Stretch into Possibilities

Are you bringing the energy to finish the year strong, or are thoughts of pause and delay creeping in? If left to our own devices, we can think of reasons not to start that new and exciting thing. You might be thinking, surely there’s a better time, and it might even feel true. In most cases, it’s not. And years can slip by in the waiting. If you’re putting off your next step, it’s likely because it’s outside of your comfort zone, and it feels awkward and uncomfortable. That’s all the more reason to keep going. Deciding to move forward means recognizing discomfort is part of the journey. Treat those uncomfortable thoughts as passengers along for your exciting ride!

Putting your creative skills into the world is some of the most rewarding and fulfilling work you’ll do. Don’t let delay divert your dreams. stretch into possibilities.

When we started Red & Rugged, we had no retail experience or background in selling upscale handcrafted gifts online. (Before 2020, some people turned their noses up at our online-only business; post-2020, we were suddenly so smart!) We had to learn it all. There were skills, client relationships, and processes that had to be figured out, so we did. I started at the ground level and ended up selling to global executives and accomplished business owners. One day at a time, one skill at a time.

What’s holding you back? As you ponder the answer, know that there is always something that can make building your business inconvenient or challenging. Decide that now is the right time, and you have all the skills you need to figure it out. You can choose to pivot, tweak, go a new direction, and get creative in your problem-solving. Ask for help, read, watch an instructional video, get coaching, etc. Embrace the feeling of having your own back and shining your light into the world. Part-time, full-time, or as a side business, it doesn’t matter. Either way, you’re putting your creative talents out there, willing to try, fail, alter the process, and go again to succeed. Rinse and repeat.

What if, a year from now you wake up and realize you’ve acquired a ton of new skills? You’re a whole different person - that is exciting! Imagine the possibilities when you stretch your capabilities.

Are you ready to make this your season of growth? To declare the time is now to put your creative talents into the world. Learn new skills, think differently, connect with customers, and step into the next version of yourself. If the answer is, heck yes! I invite you to join me in the Creatv Catalyst.

Stop Spinning in Place

Have you ever had weeks that feel like this? Tasks get sideways, and suddenly it feels like things are starting to spin out of control. One minute, there’s calm, and the next, priorities collide; new projects, client follow-ups, and content deadlines need our attention. Throw in a dash of unexpected events, and well, now it’s really fun. Sounds like running a business, right? Left unchecked, our thinking can easily spin with indecision, but here’s a happier alternative.

Take one next step. Putting yourself in motion cuts the drama because now you’ve taken action. Remind yourself, this is the best next step with what I know today. Learn to move forward calmly and quickly, then execute and evaluate your plan.

It may or may not be the ultimate right decision, but it keeps your focus forward and off constantly rehashing options. (My brain loves a good rehashing, so just know this takes practice.)

If you determine a change is necessary, then make that next decision. In six months, you’ll have taken massive action and learned a lot of lessons. You’ll be a different, smarter person - be proud of that.

The savvy CEO you’re becoming does not lose large chunks of time and mental energy spinning in place; they are in motion, deciding and recalibrating while moving closer to their goals.

If you’re ready to take the next step in building a thriving business you love, join me in the Creatv Catalyst.

Let Luck Find a Path to Your Door

Luck, and being ready for it, is showing up all over my life - in my feeds, in conversations, in the newspapers I read, and on my favorite podcasts. I love that, and I don’t consider it a coincidence. I believe luck has a lot to do with our thinking. How’s your luckometer doing these days? Is it off the charts, or do you need to move the needle a bit?

While I don’t think we summon luck on demand, I believe it happens when you place yourself in environments or situations that make it easy for chance to fall in your favor. You make the proactive effort to be visible, raising the odds of an unexpected connection, crossing paths with that hard-to-reach client, or getting an introduction to an esteemed colleague.

A few years back, I was asked to speak at an event I thought wasn’t a great match for our business, but I decided to do it anyway. Something I said sparked a connection with an attendee, who referred me to their boss, leading to many valuable sales. You never know the good that can happen until you show up.

Maybe it’s time to invite luck over, to remind yourself to step out, visit customers, invest in the training, catch up with colleagues, send handwritten notes, and attend the event. Meet some new people. Think differently. Be open to new opportunities.

Let luck find an easy path to your doorstep.

If this inspires you to read more on the topic, Ina Garten has written a new book, Be Ready When the Luck Happens. (You may recognize her from the Food Network's “Barefoot Contessa.”) Although I’m not a huge cooking fan, I enjoy reading memoirs and biographies and look forward to learning from her stories.

If you’re ready to change your thinking and step into new opportunities, join me in the Creatv Catalyst.

The Ripple Effect

One of the most thought-provoking and positive things about sharing our journey online is the ability to impact people we’ll never meet.

We get caught up in our metrics and achieving new goals, and we forget that others may admire something entirely different. Our tendency is to keep the list of incomplete items front and center, so we can’t possibly miss it. We narrow our focus and skate over what we’ve accomplished and the lessons we’ve learned - how far we’ve come.

People are moved by more than success in your journey. You never know who’s watching and how they interpret your efforts. Often, you note failures and missed opportunities while others celebrate your persistence, willingness to get up and go again, and ability to learn, think differently, and do better next time. In other words, they aspire to your level of determination and growth, and just maybe, it encourages them to stand up and try one more time.

What do your kids see in your journey, your neighbor down the street, the struggling Mom in another state, your coworker down the hall, or the frustrated young woman around the globe? What if your work inspires one person to get up and try again for their goals, to believe in themselves enough to make a fresh start?

Your work has a powerful ripple effect. Keep showing up and moving toward your dream, and imagine the wave of women, young ladies, and students who are emboldened to do the same.

This is how we spark a movement of people who see and believe they can do what they love at work and play or how we generate a wave of new business owners who take the next step and bring their creative skills to the world. Let’s ride that wave.

Where the Magic Happens

When the box is opened, the outfit is worn, or the photos are framed—whatever your creative element—having clients select, share, and celebrate your work is one of the most fulfilling aspects of running a business.

Most people quit before they reach this moment because getting here means talking to people they’ve never met and facing rejection. It also means fulfillment, satisfaction, and pride.

As you look to build your business, I encourage you to stop spinning in the comfort of the creative process and step into the power and growth of making client connections. Imagine the impact of your work helping one family today, inspiring one person, or elevating one customer’s experience.

Meeting future clients allows you to talk about your product, see what flows naturally, and determine where you need more thought and practice. You’ll hear questions that never occur to you. Why? Because we’re too close to our work. You don’t know what assumptions you’ve made until someone comments or inquires about something you thought was obvious. This is how we learn. This is how you make your offer more succinct. It’s how you get to your big dreams.

When the voice of doubt creeps in, be proactive and redirect that noise. What if it all goes great?! You’ll meet new people and glean valuable feedback no matter what happens. Like it or not, it’s all tied together. This is the road to success. Be willing to make the video, have the call, and go on the appointment.

From your client’s perspective, they appreciate a genuine conversation over a slick sales deck. They know when you’ve done your research and hear the passion as you share how your product adds value to their life or business. Even if they don’t buy today, this is how long-term relationships are built.

Connection is where the magic happens.

Stepping Out to Shine and Serve

There are times when you arrive at a moment of distinction and direction in the most unexpected way.

Sometimes, unpredictable events unfold that, in the end, make perfect sense. It’s like finding that last puzzle piece without the box cover, and the whole picture becomes clear. 

The transition we’ve just completed feels a lot like that. 

If you’ve been with us for a minute, you know that Rugged retired from his 40-year day job this past December in 2023, an opportunity that occurred earlier than we anticipated (read more on that here). His new-found freedom allowed us to complete passion projects that had been on hold, host new artisan client experiences, and relax in reflection, dreaming of possibilities. 

Over the summer, as Rugged and I discussed our vision and next business steps together, we realized his retirement opened up options for both of us - in different ways. The more we talked about the future, the more it became clear that we’re excited about a host of personal options together but different business directions. And so we shift into our next exciting evolution at Red & Rugged.

Red (on right), here we go!

Starting in September, Rugged will transition to fully enjoying retirement—the freedom to fish, hunt, golf, cook (make us pizza!), travel, and more! On the flip side, I’m excited to weave my decades of business experience with my artful and imaginative skills. Given my long history working with entrepreneurs (read more here), I feel like this piece completes my puzzle picture. In my new role as a business creatives’ coach, I’m expanding my existing work with women, engaging and uplifting talented, creative professionals as they build thriving businesses they love. (Read more of what’s next at BizCreatv.)

What about the artisan element? I’m a big believer in elevating the everyday, and that unique, beautifully textured elements embolden sharp thinking and inspire fresh approaches. Simply put, they make life more fun! As such, I’ll infuse a distinct artisan experience into my individual, special group, and VIP activities.

Looking back at the last seven years, we are proud and humbled to have built lasting relationships and many treasured friendships - in our artisan community, inside the corporate C-Suites, with global executives, renowned hospitality professionals, boutique business owners, and discerning individuals.

We invite you to raise a beloved artisan glass and celebrate with us. I hope you’re excited to see what’s ahead as Rugged enjoys a well-earned retirement, and I move forward with great enthusiasm in this new direction.

Declare Yourself Game-Ready

Hanging on the edge of our seats, forgetting to breathe, is how we’ve watched Olympic events thus far - and we still have a week of thrills to go.

One of the things we appreciate most about the Games is watching athletes declare themselves game-ready.

Each step onto the pitch, into the pool, or out on the road tests their ability to rise above, believe in themselves, and summon their best in the moment. #respect If you watched the final pommel horse routine of the USA Men’s Team Gymnastics or the USA Women’s Rugby 7’s win, you enjoyed two examples.

As business owners, these stories are an inspiring reminder of three important lessons on the road to success:

Pause the testing and tweaking, and give yourself a chance at winning. Once you’ve built strong fundamentals, it’s time to start talking about and sharing what you do in the Wild West of social media and online platforms. Let people get to know you and learn from your work - while you learn from them. Start posting, send the email, upload your video, or record that podcast. You can only get so far on the practice field.

Cultivate your creative edge and connect it. If you spend all your time immersed in skill development but never risk people seeing it, you miss the reward. While it takes persistence and commitment, impact happens when people value your work (buy), share it with others, and treasure it. Seeing your services transform someone’s life or your products make a lasting impression is powerful. Don’t stop before the connection part, keep going.

Building relationships and gathering feedback doesn't happen by chance; it’s the result of intentional engagement. Stand in the spotlight, attend events, and talk to potential clients—actual humans—to learn what's working. What if you score a win?!

As we enter August, the Games encourage all of us to sharpen our skills, focus our efforts, and prepare to shine in the season ahead.

It's Not Downtime; It's Deposit Time

Stepping out onto the back patio, iced coffee in hand, I appreciate the opportunity to dial back the intensity and scale up the creativity. These long sunny days invite us to actively deposit into our creative account. It’s not an actual bank account but the space in your mind that holds all your lucrative, unique ideas.

Eastern Shore, Maryland

If you’re feeling depleted or need a boost, you’re in good company. Spring was a fast-paced season. From planning promotions to writing emails, social media to new product designs, and connecting with customers—all activities that require your unique touch to be memorable. Don’t think of summer as downtime; it’s deposit time.

You can dial it back and infuse the sights and sounds around you to replenish your creative coffer. This season of greater outdoor adventure is your chance to refill the imaginative energy you withdraw all year long.

We’ve learned that this mindset isn’t nice to have; it’s a must-do. Your distinct gifts are what make your work valuable, whether in a career, job, side gig, or full-time business. You need a clear mind and a full creative cup to deliver.

I heard someone recently suggest taking time to learn nature’s first language: silence. See the beauty of what’s unfolding on your neighborhood walk, hiking the trails, or strolling the shorelines. Notice the colorful beach towels and festive umbrellas. Enjoy the patterned plates, vibrant fruits and vegetables at the market, and the bubbly spirits. And, oh, the sunsets.

Mother Nature works hard to inspire you, elevate your thinking, and plant the seeds of ideas destined for your fabulous future. Accept the invitation and slow down long enough to receive it.

For more on this topic - visit our BizCreatv page.

Elevate Your Epic Event Experience

The seats are filled with close friends and loved ones sharing memories of a vibrant career and a legacy of contributions. Stories of lifelong relationships and funny moments circulate around the table. These are your lasting memories as an honored guest at a Hall of Fame occasion.

When you’re planning a milestone event, your goal is to craft an experience guests will deem unforgettable. Distinct details and attention to subtle points keep the attendees reminiscing about this special evening.

For these memorable occasions, we support your vision of excellence by focusing on three aspects of unique artisan gifts: planning, personalization, and presentation.

Here, we share an example of these elements at work for a recent Hall of Fame recognition.

Planning:
Avoiding the scramble to find the perfect gift means allowing time for valuable discussions, learning about your special guests, and exploring artisan options. It’s a relaxed and creative process that delivers the best results with thoughtful intention. This client began our discussion four months in advance, allowing time to imagine how they wanted the experience to feel and who the honored individuals were as colleagues and friends. This level of planning translates into a beautiful celebration of accomplishments enhanced by meaningful gifts.

Personalization:
A custom gift that speaks to an individual’s passions is accomplished in different ways. For this occasion, a meaningful mantra was transformed into an elegant engraving. The particular phrase, Agape Love Time (unconditional love), elevates the gift box and leaves a lasting impression. (This is another reason why advance planning is key.) Read more timeless engraving ideas here.

Gaining insight into your gift recipients allows us to select individualized elements. In this case, a custom coffee flavor and unique packaging, along with festive wrapping paper that acknowledges a commitment to community, is paired with the artisan pieces. A genuine note, also designed by an artist, is a treasured addition.

Presentation:
Giving your gifts in a handcrafted gift box turns the presentation into a work of art. Not only are the elements inside the gift box meaningful, but gift recipients have a custom, engraved, wood box for their home (Read home display ideas here). A premium gift box is a gift they’ll enjoy well beyond one evening.

We’re fortunate to have a gift moment captured on video: Watch this short Instagram reel of a Hall of Fame recipient surprised by one of our custom gift boxes. Our favorite part is that the gift-giver's passion for the gift box is appreciated not only by this individual but also by others who turn to see the exchange.

We love seeing these kinds of memorable gift-giving experiences for you.

Next time you lead the event details for a milestone occasion, consider your planning, personalization, and presentation as you create your unforgettable evening. We invite you to connect with us using the form on our Custom page.

Find Space for a Fresh Take

Each season is a new opportunity to spark the imagination and defend against the doldrums. 

Most of us love being energized by new ideas and experiences not yet discovered by the masses. Uncovering hidden gems is exciting, especially if it’s you doing the unveiling. 

When you’re passionate about the art, entertainment, and joy of your skills, you learn to envision new scenes and settings for people to enjoy them. The ability to photograph your work in distinct and delightful surroundings reveals a host of ideas for those looking for a fresh take.

The challenge is where to find charming nooks and spaces —with minimal travel and expense.

Your answer may be just around the corner — friends and family who are avid supporters of your creative talents and whose homes offer an easy alternative. 

Those who champion your skills often enjoy sharing their gardens and green spaces to help you create unique photos.  For example, we’ve found properties with wildflower gardens, benches, old wood chairs, window seats, wrought iron, and stone paths that add great character to photographs. 

A note of caution: If this is your first time going off-site to take photographs yourself, it can be a tricky experience. Be patient; this effort takes multiple tries to get it right. 

Having your photo shoot at someone’s beautiful home is an inviting opportunity. In your mind, you see the finished pictures—your creative products in the midst of gorgeous greens, florals, or sweeping scenery. Once you clear those dreamy thoughts, you realize the planning and preparation required to make it happen. 

We’ve had artisan chocolate cookies melt in the hot sun, and apples turn brown while racing to locate items. If you’re a perfectionist, rearranging a shot for the millionth time is problematic. That fizz in the drink only lasts a few seconds. These can be frustrating, character-building hours when you’re unsure of what to do and how to prepare. Here are a few tips for you:

• Preplanning ensures that everything is selected and packed in advance, leaving no room for last-minute surprises. There’s no going back tomorrow to take more photos if something is forgotten. And, it’s a bummer when you leave one of a pair behind (been there!). 

• Show respect and consideration for their space. 

• Don’t expect your generous host to think of scenes like you do. Their lives don’t revolve around clear, unobstructed photos with beautiful backgrounds on the patio. Sometimes, you’ll need to prepare an area for the scene you have in mind. 

• Take every accessory you need. If you want food items or accent pieces, natural greens, florals, or tape to hold things in place, that’s your job. Need side bowls, napkins, or silverware? Bring it along. 

• Find an assistant for the day. Another set of hands allows you time to focus. Timing is harder if you’re taking photos and retrieving the products, too. 

• If you’re taking pictures alone, keep it simple. Plan on it taking longer than you expect, don’t pack the truck full and trim your shot list. 

• Take your most important photos first.

It sounds exciting to shoot all day, but you may run out of steam —the prep, ideas, arranging, shooting, and clean-up take valuable space and energy in your brain. And the weather matters. Mother Nature isn’t always on board with your plans. 

Pack your sense of humor. 

Lastly, create surprise postcards for your gracious host. 

• Look at your photos and see if a handful would make fun postcards. We realized that some of our photos make festive invitations, like a cozy chair looking out over a beautiful view or scenes of an inviting backyard pool. 

• Wrap the postcards in ribbon and add a playful note of inspiration (Ex. “Sip and splash with us”) – be sure to include the stamps. 

Colorful postcards show your appreciation of their home - and just maybe secure you an invitation to come again.