One Of My Top Core Vales as a Brand and Business Owner

{Poolside Muse} One of my top core values

This summer I am writing you poolside from my backyard each week, with no agenda, no schedule, no strategic plan, just random thoughts that spark my soul to help you create a profitable business. I hope you enjoy my poolside muses.

———

Friday, I woke up to what has become my summer morning routine.

Wake up, work out, grab my coffee, and head to my backyard lounge chair to listen to Brene Brown (on audible, The Gifts of Imperfection is what I’m currently listening to) and enjoy the morning sun on my skin while sipping my coffee and hearing the baby sparrows in my yard chirp.

As I logged onto my phone to pull up audible, I saw the news headline and my routine came to a screeching halt. My heart broke as I read that Roe vs. Wade was overturned.

As a woman and business leader who values autonomy as one of my top core values, I felt terrified, shaken, and shocked.

My 11-year-old daughter walked out back moments later and one glance at me, asked what was wrong (I’ve always been an open book, I wear my heart on my sleeve, and you can always tell when something is bothering me. It's why I am a horrible poker player.)

So I opened up and shared with her.

We had a deep conversation, some of which I know I will have to follow up with and make sure she understands and see how she is processing.

It’s a lot for all of us to process and even harder for our younger generation to grasp.

She knows I was a teen mom and that I had her brother just months after I graduated high school. But I shared with her more of my story, the parts that have never come up before.

Like the fact that my mom was so scared for me that she wanted me to have an abortion because she couldn’t see then how I could raise a child, and she thought my step-father would kick me out of the house and she wouldn’t know what to do or couldn’t bare to see me struggle.

17-year-old Darlene was resilient and strong-willed (guess that hasn't changed), and though I knew it would be what most would consider a hard journey, I knew that it was my journey, and my body, and my choice and, I chose to have my son.

See it was my choice, and I’m so blessed that I was able to make that choice.

I can’t imagine having to make that choice without looking at all of my options and being able to choose for myself.

I also shared about how I had two miscarriages in-between her and my youngest son and how one of those times my body didn’t release naturally, and I had to go in and have a D&C for my own health.

Thankfully I was able to do as I needed without having to flee my state or illegally get basic health care for myself.

So many women will not have access to get what they need and make that choice for themselves.

I am not okay with this.

Now more than ever we have to use our voice, take a stand and speak up for the ideas and matters that mean the most to us, and our organizations.

Please speak up and share your story. The ripple effect that begins when one person speaks up is so powerful and needed right now more than ever.

Ask what you can do in your community to get involved?

Discover how you can use your platform to share your story?

As an entrepreneur and rising business leader, it can feel scary to take a stand for what you believe in. And it’s your responsibility to do so.

If you’ve been in my community for a bit then you know that this is how we position ourselves to truly call in and attract our dream clients and stand out in our niche. It also might repel people from you, and that is okay too.

It’s about showing up as your true authentic, vulnerable self and trusting that you’ll connect with the exact people you’re meant to.

If and when you’re ready to share your story, please tag me in it or send me a DM to the link, I would love to support you.

PS. If this feels super scary and you need support on how to own and share your story, send me a DM or email me. I’m opening up a few spots for August at a super affordable price to craft your story and get the confidence to continue to use your voice whenever you feel called to speak up.