Wholehearted Business

01/06/2023

✅ 200 Assessment questions answered
✅ Waaay exceeded our goal for Assessment points
✅ Officially in the cue to become B Corp Certified
✅ Crossed off one very significant and long-held goal on the 'To Do List'
✅ Making space for the YESES!
✅ Crushin' it, and it's only Day 5

01/05/2023

It's official. We're celebrating Wholehearted Business becoming Carbon Neutral.

🥳⭐🎉⭐🎉⭐🥳

01/03/2023

As we welcome 2023 and step into the first work day of the new year, the Wholehearted Business Team, individually and collectively, are especially mindful of our ‘Wellbeing’ business value and our commitment to the practice of nourishing and caring for ourselves, so that we can bring our best to the work we do.

How about joining us in starting 2023 by doing something different than most of us have been programmed to do ... how about beginning the new year by slowing down, saying no thank you more often, so that there is more space for the YESES! (In all caps), and supporting each other to take good, good care of ourselves.

[WHOLEHEARTED BUSINESS VALUE #2]

We do our work from the inside out and taking good care of our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing is how we take good care of you, your team, and your business. It’s our individual and collective practice to prioritize being well so that when we say YES!, we can be all in.

https://wholehearted-business.com/about/our-values/

10/25/2022

The last three months creating the new online home for Wholehearted Business have been experiences of beauty, connection, the rightness of a thing, creating new ways, falling back into the old ways, doubt, uncertainty, beginning again, perseverance, grit, trust, hope, and possibility.

It turns out this professional endeavor wasn’t just about creating a pretty new brand or designing a snazzy new website. It ended up being so much more. What’s unfolded has been a pivotal chapter in learning how to better steward this business aligned with my values and growing as a leader of an extraordinary team of creative professionals, where striving for excellence was balanced with not losing track of what’s most important in our lives and in our relationships. Again and again, it was about championing the good that’s possible in growing a business by caring for the humans involved at the center of the work.

Like so many recovering type A’s, I continue healing that part of me that’s been riding shotgun for too long and that has had me push too hard and buy into the grind.

As we started our work on this project, there were a few super compelling reasons to complete this big undertaking in record time, and so the WB Team did what we’re quite practiced at and found the resources and reserves to make the extraordinary happen.

In less than three months, we completely rebuilt the visual identity of the business. We went all in to create a brand that says in full color, despite the difficulties in our world today and all that we have to work through and overcome, we choose ‘joy as our act of resistance and revolution.’

We made this choice, acknowledging the complexity of the challenges we’re experiencing at home and all around the globe -- choosing to see the beauty in the many facets of our humanity and to focus on what we can accomplish together when we are connected with each other.

Once our visual identity came into form, it became clear -- that this new space we were building in our corner of the world wide web would be of service to the business owner visitors of our site, whether they’re a client or not. Instead of simply showcasing our services and featuring our work, our vision has been to create a warm welcome -- much like how we’d welcome you into our home offices and then share with you about the people, resources, and businesses that have been instrumental in our growth -- both personally and professionally and integral to our business success.

So, 25,212 words, 524 images, and 56 pages later, on behalf of the entire Wholehearted Business Team, we welcome you to our new online business home.

Please join us in reimagining what business can be.

~Amanda, Dom, Crystal, Elizabeth, Jaden, Jenna, Jennifer, Jewell, Josh, Marri-Beth, Randy, Rich, Téa, and Valerie

https://Wholehearted-Business.com

10/18/2022

A week ago, I had the good fortune to be with all the Portland-based members of the Wholehearted Business Team. We work almost exclusively via Zoom, Loom, and Slack, so being able to actually be in each other’s physical presence was quite a treat. We came together for a photo shoot and to share a lovely evening together with one of our dear clients, who we’ve worked with for over a decade. We even Zoomed-in two of our team members, one from Colorado and one from Bali, to be a part of the photoshoot. Pics coming soon.

We also planned for the day to include *clicking the button* together to take our new website live. The Team worked some long hours leading up to last Monday to meet the timeline, and then on the morning of the big day, we ran into technical issues, or gremlins as I often call them, that had nothing to do with the site we built, but prevented us from completing the work to be able to share the experience in person of ceremonially clicking the button together.

It was disappointing to have looked forward to something for three months and to have to let it go, get to a place of acceptance that it wasn’t going to happen the way I’d envisioned, work through my feelings, so that I could show up for my team and be present for the photo shoot and our special dinner.

In working with a virtual team, it’s not something I ever take for granted when I have the opportunity to be together in person with everyone -- much less having 75% of the entire team all together in one place. We’d invested a great deal of time, intention, care, and creativity into our new online home for our business, and so, of course, I so wanted to have the experience of going live together. But the reality was as much as I wanted it, it wasn’t meant to be. So, the questions became …

How do I accept what is, let go, move on, find the good in what was happening, and be present in the moment …

One of the things that I’ve been in awe of throughout this creative process is how many openings there have been for personal and professional growth for me. The growth hasn’t been as much about the design, development, and writing aspect of the project -- even though we’ve definitely pushed our creative edge with what we’ve developed, but the most impactful and meaningful growth has been about how I’ve held myself in this experience … how I’ve held my team … and how I’ve shown up for the commitments I’d already made to our clients long before rebranding the biz and relaunching our website was a thing.

I made a promise to myself and to my team when we started the work on the website that we’d move through the work with joy and take good care of ourselves and each other -- and that if we started to get off track and slip back into the old ways of the grind, we’d recover as quick as we noticed and rechoose ease, and connection to ourselves, and each other.

I’m really excited about the work the Wholehearted Team has done in creating our new online business home, but what I’m most proud of is how we’ve done it. It hasn’t been a perfect experience of ease, joy, and caring for ourselves and each other, but it’s far better than it’s ever been -- and what I know for sure is that we’re setting a new standard and a new normal for how we do what we do and that’s the biggest win of all.

We were able to work through the issues that came up last week and are now working on a final few things that we’re always part of the plan to include, but we were willing to let go of to have launched the site when we were all together. Since that didn’t happen, we’re finishing jshzoooooing up the place and will be launching the site soon.

10/06/2022

[REIMAGINING, REEMERGING, RECLAIMING - PART 4 of 4]

We have a saying in our business … we slow down to go fast. Our version of slowing down to go fast of late has been about being in ‘completion mode.’ We’ve been focused on following through with and finishing up a great many things -- both on behalf of our clients and also for Wholehearted. This has been our jam lately, and we’ve been lovin’ it.

Some highlights include:
*We’ve overhauled and relaunched two of our beloved clients’ websites.
*We’ve guided one of our clients in being chosen as a Better Business Bureau Torch Award Finalist for the third year in a row. I’m not gonna lie, this year, I’m pretty darn attached to them winning the grand prize.
*Just last week, we completed a 3-year journey on behalf of a client we’ve worked with for over 10 years who is days away from finally claiming the well-deserved designation of being a certified B Corp.
*Our work on behalf of a long-time client led to another award in the arena of her work -- three years in a row now!
*Our team has quadrupled in size, and we’ve formally added several new areas to our service offerings.
*We’ve achieved the goal that, for me personally, has been the most significant thing I’ve done to date as a business owner. The Wholehearted Business team now includes the kind of cultural, race, and age diversity that has been both my commitment and my dream.
*We’re thrilled to have also added not one but two DEI PROfessionals to our team. Now when Wholehearted launches a new brand and business out into the world, the brand identity, business messaging, and supporting content will be reviewed for cultural sensitivity to ensure inclusive storytelling and to highlight diverse perspectives.
*And my pretty darn brilliant and fabulous son has also joined the business in a key role, which officially makes Wholehearted Business a family-run business now.

This is some of the work that’s preparing us to become a more whole version of Wholehearted.

We’ve been quietly and quite intently doing the inner work and the behind-the-scenes work to step up and towards the work we believe is ours to do. The Wholehearted Business Team brings years and years of talent, experience, and diverse professional and lived experiences, which has us hold our clients and their businesses in a unique and pretty extraordinary way.

What’s different now is that we’re doing it in such a way that we’re holding ourselves and each other with the same kind of love, care, and respect we’ve held our clients for years. It’s time. For us to be able to serve our clients in the way we feel called to do, we need to be grounded and resourced so that we can hold the big dreams and big visions that are coming our way.

We’ve got this. We’ve got us. And we’ve got you.

10/05/2022

[REIMAGINING, REEMERGING, RECLAIMING - PART 3 of 4]

By far and away, this has been the time of greatest growth for me as a business owner. I allowed myself to seriously dwell on the possibility of ending something that had held a significant place in my life for a long time, that had provided for my son and me and made it possible for me to finally own my very own home. Just to allow myself to consider closing down my business was huge for me -- and it opened the doors that needed to be opened for growth, healing, and fulfillment in my business in ways I’d longed for.

And yet, it was in my willingness to immerse myself in the possibility of letting go that I gave myself the space and freedom to know for myself that there was an opportunity to continue forward in my business in a new way where I could be of service from a place of wholeness and being resourced. In that spaciousness, it didn’t take long for signs and messages to reveal themselves -- quite clearly, in fact. It was a really beautiful and also, at times an uncomfortable phase of shifting from doubt and uncertainty to clarity and purpose. It was in this dance of discovery that version 3.0 of my business was reborn.

This time with a commitment to wholeness grounding us, prioritizing wellbeing guiding us, and a sustainability mindset growing us.

When we know better, we do better. - Maya Angelou

There have been a lot of well-worn patterns of decision-making and behavior to dismantle. That work continues. But there is a whole different vibe and energy that is Wholehearted Business today. The truth is it was there all along, but not near the way it is today. I just needed to do some unlearning, reclaiming, and owning just how good the good could be.

We’re putting the finishing touches on our new Online Business Home™ and looking forward to sharing it and all the new ways we’re going to be loving up our clients going forward.

The reveal date is set for Monday, October 10th, when most of our now 15-person Wholehearted Business Team will be together to hit the GO-LIVE button together.

And so the countdown begins.

Final post in the back story series coming tomorrow.

10/04/2022

[REIMAGINING, REEMERGING, RECLAIMING - PART 2 of 4]

This past year, I hit one of those places as a business owner where I was up against ‘it.’ I was so burnt out that I’d lost touch with many of the things that I’d loved about my work and the business I’d been dedicated to and pouring love into for over 20 years.

The truth is I’d been grinding pretty hard for years. There are so many cool things about this little business -- namely the people … the clients we’ve been fortunate to work with over the years, and my teammates -- my goodness, so many incredible people we’ve been connected with and experiences we’ve been a part of. But, I’d been pushing way too hard for way too long, and finally, the jig was up, s**t got real, and in order to move forward, things had to change -- significantly. Which meant I personally had to make some pretty radical changes.

The real story is that I was depleted in a way that I seriously considered shutting down my business and even opened myself up to entertaining other possibilities of what I might do in my life and for work. When what I call the ‘Break it Down to Get Real and Make it Whole, Human, and Sustainable’ chapter started, I knew I was on the precipice of a personal upgrade and that what was in front of me was the opportunity to transform my life. But, initially, I couldn’t see how I could change things enough to stay in my business in a way where I no longer had to make the kinds of personal sacrifices to do something I did enjoy professionally but where the cost was too high personally.

It’s been a year+ of experiencing being in both the dark, quiet soil germinating and also in the messy goo of the chrysalis … being still … feeling all the feels … listening intently … contracting … expanding … exploring possibilities … and doing all kinds of internal work that needed to be done for something new, congruent to who I am, and aligned with my values to emerge.

So, once again, like so many times before in the last 20+ years of owning my business, I showed up and said, “Yes, I am here.”

Part 3 tomorrow.

10/03/2022

[REIMAGINING, REEMERGING, RECLAIMING - A STORY IN 4 PARTS]

January of 1999 is when I took the leap and hoped, prayed, and began the work to create a business to support entrepreneurs who were doing really cool things but didn't know much about business. Early on, my clients delivered services and brought products to market because they were passionate about their offerings. As lit up as they were about the thing that inspired them to start a business, they were often intimidated and overwhelmed by what it meant to be a business owner and how to navigate running a business. I found a calling and a love for guiding my clients in growing their businesses in a way they were empowered in.

The irony in my story is that I had no intention to start a business mentoring small business owners. In fact, I had all kinds of stories running that I couldn’t possibly do that! Who did I think I was? How could I really help? Serious imposter syndrome hit BIG TIME!

It didn’t matter that I’d worked my way up the corporate ladder from an entry-level marketing manager in one of the largest tech distributors at that time to an executive for one of the largest tech manufacturers in its class worldwide. I couldn’t then see how being a part of the exec team, helping to guide the strategy and operations of the company, had taught me a thing or two about business. Nope. Initially, I couldn’t see how my skills and experience could/would transfer to helping business owners.

Fortunately, I didn’t say no when the opportunity to work with my first client was presented to me. My business was born, and my client’s business grew over 300% in the first 18 months we worked together. This was my first potent experience of how showing up and saying, “Yes, I am here, and I’ll do my best,” can be one of the most important things we can do to change our lives, change our stars, and change our circumstances.

Saying yes, with a measure of discernment, can change everything. It’s been in the choosing and rechoosing again and again and again, persevering when it’s challenging -- especially when it’s challenging actually, that I’ve grown a business and it’s grown me.

Part two coming next.

04/01/2019

💛 Portland Friends 💛

The Wholehearted Business Development Team is expanding and we're looking for experienced creative professionals to join our collaborative group.

We have immediate project opportunities for the following positions and skill sets:

✨ Brand-Storytelling Content Development Specialist
✨ SEO Strategy-Focused Content Development Specialist
✨ Google Ad Word Strategist
✨ Social Media Strategist
✨ WordPress Designer
✨ Digital Marketing Specialist

We provide business development strategy and full-service digital marketing solutions for social enterprise businesses, visionary entrepreneurs, and B Corps who are doing business differently.

We're a big-hearted group of dedicated, quick-on-our-feet, creative professionals. We welcome IMAGINATIVE, CREATIVE and UNIQUE individuals who bring FRESH and INNOVATIVE ideas to their work.

We love the work we do and working with each other, and believe the connections we have with one another are as important as the meaningful, beautiful work we do together for our family of clients.

If you're seeking project-based opportunities and would enjoy contributing to a virtual Portland-based team, or know of someone who has the skills we're on the look-out for, we sure would appreciate hearing from you or your referrals.

We're especially interested in expanding inclusivity on the WBD team and enthusiastically welcome women of color, formerly incarcerated women and single mothers working to establish stability and sustainability.

Grateful for your love and support as I grow and expand my bad-ass business team of wholehearted, talented and highly creative humans❣️

10/28/2016

Hands down, best email of the day >> a client's response to sending them the comps for their new business cards:

"If this was ice cream, I would take a scoop of each."

Just another day doing what we love ... making beautiful things for our clients that are making a difference.

06/13/2016

I often say to my clients that the way we move through projects and our task lists is the way we'll experience whatever it is that we're building and working towards. If you find the good in the journey, completions fill you up, not let you down.

Pursue the journey.