“I know it might seem like there’s a huge mountain in front of you when it comes to what you want to get out of life, but it’s important to remember that you’re not just going to wake up one morning and be on top of it.”
Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: I am passionate about my family and making sure my children are able to experience all they can in life. We love to travel, so being able to work from wherever I have a Wi-Fi connection has been amazing. I have worked all over—in the air, in the middle of the ocean, and all the way down in the Maldives. I also love that I have unlimited earning potential through affiliate marketing via our savings group (facebook.com/groups/cmrdeals) and brand promotion, so I am able to hit the goals I set out to achieve.
Currently, I am working on building my blog while continuing to build an engaging social media following. A goal of mine is to hit 1 million followers this year. I would also LOVE to start a podcast, but it’s not at the forefront at the moment.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: My family was chaos. I am the oldest of four children. My father was a blue-collar worker and my mom worked intermittently as a cashier or a CNA. We never traveled; we couldn’t afford to do much, so I think that not growing up with certain things has really pushed me to want to take over the world, so to speak. I want my children to experience everything I wasn’t able to.
As far as education, I have my B.S. in Financial Forensics and was accepted to Law School back in 2016. My ex-husband and I chose to continue to travel the country in our RV following his career, so I never finished my education. Maybe one day I will, but for now, I am enjoying the freedom and flexibility I have with the brand I have built.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: You are capable of great things. You are invincible. You are worthy. You are AMAZING. There were dark times during my teenage and even adult years when I wanted to give up everything. In fact, I wrote a blog post about begging my (now ex-) husband to help me end my life. (https://coffeemomrepeat.net/2019/08/dear-husband-thank-you-for-saving-my-life/) I would not be here without him and the community I have built with my brand, “Coffee. Mom. Repeat.”
I know it might seem like there’s a huge mountain in front of you when it comes to what you want to get out of life, but it’s important to remember that you’re not just going to wake up one morning and be on top of it. My former therapist taught me the importance of baby steps and that’s what I have done with everything: Set your goal, then list ALL of the baby steps you need to get there. Then list all the steps inside those baby steps. Celebrate each one along the way.
Q: What does feminism mean to you? A: To me, feminism means that I am not unworthy simply because I was born a female. I strongly feel as though I can do anything, barring my own physical limitations, that a man can.
MORE ABOUT HEATHER: I created Coffee. Mom. Repeat., Inc. out of sheer boredom after my daughter was born. It began as Mom’s Time Out and a strictly silly meme page, but once my Facebook started to gain momentum in 2017, it was changed to Coffee. Mom. Repeat. and later registered with the USPTO. In the last five years, it has grown beyond my wildest dreams to include brand promotion, affiliate marketing, and the blog. I am forever grateful for starting something on a whim.
“If we write stories without vulnerability, the story becomes bland and uninteresting.”
Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: I’m passionate about storytelling, blunt truths, expressing oneself, listening intently, and spirituality. I truly believe in the power of individual stories to enlighten our lives on a daily basis.
There are a finite number of ideas in the world, yet each one of us experiences life differently, so we as individuals have unique perspectives–unique takes on each idea. As The Soul-Aligned Ghostwriter, book coach, and editor, I work with my clients on unleashing their truthful, vulnerable stories so their target readership can understand the message, themes, and values that need to be shared.
Since I was a child, I always wanted to be an author. When I was younger, I enjoyed writing poetry, fiction, and feature stories. I’ve been in three anthologies, and I’m working on three different books of my own, along with more than six manuscripts by other authors. I’m passionate about helping others tell their truths, and get to the core of their story. If we write stories without vulnerability, the story becomes bland and uninteresting. That’s not the point of storytelling. We write stories to share lessons, morals, values, and, ultimately, our experiences. We write stories to encourage others to become their best selves. In 2021, I received a Quantum Energy Healing Certification and use this to help clients with achieving their writing goals. I incorporate meditations, energy healing sessions, Oracle card readings, and more–these are all tools in my toolbox. I combine these skills with logical benchmarks and deliverables as well while working with my clients.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I grew up with both of my parents and my younger brother in a northern suburb of Chicago, Illinois. I was the Editor-in-Chief of my high school newspaper–a journalism nerd all through my teenage years (a band geek, too). Being Jewish gave me a sense of community and empowerment, and I’ve always been so grateful to have spent almost six months living in Israel and traveling throughout the Middle East. Traveling as a young woman in foreign countries taught me lessons I never could have learned otherwise. I learned to listen to my gut instinct, always. I learned how to navigate new places, and how to handle anxious thoughts if I was lost, or if I had missed a bus. Hearing, learning, and seeing faces from various backgrounds helped me realize the importance of storytelling as well, as the importance of listening. I have a BS from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in News-Editorial Journalism and thank my lucky stars that I ended up there, which is also where I met my now husband (I won’t tell you how long ago that was!).
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: How you spend your time and energy can impact and affect your creativity. I don’t like the phrase, “I don’t have time.” Instead, I prefer someone say to me, “I’m not able to make the time.” You always have time. We all have the same amount of time, every single day. Your energy is a hugely valuable resource.
Consider your knowledge bank as well, and how much time and energy you want to invest into your knowledge bank. Do you want to learn a new skill that’s going to cost you time and energy, or would you rather pay someone (outsource) to do that for you, or with you?
When someone asks me, “Where do I start?!” in relation to their book project, or creative endeavor, I ask them how they are spending their time, and how they’re expending their energy.
On another note, if you are thinking about writing a book, I want you to read in the genre you want to write in. I’ve spoken with dozens of folks who say they want to write a book, yet they haven’t ever read a memoir, or a personal growth book, or a thought leadership book. Read what’s in the marketplace.
Q: What kinds of books do you write and read now? Do you work with traditional publishers or self-publish? What is that process like? Do you have any tips for others going through that process?
A: I write memoirs, thought leadership books, business books, and personal growth books. I love working with ghostwriting clients and book coaching clients specifically on their nonfiction books. I read a lot of nonfiction genres, and I also love to read women’s fiction, mysteries, and historical fiction, specifically WWII.
There are three main types of publishing–self-publishing, hybrid publishing, and traditional publishing. I first look at my clients’ goals to see which publishing avenue would best suit their needs and their overall goals. I have relationships with some agents and hybrid publishers, and I also offer project management services if a client wants my team to handle the publishing process.
The idea of publishing can be overwhelming if you don’t know the ins and outs. What matters is the following:
~No, you don’t *need* to pay anything to publish on Amazon KDP. But if you don’t want to learn how to do everything yourself, paying someone else to provide their services might be beneficial for you.
~Think about when you want to publish your book, and whether or not you want to retain the full rights to your materials.
~If a company is asking you to pay them a lot of money, get all of the details in written form to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible in terms of what services they’re providing.
Q: What’s your favorite kind of book or genre to read for enjoyment? Were there any that inspired you to follow this path? I would love to check out your books!
A: My favorite books to read for enjoyment are modern novels (various subgenres). A few authors who come to mind are Emily Henry, Lisa Jewell, Abbi Waxman, Kate Quinn, Emma Straub, and Rebecca Serle. [Here is a link to Danielle’s book page on Amazon.]
Q: What does feminism mean to you? A: Feminism means standing up for yourself as an individual and as a woman in our world. I’ve unfortunately had experiences where men demean me, simply because they don’t think I can handle knowing specific information. For instance, this has happened with house contractors and others in these fields.
Feminism is rooted in the idea that people-pleasing tendencies are no longer commonplace. We are stronger when we have different points of view and various perspectives on a variety of issues at hand. Let’s stand tall and be proud of who we are as individuals, and support one another in these endeavors.
Q: What else can you tell us about ghostwriting?
A: Ghostwriting isn’t only telling someone else’s story. I have heard ghostwriting described in ways that aren’t accurate, and I want all of you to truly understand what ghostwriting is, and what ghostwriting is not. In my experience, ghostwriting helps leaders unleash their truthful stories in a loving way. These leaders are not willing to make the time or expend their energy on learning how to organize their knowledge into a book. By working closely with a ghostwriter, they know their story will shine properly. Ghostwriting is 90 percent listening, and 10 percent asking the right questions at the right time. This practice can be so beneficial for executives who have always wanted to write their own story but haven’t made the time to do so themselves due to other obligations.
Q and A with Coryn from Houston, TX, to Nashville, TN, and currently living in Atlanta, GA
“I have personally experienced disappointment after disappointment for years, but I have come to realize that self-belief is an essential ingredient for success.”
Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: I am deeply passionate about empowering women to pursue their dreams and achieve success.
While I certainly value my physical appearance, I believe that true beauty comes from within and that my personal successes and achievements are ultimately what define me.
In my opinion, independence is a key factor that every woman should possess in order to truly thrive.
Q: Tell us about your fashion business.
A: The name of my brand is The Envysaje Brand. I started off making swimwear and, over the years, have expanded to wedding gowns, a vegan lip wear line called Designer Lips by Coryn Monét, and a men’s line, called HEM: House of Elevated Men. Throughout my journey, I have been inspired by countless women who have paved the way for me, and I hope to serve as a source of inspiration for other women in turn.
By sharing my own experiences and offering guidance and support, I hope to empower women to take control of their own lives and pursue their dreams with confidence and passion.
I believe that breaking stereotypes and challenging societal norms is a critical aspect of achieving gender equality.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: As a child, I had a wide range of hobbies and interests, which allowed me to explore different aspects of my personality and creativity. I enjoyed engaging in physical activities such as horseback riding, cheerleading, and gymnastics, which helped me develop my coordination and confidence. I also spent a lot of time playing with dolls, creating stories and outfits for my dolls, which sparked my imagination and artistic skills. Going to the movies was also a favorite pastime of mine, exposing me to a variety of stories, characters, and styles.
As I grew older, I continued to experiment with my fashion sense, expressing myself through bedazzled pants and making custom tee shirts for football games. However, it wasn’t until I was 23 that I realized my true passion for fashion design and decided to pursue it as a career.
Through social media, I was exposed to a world of creative individuals who were able to bring their ideas to life through clothing. This inspired me to pursue fashion design as a career, and I have been dedicated to it ever since. I have learned how to work many different sewing machines, how to sew, create patterns, etc. all on Youtube. I am eight years into my business and excited to continue growing in this field and to see where my passion takes me in the future.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: One of the most valuable lessons I have learned in my journey of pursuing my dreams is that achieving success is not an easy path. It requires perseverance, dedication, and a willingness to face doubts and failures along the way. I have personally experienced disappointment after disappointment for years, but I have come to realize that self-belief is an essential ingredient for success. Even when your family and friends express how proud they are of you, it’s when you shock yourself that you truly know you’re growing. It’s important to recognize that self-growth and self-improvement come from pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and taking risks.
While it’s important not to be too hard on yourself, it’s equally crucial not to be too easy on yourself either. You have to be your biggest motivator and your toughest critic. Recognize your strengths, but also acknowledge and work on your weaknesses. Embrace your failures and use them as stepping stones to move forward. Pursuing your dreams is not an easy task, but with self-belief, perseverance, and a willingness to push yourself out of your comfort zone, you can achieve great things.
MORE FROM CORYN: In addition to being a self-taught fashion designer, I am now a self-published author. Check out my latest ebook, “The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Fashion Designer Without Going to Fashion School.” In this comprehensive guide, I share my personal journey of inspiration and empowerment, including the power of self-teaching, the significance of marketing materials, and the importance of persistence. I truly believe this could help anyone on a journey of fulfillment. Get your copy today!
“I read every book that I could get my hands on about parenting which was very helpful, but it wasn’t until I actually joined a group of like-minded moms who learned and grew together discussing parenting that things really started to click for me.”
Q and A with Leah from Miami, Florida
Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: I have six children and am passionate about raising good children, creating supportive families, personal growth, and reaching goals. I am an only child and wanted to have a large family, which I did! I am working on building the best positive parenting FB group for busy professionals, entrepreneurs, and busy moms who want to accomplish their goals but still create a warm, nurturing environment for their children and families.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I originally majored in psychology, then became a teacher. I eventually earned an LBS1 and became a learning and behavioral specialist and then earned a master’s degree in education. Parenting didn’t come easily to me initially. I had many goals that I wanted to accomplish and the physical and emotional demands of raising a large family were overwhelming. I read every book that I could get my hands on about parenting which was very helpful, but it wasn’t until I actually joined a group of like-minded moms who learned and grew together discussing parenting that things really started to click for me. That is why I decided to create this group for moms with goals.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: The parenting group will clarify timeless principles of parenting and why some of the popular modes of parenting may not be working for moms today. We discuss the real problems that parents are having today with the goal of helping them become more confident, joyful, and skilled at building the calm, nurturing homes that everyone wants for their families. I grew up in Baltimore and, being an only child, I longed for siblings to play and interact with. Because of this, I wanted to build a large family, which aligned with my religious beliefs. I also believe in the power of family being a tremendous support throughout life.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: I think women have tremendous power and above all a unique insight that literally enhances the world. Women are using that insight in great ways and will continue to do so.
I have written two children’s books and an extensive Jewish curriculum for middle and high school students.
“By decluttering, we make room for the joy and fulfillment that truly matter.”
Q and A with Jennisha from Suffolk, England
Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: I’m incredibly passionate about personal development, well-being, and spreading happiness. Life can be tough, but it’s also filled with beauty and uniqueness that I love exploring. During a low point in my life, I realized the need for change and discovered the magic of decluttering and organizing. It transformed my world, bringing clarity, peace, and productivity. Now, I’m on a mission to help women clear the chaos from their lives. Through my business, I empower them to create harmonious spaces that align with their dreams. By decluttering, we make room for the joy and fulfillment that truly matter.
Q: Can you tell us more about how your business helps women declutter?
A: I assist women in decluttering by offering personalized face-to-face or online video chat sessions. Starting with an initial consultation, I understand their goals and challenges. Together, we sort and categorize items, optimize space, address sentimental belongings, and implement effective organization strategies. I provide community, support, accountability, and follow-up sessions for long-term success. Excitingly, I am currently writing an ebook, set to be released on June 28th, which offers practical tips and insights on cleaning. This goes hand in hand with home organisation as when done correctly will save you a ton of time. Additionally, I am developing a coaching program that comprehensively covers home organization. Clients will learn how to streamline their spaces, again, creating more time for activities they love. The program includes personalized 1:1 sessions tailored to their specific needs. If desired, I can also provide hands-on assistance during the decluttering and organizing process.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: During my younger years, I had a wonderful upbringing surrounded by a close-knit family. We shared a strong bond, and I have fond memories of spending time with my cousins and engaging in various activities that brought us joy and laughter. We played games like Kirby, 40/40 home, manhunt, and football, and immersed ourselves in the world of Pokémon and exploring. Those carefree times were filled with fun and created lasting memories.
While I enjoyed the playful side of life, education wasn’t a top priority for me during my early years. However, around the age of 14 or 15, I found God. Around the same time, I had an epiphany about the importance of education. This realization sparked a significant shift in my attitude, perspective, and behavior. From that point onward, I committed myself to academic excellence, consistently achieving high grades throughout my educational journey.
Despite my initial dislike for school, I am now pleasantly surprised by how much I have grown to love learning. It became evident to me that God and knowledge opened doors to opportunities and personal growth. Eventually, I graduated from university with a degree in marketing, advertising, and public relations. It’s remarkable how my perspective on education evolved, transforming into a genuine passion for acquiring knowledge and expanding my horizons. Reflecting on my early years, I recall a specific interest in decluttering and organization. Even as a child, I found joy in clearing out my nanny’s junk drawer and assisting my aunt in tidying her flat. Little did I know back then that these experiences would shape my journey in helping others with decluttering and organization tasks. These early memories of creating order and finding harmony within spaces laid the foundation for my current passion and expertise in home organization.
Q: When you say you found God, how did you find God?
A: I found God through my beloved nanny, Evadne. She introduced me to the church at a young age, and I cherished the time we spent together singing and praising the Lord. Sitting beside her, I was always excited as I knew she always carried mints and biscuits in her bag. As I grew older, around the age of 13, I discovered God for myself when I attended a youth group held at a Church on a Friday night. From there, I was invited to a church service, and since that day, I have continued in faith. I embraced the word of God and the significance of being a follower of Christ. Along this spiritual journey, I have been blessed to meet incredible people, including my partner, with whom I now have two beautiful children. The love, guidance, and support I have received from my faith community and my loved ones have truly shaped my relationship with God and enriched my life in countless ways.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: Through my experiences, I have learned valuable lessons that I would like others to embrace. Shifting perspective and recognizing the importance of certain aspects, such as education, can lead to personal growth and success. Embracing lifelong learning allows for ongoing development and the pursuit of knowledge. Childhood interests should not be overlooked, as they can provide a foundation for pursuing meaningful endeavors. Self-reflection is a powerful tool for personal growth, allowing for positive changes in attitude and behavior. Lastly, it is essential to pursue passions fearlessly, as they can bring joy and purpose to life. These lessons aim to inspire others to approach life with an open mind, embrace personal growth, and pursue their passions with dedication and enthusiasm.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: To me, feminism represents female empowerment, where gender doesn’t limit one’s potential. It involves recognizing and valuing women’s experiences, identities, knowledge, and strengths. Feminism promotes equality, treating individuals fairly without discrimination. It encourages women to pursue their aspirations, challenging societal expectations and gender-based limitations. Feminism advocates for women’s rights, gender equality, and the empowerment to fulfill their dreams. It envisions a society where everyone, regardless of gender, thrives with respect, dignity, and fairness.
MORE FROM JENNISHA: The importance of having an organized home, especially for busy women and mothers, cannot be overstated. An organized home provides a sanctuary amidst the chaos, promotes efficiency and productivity, and contributes to mental well-being. It saves time and energy by eliminating clutter and streamlining daily routines. Helping women achieve a decluttered, clean, clear, and organized home, it empowers them to focus on what matters most and experience greater joy and fulfillment in their lives. This is why I have dedicated my career to this please join me on this movement.
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