“The circumstances of our lives may actually matter less to our happiness, than the sense of control we feel over our lives.” ~ Rory Sutherland

That hit home for me today.

Taken from this TEDx talk, “Perspective is Everything”:

View Larger.

The cool thing was that for months I hadn’t shared it with anyone, but one day decided to share it with one of my networks (of amazing women entrepreneurs), and next thing you know my little project was getting a lot of attention… including some hot press from Glamour Magazine!

I’m positively thrilled that female empowerment is officially Glamourous. I also got a shout out on Goodnet! A new site all about doing good that empowers us to take action to do good for the planet, people and… yourself! My kind of mission right there.

I’m so happy the word has gotten out about Ladypreneurs, and hope that by sharing this information we’ll all learn more about what we can do to empower women of all ages everywhere. Go forth and be awesome, ladies!

A few related posts you may enjoy: 

• Women Winning in the Workplace (my original post, featured in the Glamour article)
• Miss Representation – REPRESENT! This is a must-see documentary.
• Obvious to You. Amazing to Others.
• Fear of Being a Fraud
• Be the Change You Want to See in Your Life
• Ambition is Not a Dirty Word

Listen to my Tummelvision episode here. We chat about the creative economy, slashed identities //, and being a kick-ass entrepreneur!

Kevin Marks captured this great photo of TummelVision live in action!

Be sure you subscribe to the podcast to catch all their other awesome guests or listen live every Thursday at 6pm Pacific, 9pm Eastern. You can also connect with TummelVision on Twitter (@TummelVision) and like them on Facebook.

Thanks for having me, my friends!

My first DesignCast is Twitter for Creative Entrepreneurs, where I will show creative professionals ways to leverage their followers to their professional advantage. I will share tactics for engagement and promotion, with an emphasis on being true to yourself and your work. Sign up today to join me!

Twitter for Creative Entrepreneurs
Thursday, April 19, 2012
2:00-3:00pm Eastern

The second DesignCast I’ll be Presenting is Using Facebook to Take Your Business to the Next Level. I will explain how creatives should be using Facebook for business and how to be successful doing it. I’ll cover many topics, including: how to measure your effectiveness, how to develop content that will deepen your relationships and expand your base, and how to work with the new timeline layout.

Using Facebook to
Take Your Business to the Next Level
 Wednesday, May 9, 2012
2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Good news: If you register for both of these upcoming DesignCasts, you can get $25 off! Just use code SMDC12, and you’ll be all set.

Oh and while we’re talking discount codes, if you’re interested in joining me in Boston for HOW Design Conference, you should register using my exclusive speaker discount code HSPKR for $100 off! There I’ll be leading a session called Balancing Your Freelance Workload.

I’m so excited for all three of these, and I would love to have you join me for one or all of them!

“Imagine a world in which we evaluate corporations not by the percentage of women in power, but by the percentage of women who are happy.” ~ Jennifer Sherman

Since then I’ve been meaning to do a blog post expounding upon all that was stirred in me, but alas, life has been fabulously busy. Most notably being a very happy woman in my new workplace.

However, I absolutely LOVE the message she delivered, and I constantly bring it up with ambitious, entrepreneurial women in my life. Come to think of it, there really isn’t much more that needs to be said, as she delivers it flawlessly and with so much truth and heart.

So, without further ado, please stop everything you’re doing right now, and watch/listen to Jennifer Sherman’s TEDx talk:

TEDxFiDiWomen: Jennifer Sherman – Women Winning in the Workplace on YouTube

If you like this post, you may also enjoy a tumblr I’ve been putting together of articles and inspiration around ambitious, entrepreneurial women: Ladypreneurs. You’ll see the tagline was inspired by Jennifer’s talk. ;)

>> RSVP for CraftMakerCamp on Facebook <<

UPDATE: Click here to read the wrapup with photos from SXSW CraftMakerCamp! 

The event will be a full day of networking and sessions specifically tailored for indie merchants. YES! Here’s the official write-up:

CraftMakerCamp at SXSW
Are you a designer, maker, mover & shaker selling your goods online? If so, then stop by the first-ever CraftMakerCamp at SXSW to meet like-minded souls. With a full day of programming specifically developed for creative entrepreneurs, CraftMakerCamp at SXSW will inspire and educate you for a more successful and productive year ahead.

So exciting, right?! If you have (or want to start) a product-based business, CraftMakerCamp will be the perfect opportunity to network and gain valuable tools and guidance. Also, I have it on good authority there will be free beer at this location. That’s right… mark your calendars, my friends!

Sessions, Panels & Contributors – just announced!
I’m delighted to report we’ll have folks from Etsy, Outright, Spoonflower, Hello Craft, HOW Design‘s Grace Dobush (author of Crafty Superstar), IndieGoGo, Stitch Labs and more throughout the duration of this 2-day event.

Note: I’m still looking to fill a few speaker spots, please send folks my way for the ones that are *‘d below!

SUNDAY’S SCHEDULE
[add to sxsocial schedule] + [add to sched.org]

11am-12pm
*DIY Nation: How Makers Will Save the US Economy [PANEL]

12:30-1:30pm
How to Design & Print Your Own Fabric with Stephen Fraser, Spoonflower
*Have a Spoonflower story to share, or better yet, fabric to show?

2:00-3:00pm
Making the Not-So-Fun Stuff Easier So You Can Save Time and Sell More with Willo O’Brien of Stitch Labs

3:30-4:30pm
What Makers Need to Know about Money & Taxes in 30 minutes with Laura Messerschmitt and Ryan Thompson from Outright

4:30-6pm:
CraftMaker Meetup & Crafty Happy Hour with Stitch Labs & Hello Craft

MONDAY’S SCHEDULE
[add to sxsocial] + [add to sched.org]

11am-12pm
*How to Get the Attention You Deserve: Basic PR Strategies for Makers [PANEL] with Kelly Rand of Hello Craft, Grace Dobush of HOW Design and author of Crafty Superstar

12:30-1:30pm
The Psychology & Philosophy of Premium Pricing with Tara Gentile of Scout Creative Media, Adam King of Adam King Studio

2:00-3:00pm
How To Find Funding for your Design, Product or Fashion Line - a Workshop with IndieGoGo

3:30-4:30pm
*Fab or Not: Do Discount Sites Help or Hurt Independent Makers? [PANEL]

4:30-6pm:
CraftMaker Meetup/Happy Hour with Stitch Labs & Spoonflower

>> RSVP for CraftMakerCamp on Facebook <<
By doing so I can send updates on the line-up when it’s announced.

SXSW Interactive takes place:
March 9–13, 2012 in Austin, TX
Are you going?

I want to meet you!

Where you’ll find me Friday & Saturday 
I’m also planning to attend the Texas Style Council conference on Friday… and on Saturday we (Stitch Labs) will be a Showcased Startup at the TechCocktail #StartupLife Party!

Please click here & vote to help Stitch Labs win the People’s Choice award!
Here’s my post on the Stitch Labs blog all about it

Woweee, I’m so excited about all the new fabulous designers, makers, entrepreneurial movers & shakers I’m going to meet.

Hope to see you there!

Images © hownowdesign, GARNET, princess toadie

UPDATE: Click here to read the wrapup with photos from SXSW CraftMakerCamp! 

~ Hooray for Lane Collins! ~ 

Who is Lane Collins, you might ask? Well, we jumped at this opportunity to share, because Lane just happens to be a very talented photographer, capturing beautiful images from across the globe. Check her out on Twitter (@Lane), Tumblr, Flickr, and on her site, LaneCollins.com.

Oh, and a total bonus about Lane: she and I share a love for pickles! It’s crystal clear, the girl’s got good taste. ;)

Goodies are a Good Thing
With her surprise shopping money, Lane quickly picked out a few fun gifts for her adorable nephews.  Good thing, too, as she nabbed the very last rocksquirrel bib and one of the last rocksquirrel toddler tees!

So thrilled to play a part in that giving process, too. One giveaway and at least 4 happy people involved? Win win win win.

Adding More Win’s to the Equation
Only because I love making people happy, I figured I’d give a little surprise shopping money to all of you. For the next few weeks, you can use “HELLO2012″ for 30% off everything in the WilloToons shop!

Note: This code will only work until March 15, so go get yourself some goodies right quick.

Well…. Are you?! Coming up this Spring, I will be presenting as a part of:

The WILDE Tribe 2012
World Council and Initiation
March 22nd-April 6th
Women of Inspired Leadership Devoted to Evolution

Created by the radiant Indigo Bacal, WILDE Tribe is a movement based in optimism, inspiration, and purpose. It’s devoted to the evolution of Inspired Female Leadership, and celebrating feminine empowerment and the unique magnificence of every woman.

The goal of WILDE Tribe is to inspire 9,999 women to courageously rise up in 2012 and declare:

“YES! I believe that a wildly beautiful new world is possible and I know it starts right now, with me.”

I am such an advocate for women’s leadership, and the uniqueness that each woman possesses. I will be joined by other creative, sassy, and wise women. Together we’ll share our wisdom, experience, and inspirations. The counsel will host one to two featured speakers and interviews daily in a teleconference format. You’re invited to join us!

I will be sharing one of my hugest passions: Creative Sustainability in Life and Business during week 2 of the Council, which is centered around “Manifesting Magnificence”! I’ll be sharing about the importance of self-care, embracing your vulnerabilities, and celebrating your strengths. I am so thrilled to be a part of this great movement and to bring inspiration and knowledge to as many women as possible.

So ladies, are you ready to gather your courage and inspiration, and give birth to your unique magnificence?

Say YES! to Inspired Female Leadership and devote yourself to the evolution in progress!

I know many creative entrepreneurs who are so fabulous at what they do, and more than anything I love hearing stories of success and expansion. That said, sometimes it can be hard to keep up with your business, especially if your specific talent is the lifeblood. There’s only one of you!

The accomplished Kelly Rae Roberts and Beth Nicholls know this challenge, and have taken their expertise and developed an entire course called Hello Soul, Hello Business.

This is the course I would develop if I were
to do a business course!

The good news is, I have been given the honor to contribute, and will be leading a session all about Marketing with Authenticity. I can’t wait!

Register Sadly this session’s registration has closed, but there’s another one coming up in September, so mark your calendars & subscribe on their site so you’re sure to hear about it.

“We want to inspire a new generation of business owners who build businesses with soul, infuse them with beauty, and have a positive impact in the world.  We want those business owners to flourish, embrace abundance, and make more money than they thought possible doing what they love. And we want you to be part of that.” – HSHB

I’m thrilled to be involved, and look forward to meeting all of you who are in the course right now!