a New York Times bestseller. Her second book, Ejaculate Responsibly, was just released and also became an instant New York Times Bestseller. Her writing is quoted and shared across the globe daily. If you follow her on Twitter, you know why. Gabrielle is also a founder of Alt Summit, the blockbuster annual conference for online content creators and creative entrepreneurs.   I met Gabrielle at an event this fall and was immediately completely captivated by her work around her new book, Ejaculate Responsibly. Gabbi is a force and this conversation is going to expand your head and heart in many ways. Listen in and share widely. The world needs this message - desperately.  Listen in to hear Gabrielle share: Why she has always integrated “controversial” content into her parenting blog, Design Mom, and how that led to her writing Ejaculate Responsibly Her mission to put men at the center of attention and center of responsibility when it comes to the conversation around unwanted pregnancies Why the management of women's fertility should be shifted to the management of MEN'S fertility since men are fertile 365 days a year and women are fertile for a mere 36 or so hours a month. Why we have built a 100+ billion dollar women's birth control industry around the idea that we don't mind if women suffer as long as it makes things easier for men The reality that most men are actually quite open to taking responsibility for their ejaculation if they are given the right information How to talk to your kids about responsible ejaculation Links Mentioned: Gabrielle's Book: Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way to Think About Abortion See Gabrielle on tour: Book Tour: https://designmom.com Check out Alt Summit: https://altitudesummit.com/ Gabrielle on Twitter and Instagram: @designmom Amy Lang on the SMA: Birds & Bees & Kids Amy Lang on the SMA: Sex Talk with Tweens Thank you to our sponsors this month: care.com: Get the help you need to make it all work for your family at care.com/book.  Hello Fresh: Get farm-fresh, pre portioned meals delivered right to your door! Go to HelloFresh.com/shameless65 and use code shameless65 for 65% off plus free shipping! Last Bottle Wines: Get 10% off your order when you use the code SHAMELESS at lastbottlewines.com. Luvbuglearning.com: Support your child's social emotional learning with the world's first social emotional gaming platform. Go to Luvbuglearning.com and sign up for a 7-day free trial, or simply download from the APP store and subscribe. Ritual: Ritual's Essential for Women 18+ is a multivitamin you can actually trust. Ritual is offering my listeners 10% off during your first 3 months. Visit ritual.com/shameless10 to start Ritual or add Essential for Women 18+ to your subscription today. Rothys: For stylish, comfortable, sustainably made shoes, shop Rothy's. Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/SHAMELESSMOM.  StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast!: Need another podcast in your parenting podcast library, check out StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast! wherever you listen to the SMA.  Train Her Game - Free Training: Moms of teen daughter athletes! Help your daughter build confidence and overcome negative mindsets in athletics by attending this free training offered by Breanne Smedley, Host of the Elite Competitor Podcast: https://trainhergame.com/shameless Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gabrielle Blair's original website Design Mom was named a Time Magazine website of the year. She is the founder of the design conference Alt Summit and author of the New York Times bestselling book, Design Mom. Her newest book is Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way to Think About Abortion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode of The Waves, Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth is joined by author Gabrielle Blair. Blair's new book Ejaculate Responsibly presents the radical idea that men should take control of the fertility conversation by better managing their sperm. After all, they're fertile 24-hours a day compared to women's 24-hours a month. Cheyna and Gabrielle also talk about the problem with not prioritizing women's pain, Gabrielle's history as a “Design Mom” and how even Mormons seem to agree with Gabrielle's book.  In Slate Plus: How the pope got involved in your birth control. Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.  Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of The Waves, Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth is joined by author Gabrielle Blair. Blair's new book Ejaculate Responsibly presents the radical idea that men should take control of the fertility conversation by better managing their sperm. After all, they're fertile 24-hours a day compared to women's 24-hours a month. Cheyna and Gabrielle also talk about the problem with not prioritizing women's pain, Gabrielle's history as a “Design Mom” and how even Mormons seem to agree with Gabrielle's book.  In Slate Plus: How the pope got involved in your birth control. Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.  Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of The Waves, Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth is joined by author Gabrielle Blair. Blair's new book Ejaculate Responsibly presents the radical idea that men should take control of the fertility conversation by better managing their sperm. After all, they're fertile 24-hours a day compared to women's 24-hours a month. Cheyna and Gabrielle also talk about the problem with not prioritizing women's pain, Gabrielle's history as a “Design Mom” and how even Mormons seem to agree with Gabrielle's book.  In Slate Plus: How the pope got involved in your birth control. Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.  Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of The Waves, Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth is joined by author Gabrielle Blair. Blair's new book Ejaculate Responsibly presents the radical idea that men should take control of the fertility conversation by better managing their sperm. After all, they're fertile 24-hours a day compared to women's 24-hours a month. Cheyna and Gabrielle also talk about the problem with not prioritizing women's pain, Gabrielle's history as a “Design Mom” and how even Mormons seem to agree with Gabrielle's book.  In Slate Plus: How the pope got involved in your birth control. Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.  Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of The Waves, Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth is joined by author Gabrielle Blair. Blair's new book Ejaculate Responsibly presents the radical idea that men should take control of the fertility conversation by better managing their sperm. After all, they're fertile 24-hours a day compared to women's 24-hours a month. Cheyna and Gabrielle also talk about the problem with not prioritizing women's pain, Gabrielle's history as a “Design Mom” and how even Mormons seem to agree with Gabrielle's book.  In Slate Plus: How the pope got involved in your birth control. Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.  Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Kim and Jenn are talking with Gabrielle Blair, the founder of DesignMom.com and author of the new book Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way To Think About Abortion. Don't forget: We have a Patreon! Sign up for invites to special events, exclusive content, and bonus EIF episodes: patreon.com/everythingisfine Our show's Instagram is @eifpodcast. We're also on Twitter @theeifpodcast and Facebook. you can find Kim on her blog Girls of a Certain Age. You can find Jenn at Here Are Some Things. If you like the show, please rate or review it and don't forget to share it with your favorite 40+ friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The midterm elections are coming up, and across the county, abortion feels like a central voting issue. But while many of the most visible pro-choice voices come form women, some are beginning to offer ideas for the role of men in reproductive health.Gabrielle Blair, award-winning creator of the Design Mom blog, tells us about her new book Ejaculate Responsibly. We learn how this provocatively-titled series of arguments offers some ideas for male accountability in preventing unwanted pregnancies. And, WWNO's Public health reporter Rosemary Westwood joins us for more on the state of abortion access in Louisiana.  Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karl Lengel. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our digital editor is Katelyn Umholtz. Our engineers are Garrett Pittman, Aubry Procell, and Thomas Walsh.  You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at 12:00 and 7:30 pm. It's available on Spotify, Google Play, and wherever you get your podcasts.  Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to. Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's episode is all about full circle moments. The last time I was in New York was when Lucas and I rang in 2020 with quite the adventure. But, I was back last week to shoot Alt Summit, which had been on pandemic-hiatus since March 2020. Yes, the last place I was before the world shut down was with some of my favourite people shooting a conference, yes doing our elbow greetings and not touching our faces, in Palm Springs. It was so special being back with inspiring women, and old friends and on today's show I'm sharing 5 of my top takeaways from the conference this year.“Just because you're not the best yet doesn't mean you don't belong.” Be sure to follow Kate Voegele on instagram and check out her blog she started with her sister, We The Dreamers.“Start where you are with what you have – then take the next step” I was so inspired by Julie Lewis' story. I highly encourage you to learn more about the 30/30 project, and give her a follow on instagram. Oh, and visit her website stillpositive.com to learn more about her book coming out in 2023.“Grief and joy can exist together.” I met Cyndie Spiegel at both of our first Alt Summit's several years ago. She had imploded her own life, and had this beautiful gift of making everyone around her feel so seen and loved. I have joyfully and proudly watched her build communities, start businesses, and write a book, and most recently have unfortunately watch her experience the worst tragedies imaginable. She showed up with love, vulnerability, grace and humour. Give her a follow on instagram, and check out her website. If you want to learn more about her inclusive community for 35+ women be sure to check out Dear Grown Ass Woman. I couldn't be more excited to read her new book, Microjoys: Finding Hope (Especially) When Life Is Not Okay, which is available for pre-order now!“The growth and opportunity is in the fear.” I am a big fan of My Unorthodox Life on Netflix so I was very excited to meet, photograph, and listen to Julia Haart's keynote. Be sure to follow Julia on instagram, check out their show (I think Season 2 is coming out soon!) and check out her book, Brazen.“Online friendships can be just as beautiful and special as in person ones.” I am so fortunate to have built really incredible relationships over the years at Alt Summit. We may only see each other once a year in person, but we are able to stay connected throughout the year and have seen each other through some big life stuff. I wasn't sure what the 2.5 year break would do - but we all picked up exactly where we left off, and I am endlessly grateful for it! Alt Summit is coming back to Palm Springs in March 2023 and registration is open now, and I would LOVE to see you there.Lastly, my Late to the Party segment featured none other than the inimitable Gabrielle Blair. From starting her blog, Design Mom, in 2016 (and being named Time Magazine's Website of the Year among other awards), to founding Alt Summit, and becoming a NYT best-selling author for her first book, Design Mom: Living With Kids. Most recently she has entered a new kind of fame for her viral twitter threads, and her first one gained so much praise and traction that it has become a BOOK! Yes, Ejaculate Responsibly is about to change the world by flipping the abortion debate on its head. There are 28 digestible, compelling arguments about why men are actually responsibly for unwanted pregnancies, and if we want to reduce abortions we need to have men responsibly ejaculate. It's available everywhere books are sold, but I ordered my copies locally in Toronto here.You must follow Design Mom on instagram, where you'll have a nice balance of beautiful renovations of the Blair family's 1600's home in Normany, France mixed with rage-y, funny, and mic-drop worthy tweet roundups. You should absolutely also follow Gabrielle on Twitter, at Design Mom. And, if you're not a big twitter user you're still in luck, because she curates the best of twitter on her instagram page, @twitterbydesignmom!I had so much fun recording this episode, and I hope you enjoyed listening to it. Be sure to leave a review and share with someone in your life who might enjoy it. And, stay connected with me on instagram, @findingsparklechasinglight and of course my personal account, too. Big thanks to Lucas for producing and editing the show, and of course Mike Halyk for the music. See you next week!

Guy Kawasaki is on a mission to make you remarkable. His Remarkable People podcast features interviews with remarkable people such as Jane Goodall, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Marc Benioff, Woz, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Bob Cialdini. Every episode will make you more remarkable.With his decades of experience in Silicon Valley as a Venture Capitalist and advisor to the top entrepreneurs in the world, Guy's questions come from a place of curiosity and passion for technology, start-ups, entrepreneurship, and marketing. If you love society and culture, documentaries, and business podcasts, take a second to follow Remarkable People.Listeners of the Remarkable People podcast will learn from some of the most successful people in the world with practical tips and inspiring stories that will help you be more remarkable.Listen to Remarkable People here: https://wavve.link/remarkablepeopleText to get notified of new episodes: https://joinsubtext.com/guyLike this show? Please leave us a review -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!Thank you for your support; it helps the show!

In this episode I chat to writer, blogger, influencer and content creator Gabrielle Blair, aka Design Mom herself, from award-winning blog DesignMom.com, about her new book 'Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way to Think About Abortion.' After writing a (deliberately provocative) stream of Tweets in 2018 on why men are responsible for 100% of unplanned pregnancies which (of course) went viral, Gabrielle has been parrying responses (both positive and negative) ever since. After four years of additional research, she's turned her thoughts into a small, but perfectly-formed book (road tested on all 6 of her children!) which she hopes will radically shift the focus of the abortion debate (a hot topic since Roe v Wade was overturned) on to preventing unwanted pregnancies. We talk about why women have for years shouldered the vast majority of responsibility for contraception, why making this a 50/50 responsibility seems so radical but actually makes a whole lot of sense, given the facts around mens' fertility, and why this is a perfect time to reframe the debate, given how impossible it is to have nuanced discussion around abortion and bodily autonomy. We also talk about how and why we need male allies to step up in support of the ideas in the book, and how critical it is that teens and young people engage with the topic.  You can find Gabrielle at www.designmom.com on Twitter https://twitter.com/designmom and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/designmom/  Ejaculate Responsibly is published by Workman Publishing and is out on 4th October: https://www.workman.com/products/ejaculate-responsibly/paperback    Don't forget to follow us over on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/middlingalong_podcast/ or find out more/listen to past episodes/subscribe to the newsletter at https://middlingalong.com   It would mean so much if you'd subscribe, rate, and review us on Apple Podcasts to share the love! You can also find me at www.managingthemenopause.com where we offer coaching and workplace training. 

Gabrielle Stanley Blair is the author of the book, Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way To Think About Abortion — available for pre-order now. She is also the founder of DesignMom.com. Started in 2006, it has been named a Website of the Year by Time Magazine, praised as a top parenting blog by The Wall Street Journal, Parents, and Better Homes & Gardens, and won the Iris Award for Blog of the Year. Her first book, Design Mom: How to Live with Kids, a New York Times Bestseller, was published in 2015 by Artisan. Gabrielle is also a founder of Alt Summit, the blockbuster annual conference for online content creators and creative entrepreneurs, currently in its 13th year. As a thought leader for over 15 years, Gabrielle has written and moderated hundreds of discussions on difficult topics, and interviewed some of the most influential people in the world. Her writing is quoted and shared across the globe daily. Gabrielle and her husband, Ben Blair, have six children — Ralph, Maude, Olive, Oscar, Betty, and Flora June. After six years in Oakland, they moved to a small town in Normandy, France where they are renovating a house from the 1600s. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook. Over 6000 blog posts and two books later, Gabrielle is considered a top expert in creating accessible conversations about hard topics, parenting engaged and independent kids, and creating a home where both parents and kids can thrive. Endlessly curious, she shares projects she's working on, starts discussions about newsworthy topics, amplifies women's voices, introduces new ideas and cool discoveries, and lends her passion for engaged parenting to everyone who reads her work. Gabrielle is a mother of six with a BFA in graphic design who has raised her family on both coasts and across the ocean. The family spent 8 years in New York, then moved to Denver, Colorado for 1.5 years, then Normandy, France for 2.5 years, then Oakland, California for 6 years, and then back to Normandy in September 2019. You can follow along with the on-going renovations of their house, built in the 1600s. I ask Gabby about: The cultural differences in how we approach nudity and sex. How to talk to your kids about sex. Her very important abortion thread that went viral.

Is abortion a woman's issue? How do we reframe it and bring men into the conversation? Gabrielle Blair, Mom of six, an award winning blogger and a best selling author is here to take abortion from a blame game… to a reframe. Her next book, “Ejaculate Responsibly—A whole new way to think about abortion”, shows us how we can unite as a country and change the narrative. Ejaculate Responsibly is out on October 4th and is available for pre-order now! Connect with: Gabrielle Blair BOOK: Ejaculate Responsibly Book: https://amzn.to/3nXKwhz Websites: https://altitudesummit.com/about/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/designmom/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/designmomblog Twitter: https://twitter.com/designmom, https://www.instagram.com/designmom/ Guest Bio: Gabrielle Stanley Blair created an award-winning blog in 2006 called Design Mom (still going strong 16 years later!), wrote a NYT best-selling book, founded a popular conference called Alt Summit, wrote many viral Twitter threads, moved to France, and is raising 6 kids while renovating a house from the 1600s. Her next book, Ejaculate Responsibly—A whole new way to think about abortion, is out on October 4th, and is available for pre-order now.

Editor's note: Yesterday, "Mormon Land" was published with the wrong episode attached. Though the correct episode was replaced shortly after the error was noticed, some listeners were still unable to access it. We are publishing this episode again to ensure everyone can listen. Thanks for supporting Mormon Land. As discussions, debates and disputes about the recent Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade rage on, it seems that there are few fresh perspectives on the thorny issue. Should pregnant people have the right to make decisions about their bodies or should the state have a vested interest in protecting the unborn, regardless of a pregnant person's wishes? Gabrielle Blair, a successful Latter-day Saint influencer known as “Design Mom,” says it's time to shift the focus from women to men. After all, she argues in her forthcoming book, “Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way to Think About Abortion,” based on a 2018 viral Twitter thread, 100% of unwanted pregnancies ultimately are caused by men. Blair, New York Times bestselling author and mother of six, believes the topic must move away from controlling and legislating women's bodies and turn instead to men's lack of accountability. On this week's podcast, Blair, talks about the book and why she wants to reframe the discussion about sex, birth control, pregnancy, abortion and more.

As discussions, debates and disputes about the recent Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade rage on, it seems that there are few fresh perspectives on the thorny issue. Should pregnant people have the right to make decisions about their bodies or should the state have a vested interest in protecting the unborn, regardless of a pregnant person's wishes? Gabrielle Blair, a successful Latter-day Saint influencer known as “Design Mom,” says it's time to shift the focus from women to men. After all, she argues in her forthcoming book, “Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way to Think About Abortion,” based on a 2018 viral Twitter thread, 100% of unwanted pregnancies ultimately are caused by men. Blair, New York Times bestselling author and mother of six, believes the issue must move away from controlling and legislating women's bodies and turn instead to men's lack of accountability. On this week's podcast, Blair, talks about the book and why she wants to reframe the discussion about sex, birth control, pregnancy, abortion and more.

This week best-selling author Gabrielle Blair sits down with Amy for an unabashed interview about reproductive rights, contraceptives, and why we continue to prioritize men's pleasure over women's health and safety. Gabrielle Stanley Blair (she/her) created an award-winning blog called Design Mom (still going strong 15 years later!), wrote a NYT best-selling book, founded a popular conference called Alt Summit, wrote four viral Twitter threads (and counting!), moved to France, and is raising 6 kids while renovating a house from the 1600s.

This guest is unlike any other, Ian's mom Sharon Tesdall joins the Bois R'US in an epic debut of our Second Season!! She is a graduate from Cal State Fullerton with a major in art and and a passion for creative design. She shares with us her experiences in the world of design and how versatile art can be. Launching her career as a former magazine creative director and among other positions, she had to pause her artistic pursuits to pick up on the responsibilities of parenthood, but now she is leading her own interior design company "New Eyes Design." Do you want to know the one word that Sharon would use to describe herself or how social media has changed the landscape of her career? To find out join The Bois R'Us on Patreon, using the link below! Get exclusive accesses to full episodes and extended content by joining The Bois R'Us crew on Patreon @The Bois R'Us &Collar (@andcollar) Men's Performance Wear. Get a free tie with your purchase using code: BOISRUS IG: @theboisrus Guest: Sharon Tesdall @4tesdall Hosts: Ian Tesdall @iantesdall

I am pumped about this conversation! When I sat down to chat with Jeannie Stith, my mind was honestly blown!  Yes, we are talking about finding your best colors, but Jeannie and I went DEEP.  We cover everything from how knowing our best colors can save us time, energy and $$$ to how her process can reduce decision fatigue and live each day with more intention.  You are going to want to listen all the way to the end, because Jeannie has a speical offer especially for YOU! Jeannie Stith is the founder and CEO of Color Guru, where she matches people to their ideal color palette for clothing so that they can look better, simplify clothes shopping, and create a coordinated wardrobe. Jeannie's color cards have simplified choosing clothing colors for people in 24 countries. Her course, Style Secrets, has transformed hundreds of wardrobes all around the world. Color Guru has been featured on DesignMom, The Spark Joy Podcast, and Philadelphia Style Magazine. Jeannie is a mother of two girls and lives in Arden, Delaware. When she's not analyzing her client's photos, you can find her hopping on rocks in the creek with her daughters, salsa dancing, or watering her current collection of 55 house plants. Connect with Jeannie  USE CODE: SIMPLYBIG  www.yourcolorguru.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourcolorguru/ Connect with Sarah  Peace and Productivity Planner https://your-simply-big-life.myshopify.com/products/2022-peace-productivity-planner Core Values Worksheet https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6024671796db3e8146fef8c2 Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/yoursimplybiglife Instagram https://www.instagram.com/your_simplybiglife/ Website www.yoursimplybiglife.com    

#68 - Does knowing your right color palette really matter? Today's guest, Jeannie Stith, says yes!  Jeannie Stith is the founder and CEO of Color Guru, where she matches people to their ideal color palette for clothing so that they can look better, simplify clothes shopping, and create a coordinated wardrobe.  Jeannie's color cards have simplified choosing clothing colors for people in 24 countries. Her course, Style Secrets, has transformed hundreds of wardrobes all around the world.  Color Guru has been featured on DesignMom, The Spark Joy Podcast, and Philadelphia Style Magazine. She shares how knowing your color palette can actually simplify your life and how she helps her clients figure out their best colors. She's also providing Organized Chaos listeners a 10% off coupon on any color consultation package from her site. You can connect with Jeannie on her socials:  Instagram: www.instagram.com/yourcolorguru  Website: www.yourcolorguru.com    Connect with me! Instagram: www.instagram.com/teresahildebrand_coaching  Podcast Page: www.organizedchaospodcast.com  If you enjoyed today's podcast, don't forget to leave a rating and review! We'd love to hear your feedback. 

Jeannie Stith is the founder and CEO of Color Guru, where she matches people to their ideal color palette for clothing so that they can look better, simplify clothes shopping, and create a coordinated wardrobe. Jeannie's color cards have simplified choosing clothing colors for people in 24 countries. Her course, Style Secrets, has transformed hundreds of wardrobes all around the world. Color Guru has been featured on DesignMom, The Spark Joy Podcast, and Philadelphia Style Magazine. Let's see how she Get up, Dress up, and Show up! CONNECT WITH HER https://yourcolorguru.com/ Personal transformation takes time, subscribe now, and let's grow together!  ----------------------------------------­­­­­­­----------------

This weeks guest is Jeannie Stith, She  is the founder and CEO of Color Guru, where she matches people to their ideal color palette for clothing so that they can look better,simplify clothes shopping, and create a coordinated wardrobe.Jeannie's color cards have simplified choosing clothing colors for people in 24 countries.Her course, Style Secrets, has transformed hundreds of wardrobes all around the world.Color Guru has been featured on DesignMom, The Spark Joy Podcast, and Philadelphia Style Magazine.Jeannie is a mother of two girls and lives in Arden, Delaware. When she's not analyzing her client's photos, you can find her hopping on rocks in the creek with her daughters, salsa dancing,or watering her current collection of 55 house plants.We talk color matching for your wardrobe and taking the leap to make a career change after 20 years and all the times pressing into pain points had an incredible result!Website  www.yourcolorguru.comCoupon code for 10% off any consultation at Color Guru is:  courageLinkedIn Page   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniestith/Instagram and Pinterest   https://www.instagram.com/yourcolorguru/https://in.pinterest.com/jeanniestith/?autologin=trueJoin the Conversation at @couragequeenpod on Instagram 

"I have nothing to wear," said all women. Have you ever felt frustrated and overwhelmed while looking at a cluttered closet full of mismatched pieces as the clock is ticking, reminding you that you will be late for work if you didn't find something to wear in the next 2 minutes? I have, and I am so happy to find a solution to this problem when I came across Jeannie Stith, The Color Guru! Whether you are still working from home because of the "VID-19" or need to return to work or have returned in person, this episode is for you! With Jeannie's help, we CAN have a wardrobe that is simplified, classic, and beautiful all year long without going broke.   More about Jeannie: Jeannie Stith is the founder and CEO of Color Guru, where she matches people to their ideal color palette for clothing so that they can look better, simplify clothes shopping, and create a coordinated wardrobe.  Jeannie's color cards have simplified choosing clothing colors for people in 24 countries. Her course, Style Secrets, has transformed hundreds of wardrobes all around the world.  Color Guru has been featured on DesignMom, The Spark Joy Podcast, and Philadelphia Style Magazine. Jeannie is a mother of two girls and lives in Arden, Delaware. When she's not analyzing her client's photos, you can find her hopping on rocks in the creek with her daughters, salsa dancing, or watering her current collection of 55 house plants.   CHECK IT OUT! Hey dear listeners!!!  Enjoy 10% off by using my code, GRACE (code is non-case specific so you can even enter “grace” and it will go through), when you order a consultation package at www.yourcolorguru.com   Connect with Jeannie: Website: https://yourcolorguru.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourcolorguru/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourcolorguru   Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/organizewithgrace/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/organizewithgracefb 

Unleash your beauty. Simplify your wardrobe. The Color Guru explains how! In today's episode, I'm interviewing Jeannie Stith, the founder and CEO of Color Guru. While on a mission to break the cycle of decluttering her own closet, Jeannie discovered color analysis and turned it into a business, too!    What's in this episode: The science behind the color. What is a color consultation.  How the Color Guru works. Why a customized color palette saves you time and money.  Why 50 is the magic number (for hangers).   ABOUT JEANNIE  Jeannie Stith is the founder and CEO of Color Guru, where she matches you to your ideal color palette for clothing so that you can look and feel confident in your clothes, shop simply, and create a coordinated wardrobe.  Jeannie's color cards have simplified choosing clothes for people in 24 countries, and her course, Style Secrets, has transformed hundreds of wardrobes all around the world.  Color Guru has been featured in DesignMom, The Spark Joy Podcast, and Philadelphia Style Magazine.     Personal IG: @yourcolorguru Business: https://www.yourcolorguru.com/   PROMO: Use code NICOLEJ and save 10% off 

How can knowing your best colors for clothing simplify your life? Strategies on what to bring into your closet Do our ideal colors for clothing change as we age? Jeannie Stith is the founder and CEO of Color Guru, where she matches people to their ideal color palette for clothing so that they can look better, simplify clothes shopping, and create a coordinated wardrobe. Jeannie's color cards have simplified choosing clothing colors for people in 24 countries. Her course, Style Secrets, has transformed hundreds of wardrobes all around the world. Color Guru has been featured on DesignMom, The Spark Joy Podcast, and Philadelphia Style Magazine. Jeannie is a mother of two girls and lives in Arden, Delaware. When she's not analyzing her client's photos, you can find her hopping on rocks in the creek with her daughters, salsa dancing, or watering her current collection of 55 house plants. You can find her at: https://www.yourcolorguru.com  

Though we all have visions of our "dream homes" dancing in our heads, most of us live within constraints of some kind: location, budget, resources, even the desires and opinions of the people you live with. This week, we're talking about finding ways to love where you live regardless of your unaccomplished wishlist. We discuss combining styles, embracing joy over sophistication and choosing to find the good in the here and now. Michelle's Portland house was featured on Design Mom's Living with Kids in 2015. You can see her obsession with gallery walls to cover up all the quirkiness of that house. Ingrid Fetell Lee has great advice for bringing joy into your home in her book Joyful and on her blog, The Aesthetics of Joy. Minted, 1Canoe2, Fy! and Etsy are all great places to find art for your home at affordable prices!

Inspired by a Facebook post [https://www.facebook.com/grownandflown/posts/1498189386947803], we dream up fantasy vacations. It turns out we care very little about luxury accommodations or exotic destinations. What we really need is a cozy bed and a Worry Concierge. Mentioned: Family reading weekend at Design Mom [https://designmom.com/how-to-host-a-family-reading-marathon/].

Clint interviews award-winning blogger (DESIGN MOM) http://www.designmom.com (www.designmom.com) Designer, NYT best-selling author, and mother of six Gabrielle Blair. This week’s women in business highlight is Alt Summit founded by Gabrielle Blair. https://altitudesummit.com/ (https://altitudesummit.com/). The premier conference & community for thousands of creative entrepreneurs & influencers. This week’s artist highlight is Cat Clyde with the track Like a Wave from her 2017 album Ivory Castanets.

Gabrielle Blair (aka “Design Mom,” and the person behind the viral Twitter thread about the actual root cause of abortions) talks with me about how we prioritize male pleasure even at an extreme risk to women, men’s aversions to vasectomies, easy ways to make our houses more functional and enjoyable during a pandemic, and more in this whiplashy episode.

Today we are talking with Gabrielle Blair. You might know her from blogging and social media as Design Mom. She is a powerhouse in the world of blogging and design. She has six (!) children and currently lives in Normandy, France where she’s renovating a couple of properties, blogging many times a week, and basically killing it as an entrepreneur. In our conversation, we talk about Mormonism 101, her personal spirituality, and her take on divisive political issues. Listen along as Gabrielle takes us on a basic sex ed class emphasizing how to prevent unwanted pregnancies (and she’s the mother of 6 - we best listen). We go behind the scenes of the writing and publication of her pieces about gun violence, dealing with Trump supporters, plus - don’t miss why she says men have zero interest in lowering the number of abortions in the United States. Trigger warning: we talk about suicide within the LGBTQ+ community and gun violence in the U.S. and also the impact of guns in suicide Also - a warning - this podcast talks about adult topics like abortion and gun violence. Parents, I encourage you to exercise caution when deciding whether to listen within earshot of the young ones. Learn more about Mormonism Read about the Mormon Patriarchal Blessing My Twitter Thread on abortion Twitter thread on guns not being the answer to protecting your family Defund the police Hey Trump Supporters: I Don’t Make Content For You Forgiveness post  What Are Your Thoughts on a Female God?   Follow Gabrielle @designmom on Instagram and Twitter.     Find complete show notes at www.molleendupreedominguez.com

Today we are talking with Gabrielle Blair. You might know her from blogging and social media as Design Mom. She is a powerhouse in the world of blogging and design. She has six (!) children and currently lives in Normandy, France where she’s renovating a couple of properties, blogging many times a week, and basically killing it as an entrepreneur. In our conversation, we talk about Mormonism 101, her personal spirituality, and her take on divisive political issues. Listen along as Gabrielle takes us on a basic sex ed class emphasizing how to prevent unwanted pregnancies (and she’s the mother of 6 - we best listen). We go behind the scenes of the writing and publication of her pieces about gun violence, dealing with Trump supporters, plus - don’t miss why she says men have zero interest in lowering the number of abortions in the United States. Trigger warning: we talk about suicide within the LGBTQ+ community and gun violence in the U.S. and also the impact of guns in suicide Also - a warning - this podcast talks about adult topics like abortion and gun violence. Parents, I encourage you to exercise caution when deciding whether to listen within earshot of the young ones. Learn more about Mormonism Read about the Mormon Patriarchal Blessing My Twitter Thread on abortion Twitter thread on guns not being the answer to protecting your family Defund the police Hey Trump Supporters: I Don’t Make Content For You Forgiveness post  What Are Your Thoughts on a Female God?   Follow Gabrielle @designmom on Instagram and Twitter.     Find complete show notes at www.molleendupreedominguez.com

Jeannie Stith-Mawhinney of Color Guru helps us shop efficiently by understanding what colors work best for us in our KonMari wardrobe. Jeannie is obsessed with helping real women look and feel amazing in their clothes. She is the founder and CEO of Color Guru, where she helps women create the wardrobe of their dreams by analyzing their hair, skin, and eye color in order to give them their ideal color palette for clothing. She teaches an online course called "Style Secrets for Everyday Women." Jeannie is a wife and mother of two girls in Arden, DE. Her work has been featured on the Design Mom blog, This Organized Life Podcast, and Philadelphia Style magazine. We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. Book a custom Virtual Tidying Experience with For the Love of Tidy (https://10to8.com/book/fortheloveoftidy/189638) Join The Spark Joy Club today! (https://www.patreon.com/sparkjoy) In this episode, you’ll enjoy: - Learning what a color palette is all about and how it can help you find more joy in your wardrobe - Can a color palette help you in your KonMari journey? Yes! - How Jeannie became the Color Guru and how she works with her clients - What are the different color “families” and how do they differ? - Jeannie and Kristyn go in depth about the revelations Kristyn learned from her own color consultation with the Color Guru - Discover new ideas and great tips for how to make your colors work for you Jeannie's favorite tidying tip: “I have arranged my clothes in order of color instead of type. I love that my colors all work together.” *If you follow Jeannie's suggestion that you should only buy things that work with things already in your closet, this will help you easily pull outfits together! What sparks joy for Jeannie: Jeannie has been thrilled with her blooming Peonies in her garden this year. To connect with Jeannie, you can find her at YourColorGuru.com (https://yourcolorguru.com/aff/11/) And, she’s on Instagram @yourcolorguru (https://www.instagram.com/yourcolorguru/) Just for Spark Joy Listeners: The Color Guru is offering you 10% off of any color consultation or gift color consultation! The coupon code to use is “SparkJoy”. Gems: "It’s not our fault that we have trouble knowing what works for us colorwise, we are all just guessing." "Wow, I don’t wear these colors, but they are in my home." "We get so many messages about what we should want to buy, that we stop trusting our own intuition." "Understanding your shape and style is important as well. Color and style all work together" "Does this purchase work with at least five other things in my closet?" You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home (https://www.theserenehome.com/) You can find Kristyn Ivey at For the Love of Tidy (https://fortheloveoftidy.com/) Special Guest: Jeannie Stith-Mawhinney .

Catherine's daughter virtually graduated, and she gives the report on how it all went, from car parade to YouTube slide show. Mentioned: Gabrielle Blair of Design Mom and her online graduation report [https://www.designmom.com/olives-online-graduation/].

Founder of Design Mom. Genius behind Alt Summit. Mom of 6 kiddos. It’s Gabrielle Blair! She’s our guest on this episode and we talk to her about how to find your space and create your platform. Then we address the sometimes tricky business of dealing with negative followers + feedback, and how to set rules to make it a safe place that will serve you and your community in healthy, positive ways. SPONSOR: Save 15% at radswim.com with the code BECKY15. SHOW NOTES: Find Gabrielle at her Design Mom blog here. Learn more about Alt Summit here. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @BeckyHigginsLLC and @BeckyProudfit. THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love the podcast? Please share with your friends, tag us in your instagram stories, and leave a review on iTunes!

Founder of Design Mom. Genius behind Alt Summit. Mom of 6 kiddos. It's Gabrielle Blair! She's our guest on this episode and we talk to her about how to find your space and create your platform. Then we address the sometimes tricky business of dealing with negative followers + feedback, and how to set rules to make it a safe place that will serve you and your community in healthy, positive ways. SPONSOR: Save 15% at radswim.com with the code BECKY15. SHOW NOTES: Find Gabrielle at her Design Mom blog here. Learn more about Alt Summit here. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @BeckyHigginsLLC and @BeckyProudfit. THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love the podcast? Please share with your friends, tag us in your instagram stories, and leave a review on iTunes!

This week, I bring you my conversation with Jeannie Stith-Mawhinney. Jeannie is founder and CEO of Color Guru.  She analyzes women's hair, skin, and eye color to give them their ideal color palette for clothing to highlight their beauty and simplify shopping.  Jeannie is also the creator and teacher of the "Create Your Colorful Capsule Wardrobe" online course. Jeannie's work has been featured on the Design Mom, The Mindful Mama Podcast, and The Pretty Simple Sarah Podcast. It may not sound like a minimalist concept but the work Jeannie does for women really helps to simplify the time we get getting ready. Knowing ones’ colors makes simplifying, shopping, and getting dressed easier and we all know I’m all about easier here on the Minimalist Moms Podcast! **I wanted to mention that the sound quality is slightly off throughout this episode. At the time of the recording, I was balancing the podcast with my newborn babe. I had to pause and start a handful of times throughout the twenty minute interview to check on the babe during his morning nap. It's my desire to always produce the best content I can; however, towards the end of the recording, you can hear him crying on and off in the background. Thank you for your continued support as I learn how to best use this media/equipment.** Find all the resources mentioned in this show: Show Notes for EP109: Simplifying Your Wardrobe...By Color? Let's keep the conversation going on our Facebook page or Instagram!  Episode Sponsored By: OSEA Malibu

Today's guest is Gabrielle Blair, a woman whose life has been full of disruption, of playing where no one else is playing and discovery driven learning and growth. Beginning with her lifestyle blog Design Mom - which she started in 2004 - a blog focused on the intersection of motherhood and design, she then founded Alt Summit, the premier summit for creative entrepreneurs and social media content creators. Gabrielle is a New York Times bestselling author of the book Design Mom: How to Live with Kids, and is the wife of one and mother of six with children ranging in ages from nine to 22.

In this episode, I share a visualization exercise that I did recently that helped me let go of things I didn't want to carry into the new year. It also helped me to see what I was walking toward in 2020 and beyond. I also talk about two gift guides I am loving - these from Design Mom and this one from YoungHouseLove. Interested in working with me? Click here to book a free coaching call with me! Follow me on IG: www.instagram.com/mslizheron

Creating a home that is both beautiful and functional, especially with little kids, seems kind of impossible. At least I thought it was until I read Gabrielle Blair’s book, Design Mom: How to Live with Kids - A Room by Room Guide. Join me in my conversation with Gabrielle as she shares how and why an intentionally designed home is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our families. Show Notes: https://www.jessiemartin.com/blog/09

Have you wanted to take off work to travel with your kids but felt riddled with exhaustion or busy-ness? Do you feel overwhelmed at the prospect? You're not alone, but Anelise Salvo, today's guest and owner of Anelise Salvo Design Co., is going to remind us why it is totally possible. In fact, her and her family travelled the globe or 6 months together & are going to SE Asia this year! Anelise, is a mompreneur/graphic designer who speaks about the importance of taking a maternity leave, making time for self care & passionate living.   Today we discuss:  1.) Living an "on purpose" life, in her case a nomadic one, takes sacrifices and hashing out what's really important in life. 2.) Discussing her two maternity leaves and why she took 7 months off with her second baby.  3.) Why we need to take time for self care even if it's just in 15 minute intervals.  4.) To be gentle with ourselves and not judge ourselves or other parents.    Looking for like-minded Soul Mammas to connect with?   Are you like me, and it took you a while into motherhood to realize you were burning the candle at both ends and not taking time for yourself? You're probably ready to say YES to yourself and to sustainable self care in your life. I know I was. Took a community of mamas through this platform to help me realize just how important saying yes to our self care really is! Our next group coaching session is Tuesday July 23rd at noon PST and we will be learning of ways to carve out time for our physical and mental health, plus we will all have time on the "hot seat" to share what has been coming up for us in our lives. Please email nicole@soulmammas.com to save your spot. $20 investment~   MORE EXCITING NEWS: Now offering one on one coaching! If you are feeling like you need to pivot or move into something more authentically you, but aren't sure what it is, are feeling depleted or deflated, consider coaching with me. With a background in life coaching and teaching, I am now offering 60 minute coaching sessions with me (al a carte and monthly options available on my website) via ZOOM. To find out more click the link below to set up a a free discovery call.  Coach With Me   Come chat with us! Come on over to the Facebook Group & hear happenings from our community and to meet like minded mamas like yourself!  Please support the podcast by following me on Instagram where you will also receive episode updates, photos & audio clips!    

Maybe one of the reasons we hold back from dreaming big is because it feels too...big! In this week's episode learn how small steps take you big places. Don't believe it? Because of that method today's most instagrammable blogging conference was born before the app even existed. How small steps take you big places Gabrielle Blair, mother of 6 blogging at Design Mom, co-founded Alt Summit 10 years ago and remains a champion for female entrepreneurship. Her motto could be described as dream big, then execute small. In fact, she admits in this episode that if she had known from the beginning where her dreams would have taken her she probably never would have attempted them. She opens up about the business "failures" turned important lessons, how she moved her family (of 8!) to France for years despite not even having passports to begin with, and speaks aloud her big personal dreams just like you've been encouraged to do this month. The size of your dreams doesn't matter to anybody but you, and your ability to accomplish them isn't up to anybody but you! See a pattern here? Tune in and be inspired to know how small steps take you big places. About a few other things If your to-do list is getting the best of you, you need a Monk Manualplanner. Designed with intentional preparation in mind you can be successful at planning! For the month of July you can get 20% off with code 'ABOUTPROGRESS', after that the discount is 10%. Remember this month that everyone who shares the podcast is entered into a giveaway of some of my favorite things! If you do this on social media tag me @aboutprogress, otherwise just message me and let me know. One of the prizes is something from my very favorite makeup and skincare line. SHOW NOTES Gabrielle's Instagram and Website Get 20% off Monk Manuals with code ‘ABOUTPROGRESS’ Makeup favorites: tinted moisturizer and foundation - share the podcast for a chance to win one! Get your first month+ FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB group Apply for the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (applicants taken monthly!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: Nicolai Heidlas, "Role Player" by Au.Ra, "Summer shower" by  Quincas Moreira

Gabrielle Blair, mother to 6 kids, New York Times best-selling author, publisher of the award-winning Design Mom blog, and founder of Alt Summit, joins me on this episode to talk about the secret to stopping abortions. The politics surrounding the abortion debate almost uniformly focus on the woman, but Ms. Blair notes that there is another equally responsible party that we rarely discuss. She is happy to share the secret about who holds the key to stopping most abortions. (Please note: listener discretion is advised. Some content on this episode may be inappropriate for young children).

Robin’s first pregnancy was one of the happiest times of her life—and something she had been looking forward to since childhood. But when she was 41 weeks and 6 days pregnant, she found out that a lot of things can happen when babies are born. In the aftermath of Robin’s pregnancy, she had a lot of work to do. Healing for herself, sensitivity to her husband and his trauma—and looking ahead to her future family. And that meant preparing to face another pregnancy, another childbirth where anything could happen. When we meet someone like Robin, or hear of them, we often say, “I could never handle that. I could never survive something like she did.” But we all experience fear, anxiety, disappointment and when we hear these stories of people who have faced a huge loss, we generally come away with hope, and with love. Not only do we feel compassion for someone else’s struggle, but we can find strength and a starting point and someone to emulate in facing our own struggles. Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep What Can I Do To Help? Robin’s Living With Kids Post on Design Mom

Today on the Creative Queso Podcast host Jennifer Perkins talks with Gabriel Blair of Design Mom and ALT Summit. Gabby is a mother of 6, which is what got her started on the trajectory of examining motherhood through the eyes of a designer but her site and empire are so much more. Gabby is a New York Times Best Selling Author, she is credited with discovering Joanna Gaines, and Design Mom has been named one of Time Magazine’s websites of the year.HOST: Jennifer Perkinshttp://creativequeso.comhttp://jenniferperkins.comGUEST: Gabriel BlairDesign Momhttps://www.designmom.comAltitude Summithttps://www.altitudesummit.comPRODUCER: Myrriah GossettMUSIC: Chris Boehk See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Trina McNeilly shares the art of finding beauty in the everyday in her new book, La La Lovely. Trina McNeilly: A wife of 20 years and a mother to their 4 children. She is the founder of La La Lovely where she has been blogging for nearly a decade, sharing matters of the heart and design-related finds. With an eye for beauty, Trina finds inspiration in styled spaces, other times in broken places, and everywhere in between. Trina has been featured in The New York Times, The Land of Nod Catalog, All Parenting, and Style Me Pretty Living. Her home was published in the book: Design Mom: How to Live with Kids: A Room by Room Guide. "Home is not a place, it is a person. And that person is Jesus." ~ Trina McNeilly BOOK: La La Lovely Connect with Trina McNeilly Enjoy the multitude of topics discussed including mentors, roommates, trust, depression, and drone parents. Grab a dose of wisdom. Magical childhood The move Youth pastors Pregnancy Childhood home Writing Grandpa A loyal love Divorce of parents Level of dysfunction Always a child Grief and denial Dad's study Comfort God's distance Anger and Jealousy What I can do for God? Relentless love Shift my view Redecorating my heart The kitchen window London McDonalds Chapel Service Need to matter Extreme gratefulness Brokenness Fallen world Unraveling Trust Value Hold refreshment Sacred place Social media Instagram jealous Guarded hearts Comparison Loneliness Intention Fearful Favorite color A living home Physical home Psalm 91 Perspective Identity Where's the beauty today?   BOOK: La La Lovely Connect with Trina McNeilly "God is so into the details." ~ Trina McNeilly   Quotes and statements within the interview: "Childhood was just a kind of freedom." "I was always very attached to the house." "It was strange and endearing at the same time." "But it was king of my own process of finding myself really." "Feeling at home in my home, but also in my own skin." "It's just who I am. I'm a writer." "He just was the type that was always watching out for you; just kind of a protector. The kind that would just stay in the driveway as you drove off and just wave to make sure you got off ok." "I don't think I really had had my heart broken up until that point and I didn't ever suspect that someone else's break-up could break your heart, but it did." "Sometimes that room would kind of be the room that would just kind of overwhelm me, because it had such a presence of what was." "When this happened, it was kind of the first thing that really rocked my faith." "And I felt God was far from me." "What I found was a Savior that loved me at my most unlovely stage." "It was really just a God gift, a God kiss." "I think it was just like having a complete revelation moment in a hotel while I was eating McDonalds." "I think I kind of found in that moment that I was still carrying some of that." "The might not be evident in the day to day, but they're in the deep places." "This wasn't suppose to happen." "Anything that shakes your world has potential to shake your faith." "We can only put our complete trust in God." "God is always speaking; we just have to listen." "i don't get Instagram jealous." "In the book I call it kind of an algorithm that's tailor-made to your ache." "So we cannot compare somebody else's highlight reel with our worst everyday moments." "It almost feels kind of epidemic in that, here we are always connected and feeling more lonely than ever." "What am I looking for?" "It's not my righteousness; it's Christ. And that when the Father sees me, He sees Christ." "Really through this process, He's given me the realization of my identity in Him and in my heart knowing that I am a beloved daughter of Christ."   What has your story gifted you? A greater empathy The desire to share hope "An ability to see broken people that I would often pass by or you know not really feel maybe what they might be feeling or pay attention to what they're feeling." "I have a desire to just be there for whosever hurting, however they need."   Resources mentioned in the episode: BOOK: La La Lovely Connect with Trina McNeilly Twitter: https://twitter.com/trina_mcneilly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lalalovelyblog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trina_mcneilly Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lalalovelyblog   "One step at a time leads to miles of greatness!"   Subscribe to Create Your Now TV on YouTube. Wanting help with goals, setting your schedule, or need someone to talk to (even if you don't know what you need)? It's time you TAKE A.I.M. ~ Action Ignites Motivation. This is FREE for you. Stop trying to do it by yourself. Put YOU first! Become your best selfie so you can live your life's purpose.   ANNOUNCEMENT: Ready to shine your light and tell your story. Please click on MY STRENGTH IS MY STORY. Here you can submit yourself to appear on the podcast or make recommendations as who you would like to hear. This is going to be a beautiful series!   Subscribe to Create Your Now TV on YouTube. Listen to Create Your Now on Spotify. Listen to Create Your Now on iHeart Radio. Click here. The Create Your Now Archives are LIVE!! You can subscribe and listen to all the previous episodes here.  http://bit.ly/CYNarchive1 and http://bit.ly/CYNarchive2 and http://bit.ly/CYNarchive3 and http://bit.ly/CYNarchive4 and http://bit.ly/CYNarchive5 Contact me at YourBestSelfie@CreateYourNow.com THE NO FUSS MEAL PLAN Instagram @CreateYourNow @Kristianne Wargo Twitter @KristianneWargo @CreateYourNow Facebook www.facebook.com/TheKISSCoach www.facebook.com/CreateYourNow   PERISCOPE USERS!!! Click here for ANDROID Users / GOOGLE  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.periscope.android Click here for APPLE Users  https://itunes.apple.com/app/id972909677   Read more from Kristianne, a contributor to The Huffington Post, MindBodyGreen, Thrive Global, Addicted2Succes, and She Owns It. https://addicted2success.com/success-advice/5-things-to-do-while-waiting-for-success-to-manifest-in-your-life/ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristianne-wargo/ http://bit.ly/9amHabits https://journal.thriveglobal.com/how-to-configure-a-sleep-pattern-fit-for-you-d8edd3387eaf#.sniv275c3 https://sheownsit.com/when-failure-is-your-middle-name/   DOMESTIC BEAUTIES (Announcements) 1. Come and let's connect on Facebook - Women Of IMPACT  http://facebook.com/groups/thewomenofimpact 2. Create Your Now ~ Your Best Selfie can be heard on iHeart Radio and Spotify! 3. Create Your Now Archive 1 is LIVE! You can subscribe and listen to all the previous episodes here. http://bit.ly/CYNarchive1 4. Create Your Now Archive 2 is LIVE! You can subscribe and listen to all the previous episodes here. http://bit.ly/CYNarchive2 5. Create Your Now Archive 3 is LIVE! You can subscribe and listen to all the previous episodes here. http://bit.ly/CYNarchive3 6. Create Your Now Archive 4 is LIVE! You can subscribe and listen to all the previous episodes here. http://bit.ly/CYNarchive4 7. Create Your Now Archive 5 is LIVE! You can subscribe and listen to all the previous episodes here. http://bit.ly/CYNarchive5 8. NEW Website! Go check it out and tell me what you think. http://www.createyournow.com 9. Sign Up for The A.I.M. Academy! You will be the first to learn all about it. http://createyournow.com/m-academy-2 10. Schedule a Discovery Call. This is a free 30-45 minute call for those serious about coaching with me. 11. Newsletter and Library: If you desire to get weekly emails, be sure to sign up here so you can stay connected. http://createyournow.com/library   Cover Art by Jenny Hamson   Music by Mandisa - Overcomer http://www.mandisaofficial.com Song ID: 68209 Song Title: Overcomer Writer(s): Ben Glover, Chris Stevens, David Garcia Copyright © 2013 Meaux Mercy (BMI) Moody Producer Music (BMI) 9t One Songs (ASCAP) Ariose Music (ASCAP) Universal Music -  Brentwood Benson Publ. (ASCAP) D Soul Music (ASCAP) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Welcome to episode 55 of The Blogger Genius Podcast. Today my guest is Nicole Ketchum, the designer behind the acrylic chandelier craze.  In this episode we talk about how to design and manufacture a product in China. We discuss what it takes to get the word out about your new product, especially one in a brand new category, what common mistakes entrepreneurs make when designing a physical product, what it's like to have to take out a loan to fund your inventory and so much more. If you've ever dreamt of building and designing your own product, this is the episode for you!   Resources: MiloTree Chandelier by NK Oh Joy Amy Atlas Warby Parker Away Luggage Everlane Planoly Glowforge AltSummit Transcript: How to Design and Manufacture a Product with Nicole Ketchum Host 0:03 Welcome to The Blogger Genius Podcast, brought to you by MiloTree. Here's your host, Jillian Leslie. Build your Shopify sales with MiloTree Jillian Leslie 0:11 Hi, welcome back to The Blogger Genius Podcast. The response to our new Shopify popup has been terrific. If you have a Shopify store, definitely go try it. Try our popup on your blog to get people to shop on your store. If you have a friend and know somebody who has a Shopify store who could benefit from it, please tell them about it. It's all part of your subscription and it takes, gosh, less than a minute to set up. All you do is just put your Shopify URL into the box and the popup will have your most recent products show up on it. And as you know, MiloTree is the easiest way to grow your social media followers, your email list. Head to MiloTree.com, sign up and get your first 30 days free. Today, I am interviewing Nicole Ketchum. And she is one of the first people I've interviewed who has built a physical good, a real product that she sells. She sells these beautiful chandeliers, you'll hear all about it. She is incredibly honest with her journey. If you are thinking of creating a physical good, you definitely want to listen to this. And even if you're not, I think her story is incredibly interesting and insightful. So without further ado, here is Nicole Ketchum. Nicole, welcome to the show. Nicole Ketchum 1:47 Thank you for letting me be here. Jillian Leslie 1:48 Oh, wow. So we met because you reached out to me about coaching probably a year ago. Nicole Ketchum 1:57 Yes, yes. And it was a great call. You helped me in so many ways. Jillian Leslie 2:02 Oh, I'm so glad. I'm so glad. And I think it's really cool because you are one of the first people that I am talking to on the podcast about creating a physical product. And so can you tell like what your product is and and how you got started? And, you know, I'm sure my audience will go and check it out. Creating and selling a physical product Nicole Ketchum 2:24 Yes. So I design acrylic chandeliers. That's the medium I currently work in. And I had the idea in late 2011 and spent two years researching the idea that I had before pulling the trigger. I made a prototype in late 2013 and threw together a website and crossed my fingers and launched, and four years later, here I am. Jillian Leslie 2:58 Okay, first of all, what is an acrylic chandelier? Nicole Ketchum 3:02 So basically, we created a design where two pieces get cut by a laser cutter and then there are slots on each of the pieces of the chandelier. And you take the two pieces and you slap them together. They have holes at the top where you put two S hooks and you can hang it anywhere. And you can hang it with chandelier chains that you can get at like Home Depot or Lowes. Or even fishing wire. They're very lightweight, which I've said a lot but actually people still ask me quite frequently, and they're only three pounds. Jillian Leslie 3:42 Okay. And they don't light. They're decorative. Nicole Ketchum 3:46 They're decorative and it's a new concept. I apparently designed a product that didn't exist. Jillian Leslie 3:52 Okay. Nicole Ketchum 3:54 So that's very exciting but it's also been a learning curve. And they're perfect because acrylic is basically plastic, and it can go inside or outside. It can go below 20 degrees. It can be in hot weather. You can put it up anywhere that you can hang. They're perfect for weddings and parties. Jillian Leslie 4:15 Exactly. That was my next question, which is, what is the use case? Where do people use them? Nicole Ketchum 4:20 People use them for parties, events, weddings. I use them in my child's play room. They can go over a bathtub, they can go over a bed or a nursery. Jillian Leslie 4:36 I was gonna say I'd like to put one in my daughter's room. Nicole Ketchum 4:39 Yes, I have one hanging over my daughter's bed. Jillian Leslie 4:43 Okay. And your background though, is in product design. Right? Nicole Ketchum 4:48 No, actually I went to school a long time ago for English and then I worked in marketing and graphic design. Jillian Leslie 4:54 Graphic design, okay. Nicole Ketchum 4:55 Yeah, for a very long time. But it was more like corporate design. So my fantasies were I wanted to design wallpaper and home goods. And in reality, I was designing annual reports. But I eventually started to make that leap on my own and I eventually transitioned into surface design and I was designing patterns for stores. And it still didn't feel like it was enough for me. And I interviewed for Michaels Corporate a long time ago in 2011, when my husband and I had lost our jobs from the fallout from 2008. And they had challenged me. It was between myself and another designer come up with something for Halloween that's modern and that people can use. And for myself, I've always wanted to have a really fun chandelier for Halloween that I could just throw over a table. I always lived in apartments when I was younger, you know, there's no outlets and places. So that was the idea I had and I was going to do a foam core. And my husband who is a designer as well, he said, "Why don't you do acrylic?" So I designed a raven and moon chandelier for Michaels Corporate along with competing the patterns that they could use for journals. And I presented it to them and I believe they must have been on the cusp of transitioning from where they were to where they are now, and they said I was too modern. I thought that was really interesting because I know I would fit now. Jillian Leslie 6:35 Yes! Nicole Ketchum 6:36 Yeah. But back then, I thought it was still a great idea and I couldn't get it out of my head. Designing a product in AutoCAD So I spent every weekend just researching, talking to people, going to stores and eventually harassed my husband into going to his office on weekends and working in AutoCAD to come up with the two lines that I have currently, which is the octopus and the fancy. Jillian Leslie 7:04 Okay. And what is AutoCAD just for the people who don't know. Nicole Ketchum 7:07 it is a computer-based software that allows you to design in 3D. And that is not my foray. I was able to sketch the idea but he took it and made it real. And then I think we must have done that for six months straight and eventually pulled the trigger and ordered a prototype through a company that I found on the internet. Then we got to see in real-time how that worked. Jillian Leslie 7:38 Okay. And was this a company in China? Was it here in the United States? Nicole Ketchum 7:42 It's in Las Vegas. They're such a great company. I worked with them when we made our Disney chandeliers. So then we realized that we had a product that actually worked and so I ordered two prototypes -- one for the octopus and one for the fancy. Then I basically, when I totally believed this and I push it all the time, it's fake it till you make it. Jillian Leslie 8:06 I love that. Nicole Ketchum 8:07 I changed the colors in Photoshop and pretended that I had a full catalog. Jillian Leslie 8:11 I love it. Love it. Love it. Nicole Ketchum 8:14 I didn't tell anybody. But I was like, whatever, what's going to happen? And nobody ever found out and people started ordering. I mean, of course, I changed the colors to reflect whatever the Las Vegas company had and then I would get an order and then I would place the order with them. And it was both time consuming and very expensive, but it was perfect for me to just start to see who my customer base was, who was ordering my product and what they were using it for. And that was really fascinating. Jillian Leslie 8:48 So what was your assumption going in? And then what did you start to learn based on what your customers were ordering? Nicole Ketchum 8:57 My assumption was that they were going to be like me, where they were just going to use it for maybe a holiday and it took on a life of its own. Getting your first order of a product you design My very first order was from Nordstrom for a party and they used it on the table. They didn't even hang it. And I was shocked and delighted, and I even asked them. They said that they were just perfect centerpieces. I was like "Oh, okay." It's not what I designed it for, but that's awesome. And then I noticed that party stylists, event planners, they got it immediately. I didn't have to explain to them at all. And I did have to explain to like the average person at home that was just looking at home decor. So I noticed there was just that interesting correlation and also a disconnect happening between where I thought they were going and where they were actually going. Jillian Leslie 9:55 Right. So it seems like more sophisticated designer-y people got it. Nicole Ketchum 10:00 Yes. Jillian Leslie 10:00 And moms might have needed more education. Is that true? Nicole Ketchum 10:04 Yes. Because they don't have lights. There is that learning curve. "What do you mean they don't have lights?" "Well, what do you do with it?" Whereas the party stylists and event planners were like, "Oh, yeah, I'm just gonna put this over a dessert table. Jillian Leslie 10:19 Okay. That's very interesting. So what is the price point right now, if I were to buy one? Nicole Ketchum 10:25 The price point for the octopus is $59.99. And the fancy is $69.99. And I have a limited edition gold that is new and one of a kind, and that is $89.99. Jillian Leslie 10:41 Got it. Now tell me, I remember this from our conversation. Somebody... it was Disney. Somebody like got it and was like, "We want to order this." Nicole Ketchum 10:50 Yes. I basically had my coaching call with you and the very next day, I got an email from Disney. I kid you not. It was insane and so exciting. And they found me on Pinterest. Yes. And I was like, "Score! I'm doing it right." And they asked me to make 21 custom chandeliers for a new store that was opening up for visual merchandising. And three different sizes. So it was imperative that I still had that Las Vegas connection. We made a 12 by 16, a 24 by 20, and a 40 by 60, which is huge. And 12 different colors. Jillian Leslie 11:37 Oh my god, okay. Nicole Ketchum 11:38 Yes. So that was awesome. And they had a very, very, very tight deadline. I totally met that deadline. Overextended myself, over delivered, and under charged them. And they were incredibly happy when I flew down in March to see them. So they ordered at the end of December, almost mid-December, and February 1 is when they needed it. Jillian Leslie 12:07 Oh, wow. Wow! But wait, wasn't there somebody else who had discovered them too? Maybe it was Nordstrom. I don't remember. Where you were like, "Ooh," like early traction? Nicole Ketchum 12:20 Yes. I've actually had a lot of different celebrities use them. Jillian Leslie 12:23 Okay, maybe that's what it is. Okay. Nicole Ketchum 12:25 Yeah, early traction would have been Nordstrom and then right after that Michael Buble's sister used them for a book party that she had written some children's books and bought a whole bunch. And then I got picked up by the Associated Press and then I went nationwide. And then I started getting orders from there and more traction. Outsourcing production to China -- how to do it? Jillian Leslie 12:47 Okay. So you were looking at then factories or outsourcing in China, that kind of thing? Nicole Ketchum 12:55 Yes. When I had spoken to you, I was still stuck on kind of a hump of how do I do my next inventory run. My first inventory run had been successful but the company then came back to me, which actually happens a lot, you can't order this amount. You have to order thousands And that's how they get you. And so I had to take a step back. And after Disney, I decided to go on Alibaba. com and just tell them exactly what I need as an RFP, and then have people just kind of send me their company information. Jillian Leslie 13:39 What's an RFP? Nicole Ketchum 13:41 A request for proposal. Jillian Leslie 13:43 Got it. So that means you're soliciting companies to say hey, "This is what I want to make. Can you do this? You know, a factory in China, come and tell me how much this would cost." Nicole Ketchum 13:55 Yes. Now, I want to preface that with when you have a product or you have proprietary information, and I have all my designs registered with the US government, I can't patent anything because the slot technology is not new. So I had to have them sign NDAs so that I could send them my CAD files that my husband had designed because that is your proprietary information and you should never give that out willingly. So they had approved that they knew what I was speaking about, what kind of product I needed beforehand. So there was a lot of back and forth of here's some pictures of my product and what have you done. And I eventually, surprisingly, to my delight, found the largest acrylic supplier in all of China who is my manufacturer. Jillian Leslie 14:48 Wow. And then did you have to place one of these gigantic orders? Nicole Ketchum 14:54 I did not. My first run back in 2014 was for 350 chandeliers. And this new company let me just place an order for 450, which maybe doesn't sound a lot to the average user. "Okay, you only jumped 100." But as far as money goes, it was a difference of $3600 to $8500. Plus shipping. Jillian Leslie 15:21 Wow. Were you able to order them in different colors like for your inventory? Nicole Ketchum 15:25 Well, that's where they get you too. If I could, I would have done a ton of colors. Because people ask me all the time, "How come you don't have other colors and another product?" but that's what I was given. So I had to order my bestseller, which is white, and a new one which I just had a gut instinct would do well based on I used to have a mirror chandelier that sold out super quick. So I ordered a gold. And that was $12,000. How to protect yourself from knock-offs in China? Jillian Leslie 15:56 Wow, wow, wow. And is there... because I've heard this, you come up with something and then somebody in China sees it and knocks it off. Do you have that concern or kind of how have you protected yourself? Nicole Ketchum 16:13 You know, initially I did, but... not to say that our files are complicated, but they are somewhat. And it's interesting to note as a side note, when we first designed the product, it was great but we did have some breakage. And my husband and I could not figure it out. And his brother is an engineer. And one night, he was looking at our chandelier and he was like, "All these points are pointed and they need to be curved." And we were like, "What?" And so that whole sort of cyclical thing with our design, I'm not afraid of China knocking me off because it's kind of intricate. And I say, if you want to, great, you know, I have the paper trail. You know, I'm not going to worry about it anymore. I did initially and I'm just really not going to be worried about it anymore. How to market your product Jillian Leslie 17:06 I love that. I love that. Okay, so let's talk about how you have gotten your product out there. So you build this product, by the way, you did something interesting, which is you built this on a hunch. Now, again, you seem to manage your downside risk, meaning you didn't order 5,000 of these to start and you started to see how people were using them so that it could inform you, or what colors people were interested in. So I love that strategy that you were kind of going piece by piece and I love that you change the colors on your website to see what people wanted without going out and, you know, buying all this inventory. Nicole Ketchum 17:46 Right. That's a mistake a lot of people make. Jillian Leslie 17:49 Two things that I have to give you props for. One is that you seem humble enough to know that you don't know all the answers. Like that you're working with your customers to figure out what they want rather than, "Oh, I know what they want." And two, that you are scrappy. Nicole Ketchum 18:15 Yes, I am. Jillian Leslie 18:16 Because when we talked and you were in that conundrum of, "What do I do? My company that I'm working with wants me to place this huge order, and that's a lot of money. And I don't want to take on that risk." And you solved it. Nicole Ketchum 18:33 Yeah, exactly. I was almost mad and so I took that anger. And I was like, you're not going to stop me. But they did stop me for a while, I did cry for a little while. And then I just got mad. And my husband and I are like, how are we going to pay for this, and we took out a home equity loan to pay for this run. But this run versus 25,000+ is more manageable over 30 years. I can do this, I can pay it off. And that's okay. That's debt that's manageable. And so yeah, I wasn't going to let them stop me. Jillian Leslie 19:11 I love that. Scrappy. Okay. So how did you start to get the message out that you made this product? You know, whether it'd be Instagram, email, what was your strategy? And what is your strategy? Nicole Ketchum 19:26 Well, initially, my strategy was I basically sent it to every blog I could possibly find back in 2014. And I got free press from Amy Atlas and Oh Joy pinned my octopus chandelier and it went crazy viral. Jillian Leslie 19:45 So wait, so you sent them a chandelier? Nicole Ketchum 19:48 I didn't send them a physical product, this is what's so awesome. I just sent them my website and I was like, This is new, you've never seen anything like this. If it interests you, could you write about it? Jillian Leslie 20:01 Good for you. Nicole Ketchum 20:02 I know. I don't think I could get away with that now. Jillian Leslie 20:05 Why? Nicole Ketchum 20:06 I think things have changed in four years. People are demanding product plus payment. And four years ago, they were like, "Sure." Jillian Leslie 20:14 Right. Content. It was like cool. Nicole Ketchum 20:18 Just to kind of like, yeah. And it was cool and I knew that, if anything, it's different and no one's seen it before so that had it going for it. So that's how it happened. It was just a lot of free press. And then I hit a wall after a couple years. People wanted a lot of product and a lot of money. But initially, that's how it got me started and that's how my customers heard of me. Jillian Leslie 20:46 Okay. And now then, how did you... again, this is very true to social media to what happens, which is trends come and go. You know, people see it, they love it. But then all of a sudden, that strategy doesn't work anymore. So then what did you do? Nicole Ketchum 21:03 I had a business mentor who I was stressing because I'm sure just like a lot of people, they look at Shark Tank and think that, "Oh, I'm not making a million dollars. I'm not successful." And I was stressing out bad and he was like, "Nicole, it's better to build as slow as you can and as thorough as you can versus run hot and disappear." Yeah, so I took it to heart and I decided to slow down. I had paid off my whole debt for my first run. It was going slow, but I was like, nobody knows that I'm here because press had died down like you had said, so I started building my Instagram out and it's been very slow. Building my Pinterest out. I was on Facebook for a while. I've now gotten off Facebook and just focusing on Pinterest and Instagram. And now I'm trying to build my email list. And really what I did about two years ago is I reached out to party stylists and bloggers and I said, "Here, I'm going to send you some free product. Could you just test it out and use it and maybe take a picture or two?" and it's been working great. Jillian Leslie 22:19 Really? Okay. Okay. Nicole Ketchum 22:22 And now, some of them are my friends and they really tell me what they think about them. And pretty much everyone, and I'm not tooting my own horn, I'm just saying that they love it. And they've been telling me what colors they wanted and how they were using it. And then they're giving me the photography, which as you know, photography is a lot of money. So I've been saving tons of money off of that and that's how I've been doing it. It's been super slow. But I finally sold out of the best seller and the mirrored one sold out super quick. And I started getting orders from like Sugarfina and other companies like that, and I couldn't fulfill the orders. And that's when I hit the wall and then talk to you and then decided to take out my loan and find another company. If I was on Shark Tank, they would be like, "See you later because you're growing too slow at four years," but I feel like I'm finally gaining some important traction and Disney has been able to kind of give me that tailwind that I need to keep going basically. They validated me. And, you know, I'll go to my grave just being so happy about that. Thinking about the mom market to get your product out there Jillian Leslie 23:41 That's so great. Have you thought about the mom market, reaching out to mom influencers? Nicole Ketchum 23:51 Yes. I have done that in the past and I've even run contests. And I've been in, I don't know, 5 or 10 national magazines and done contests as well. And that's worked okay. But just so people know, just because you get press in a magazine doesn't equal sales. In fact, it's a misnomer and it usually doesn't equal sales. Unless you're in Oprah. And that's not happening as much anymore. Jillian Leslie 24:24 Right. And also then what you want is to be in a magazine and have them link to you in their digital form so that you can get some SEO juice. Nicole Ketchum 24:34 Yes, I recently linked with Life & Style magazine and J-14 magazine and did a contest for one of my octopuses. And it was the largest contest they ever had. There was 24,000 entries for this and they wouldn't share any of the information with me. So, yeah. So that was a good learning experience. A, it showed me people are probably interested in free product but also that there was interest in my product. And B, I have to figure out at some point down the road, more of a marketing budget for that sort of thing. And also taking out the HELOC loan last year for the inventory, we decided to jump off the cliff. And my husband and I were like, we're just going for it, guns blazing. We're going to try everything. And we hired a company that is like a Shark Tank company, so they are going to be working with me to kind of shrink my chandeliers, repackage them, approach buyers, and also kind of help me get into that mom market that seems to be pretty hard for me to get into. Jillian Leslie 25:50 Got it. Now what about though trying to get into Michaels or trying to get into boutiques? Nicole Ketchum 25:59 Yes. In its current form, they're 24 by 20, and the box is huge and it's not made for retail. I was recently on a website called Fair and basically,it's trying to be a middleman and knock out trade shows. So buyers would go in, look, buy your product and then test it out in their stores. And I was getting a lot of buyers. But they were saying, "Well, how do we put this in the stores?" And I was like, "Exactly." Jillian Leslie 26:35 What do you mean? You mean to put it on the shelf it's too big? Nicole Ketchum 26:39 Yeah, right. Jillian Leslie 26:40 The actual box is too big? Nicole Ketchum 26:43 Yes. If they wanted to use it for visual merchandising, that's cool and that's fine. They should buy it at a full price and not wholesale. So that told me that my direction, I stopped selling on there and I pivoted with this company. And they're going to shrink it to down to like, I think we're going to shrink it down to like 12 by 16 or maybe even smaller. So that it won't have the giant glorious impact it has now, but those are mainly used by party stylists and wedding planners. So the littler ones will be good for the little girls, teenagers, college students, moms. And I want to be able to have them packaged so they can slide right into the stores. And yes, we have a whole target market that we're looking at. Michaels. Target. Hasbro. Hasbro is actually in Rhode Island and my goal is to get a face-to-face meeting with them and talk about designing some princess chandeliers for them. Jillian Leslie 27:53 Oh, my god. Yes. Yes. And I feel like also somehow with Disney and all of their, you know, all that they do in terms of merchandising. Nicole Ketchum 28:02 I know. I recently reached out to my contact there and we left on perfect terms. They were very happy with me. But he also had let me know when they were there that they work at a crazy cycle. They used to work at 90 to 120 days and now they're working 30 days for a project and he can't even see straight. So he never got back to me and I don't want to bother him right now because I don't want to ruin that relationship. So I'm thinking when I rebrand and repackage because I'll be changing the name of my company too. Jillian Leslie 28:38 From what to what? Do you know? Nicole Ketchum 28:40 Yes. I just talked to the company today. So Chandelier by NK doesn't work for me because it has my initials and I want to move past just designing chandeliers. And it was hard for some people even in my Instagram like to look at it and get what it was. Not my pictures but just my handle. So we decided on Hey Girl Decor. Jillian Leslie 29:08 I like that. Nicole Ketchum 29:11 And I haven't come up with a tagline yet. Something like "modern and colorful" or something. That series or something like that. I have a trademark attorney looking now. There are several companies with the 'Hey Girl' name, but they are like tea, jewelry, a nonprofit. So nothing in the sphere I'm in. Jillian Leslie 29:30 Got it. And is that your vision? Is your vision to build out new products? Are you working on new products? In your mind are you designing them? Like, what are you thinking? Nicole Ketchum 29:42 Yes, I designed a heart chandelier. Well, it's basically just a hanging heart that slots in two. I wouldn't really call it a chandelier. And I've been dying to get that out and I've had some people buy it just on the side. And they love it. And that's the other thing that I want to impart to anyone that takes a company and is making a product. Sometimes I'll see people and they're cranking out a product, A, I don't know how they're doing that because that costs a lot of money. They must have like a slush fund or something. But in reality, I've had to take a huge step back based on, you know, monetary budget. And so I'm hoping that I can get the heart out in the next year. And yeah, I have a ton of ideas that I've had to basically shelf because I just can't do them, I can't afford to do them right now. Jillian Leslie 30:39 So what is your advice to somebody who says, "I have this great idea for a product" and they see companies like Warby Parker or, you know, these direct to consumer brands that have, you know, some sort of interesting story behind them like Away luggage. Or just even these like, I just bought a bra from a company, I forgot even the name but it's like, you know, designed by women and, you know, selling them. Everlane, those kinds of things. Like you've got this vision. And what is your advice to those people? Nicole Ketchum 31:16 I would say, go for it. And make sure that you love your product, know your product, know where your product fits, and who your potential market is. And then just go for it. Jillian Leslie 31:32 Really? Nicole Ketchum 31:34 And don't worry, just like I've had to go slower than I wanted and I'm an impatient type A person, I'd say slower is better. The tortoise does win the, you know. Jillian Leslie 31:47 Win at the end, yes. Win the race. Nicole Ketchum 31:48 Win at the end. Give yourself that grace to realize that it's not a straight arrow shot that just when you think you've climbed the hill, you are back down that hill. But don't give up. And if you hear any of those stories of the two guys that built Warby Parker or the Away luggage, they also struggled and had to raise funds and didn't know if they were going to be able to pay everybody. And then they hit their hump and they got over it. And so I would say just get that in your mind that not that it's going to be hard or easy. Just that you have to be focused. Jillian Leslie 32:32 Right. And you have to, just what you said, love your product because it's not... It can't be about the goal. Or it can't be about like, you know, making this huge. successful company. Nicole Ketchum 32:46 Correct. Jillian Leslie 32:46 It's the long slog. Nicole Ketchum 32:49 Yes. That's perfect, Jillian. That's so perfect. Yeah, it is a long slog. And you have to love it because there's been times that I wanted to give up but it wouldn't let me basically. Jillian Leslie 33:02 That's so interesting. Now, do you sell on Instagram? Nicole Ketchum 33:09 I am working with, well, let's see. I lay out my Instagram on Planoly. It looks like Planoly has a way that I can link my shop. But because I'm not on Facebook, I'm actually kind of punished for that and I can't put my prices on there. Jillian Leslie 33:24 On to your Instagram? Nicole Ketchum 33:26 Yeah. Squarespace is my website provide and they'll work with, you know, and Facebook owns Instagram. So there's all that. But yeah, that's what I would like to do. Some people, I do get customers from Instagram. But mainly my customers are either finding me online or buying through. I just got on Wayfair so they're buying through Wayfair or Houzz or AHAlife. And that's how I'm selling too. Selling your product on Amazon Jillian Leslie 33:57 And do you sell on Amazon? Nicole Ketchum 33:59 That is what my company that I just hired is going to be doing next for me. I tried to do it on my own and what ended up happening is some of my vendors threw my stuff up there without asking me. And then when I went to approach Amazon about selling, they're like, "Well, you're already on there and who are you?" And they're just giving me the worst time. So I'm having my company represent me to go forward getting me on there. Jillian Leslie 34:27 Got it. And have you ever explored Etsy? Exploring Etsy as a selling platform Nicole Ketchum 34:33 That's so funny. Yeah, my brother-in-law even worked for Etsy when I was having trouble. They were absolutely horrible to me. Jillian Leslie 34:41 Why? Nicole Ketchum 34:43 I went on there and they were like, "Well, you're not handmade." And I said I understand that. Then they had the wholesale, the Etsy wholesale, and I approached them for that. And they said, "Sure, send me all of your proprietary information, plus all of your manufacturing." And I was like, "Well, I can send you everything from my manufacturer." Like documents, logs, pictures, you know, everything that's proving that they are there, they are watching the workers. There's nothing illegal, or, you know, like a sweatshop about it. And that wasn't good enough for them. They wanted my CAD files. And I said absolutely not, and they wouldn't let me on. Jillian Leslie 35:25 That's so interesting. But now though, I feel like Etsy will let people with goods from China, for example, sell that it's no longer as handmade as it used to be. Nicole Ketchum 35:37 Oh, I agree. I thought that that was quite ironic and troubling to me that there were tons of China knockoffs and other things on there and they were giving me the hardest time and my brother in law worked for Etsy corporate. Wow. Okay. And they told me to never asked them again. Seriously, because I was gonna say, go back to them. Yeah, I mean, I don't know, maybe, maybe I can. But I got an email like a year ago. And they're like, you better not even think about asking us to get on and I was like, are you harassing me? Yeah, I don't know what happened. But Etsy wholesale failed. So maybe those people are gone. I don't know. Jillian Leslie 36:17 Okay. So now what is your kind of like, it sounds like building a product is I mean, building a physical product, not a virtual product is a lot of pushing the rock up the hill. How not to get taken advantage of building your own product Nicole Ketchum 36:31 It is and you need to arm yourself with as much information as you possibly can. Because anyone and everyone can take advantage of you. And I don't mean that in a bad way. And I'm not knocking China because everyone I've worked for in China has been wonderful and kind and hardworking. But the more you know about your own product, and that includes materials, how it's made your your files, the better, you are able to push that rock up the hill. Sign up for MiloTree and get added to my "Actionable Business Tips" email newsletter Jillian Leslie 37:04 If you want to get weekly business tips. Small digestible business tips, head to military. com, sign up for an account, you get your first 30 days free. And you also get added to my email list. Each week, I send a little nugget that will help you move your business forward. These are tips and tricks we've used to grow our two successful businesses. And now back to the show. Mistakes made building a product So what mistakes did you make the you would say, Oh, don't do this. Nicole Ketchum 37:38 Um, yeah, tons. Let me say, not knowing enough about acrylic. Jillian Leslie 37:49 Okay. The actual material. Unknown 37:50 Right? I'm not really the first time not the second time asking them point blank. What reorder number do you need? Nicole Ketchum 38:02 And what is acceptable to you? I'm finding out what would you have done differently? Unknown 38:11 I probably wouldn't have used them. Okay. Yeah, basically, they were a middleman. The owner is an American citizen who lives in Berkeley and owned a manufacturing company in China. And that China company also was like a middleman for because they have to source the acrylic, they have to source the crystal that I put in the middle of the fancy chandelier. The they have to source the S hooks and everything has to be sourced. Okay, um, and then they send those things to you. And then you look at it and they you say yes or no, this isn't fitting what I envision and I didn't know enough back then. So when I approached this second manufacturer, this time around, I had already my source all the materials from China and gotten it. Okay, so I knew exactly what it was. Yep. And I mailed them a sample, which I didn't do the first time. Okay, I mailed the sample of what my box look like, what the phone that holds a chandelier looks like what the shadow looks like, the accessories for the chandelier so that they would not mess up at all open. It was perfect. Jillian Leslie 39:26 Got it. Now, do you know other people like you who are creating products? Nicole Ketchum 39:33 Um, no. Jillian Leslie 39:35 Okay, to say it's like, I feel like other people are probably going through a lot of the same stuff. Nicole Ketchum 39:44 You know, it's been really frustrating for me, because I've joined a couple mastermind groups and everyone's either doing stationery and I'm not knocking any of that. I'm just saying they're doing like paper goods or, you know, other things that I'm not doing. And I at the level of I'm at, I need to find women or men that are already above me making more money and are where I want to be. And I haven't been able to, to find that and I need that so desperately that that camaraderie and that like ability to say, Hey, you know, I need to source this, or did you did you find I had I just had someone approached me who makes acrylic jewelry. And she's like, Are you okay, giving me that information? I was like, absolutely. Because it does nobody good for you to hold all of your sources close to your chest. You're just being selfish. And I don't believe in that kind of world. So I gave her my manufacturing contacts. Okay. I wouldn't do that. If, like some, if I'm teaching a class. I'm not going to give that to everyone, unless they pay for it. But because she was already making product, right? And was having trouble sourcing and acrylic. I gave that to her. Right. But I need that kind of, I don't know, I need to find people like that. And I'm having the hardest time that's so interesting. It's lonely, right? Jillian Leslie 41:17 Oh, I was just, I just recorded another podcast. And we were talking about that exact same thing, really general about being an entrepreneur that, you know, it's like, it's like the other moms at your kids school don't know what you do. And they don't quite understand it. And it can be it's a lot of you at a computer, right? And it can be lonely. And that's honestly one of the reasons why I wanted to do this podcast because I wanted entrepreneurs to share the truth about their lives, and to talk about struggles as well as the successes. But it's so easy on Instagram to see everybody's perfect life. Exactly. And it's not like that. But the reality is, it's the long slog. right? 42:06 It is and I've challenged myself, one of the things that I did get away from the mastermind group I was in is that I challengde myself to take behind the scenes video. So this morning, I went down to my basement. It's so glamorous, right? Show my inventory, right? Here it is, when you place an order, I go down to my large basement, and I get a box and I bring it to FedEx ups, or the post office, right, and I drop ship, but you don't see all the stuff I had to do to get to that point, or the money I had to spend, right. But here it is. And I'm trying to do that. Because people are like, "Well, can you get it in a pastel pink?" And or can you just do this? And I'm like, that's great. But I can't because I don't own a giant laser printer. Right. And cutter that I can put so right. Going to China to build your product Jillian Leslie 42:54 Right. Now, what about though either like, have you thought about going to China? Does that make any sense? Unknown 43:02 Yes, I would. That is one of my dreams is to to keep my manufacturer that I currently have and build a great relationship with them and go over there. Definitely. Jillian Leslie 43:15 And what would going over there give you? What's the benefit? Nicole Ketchum  43:20 Just seeing your product made in front of your eyes versus just having to do everything over the computer. And we used to do late night Skype sessions, right. As the time difference. Yep. Hmm. And they even walk me around the factory with their phone. So I could see that it was indeed a good place to do business with that would give me I don't know more. I'm not confidence. I don't know what the word is. Um, I would just feel more ingrained with my product. There's a little bit of me being removed. Jillian Leslie 43:53 I get it. Now. What about you investing in of laser cutter? Nicole Ketchum 43:58 I looked at a GlowGorage and that's something that I could probably use to make small products like, Yeah, but there I think their capability is like, till, like, 212 or something. Okay. Um, we looked, my husband and I, before we, we took the loan at, we looked at taking a loan out for a laser cutter, and even just making them smaller, we would still need a giant size and you and I live in the northeast, you can't put it in the basement, it would seize up and freeze. So and there's no room. Yep, yep. Yeah, so we definitely, he's, since he's a designer, he was able to, like, approach it. He builds dorms for colleges, so he was able to approach it with a very pragmatic, right, and he was like, you're just gonna have to go through China again. And I was like, you're right. So Wow. Nicole Ketchum 44:48 Yeah. Well, I guess Yes. Nicole Ketchum 44:50 Oh, I was gonna say the company that I had I hired and, and I don't mind saying what, what company is, it's called idea buyer. And they're out of Columbus, Ohio, okay. They have their own manufacturing firm in China. And if things are successful with them, which I hope they will be, I could probably do a trip with them to go and see. Teaching other entrepreneurs about product design Nicole Ketchum 45:13 Yes, I eventually, along with having passion for home decor, and, and the stuff that I'm designing. I eventually want to teach other entrepreneurs. This, I discovered that I'm equally as passionate about that. And because I'm lonely, assuming other people are lonely. So I want to take the charge and lead because I am not seeing anybody really doing that. Jillian Leslie 45:36 Okay. So if you're interested in products, reach out, reach out to Nicole. Nicole Ketchum 45:41 Yes. Or go to the all conference. Jillian Leslie 45:43 Oh, yeah. So yeah, so let's talk about that. Okay. Well, first of all, what are you most excited about right now in your business. Nicole Ketchum 45:52 The possibilities with the company that I hired and with the connections that I hope to make it all conference and just the knowledge that I have, I have new inventory, new ways to sell it. Getting on Wayfare took four months. That was a big slog, and that's super exciting. I hope to be successful with them. So that's, that's what I'm excited about. Jillian Leslie 46:18 Okay, so we are both going to be at AltSummit in March. I am going to be talking about how to start a podcast in a weekend. This is my first time at AltSummer. And I had Gabby Blair on the podcast, you know, who is Design Mom and is one of the founders of AltSummit. And, you know, she said, definitely apply and I applied and so there, there I am, and you're going to be a resident to explain expert. Nicole Ketchum 46:51 Yes, I'll be a resident expert. At some point, I actually reached out to to Gabby, just saying, hey, do you guys need some of my chandeliers like over a table. It doesn't even have to be my table just for glitz and glam. And what did she say? I haven't heard back from her. But I'm pretty sure she's pretty busy. Yeah, okay. And one of my good friends. Olivia has been there several times and, and has worked in various ways with them. So I can always just ask her to how do I do that? Jillian Leslie 47:27 Right. And if if anybody in the audience is looking for a very cool design element in their house, or for a party or for their kids room, I love one for my daughter's bedroom. Definitely check out Nicole's product because they are super cool, beautiful, you know, they're very glitz and glam. That's what I would say. Yeah. And modern. Nicole Ketchum 47:49 Yes. Thank you. Appreciate that. Jillian Leslie 47:50 Definitely. Okay. So how can people reach out to you and you know, find out what you're doing connection with you and like pick your brain. Nicole Ketchum 48:01 They can always go to my website. It's for now. It's ChandelierbyNK.com. Or you can go to Instagram and look up chandelierbynk is the handle. You can just email me at Nicole@chandelierbynk.com or DM me on Instagram and I'll get right back to you. Jillian Leslie 48:22 I love it. Well, Nicole, I am again really impressed with your journey. And thank you so much for being on the show. Nicole Ketchum 48:01 Thank you Julian. I appreciate it. I look forward to seeing you in March. Jillian Leslie 48:22 If you're enjoying The Blogger Genius Podcast, please subscribe, leave a comment on iTune, rate us, share it with your friends, email me at jillian@milotree.com and I will see you again here next week.  

Join us for a behind-the-scenes interview with creativepreneur matriarch Gabrielle Blair, longtime blogger at Design Mom, Best-selling author and founder of the Alt Summit Conference for creatives and influencers. Gabrielle shares her 10-year story in building and reiterating Alt Summit, and the lessons she has learned along the way.  In this episode you'll learn:  how she got the idea for her first conference Gabby's formula for a successful (and profitable$$) live event how tech can solve common logistical problems at events how to get inspiration from other events/industries how to get started doing a live event PLUS -- get her tips for making the most out of attending conferences this year, including the before, during and after ACTION PLAN for rocking your next conference, even if you don't know a single soul beforehand.  Get the FREE DOWNLOAD of this Conference Action Plan!! Interested in coming to ALT? Want to party with me and ALL the colors & cacti?? I begged and got a special $300 off coupon for YOU with discount Code: BRITTANY -- get your tix HERE.  Links:  Oh Happy Day Color Factory Design Sponge Oh Joy Apartment Therapy SXSW Listen and subscribe to Law & Wit on iTunes, Overcast, Stitcher, Spotify, iHeartRadio & lawandwit.com Interested in working with Brittany for one-on-one legal services? Sign up for a free 20-min phone consult at brittanyratelle.com/services. Want a free LEGAL checklist to get your creative business legit? Download the checklist HERE and get tips and tricks to grow your creative business. And let's be social, connect with me on Instagram !

Episode 13: Gabrielle Blair - The Mom Who Broke the Internet About Birth Control This one will forever change the way you talk to your kids, your spouse, your friends, about birth control and sex. CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!   Features ​ ​Design Mom's Twitter Thread on Abortion, Birth Control, and Accountability   Show Notes References, links, and corrections from this episode! Ratatouille: Watch the scene from the movie and tell us what YOUR "ratatouille" is HERE! The Twitter thread that started it all. Article Referenced: Book: Design Mom - How to Live with Kids: A Room-by-Room Guide The blog post on DesignMom.com that featured Joanna Gaines (this is where they were discovered by HGTV!) Event: Alt Summit ​   Related Posts on TodaysMama.com 5 Things I Learned From a Sex Therapist Elvie, Your Most Personal Trainer 10 Things You Need to Teach Your Girls About Puberty 7 Things Your Son Needs From You When Puberty Strikes   Gabrielle Blair Bio Gabrielle Stanley Blair is a founder and CEO of Alt Summit, the blockbuster annual conference for lifestyle bloggers and creative entrepreneurs, which is currently celebrating is 10th year and 15th sold out event. She is also the creator and publisher of DesignMom.com which was named a Website of the Year by Time Magazine, and praised as a top parenting blog by The Wall Street Journal, Parents, and Better Homes & Gardens. Her book, Design Mom: How to Live with Kids, is a NY Times Bestseller. On her website, Gabrielle covers the intersection of design and parenting, while hosting compelling conversations on difficult topics — from gun control to family size to mental health. Most recently, her honest Twitter thread about abortion went viral, and changed the way millions of people are talking about this divisive issue.   Gabrielle and her husband Ben Blair, live with their six children — Ralph, Maude, Olive, Oscar, Betty & June — in Oakland, California.   Follow Gabby Website: com Instagram: @DesignMom Facebook: Design Mom Blog Pinterest: @DesignMom com: @DesignMom   Listen to the Today’s Mama Podcast: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Libsyn YouTube Direct Download   Follow Today's Mama: E-mail (this is the best way) Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter   FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

You never know who you're going to get into a Lyft with at a conference. Lucky for me, it was Gabrielle Blair from the blog, Design Mom, and founder of the Alt Summit Conference. Listening to her, I learned so much about how to be a super successful creative entrepreneur. Gabby was one of the first design-focused bloggers, and she paired that with being a mother to six kids. In our conversation, we talk about how she started her blog and grew it, how she and her family started the Alt Summit Conference for other creative entrepreneurs. We even go deep and talk about Gabby's battle with depression, how so much of what we both do as bloggers isn't exactly "real," and how we both deal with comparing ourselves to others. Gabby is such a down-to-earth, honest, kind person, you will love our wide-ranging conversation! Resources: Design Mom Alt Summit Darlybird Dooce Apartment Therapy Design Sponge Oh Happy Day Say Yes Freshly Picked Solly Baby Tubby Todd Emily Henderson Kinfolk Books MiloTree Transcript: How to Be a Super Successful Creative Entrepreneur with Gabrielle Blair Host: [00:00:03] Welcome to The Blogger Genius Podcast brought to you by MiloTree. Here's your host, Jillian Leslie. Jillian: [00:00:10] Hey everyone. Welcome back to the show today. I am excited to bring on my friend, Gabrielle Blair. Now Gabrielle and I really we just met in a Lyft on the way back from the airport to the Mom 2.0 Conference Jillian: [00:00:30] But I have known you from afar. You are the brains and the creativity behind both Design Mom, which is a blog that you've had since you started in 2006. Gabrielle: [00:00:44] Yes. Jillian: [00:00:44] And you're also the founder of a conference that I've been dying to go to called Alt Summit, which is a conference for creative entrepreneurs and influencers and you have such a beautiful blog. So Gabrielle, welcome to the show. Gabrielle: [00:01:00] I am so glad to be here. Thank you for the invitation. Jillian: [00:01:03] And it was so serendipitous that we were waiting in line and you said screw this, we're taking a Lyft, and we got in the Lyft with a random group of people and you paid for the Lyft, which was so generous. And I said to you, would you be on my podcast? Gabrielle: [00:01:18] And I said yes. Jillian: [00:01:19] And you said yes. So will you, because I don't know your story. I've known you. But I don't know your story so you tell me from the beginning, how you started this and one other thing we have to talk about in this is that you have six children. Gabrielle: [00:01:34] This is true. I have six kids, but they're not all toddlers anymore. So whatever you're picturing, it's probably not what you're thinking. Gabrielle: [00:01:44] I'm happy to share my story. You bet. So Design Mom was started in 2006. This is 12 years ago this month, July and I had just had Baby Number Five two months before, and I worked and lived in New York. Gabrielle: [00:02:02] I worked in the city as an art director at an advertising agency. And I loved my job, but after babies, once we were getting so many kids at home, I knew I needed a break where I could do sort of like an extended maternity leave, where I can maybe work at home, do some freelance that kind of thing. Gabrielle: [00:02:19] And I also knew by this time having had lots of babies that I go crazy if I don't have something creative to do after the baby's born. It's just sort of classic postpartum depression, you know you get overwhelmed. And if I had something to engage my brain that was creative and exciting, I could avoid some of that. Dealing with depression as a blogger Gabrielle: [00:02:37] Which is great. And I'm very open about having dealt with depression and dealing with depression daily, so you can read about that on Design Mom if you ever want to. But we won't talk about that right now. Gabrielle: [00:02:52] So blogs were around, but were still pretty new and most of the blogs I read were essay blogs and I really loved them. But I attempted to write an essay on a blog post once, and just went, Oh yeah I'm not good at this. Gabrielle: [00:03:06] This is not, you know, I had barely done any writing at that point in my life, and was really just a designer. That was where my focus was, on graphic design and art direction. Early design blogs Gabrielle: [00:03:15] But then I found Design Sponge and Oh Joy. And they were both design blogs that are still around, but they were very new. And you'll remember this is before any kind of social media, it was just blogs. And so a blog post might be what would be like a pin now, where it would be cute shoes. I love the cat pattern or you know what I mean. Like just something so simple. And that would be a blog post on a design blog. [00:03:41] Like a product image and a statement or it could be so short and you might do this multiple times a day. Because again it's like an Instagram or a pin or or a status update. Gabrielle: [00:03:54] So I saw that and went, Oh well that I can probably handle, it's very visual, very minimal writing and I can fit that in if I'm in the middle of a night nursing the baby or whatever. I just have a few minutes it doesn't have to be like an intensive eight hour block of work time. So I called it Design Mom. Gabrielle: [00:04:17] And at the time again I'm in New York, and I was 31, and here I just had my fifth baby. But most of my peers were just getting married or having their first baby. Jillian: [00:04:29] Wow. How old were you when you had your first baby? Gabrielle: [00:04:32] I was 23. Jillian: [00:04:33] Wow. Being an early pro at motherhood Gabrielle: [00:04:34] So for my peers in New York, as they're just having their first one like I am a total pro. Right? You know, they're having their first and I just had number five so they're asking me for advice as a mom, but also you know, it's New York you want to be a cool mom. So they're asking me like where did you find cute cute toddler shoes? And do you throw a first birthday party? Who's invited? The kid doesn't really have friends yet. Gabrielle: [00:05:00] Anyway that just stuff like that. I'm getting asked advice or do you use a sling or do you you know, use a carrier pack and which brand and what was the best looking option. What about diaper bags and just everything you know maternity clothes all of it. Gabrielle: [00:05:13] So I was getting asked questions by friends, my neighbors, my co-workers, naturally and I thought well I could cover that on a blog and talk about parenting but kind of through this design lens. Design Mom and the tagline from the beginning was the intersection of design and motherhood. Gabrielle: [00:05:31] And this is what I'm going to cover and that's what I did. That's what I've covered it was just ideas I had, or again I'd find some great deal on something or a new product that was cool or whatever it might be, and talk about it. And I would post three times a day and that was the average sometimes more and it took off. So this was even before Google Analytics this is I mean 2006 was a whole different world. Jillian: [00:05:57] And this was the time where, tell me if this is how you did it, but you would have your favorite blogs and you check them every day. Gabrielle: [00:06:04] Oh yeah. Because again, no social media. This was amazing. So I didn't have Google Analytics but there was a product called Track-See, a little software that you could put on your blog and it would count how many followers or who was coming. Gabrielle: [00:06:21] It was revelatory for me because my blog post might get five or six comments. Usually people I knew in real life, neighbors or co-workers or family members. But I put Track See on and I could see,oh there are a hundred and fifty people that came to my blog today and I don't know any of them, you know you would just have their IP address. And maybe their city and I would go, whoa what in the world. I was just amazing. Gabrielle: [00:06:49] So so it was trying to figure out, well how can I get them to speak out more and you know like how could I get them to sort of acknowledge their presence. How do I do that you know? Because I think it's amazing that these many people are reading. It just blew my mind. Of course now I have much bigger traffic. But at the time that was a big deal to see that there were over 100 people reading. The first blog giveaway started with Design Mom Gabrielle: [00:07:12] So I said, well what if I did giveaway and I've been credited for inventing the first blog giveaway. I don't know if you can even track that down. But I thought I need to give them an excuse to comment. So what if there's a prize and you can say anything you want and you just have a comment to win? Gabrielle: [00:07:31] So my one of my husband's friends from high school, I knew she had started a cool little shop called Darlybird. And I reached out to her and said, Hey would you be up for offering a prize and it will be comment to win and it's just this idea I have, and then you know you'll ship the prize to the winner and we'll just randomly pick someone you know pick a number kind of thing and let's just try it. Gabrielle: [00:07:57] And she's like, sure. How about a pair of earrings and a bracelet, or you know she came up with a prize. So I did it and I had the instructions that said OK we're going to try something new. Comment. You can say anything you want, I even gave sample comments so you know to help them out. Jillian: [00:08:15] Wow. Gabrielle: [00:08:16] Like, Wow this is cute. Or you can say, Neato! or I want to win! You know you're basically just really simple because I knew there was a few barriers for that. You know, people weren't used to commenting that wasn't a thing. And then there was a little captcha. And that the first time you see it you're like What is this?  You know that feels like an extra hurdle. Gabrielle: [00:08:35] And then of course it's intimidating to know you your words are just out there and your name might be associated with them, so I let them know. Oh you can. You can leave anonymous comment. You just need to have a real email address so I could contact you. But no one can see your email address. Gabrielle: [00:08:48] I'm kind of training them right. Teaching them how honesty works. And it was amazing so not all 100 plus readers commented but like 70 did. Jillian: [00:08:59] Wow. Gabrielle: [00:09:00] And I'm getting calls from all these people in real life that read my blog, you know neighbors are going. Who are these people? Where do they come from? Because of course they hadn't seen the stats from that. Jillian: [00:09:14] So they said this was just like a personal blog. Jillian: [00:09:17] Right. So they just thought OK so they're reading and the couple you know the few people commenting or reading, my sister's friends from church, friends in the neighborhood, you know things like that. Gabrielle: [00:09:28] And so they could not have been more shocked and I wasn't shocked because I knew I had seen the stats, but I still was shocked in that I didn't think 70 would, I thought I would maybe get 20 or something like that. Gabrielle: [00:09:40] So it was very exciting and immediately like the same day I got emails from must have been 10 or 15 different bloggers saying hey can I copy this? Can I copy and paste instructions? Can I do this because it was so effective. It's great way to sort of train people how to comment on a blog. Gabrielle: [00:09:59] And then of course it took off, and now it's just ubiquitous and of course are sort of obnoxious at this point. But it was a big deal at the time and I remember also having to explain to people. Every time there's a giveaway does that mean I get the prize. It goes directly to you, I usually don't even see it in person. Gabrielle: [00:10:20] Because they are already troubled with the idea that like I'm getting spoiled somehow by these I don't know. Anyway it was interesting. It's so intimate so personal, they don't like the idea that someone's making money from blogging at the time. Jillian: [00:10:38] Then how did you start monetizing online? Design Mom starting to monetize her blog Gabrielle: [00:10:41] OK so once I could see that there was traffic, once this giveaway thing took off. I was like, oh there's something here. No one was really monetizing their blog outside of display ads. I remember Heather Armstrong, Dooce had display ads and that was really kind of how you did it that, was it. Gabrielle: [00:11:01] And so but I felt like there was something there and I didn't have like an ad network to do to do display ads although within the next couple of years I got one but at first I just didn't even know how that worked or or how to how to go about that. Gabrielle: [00:11:15] So I started doing sponsorships right away just for trades. So one of the earliest ones I did is we were moving from New York, and we're moving to Colorado. And I approached I pitched moving companies. Moving moving across country is a big thing. Gabrielle: [00:11:35] And I approached moving companies and said I'm going to take these pictures on this blog post, you know gave them examples, showed them that some of that sample giveaways and just other stats I had at the time and said do you want to do a trade? Gabrielle: [00:11:50] I'll write about you, showcase the whole thing will do X number of blog posts. You know when we arrived, the unpacking all of this stuff make sure we're showing your trucks and let's trade. And Mayflowers said yes. So which was great because it is very very visual trucks so it worked really well. The green and yellow and they're really distinctive and for photography and stuff it was wonderful. Gabrielle: [00:12:18] This is pre-social media too. So blog content is really what the sponsor's getting. Then once I had that once I had built some of those trades I could actually start asking for money instead of trade. Gabrielle: [00:14:45] Trades are great, especially if you need it, but they don't buy groceries unless you're writing for grocery stores. I still I mean, I'm 12 years in, I'm established, I do this full time. I have plenty of paid sponsorships but I will still approach companies for a trade. If it's something that I need and I can get a great value out of that I'm totally fine with that. Jillian: [00:15:08] So give me an example of a trade that you recently did. How to approach brands about a trade as a blogger Gabrielle: [00:15:14] Sure, so I'm working on one right now for my boys' bedroom. My oldest son is getting home from two years abroad in Colombia. We haven't seen him for two years. He's been on a mission and he's getting home. Gabrielle: [00:15:27] We're redoing the boys' bedroom because while he's been gone it's been sort of half guestroom. It's just been in transition. So we're going OK he's getting home, he's older now. He probably won't even live in this room very long, but I want him to have a space when he gets home that feels like his own. You know just feel like he's got a spot. Gabrielle: [00:15:45] So I approached Room and Board, who I've worked with before and said, "Hey how about how about the social media package and blog package?" And I basically will price out OK I'm going to give you X number of post and X number of Facebook and X number of Instagram and I value that X number of dollars and then they'll trade for that amount of credit. Gabrielle: [00:16:08] And then I can use that to buy furniture and if I still have credit left over I could use it to buy additional product although usually I max it out. You know for the room, and it really gets decked out and have a good time. Jillian: [00:16:19] Got it. Gabrielle: [00:16:21] So that works great for me. I know I'm going to need to spend that money. It's great content. I know I can't buy groceries with it but that's fine. I can do other sponsorships for grocery money. Jillian: [00:16:32] So how often are you doing sponsored posts now? Gabrielle: [00:16:37] Oh it all depends. I feel like I aim for two to three a month right now seems to be a good amount. Jillian: [00:16:44] OK. And do you use a team of people to help you? Or are you the one taking the photographs? Hiring people to help with sponsored blog posts Gabrielle: [00:16:55] Yes and no. So I have had big teams in the past. I've had big teams of contributors and now I'm pretty barebones right now because I've shifted a lot of energy to Alt Summit. Gabrielle: [00:17:08] But basically what I have is I hire photographers, like I have a shoot for Room and Board tomorrow in store and I'll hire a photographer for that. Gabrielle: [00:17:16] So I have several local photographers here in the Bay Area that I know I can reach out to for basically a half day shoot, you know, come for two or three hours maybe up to four to shoot something at my house, or somewhere else other things I'd totally shoot myself. Gabrielle: [00:17:30] Often I'll shoot a shot recently for Stonyfield, my own kids. I'll shoot books myself. I shoot lots myself because I do things so last minute and that's just a function of a full life. I'm not trying to be a jerk about it, but it's just a function of how full my life is right now. Gabrielle: [00:17:51] It's hard to hire out somethings like there are definitely posts where I think, Oh I definitely should have hired someone to do this and I didn't do it in time and now I've got to do it. You know what I mean. I didn't. Because where I can do something the day of or the night before, I can't really ask that of someone I'm hiring. Gabrielle: [00:18:09] So I do have a great food contributor Lindsay Rose Johnson. She's been with me for years and years and years. If I do have a food post and I give her enough time she's amazing it's not like she needs months, but I don't want to ask her the day of. So she's amazing. Gabrielle: [00:18:25] If I have a craft project Amy Christie is a longtime contributor for me, and she's great at shooting. If I have an idea for a DIY but I don't have time to execute it myself, she's fantastic. Gabrielle: [00:18:36] What I'm trying to do I put out a call for an editor. I got amazing applications and then haven't actually had time to hire someone. Gabrielle: [00:18:47] My hope is that I will hire someone that can really help maintain daily content where I can check in with like when I have like a longer form post that I really want to discuss. Gabrielle: [00:19:03] Because Design Mom has transformed. Now it's almost all long form, it's one post a day. You know that kind of thing. But there are some things where it would be no problem to get a contributor. Gabrielle: [00:19:13] Like if I'm doing a shopping post or it might be a roundup of things I've found online that other articles that kind of thing where I really could get help. And then when it's something where it needs to be my voice like we're discussing a social issue or a parenting issue that I can really get in and write that. Gabrielle: [00:19:32] So I'm hoping to build my team up again in a way that I can keep Design Mom vibrant but also concentrate a lot of time on Alt Summit. Jillian: [00:19:41] So I have to stop you. You do one long form blog post a day? Gabrielle: [00:19:51] That's a little bit of an exaggeration. So, long form compared to when I used to do three posts a day? Yes. Because my three posts a day were you know two or three paragraphs and a photo. Or it might even be one paragraph and a photo. Gabrielle: [00:20:07] And now, a longer form might be it's 1,000 words or 3000 words and tons of photos or only one photo and a long essay. They are definitely longer form. If I can do one of those a week that's terrific. Gabrielle: [00:20:21] A Home Tour I usually do on Tuesdays and I do have a man named Josh Bingham. He's been editor of those for a while and it's been great. So he can help with that. And really what he does is you know compile it and put it online so then I can edit it from there you know. Jillian: [00:20:40] Wow. Yeah I mean I was on your blog today looking at your content and I didn't realize that you were posting every day! Getting comfortable writing as a blogger Gabrielle: [00:20:48] Yeah. And then I don't know if we count a shopping post, like I get pretty verbose at this point I'm like where I went from not being able to write an essay when I started in 2006. I mean I have a bestselling book now. I write a ton. Gabrielle: [00:21:02] So writing, I'm not very fast in it but I am comfortable writing now. I did one on a recent blog post is on four picture books. It's pretty minimal writing. So I just took more time to do the photos and the writing. Gabrielle: [00:21:20] And then my Friday links. I don't know that we call that long form, they do take a ton of research it's basically me collecting links throughout the week that I think are compelling that I want to share with readers and I'll do some introductory. Jillian: [00:21:35] We have to discuss this. What does your work schedule look like? Especially how many kids do you have at home? Because I know a couple of them are grown, too. Gabrielle: [00:21:45] Well this summer I have five at home. So yes my oldest is on this mission in Columbia as I mentioned. My second just spent her freshman year at Berkeley, which is just across town so she was in the dorms but not too far and she's been home for the summer. Gabrielle: [00:22:01] She's working full time so I don't see a ton of her right now but she is around. So really it's just the four, a high schooler two middle schoolers and a third grader. Jillian: [00:22:14] OK. So could you explain what your life looks like. What life looks like as a blogger with six kids Gabrielle: [00:22:19] Sure. I mean it's pretty crazy but I want to start with, my husband and I both came from big families where both of us are one of eight. Jillian: [00:22:30] OK. Gabrielle: [00:22:31] Number 5 in line and number 7 in line in his in his family, so we were used to an element of chaos. It just was normal to us and we knew we wanted a big family. Gabrielle: [00:22:40] So for sure our days would be too chaotic for a lot of people, which I totally understand and I'm not advocating that anyone else needs to do this but but it's also kind of normal for us. Gabrielle: [00:22:51] So a day that might stress someone else out, might seem like pretty normal at our house. Gabrielle: [00:22:58] So in the summer it's going to be different than the school year obviously. Last week was pretty crazy. Three of the girls were doing this skateboarding camp and then they went directly to swim team and then they had play rehearsal. Gabrielle: [00:23:14] But the play ended this week is going to be much more casual we have it's a much easier week but the kids are all old enough now they really can take care of themselves. They need rides but they don't need babysitters. Gabrielle: [00:23:28] So they can get up. They can work on an activity. They might climb our trees, we have these pretty epic trees where you have to put on climbing gear. Gabrielle: [00:23:39] They might bake, they really love baking. They might put on a play or make a movie someday if they're in the mood to be creative, or they might try and sneak in as much screen time as they can and just watch YouTube videos. Gabrielle: [00:23:52] You know typical summer day stuff they I don't really have to like take time to feed them lunch you know. Dinner yes, we'll all gather for dinner. But they can kind of take care of themselves. Jillian: [00:24:03] But are you working? Are you working between carpool? Or are you saying guys, I am working. Gabrielle: [00:24:09] Well my husband and I both work at home. Jillian: [00:24:13] OK. Is he your partner? Does he do Alt Summit stuff? Gabrielle: [00:24:16] He is not. He is part of a startup called Teacher.co and he is super busy in that and they're about to do an ICO. And he has a jam packed schedule. Gabrielle: [00:24:29] Over the years he has, you know, like we had a series of videos called All Of Us. That we did for scripts. We did like 40 episodes and he was a producer for those so he has worked with me before but really he has his own things. Which is awesome. He's does amazing stuff. Jillian: [00:24:45] Ok but do you like kick your kids out and go guys go to work? Gabrielle: [00:24:48] Yeah, totally so the kids know, I'm sitting with my laptop I've got to get worked on and they know that. But my workday gets interrupted a lot to drive. They're going to get picked up. Oh we got to do these errands. Gabrielle: [00:25:01] So my workday never really looks like I start working at 9:00 I end up 5 with a lunch break. That's not a thing. It's going to be I'm going to work from 8 to 10. But then I know we have to go run these two errands and then from 11 I have a phone call and then you know at 1:00 o'clock I'll get two more hours on the computer. Gabrielle: [00:25:20] But then after that, I've got something with the kids or something and then you know at 7:00, I can work again for a few more hours. Yeah I mean it might look like that. Jillian: [00:25:28] Wow. Gabrielle: [00:25:29] So I have my list of things I need to get done. I usually make that you know I'll update that in the morning. I'll find out my priorities at the top, the things that have to get done that day right. Gabrielle: [00:25:44] Those go at the top and then I tackle as much as I can. But I have to build a lot of flexibility in my days because it's real life going on, so yes you work hours but you also got to get the kids to the ortho appointment. Jillian: [00:25:56] Totally! And then there's food poisoning that takes the whole house. Gabrielle: [00:26:03] Right and then we're just out of groceries and we just have to go to the store. And there are tools I know out there, we just had a package from Amazon Prime Pantry. Have you ever tried that? Jillian: [00:26:17] Yes. Gabrielle: [00:26:17] You know that was delivered yesterday so there are some things I can do to try to use these services and I'm sure I could be better at that especially here in the Bay Area where all these startups began. So you can kind of access them before they even expand it to the rest of the country. Gabrielle: [00:26:32] But really, I feel like we do a lot of this just we don't use tools that we just go, OK we just go to the grocery store. What is the Alt Summit Conference? Jillian: [00:26:41] So can we talk about Alt Summit? Which is a conference that I have always wanted to go to. It seems like it is just so beautiful and cool. Gabrielle: [00:26:53] It is. Jillian: [00:26:54] And so you started this. So you said to yourself I'm going to start a conference? Gabrielle: [00:27:00] Well pretty much. So basically what happened was again, it's early blogging we were in 2009. So I've been blogging for a few years. My sister is a blogger. Her name is Jordan Ferney. Her blog is Oh Happy Day. Jillian: [00:27:14] Oh I love her. Gabrielle: [00:27:15] Yes, she's amazing. And my sister-in-law, married to my brother Jared, is also a blogger from Say Yes, Liz Stanley. So we had this blogger family and we were all on a family trip, and we were again since 2009. I guess it actually would have been 2008 because the first conference happened in January of 2009. Gabrielle: [00:27:36] So in 2008 we were talking and talking about conferences, and I started to go to a couple I've been to BlogHer and then helped start Mom 2.0 that first year, although I'm not an organizer now but just helped out that first year. Gabrielle: [00:27:53] Laura Maiz who is one of the key organizers, she also owns a part of Alt Summit, she is a longtime business partner of mine. So anyway that's the connection there. Gabrielle: [00:28:02] But I'm talking with my siblings we're all talking about these conferences, and I said well I've been to these conferences. It's awesome but they're really focused on writers or maybe kind of moms. Gabrielle: [00:28:14] A lot of the design blogs I was reading like Apartment Therapy or as I mentioned Design Sponge, Oh Joy. All these blogs I was reading in 2006 you know they're not at these conferences. The design blogs are not there and they're not really geared to design blogs. Gabrielle: [00:28:30] And so and like Jordan, who didn't have kids at the time, and Liz, who didn't have kids at the time, why would they have gone to Mom 2.0 Summit. And even BlogHer, they didn't really know any of those bloggers. It wasn't quite the right fit for them. Gabrielle: [00:28:44] So we were saying well, what if we did a conference for the blogs we read. You know these design blogs because I overlap both worlds with the name Design Mom I get to be a mom blogger and design blogger. Gabrielle: [00:28:56] But they were just strictly in the design blogging thing and this is before we were really even saying lifestyle blogs. So my sister Sarah who is not a blogger, but is awesome at organizing things said, yeah let's do a conference. I can be the event or the event planner or the organizer. And you guys can handle the speakers and content. Gabrielle: [00:29:19] Liz and Jordan didn't necessarily want to be involved in that, but I totally did. So Sarah and I really started this conference where I handled all the content, the speakers the programming. And she did the planning and it was and great. It was awesome. Jillian: [00:29:36] The thing about the conference is it's so true. They sell out immediately. Gabrielle: [00:29:41] They really do. It's like a two hour thing. Although I have to tell you this year we expanded for the first time in a big way. We've always kept these very small and it's kind of been obnoxious. Gabrielle: [00:29:54] I mean it's awesome to sell out, but then we get just these you know sob stories that people they really want to get there, and they didn't happen to be available in that two hour mark. They were in a meeting or whatever the tickets are gone. Gabrielle: [00:30:04] And we knew it was a problem and we'd try and open more. You know it was it was just a struggle. So we're really excited because I think I've solved that. I mean we'll see. We'll see how this year goes. Gabrielle: [00:30:17] But I had this flash of insight at some point as we were looking at locations and saying are we going to stay in Palm Springs, is time to move? Gabrielle: [00:30:27] And all the really cool hotels in Palm Springs the ones that I really love, The Park at Palm Springs and the Ace Hotel and Saguaro, they're amazing and they're memorable and you just love being there. Jillian: [00:30:38] Yes. Gabrielle: [00:30:39] They're not really big enough for a conference Jillian: [00:30:42] No. Gabrielle: [00:30:42] In fact Alt Summit was at the Saguaro the last two years. And we knew we were too big, and as we do surveys basically people would say, you guys this was awesome but this hotel is not big enough. Gabrielle: [00:30:52] I mean like we know but if we move to another hotel. It's just they become so generic so fast. Jillian: [00:30:58] Yeah. Gabrielle: [00:30:59] So you're at a Ritz Carlton or a fancy Hilton or whatever, it's just a big hotel with you know regular ballroom spaces they are split into classrooms. And then you compare those to these special properties in Palm Springs. Jillian: [00:31:13] And by the way we just have to say for people who don't know. Palm Springs is like a mid century fantasy like it is a designer's dream place. I mean my husband and I just drive around and look at the architecture. Yes. So I understand why you do it in Palm Springs. Gabrielle: [00:31:33] And we've all you know we did it had a big fancy hotel in Salt Lake for many years. We loved it. It was gorgeous. You know a five star hotel. Amazing. It's not like we're opposed to that, but we know having done it at these more distinctive spaces that it makes a big difference. Gabrielle: [00:31:47] And our social shares when we move to the Saguaro which is this Rainbow Hotel, our social shares went up by 30 percent. Well because it's basically the most Instagramable spot on the planet right now. Gabrielle: [00:32:00] And anyway so I was trying to figure out what to do because if we wanted to get a hotel, as I said it's really hard to find a hotel that has big meeting spaces but that is still really special and that doesn't feel sort of run of the mill. Gabrielle: [00:32:13] And we could transfer to something like, oh let's have like more of a warehouse feel on a pier or something. Jillian: [00:32:19] Right. Gabrielle: [00:32:19] But then it's not a one day conference, it's a month at a conference and people want to congregate at a hotel where they can hang out. So we know this and we were really stuck on where to have this. Gabrielle: [00:32:33] And then I thought well what if it was at all the coolest hotels in Palm Springs. None of them have a big enough room for you for everybody. But what if there was enough classes going on simultaneously at different locations where there's enough room for more people. But we still have this small feel, small classes and these really cool spaces. [00:32:57] So I'm really excited. We've expanded. We're going to have three times as many people, we're going to have 2,000 people there. We'll have four locations. And then because of these multiple locations, we looked to South by Southwest. And I've been to South by Southwest multiple times. And I look to see kind of learn what I could from them. Gabrielle: [00:33:19] Part of what they do is they actually do a nine day program. Ours will only be six. But the point is that you have more time to move around these locations and to fill your schedule instead of just like pack into classes and kind of get overwhelmed and and not feel like you got to do everything you want to do. Gabrielle: [00:33:36] We could spread this out and give people more time. Because that's some of the feedback we've gotten. They love the content but they want to see every class and they can't because they're you know several going on at the same time and even when we've repeated and we have tried things like that they just want more. Gabrielle: [00:33:55] And so we're hoping this provides that we know six days is a long time, and we know that some people will only come for part of it which of course is no problem. And they'll it'll be worth their while however long they can come. But we're really excited about this. Gabrielle: [00:34:09] And we did contract with one very big space where we can do like massive keynotes or things like that but otherwise everyone will get to go to whatever class they want to at whatever location, and we'll have shuttles going. We're hoping to do some kind of like electric scooters and let people get to know the city as they drive around and get access to all the cool spots in town. Jillian: [00:34:40] What month is it? Is it in February? When do you do it Gabrielle: [00:34:43] Well it's actually March. So it's been in January for now eight years. Jillian: [00:34:51] OK. Gabrielle: [00:34:52] Well sorry, seven years than two years in February, and this year we're moving to March simply for logistics. It was the week that all of the properties we wanted were available the same time. What type of blogger is Alt Summit best for? Jillian: [00:35:03] Got it. And by the way there'll be a link in the show notes if you want to check it out. And if you were to say who the perfect person or different types of people who would get the most out of the summit, who are these people? Gabrielle: [00:35:18] So these are typically women it tends to be about ninety five percent women. So it's women. And these are people that are drawn to creative careers. Gabrielle: [00:35:28] Originally it was aimed at bloggers. But again as social media has changed, it really expanded. So all of a sudden Etsy shop owners wanted to come and and they were welcome, we did content for them and then people who are making their careers on Instagram or Pinterest, you know they were there in fact Pinterest. The the Web site launched at Alt Summit. Jillian: [00:35:48] I knew that! Yes. Ben Silbermann talked. Pinterest was launched at Alt Summit Gabrielle: [00:35:51] Yes. Well and I can tell you a segue just a brief thing about Ben. First he came just as an attendee. Jillian: [00:35:59] Yes. Gabrielle: [00:35:59] One of our early years and he was just kind of, you know, he's not like a crazy loud guy, he's just really nice. You know seems kind of like an introvert you know and he would just be approaching people quietly and say hey, I have this thing. Check it out. And it was very visual obviously it's Pinterest and so Alt Summit was all these visual bloggers. Jillian: [00:36:22] Right. Gabrielle: [00:36:23] And and so they would try it out and loved it because it is such a useful tool if you're a visual person and you know the idea of being able to have a pinboard, with all the things you love is so right up any visual person's alley. And so people loved it. Gabrielle: [00:36:37] And the next year he came back he was on a panel, and then the next year he was the keynote because Pinterest had exploded. Jillian: [00:36:46] OK so if you are in design or if you are an influencer or if you are an Etsy shop owner. Gabrielle: [00:36:55] Right. So I want to say creative entrepreneurs. So if you are trying to run a business and you tend to the visual or creative. So like some really beautiful baby product companies have come. Gabrielle: [00:37:10] I'm thinking of like Freshly Picked, they do moccasins and diaper bags and things like that. You know she came to Alt Summit many many years, learned her social media here learned a lot of her business skills there and has built a massive company. And I certainly can't credit all them for that. but that the type of person that comes. Gabrielle: [00:37:27] Solly Baby who does wraps as well as Tubby Todd. All these women come to Alt Summit. Those are baby products but I'm just saying they all require lots of visuals, they're all required a lot of creativity. They're going for like beautiful lifestyle kind of things. That's a great fit. Gabrielle: [00:37:43] Jessica Alba came when she was just launching Honest Company. It was such a great fit. And any of the cleaning companies that are really cool and visual if you think of Method or Mrs. Meyers they love to come to Alt Summit. You know it's this very design appreciative crowd. Alt Summit is for creative entrepreneurs Gabrielle: [00:38:01] So you might not be a designer yourself, but if you're like, yeah, but I love reading Emily Henderson's blog or I love reading Apartment Therapy, or whatever it might be, You're going to love this. Gabrielle: [00:38:13] It's people building their businesses but they're trying to build a creative business. So that means we're talking about how do you do photography and we have modeling classes. A lot of these people have to be in photos right you know. So it's and then you know how do you present yourself so there might be fashion. How do you do your makeup. Gabrielle: [00:38:30] All of this stuff ends up overlapping with creative entrepreneurs especially these days where you have to be everything right. You are the marketing team, you are the model. Jillian: [00:38:40] Yes. You are the editor, you are the voice. Gabrielle: [00:38:45] So we're teaching classes on how to do all this content creation how to photograph, how to write, how to do all that but also specific marketing things, like here's how to start an email list and here's what you should be accomplishing with your newsletter and that kind of thing. Gabrielle: [00:39:02] And then it might be OK. Well what about Instagram Facebook. You know maybe it's on Facebook content but then another one on Facebook ads and how to run those. Gabrielle: [00:39:12] And then of course a lot of these people have written books and they've gotten their book contracts by coming to Alt Summit. We often have publishers there, pretty much every year and they're often taking pitches. Gabrielle: [00:39:28] So like the Kinfolk Magazine, I brought my publisher there, Artisan Books, to Alt Summit and they met the Kinfolk team and ended up publishing Kinfolk recipe books. I want to say the big you know coffee table huge volumes. Gabrielle: [00:39:49] And I can give a million examples of those so if you're someone is thinking a book and it might be a novel but it's more likely like a coffee table book or you know that kind of thing. Gabrielle: [00:40:01] Darcy Miller who is the editor of Martha Stewart Weddings for you know the entire run basically of the magazine comes because she's launching her new creative career as a crafter and you know everyone comes. It's amazing. Gabrielle: [00:40:14] So we'll have fashion people there, and we'll have YouTubers there and we'll have Etsy shop owners, tons of crafters, often Joanne's comes in as as a sponsor and we'll just even have classes where you can just craft your heart out. The balance between Design Mom and Alt Summit Jillian: [00:40:28] That's amazing. Now, how much of your life is spent doing Design Mom and how much is spent doing Alt Summit? Gabrielle: [00:40:37] Well Alt Summit is such a seasonal thing that it's it's probably ends up being 50/50 but it doesn't it doesn't feel like that because the Alt Summit stuff ramps up as I get closer. Gabrielle: [00:40:46] So like for right after Alt Summit, I'll have a few months where I'm barely doing Alt Summit. The conference is over there's sort of that dead period where we're doing it a little bit of marketing and some follow up and that kind of thing. But mostly I can semi-ignore my inbox there. Gabrielle: [00:41:03] But then the closer we get, the more I have to do Alt Summit until I'm at a point where I'm barely functioning on Design Mom, I'm sure the readers are furious. Gabrielle: [00:41:17] Or I've hired friends to give me content for the week. You know like guest post, things like that because I just have to disappear. Gabrielle: [00:41:25] The issue is this year with this expansion of Alt Summit, which again I'm so excited about, I think about it all the time it's going to be amazing. I have even less time for Design Mom and it is a really tricky thing. Gabrielle: [00:41:41] Design Mom's comment sections are amazing the community there is so good, so vibrant, so interesting and I don't want to give it up, it's like personally super fulfilling for me. And also I think it's important. It's one of the only place on the Internet where you can discuss some of these hard things and not have fights break out in the middle of the comments you know. It's a really special place. Gabrielle: [00:42:04] So it's my biggest challenge this year is going to be figuring out how do I maintain Alt Summit in a way that feels authentic and that readers are happy with, but be able to devote a lot of time to it. Gabrielle: [00:42:15] And I think the biggest issue I have and it's always been true is to do sort of that background infrastructure stuff. How do you fit that in? It's almost like you have to shut down the blog for a couple of weeks to do some of the background stuff you know like to say to do your hiring and to get people trained, how do I fit that in with my normal daily schedule of posting working on Alt Summit taking calls with clients, things like that, I don't know. Gabrielle: [00:42:41] I've never been able to figure that out. Do you know what I mean? Jillian: [00:42:46] I do. And I guess one thing that I would love just to speak to you briefly is, you are visual and you are a designer and you make beautiful things and we kind of touched on this previously. Jillian: [00:42:59] Before we we started recording we were talking about podcasting because you're starting a podcast, and we just were talking about it and we were talking about this idea of my philosophy with podcasting is to press record and just let it happen. Jillian: [00:43:15] And if you know, kids come in or dogs bark or whatever, I'm going to leave it in because this is life and life is messy. How do you reconcile the fact that you've got six kids and as you're describing your day, no day seems like it's like the next day, and yet there's something beautiful to what you do. How to balance the mess and the beauty as a blogger Jillian: [00:43:34] And I would say my days are messy but it doesn't look that beautiful. And when I think of Alt Summit, I think it's so beautiful it's almost intimidatingly beautiful. How do you balance the mess and the beauty? Jillian: [00:43:48] Because I think a lot of influencers struggle with the fact that they go onto Instagram and everybody's life looks more beautiful than the next. And we all say well underneath it, it's probably not like that, but how would you speak to that? Gabrielle: [00:44:04] Yeah, I mean I've spoken to that quite a bit over the years and I don't know that I have a great answer, but I'll tell you give you some thoughts. Gabrielle: [00:44:14] You know, we do as just as consumers of content because yes, I Instagram but I also read Instagram right. I follow people and as consumers of content, we do love vulnerability and honesty and authenticity. But I feel like only to a certain degree. Gabrielle: [00:44:37] I think people think, no I want the real thing, the unvarnished and I don't believe that's true because I've tried it over the years. Again I'm in this 12 years, I've tried this kind of thing and I've seen other people try it and people want the vulnerability but they want a little bit controlled. Jillian: [00:44:57] Or packaged with a pretty bow. Gabrielle: [00:45:00] You don't mind seeing the laundry but you don't want to actually see the dirty underwear. Like it's like, I don't mind seeing there's a cute little basket that has laundry in it that needs to be done or a big pile on the couch but there's pretty filtered light or whatever. Gabrielle: [00:45:14] But I don't actually need a close up of your dirty laundry like no one wants that. And of course not, that's disgusting but that's true. Like I mentioned earlier, I write about depression, and I do and it's a real and very real it's part of my life but I rarely write about it or even mention it when I'm in the depths of despair. Writing about depression as a blogger Jillian: [00:45:36] Yep I get that. Gabrielle: [00:45:37] I'll write about it after, it when I feel like I've gotten things under control and been able to resolve it and think about it and can reflect on it carefully, and then I'll write about it and talk about this is what helped and this is what didn't help, and you know and be able to be helpful about it. Gabrielle: [00:45:52] If I just told you every time I was super depressed, it's just too depressing for everyone else. You know it's just awful. Gabrielle: [00:46:02] So I can write about it and they appreciate it and I can give them helpful things and I can acknowledge that this is real, and they don't need to be afraid of it, and they can fight it. And all these things and I don't need to have shame around it but they really only want to hear that when I'm through it. Jillian: [00:46:17] And you're on the other side with a little bit of a bow on you. Gabrielle: [00:46:20] A little bit. And now now that's not always totally true. It depends on the platform and you know that kind of thing because if this is just my friends on Facebook on my personal Facebook page and I was you know in the depths of despair and just said Hey guys I need a little love. Help me out. Well you know like that's no problem. And I can really be in the depths of despair but I don't feel like I could do that on Design Mom. I mean maybe a tiny bit but not really. Gabrielle: [00:46:49] So it is real and messy behind the scenes and I don't think people really want to see it as much as they claim that they do. And so yes you can be vulnerable and honest and authentic in all these things. But I mean I get on Instagram I have different needs on different platforms right. Gabrielle: [00:47:07] Like on Twitter, I'm mostly just looking for news stories. I feel like I get the headlines fastest there versus even going to news apps you know. So I like news headlines and I like just funny, like people are funny responses and it's makes me laugh. Gabrielle: [00:47:25] On Facebook I use it more as a personal thing, so it's going to be like someone's birthday or it's you know someone had a baby or that kind of thing. Gabrielle: [00:47:38] And then on Instagram, I'm looking for pretty pictures and inspiration. Jillian: [00:47:42] Right. Gabrielle: [00:47:43] So content I make. Of course I try to use pretty pictures, but the things that get the best response is when I'm discussing sometimes heavy things like again social issues or politics or that kind of thing. Gabrielle: [00:47:55] But me as a consumer, I'm just looking for pretty pictures and other people are too, and I know if they don't follow me, I totally get it because they might just be like, No I'm just looking for pictures of parties or pictures of vacations or whatever that might be right. And that's totally fine, you can get whatever you want out of those things. But if I'm if I'm on Instagram, I just want pretty and someone is showing me their dirty laundry. I'm going to be like, no. Dealing with jealousy as a blogger? Jillian: [00:48:22] OK. Do you ever have that thing where you see somebody who does beautiful things and do you ever get that pang of jealousy or I wish I had done that. Gabrielle: [00:48:37] 100 percent. I don't know how to do that beyond human nature right. This is just how it is. Jillian: [00:48:44] But again I just have to say you are Design Mom, you created Alt Summit. I want to hear you too feel that way? Gabrielle: [00:48:51] For sure. So for me it's so I'll see something and I'll go. It might be business related right. I'll see. Like even the podcast. I'm working on this podcast but I've been trying to, I knew I needed to do this a year ago. I'd already gotten feedback about this and then had it confirmed again earlier this year. Gabrielle: [00:49:11] But again I've known this for a long time and so I'll see someone announce a podcast, or do something and think, I'm so behind, you know like that kind of stuff will kill me. Gabrielle: [00:49:20] Or if I see someone just doing something really smart on Instagram and I'm just a slacker on Instagram, and I'll feel like business guilt, like I know I could have a bigger following, and that would be better for me but also for sponsors and it's better for the business in general. Gabrielle: [00:49:35] But I'm not doing it and I'll feel that sort of business owner guilt, you know which I think if you a business owner you know what that is because there's always your list is never done. There's always something. Gabrielle: [00:49:44] Oh I should be optimized for SEO in these ten steps that I'm not doing, I'm only doing three of the steps, you know or whatever it might be, or I was doing a newsletter every month and then I had to take a break. Gabrielle: [00:49:56] And I'm feeling guilty because I see someone else's cute newsletter come out and I think I know I could get help with this and hire it out and get this done and why have I done that? So I definitely feel that kind of thing from a business perspective. Jillian: [00:50:08] And how about like somebody is launching a line of party supplies for Target? Gabrielle: [00:50:14] Why can't I have that? Why haven't I worked with Target before. Am I not good enough? And you start questioning yourself, should I be pitching is that where I should be spending my time? Gabrielle: [00:50:22] And then again business questions on like, is that how to make money, or is it better to sponsor posts or should I be doing some subscription service somewhere? You know where they get a box? Or you know trying to figure out those questions because you are trying to build a business and provide for your family. Gabrielle: [00:50:38] Yeah those kind of things can drive me crazy. And then you have the personal stuff, like you see someone, maybe I've had a day where like I've just really been glued to the computer. I had a bunch of deadlines had to get stuff done and I get on Instagram and someone's made cookies with their kids, and I'm like, I'm like the worst mom. My kids have been have been on YouTube all day. Gabrielle: [00:51:04] I haven't even talked to them, you know, I don't even remember even saying words to them this morning. I got right on my computer. And you just feel like a jerk you know. Gabrielle: [00:51:13] I mean that's just I don't know what to say. But I think everyone's going to fill that and I definitely take social media breaks and I'm not supposed to as a business owner. Jillian: [00:51:27] As an influencer, I know I do the same. By the way, I do the same. Take a break from social media as a blogger Gabrielle: [00:51:29] But I have to I think it's just kind of kills me sometimes so I'll take breaks, the easiest one for me to not take breaks from is Twitter because I don't follow anyone like that where it like. It's not really visual and I'm not following any of my business peers or really influencers. Gabrielle: [00:51:48] It's like again, I'm there for news or different things so I'm fine to get on Twitter and never throws me off like that. But Instagram can kill me. Oh my gosh or I'll see someone on vacation. Jillian: [00:52:00] Well for me on Facebook seeing people on vacation and I don't know why, because I go on vacation. But something about here's our family in Rome kills me. Gabrielle: [00:52:11] Yes. Or if I see a couple and I think when's the last time I took a vacation just with me and Ben Blair you know, where we got to get away. And I'm sure we should do that and keep our marriage healthy you know. I don't know how to avoid that. Gabrielle: [00:52:27] I know Facebook is a trigger for some people definitely Instagram is mine. Jillian: [00:52:30] Facebook is mine. Gabrielle: [00:52:32] Yeah. Jillian: [00:52:36] Well I have to say, I so appreciate your honesty about this because I have to tell you that I've been a writer forever, I was a writer in Hollywood for a lot of years so the written word is very comfortable to me. Jillian: [00:52:52] But visually, really I've always felt inadequate. And so to hear you say that you too have these feelings is so comforting and you are the brains behind Alt Summit, which I have always wanted to go to, but also feel like I don't know, I'd feel like a poser. Gabrielle: [00:53:12] No you would love it! Why we fake things as a blogger Jillian: [00:53:14] I say this to my daughter all the time. We'll be doing a sponsored post, and I'll be shooting something for Instagram and it will be a lava cake. There was this lava cake I had to make. Guess what? It got stuck, ultimately it didn't flow out so you know what. I faked it. Jillian: [00:53:35] I had some floaty stuff and I put the cake on top of it and I said to my daughter come in here, I want to show you this. This is fake and I want you to know that it's going to look good and it's going to look as if this stuff oozed out beautifully and that it totally worked. And this is fake. And I wanted to be a teaching moment. Why. Gabrielle: [00:53:58] Did she get it? Jillian: [00:53:59] She totally got it. And by the way, that post is up on Catch My Party and it doesn't say that I faked this. Gabrielle: [00:54:05] Well I don't blame you. I mean look, that's anyone who shot a photo ever of anything must understand that right outside the frame is chaos and mess. That's just the reality. Gabrielle: [00:54:18] And that was true long before blogs. I worked in New York I was in art direction. We do shoots for magazines, we do shoots for, you know all editorial and all kinds of stuff, and it's just a chaotic mess outside the frame period. It has nothing to do with being an influencer. That's just the nature of creation and photography. Gabrielle: [00:54:38] It's art. Think you have a beautiful piece of art on the wall at a museum. But to create that the mess that the artist made in their studio, was going to be nuts is going to be insane. And so that's that's how it is. Gabrielle: [00:54:51] So if you're if you're going to be someone who creates content and as a business person or an artist or just a creative, there's going to be a mess. Gabrielle: [00:55:01] And if you are a reader or consumer of social media or blogs or whatever it might be and you don't understand that this is pretend, it's every bit as pretend as the magazines you used to read. And that was the thing. Then you're there you're not being fair, you're not coming to this as a fair participant because no one has ever said this is my life all the time. Jillian: [00:55:33] So yes and I would say that for my daughter who is impressionable at 11. These are important teaching moments. Gabrielle: [00:55:42] For sure and for sure my kids know all of that because they're part of the shoots often. And so they know. All right everyone pretend we like each other. Jillian: [00:55:50] Exactly the number of times I've told my daughter to smile with gritted teeth, look like you like the pudding. Gabrielle: [00:56:03] And you know my kids just finished a play. They were in a play this week and they were three performances. It's the same thing. I had nothing to do with the play, had nothing to do with me. It was a big production. It was you know lots of adults they were kind of this children's chorus. Gabrielle: [00:56:17] And and you were at these rehearsals and it's a mess, and it's everything is behind schedule and blah blah blah. Like this is creativity. This is what it looks like. And they have to get on stage and pretend to be in a good mood even though the rehearsal went two hours too long and they're tired. And you know what I mean, like and they should have been in bed. Gabrielle: [00:56:38] This is not just blogging it's not just Instagram. This has always been the thing and it always will be as far as I can tell. I don't know how else to do it. It's the same with any creative endeavor, if you're a writer. You have these horrible messy drafts. Red ink everywhere and then you end up with this beautiful book. Jillian: [00:56:58] Totally I would say this. This thing which is I was a screenwriter, and I would finish a project. And it would be done and it would be and it would be great. Jillian: [00:57:09] And then I would start a new project and it would suck at the beginning and I would think to myself every single time, I lost it. I don't know I don't do this anymore because I was at the beginning. Gabrielle: [00:57:23] Yeah. Jillian: [00:57:24] And I'd forgotten. Gabrielle: [00:57:26] You are someone that's going to consume any content anywhere that was created as a creative endeavor, and whether again it's a fashion show or writing or a movie or whatever it was an enormous mess caused you know in order to create this thing. Jillian: [00:57:44] Right. And I bet you sucked at the beginning. Gabrielle: [00:57:45] And I'm sure the beginning, the first drop was awful and the first you know try the first photo was awful, and you know what. This is how it is if you're going to consume this stuff and pretend that's not true. Gabrielle: [00:57:56] That somehow, this book came into being perfectly. Or this movie came into being on the first take or whatever it is, I can't do anything to help you. You're living in a different world than I am if that's the case. Gabrielle: [00:58:13] But that said, and I understand that the feelings of jealousy or inadequacy are totally real. And they were real before Instagram. Gabrielle: [00:58:33] You know that or at work because it's the same reasons you didn't get the promotion or you didn't get picked for this project or whatever it might be. The feelings of inadequacy, the comparison, the all of that. That's not a new thing that has been with us forever. And I assume will be with us forever. Gabrielle: [00:58:51] And if you need to take a break from social media, take a break. It will be there when you get back you know it'll be waiting for you. Jillian: [00:58:59] I agree. All right. So Gabrielle this is terrific. How can people reach out to you see what you're doing, all of that? Gabrielle: [00:59:07] You bet. So the blog is still my favorite spot because I own it. And the algorithms can't change it. So yeah you can always go to DesignMom.com to see the latest, I post there very frequently and I'm pretty decent at responding to comments so feel free to check in with me there. Gabrielle: [00:59:23] I'm also on Facebook at Design Mom Blog, is my page on Instagram I'm Design Mom on Pinterest. I'm Design Mom I'm active on all of them. But if you want to see it first it's usually on the blog. Buying a ticket to Alt Summit Jillian: [00:59:34] OK and if they want to learn about Alt Sumit, are tickets on sale now? Gabrielle: [00:59:40] They are on sale now and prices are going to go up and up. So if you want them, now is the time to get them. The handles are all Alt Summit on all social. Gabrielle: [00:59:52] But the web address is actually altitudesummit.com which was the original name so it was originally Altitude Design Summit and then we're going to start calling it Alt Summit which is much easier to say. Gabrielle: [01:00:02] But yes, so tickets are on sale if you've ever been before. There is an alumni discount available because we know this was kind of a leap in price if you weren't used to it. Gabrielle: [01:00:13] But even for everywhere else this is the best price you're going to get, whether you've been there or not. Right now the best prices the best price you're going to get. It's going to start going up per month. Gabrielle: [01:00:23] Again modeling that on South by Southwest, seeing how other longer conferences do that. So this is definitely a learning year for us. But I just was on the call this morning about some content programming and it's really going to be epic. Gabrielle: [01:00:39] With Alt Summit, the goal has been to amplify women's voices and kind of what they're doing, the projects they're working on, and bringing attention to what they're doing which is still my goal. Gabrielle: [01:00:50] And this is going to allow us to not just focus on cool things entrepreneurs are doing, and cool things brands are doing, but you know what are cool films women are making, and what are cool bands and cool music women are making, and you know if you're if you're a woman and you're doing something really interesting, maybe it's a nonprofit maybe you're a writer. I want you there I want you there telling your story. Gabrielle: [01:01:14] Getting to know people and you can build your business or also just again amplify your message, amplify whatever it is you've created. So I'm really excited. It's going to be epic. Jillian: [01:01:25] Oh Gabrielle, thank you so much for being on the show. Gabrielle: [01:01:29] Thank you so much for having me. What a treat to talk to you. Please share The Blogger Genius Podcast with your friends Jillian: [01:01:32] If you are liking The Blogger Genius Podcast, then please subscribe. You can subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, really anywhere you get your podcasts, and please share it with your friends. Jillian: [01:01:45] If you have a blogger friend or an entrepreneur friend that you think would like it. Please get the word out, and if there are guests you'd like be to have just email me at Jillian@MiloTree.com. I would love to hear from you. So thanks for supporting the show. How to grow your authentic Instagram followers fast and free with MiloTree Jillian: [00:36:00] Are you trying to grow your social media followers and email subscribers? Well if you've got two minutes I've got a product for you. It's MiloTree. Jillian: [00:36:09] MiloTree is a smart pop up slider that you install on your site and it pops up and asks visitors to follow you on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube Pinterest, or subscribe to your list. Jillian: [00:36:24] It takes two minutes to install. We offer a WordPress plugin or a simple line of code and it's Google friendly on mobile and desktop. Jillian: [00:36:34] So we know where your traffic is coming from. We show Google-friendly pop-up on desktop and a smaller Google-friendly pop up on mobile. Check it out. Sign up for MiloTree now and get your first 30 DAYS FREE!

00:31 School Security: We would like our kids to be able to move about freely, but also stay safe. It's a conundrum. … 10:26 Vacations We Need: Inspired by a Facebook post (https://www.facebook.com/grownandflown/posts/1498189386947803), we dream up fantasy vacations. It turns out we care very little about luxury accommodations or exotic destinations. What we really need is a cozy bed and a Worry Concierge. Mentioned: Family reading weekend (https://www.designmom.com/reading-weekend/) at Design Mom. … 22:33 Speed Round: Embracing Our Age: Taking a vacation just to sleep sounds like something an older person would do. And there are lots of other things we enjoy about the ages we are. … 33:50 Roundabout Roundup: The free Merck Manual app (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/merck-manual-professional/id331016312?mt=8); "Yes, As In" on the Allusionist podcast (https://www.theallusionist.org/allusionist/nounnames) and Nick Offerman on the Poscast (https://audioboom.com/posts/6985720-poscast-draft-us-states-with-actor-nick-offerman); Grown and Flown (https://www.facebook.com/grownandflown/) on Facebook. … 39:45 Shameless Self-Promotion: Nicole's book (https://amzn.to/2uVdQdq) is on sale right now; Terri's updating her blog (http://mamatude.blogspot.com) regularly; Catherine interviewed Katherine Reynolds Lewis at Highlights (https://blog.highlights.com/aha/why-time-out-doesn%E2%80%99t-work; you can also hear her on this Speed Round (https://www.spreaker.com/episode/18922433). … For quotes, archives, and more, visit us at http://parentingroundabout.com.

We're talking home design with Gabrielle Blair, the force behind Design Mom, and how design can be a form of self-care, with a few tips for creating a zen space that makes you feel good. Kristen shares about her new weighted blanket obsession and Sarah recounts an embarrassing encounter with a few of our listeners! In this episode we talked about: Design Mom's book Altitude Summit Patti and Ricky weighted blankets Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng Suki Exfoliate Cleanser Digestive Advantage Probiotic Gummies Plus Fiber Also, don't forget to join us on our facebook community page where we are having all kinds of discussions, from night sweats to kids and screentime to dealing with imposter syndrome.

00:31 Conference Recap: Catherine reported on the Untitled Town Book and Author Festival she attended. Also mentioned: Katherine Reynolds Lewis and her recent Speed Round interview.6:53 When the Power Is Out: How does your family manage during power outages? Do you happily play board games by candlelight, or sit in corners clinging to your dead iPhones?21:48 Speed Round: A Few of Their Favorite Things: Inspired by a Design Mom post, we ask: Can you name any of your children's favorite things, or pick out a gift for their birthdays?36:15 Roundabout Roundup: Season 2 of The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu; Julie the Flying Trombonist; and the HQ trivia app (Catherine's handle is "catherinewithac," if you want to give her an extra life).40:50 Shameless Self-Promotion: "How We Do (Minor) Disasters Today"; The Inclusive Class on Facebook; Catherine and the podcast on Instagram.Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music. If you're reading this somewhere without hyperlinks, come to http://parentingroundabout.com for the full recap experience.

I first learned about Gabrielle Blair in an HGTV episode of International House Hunters way back 10 years ago when my husband and I were both still living in the Boston area. This was during the earlier stages of blogging and podcasting. I still remember having some abandoned blog from the old “Blogger” platform which in the digital world is considered ancient history! Fast forward to today and there are 19 million active blogs and 200,000 plus active podcasts (according to Hubspot). Who knew we’d be having a conversation about blogging still being like the Wild West in that there is no real standardization because of technology's constant changes. So why blog in the first place? Traditionally blog content was created to inspire, educate, or entertain (maybe a little bit of each). Back in the day, blogs consisted mostly of text and graphic images, although today they have more of a multimedia function. Content can be consumed in text, images, video, audio or a mix of these. All content is usually targeted towards a particular reader, audience, listener or “tribe” in Seth Godin terms. It’s also the start of a conversation or a way to connect with those you or your company's brand would aspire to connect with. It’s about making a difference, impact and in some way transformation, whether on a personal level or at a larger scale. I'm excited to share this conversation with Gabrielle as she was one of the early pioneers in the blogging world. She's been so generous in sharing all her experiences on parenting and designing a life, which is what we're all about here at Simply Designed Life podcast. I mean, how does one go abroad and live in another country with six kids? Tune in and find out in this episode! Who is Gabrielle? Gabrielle Stanley Blair is a founder of Alt Summit, the blockbuster bi-annual conference for lifestyle bloggers and creative entrepreneurs. She is also the founder of DesignMom.com which was named a Website of the Year by Time Magazine, and praised as a top parenting blog by The Wall Street Journal, Parents, and Better Homes & Gardens. Her first book, Design Mom: How to Live with Kids, a New York Times Bestseller, was published in 2015. On her website, Gabrielle covers the intersection of design and parenting, with thoughtful posts on topics like motherhood, family travel, picture books, food kids will really eat, and family-friendly design. Since moving back to the U.S. from France, Gabrielle and her husband Ben Blair, live with their six children — Ralph, Maude, Olive, Oscar, Betty and June — in Oakland, California. Quotes from Gabrielle But the conversations and comments—there’s few places, maybe no places like it on the internet where you have really smart women. My team has done some surveys and the women that read Design Mom are extraordinarily educated. This is like a much higher level of education than the average American. They’re really smart, they’re really forward thinking and a compassionate group too. So these comments sections, I rarely have to delete a trolly comment, it’s unusual. And the conversations are really good, and deep and not fluffy and not surface but just people sharing their experiences without judging the fellow commenters. It’s amazing. (9:49) I really try to be honest and let readers know, 'Hey, if the content is excellent this week on Design Mom, and I find I’m knocking it out of the ball park, then just assume my house is a wreck and you know, the laundry is piled up and we haven’t gone grocery shopping in way too long.' And that’s just the reality. And if my home is doing awesome, and I feel I have everything in order, then I’ve probably been more absent from the blog than I should be. I’ve worked out systems over the years… and even when I need to give my family attention, I have systems in place to keep the blog going. We’re certainly beyond those early stages, but still work life balance is a never ending thing, it’s an ongoing thing. (19:40)

EPISODE SNEAK PEEK: "I just wanted to be noticed. I didn't know that my paintings would sell to anyone." LISTEN! WHAT'S IN THIS EPISODE? I think our becomings happen so gradually that we don't even notice it until we've finally bloomed. The blooming part always seems so serendipitous, too. Because we had no idea we were becoming all along. In this episode, I sit down with Amira Rahim, a contemporary abstract expressionist painter, to hear the story of how she became an artist. It wasn't all paint clothes and easel and painting on the side of the streets until she got her big break - I know, that's what I expected, too. It was more law school and trying out different jobs until one simple line from a movie changed everything for her - it was that serendipitous moment of her becoming. Amira shares about how she went from blogging about her art to working full-time as an artist, what changes when your art becomes a business, dealing with negative feedback, and getting comfortable with fear. SUBSCRIBE + LISTEN ITUNES STITCHER WHO IS AMIRA RAHIM? Amira Rahim is a contemporary abstract expressionist painter whose work has been procured by collectors around the world, and most notably, by the Royal Family of Abu Dhabi. Amira has been featured in Ebony Magazine, The Huffington Post, Design Mom, The National, Minted and Time Out Abu Dhabi. Trained in Sociology, Amira became a full-time artist to address feelings of solitude and displacement while abroad. Through her daily art practice, she explores the possibility of intuition and spontaneity through her use of bold color, vigorous brushstrokes and whimsical composition (like this beauty). In addition to painting, Amira runs an online community, Passion Color Joy, where she guides new and seasoned artists on things from selling a first painting to developing a brand, business and website.  MORE OF AMIRA Passion Color Joy on Instagram Passion Color Joy Facebook group www.amirarahim.com Amira on Instagram and Facebook LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE: The Art of Getting By - the movie that changed it all for Amira Episode 96

The stress associated with high school education and college entrance is legendary. But is it necessary? In Episode 81 of Edit Your Life, Asha interviews Gabrielle Blair, creator of the Design Mom blog and mother of six, about her family’s low-stress, high-trust approach to their kids’ educations. They discuss what the phrase “good school” really means, what happens when kids stray from the traditional school path, and how to be involved without being engulfed by worry. + + + + + Every week, Edit Your Life shares practical ideas for decluttering your home, schedule, and mental space without getting bogged down by perfection. Hosts Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest are award-winning bloggers and the co-authors of MINIMALIST PARENTING. Share: #edityourlifeshow Show notes: edityourlifeshow.com Facebook: facebook.com/edityourlifeshow Email: edityourlifeshow@gmail.com

Gabrielle Blair, a.k.a. Design Mom, joins me on the podcast today to talk about the birth of Alt Summit, her love of national parks, and her award-winning recipe. The post This Week for Dinner #22: Gabrielle Blair appeared first on This Week for Dinner.

Happy Lively Show day! Today we’re having a “lively” conversation with designer, blogger, mother of six(!), author of Design Mom, and Alt Summit co-founder, Gabrielle Blair of Design Mom. We’re talking about the evolution of blogging, how to grow an online presence, how to design a beautiful home with children, how Alt Summit got started (and why Gabrielle thinks […] The post TLS #86: blogging, design, motherhood, & mental health with Gabrielle Blair (design mom) appeared first on Jess Lively.

This week on Mom Talk Radio, Lauren’s Kids’ founder and CEO, Lauren Book, shares common misconceptions about who sexual predators are. Spotlight on Moms features JoAnn Crohn of AWhimsicleLife.com. Gabrielle Blair, founder of DesignMom.com and author of Design Mom: How to Live with Kids: A Room-by-Room Guide, shares tips from her book and how to manage a successful business while raising a family of 6. Paul Axtell, corporate trainer and personal effectiveness consultant shares 10 powerful things to say to your kids.

This week on Mom Talk Radio, Chris Illuminati, author of The New Dad Dictionary, shares passages from his latest book. Spotlight on Moms features Amy Oztan of SelfishMom.com and Facebook.com/ParentingBytes. Gabrielle Blair, founder of DesignMom.com and author of Design Mom: How to Live with Kids: A Room-by-Room Guide, shares tips from her book and how to manage a successful business while raising a family of 6. Writing trainer, Christina Katz, shares tips on teaching online. Bill Windsor, Associate VP of Consumer Safety for Nationwide and Colleen Sheehey-Church, National President of MADD, shares what MADD is doing to spread awareness of Alcohol Awareness Month.

I am SO STOKED for this episode of Sorta Awesome! In it, I get to introduce you to one of my closest friends and most favorite people on the planet - Laura Tremaine of Hollywood Housewife. She’s walked red carpets home and abroad, traveled with humanitarian organizations to Sri Lanka and Haiti, and her beautiful home has been featured on Design Mom and on the show Tanked. And now, she’s in your ears as a regular on Sorta Awesome!  Today, we talk about just how long we’ve known each other, share the awesome happenings in our lives (Laura’s is astronomically more exciting), and she owns up to the one thing she is always talking about! PS - there were a few audio issues on my end in this episode, a few moments of echo here and there. Hopefully it’s not too distracting. Thanks for bearing with me as I get the hang of this!   SHOW NOTES:1) Hollywood Housewife: everyone can wear red lipstick 2) Pictures from Laura’s trip. (read more here and here) 3) Shauna Niequist’s Savor (affiliate link) 4) The full story of Laura’s move to LA and how she met and fell in love with her husband 5) Gorilla Flicks, on Twitter Find Laura on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! As always, thanks to Progger for allowing us to use the song Strut! Find more about Progger on their website and at BandCamp. Feedback on today’s show? Leave a comment below (click the Notes link) or find me on Facebook or Instagram!

Founder of Design Mom. Genius behind Alt Summit. Mom of 6 kiddos. It's Gabrielle Blair! She's our guest on this episode and we talk to her about how to find your space and create your platform. Then we address the sometimes tricky business of dealing with negative followers + feedback, and how to set rules to make it a safe place that will serve you and your community in healthy, positive ways. SPONSOR: Save 15% at [radswim.com](http://radswim.com/) with the code BECKY15. SHOW NOTES: Find Gabrielle at her Design Mom blog [here](https://www.designmom.com/). Learn more about Alt Summit [here](https://altitudesummit.com/). FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @BeckyHigginsLLC and @BeckyProudfit. THANKS FOR THE LOVE! Love the podcast? Please share with your friends, tag us in your instagram stories, and leave a review on iTunes!