Q and A with Samantha P. from Long Island, New York, living in Northern Israel
“You are never too old to learn something new!”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: My passion is helping small to medium businesses and startups (B2B SMBs) find their voice and market themselves correctly to the right audience. Marketing is such an overlooked part of what allows businesses to make money because it can be hard to put a dollar value on the benefit a newsletter or social media post brings to a business. I started my own fractional marketing business to help small businesses understand the value that marketing will bring them, as well as to tie it to their sales so that we are marketing to get them money. My husband does VP sales and business development as a service (VP Sales/7 Biz Dev as a service), and even when we don’t have shared clients, we always consult each other. It’s such a benefit to each other (and our clients) that we each have the other as a resource since sales and marketing really need each other to gain the maximum advantage.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I always loved learning and would read whatever I could get my hands on. I’m glad that that love has stuck with me because as a marketer, I can get clients from any industry and it means I need to learn a lot very quickly about vastly different sectors, from AI robots to desalination.
I didn’t always work in marketing. In fact, for the first 10+ years of my adult life, I spent working in environmental science and politics. I was always very passionate about protecting the planet, even before Al Gore made climate change cool. [Samantha laughs.] When I was 31, I followed my dream and left the USA to move to Israel. I’m very fortunate that my mom and brother also moved to Israel after me. Growing up, it was always just the three of us, so I’m grateful that we have each other here as well. Moving to Israel was definitely hard! I had to learn a new language and get used to a very different culture. I am very happy here though. There is much more emphasis on family than I found in the US. The country is built for kids; there are playgrounds and daycares everywhere. It’s not uncommon for a stranger on the bus to ask you to hold their baby for a second while they pay. I see the struggles my friends in the US go through not having maternity leave or affordable daycare, so I’m especially grateful to be living here.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: When I arrived in Israel at age 31, I saw that there was a very, very limited number of positions that involved environmental protection, and for almost all of them, I needed to be fluent in Hebrew, which I wasn’t yet. I had to reevaluate my goal, asking myself if it was to continue to build my career in environmental issues, or successfully start a new life in Israel? I chose the latter and did a program that helped me identify my skills in order to find a job. It turns out that my years working in politics and organizing and promoting events allowed me a very natural transition into marketing. I’m not almost 10 years into my ‘new’ career and have worked my way up to CMO as a service (also known as a Fractional CMO). I love what I do, and I love seeing how business owners light up at my recommendations and the results of my work. I very much encourage people to consider changing careers if they find themselves stuck. You are never too old to learn something new!
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: Feminism means being able to accomplish what you want professionally, without having to give up what it means to be a woman. I shouldn’t have to be excessively aggressive to be taken seriously or paid equally. Women should be allowed and encouraged to have children and all that comes with it, without being penalized professionally.
Q and A with Amara from Yona, Guam, currently living in Jacksonville, Florida
“You come home, make some tea, sit down in your armchair, and all around there’s silence. Everyone decides for themselves whether that’s loneliness or freedom.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: These past couple of years I’ve been lucky enough to be able to put in time toward myself and all the things I am passionate about. I’ve learned that I’m not perfect, but I am also driven, creative, a good listener, and above all an old lady at heart. In my spare time, I like to make playlists, eat Korean BBQ, and enjoy a cup of tea on a rainy day. Recently, I was presented with the opportunity to become the Outreach Manager for Fanachu! Podcast. Fanachu, which means to rise up or stand up against something, is a podcast and video series based out of Guam that is dedicated to being a safe place for Pacific Islander voices. Right now, I am currently working on a zine called “Voices of the Diaspora,” and its main purpose is to showcase the artwork and short stories of Chamorros (the Natives of Guam) who are displaced from their homeland. As a Chamorro in the diaspora, this is a subject I hold close to my heart. So to be a part of a project like this, that is something larger than myself is an absolute dream come true.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: Moving to the mainland from Guam, I remember having a very confusing childhood. There was always this constant battle between the values that my parents were trying to instill in me and the westernized culture that I was growing up in. For years, I was ashamed of where I came from and how different I looked compared to my peers. But as I got older, I realized how beautiful some of our customs were like respecting our elders, making sure everyone gets a bite to eat, lending a helping hand, and putting family first. I recognized that these were all important qualities that made me proud to be Chamorro.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. Learning to be vulnerable doesn’t mean throwing all caution to the wind, but rather not being afraid to be yourself in such a way that you open yourself up to criticism and ultimately, change. Looking back, some of the most rewarding moments and relationships in my life were a result of me taking a chance and being vulnerable. This is one thing that is not easy for me, so I try to work on it every day!
You come home, make some tea, sit down in your armchair, and all around there’s silence. Everyone decides for themselves whether that’s loneliness or freedom.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: To me, feminism represents the women in my life that mean the most to me. It makes me think of my mom having me at 18 years old and doing her best. It’s knowing that I’m not related to my stepmom by blood but she still loves me and treats me as if I’m her own. It’s the memory of my Grandma Rose and how she was the strongest person I have ever met. It makes me think of my sisters and how they’re the most compassionate, emotionally intelligent people in my life. Without them, I would be half the woman I am today.
Thank you for reading!
If you’d like updates on my upcoming zine, feel free to follow Fanachu! Podcast on Facebook and on Instagram here.
A: For many years, I struggled with confidence, crippling anxiety, sensory sensitivities, problems focusing, and overall not seeming to really fit in anywhere.
After discovering my love of art and practicing creativity, my friends stated that it was like I suddenly “came alive.” I found something that allowed me to express everything I was going through in a way that I couldn’t with words. This “ah-ha” moment sparked a desire to help others discover how to use their creativity as a means of healing, improving well-being, and using their unique voice through visual language.
Over the years, so many people have shared their desire to create, but are held back by the assumption that a person must be born with talent in order to practice creativity. They let the fear of failure of a “horrible end result” keep them from even trying. Sometimes they may give creativity a try, but then feel so overwhelmed with no guidance that the supplies just end up collecting dust on shelves.
To help with overcoming the limiting mindset that they can’t create, I decided to curate craft kits that included supplies and instructions to alleviate not knowing where to start. This is how DIYvinci was born. Today, we also carry individual art supplies, online courses for more in-depth support, and a free online community to connect with creatives of every skill level.
The name for DIYvinci was created with the intention of being a unique business name that would focus on art and creativity. It is inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, one of the most influential painters in Western art history. The name DIYvinci represents the idea that anyone can be creative and express themselves through various media, just like Leonardo da Vinci did through painting, sculpting, architecture, and science.
The following quotes by Leonardo da Vinci highlight the embodiment of the vision for DIYvinci in that art and creativity aren’t only skills to be mastered but are a reflection, connection, and understanding of ourselves:
“The painter who draws merely by practice and by eye, without any reason, is like a mirror which copies everything placed in front of it without being conscious of their existence.” —Leonardo da Vinci
“Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art.” —Leonardo da Vinci
Our future goals include developing sensory crafting kits for neurodivergent adults, producing courses that are created by artists with different disabilities to teach how art and crafting are still possible using different methods, and developing a therapeutic interactive art journal.
A: I grew up in a small rural town surrounded by corn fields in central Illinois. The house that I lived in with my parents had been in my family for over 150+ years. I am a middle child with an older sister and a younger brother. I was always a very quiet and overall reserved kid who had trouble making and keeping friends on my own and often relied on my older sister or parents to make introductions. The most common question I was asked growing up was, “Why are you so quiet?” My typical answer usually included a nervous giggle paired with a shrug and a simple response of “I don’t know. I just am.” This was usually met with disappointment as if the asker had been expecting an in-depth revelation of past trauma that would explain why I wasn’t like everyone else. How could I answer what I didn’t understand? How could I explain that what seemed so odd to everyone else was what came naturally to me? That it was a defense mechanism used to function in a society not designed for me. My lack of an answer made it all too easy for others to insert answers of their own. “Jennifer is just shy. Jennifer is too nice. Jennifer is a suck-up. Jennifer is controlling. Jennifer is just stuck up. Jennifer is a goody-two-shoes. Jennifer doesn’t care. Jennifer is boring. Jennifer is lazy. Jennifer is awkward. Jennifer is a nobody.”
Between my lack of confidence, learning, and social difficulties, and not fully understand myself, I found myself believing these answers and withdrew further into myself as a means of survival. Over the years, anxiety continued to build leading to full-out panic attacks, but I was still left without words to express what I was truly feeling inside. I believe my faith in God, my family, and my friends kept my head above water in my high school and college years. In college, I studied Web Systems with the intention of becoming a web designer. However, after graduation, I was met with nothing but silence from potential job opportunities. At this point, I was earning only around $500 a month in my part-time library job and was quickly becoming desperate to become more financially stable. I eventually landed a data entry job that I would remain at for the next 8 years. This opportunity taught me so much, opened me up to meet so many awesome people, and helped get me into a much better financial situation.
About 4 years into this job, I started to hit burnout. I didn’t recognize the signs at first, but they continued to build to a point where it was nearly impossible to function yet I still pushed through, day in and day out. In the last year of my job, I finally began to realize what was going on. I discovered I was autistic and was in a huge autistic burnout. My primary doctor referred me to a psychiatrist and during this appointment, it quickly became apparent that this NP didn’t have a lot of knowledge about autism in females or adults in general. I was told that because I was able to have a conversation and appeared intelligent that it wasn’t worth pursuing a diagnosis. I became frozen. For what felt like the millionth time in my life, I was once again left with more questions than answers. My emotions flooded over me and it was a struggle to even continue with the appointment. I did what I normally do and shut down, hiding everything, and simply went along with the conversation. It’s like being shoved in the backseat of a car that is way too small for an adult while the driver goes where they please, not seeming to notice your discomfort. Afterward, I cried. I had spent so much energy deciding to take this step just to be abruptly shut down and made to feel like I wasn’t even worth someone’s time. I began to wonder why I was putting myself through all this discomfort. Maybe I should just accept the answer that I was just an anxious person and give up.
However, giving up isn’t in my DNA. Not only am I curious, but I’m also stubborn. I refused to just leave this as it was. I started this year making changes, and I wasn’t about to stop until I had the answers I needed. That is when I discovered Dr. Natalie Engelbrecht from Embrace ASD. Not only did Dr. Engelbrecht offer assessments and diagnoses for adults with autism, but she is autistic herself. It didn’t take me long at all to decide to go forward with the assessment with her. Less than a week later, I got my report back. The first few lines read: Suspected Diagnosis: Autism Spectrum Disorder. While I did cry after reading this report, it wasn’t like before. This time, I was heard. This time, someone took the time to read through my struggles and validate that I’m not weird, crazy, or another forgotten statistic. For the first time, I felt like I could say, “I am autistic and I no longer have to pretend to be anything I’m not.”
I eventually was diagnosed officially as autistic, ADHD, dyspraxic, and dyslexic. These labels finally gave me words for my lifelong struggles and opened the door to begin to accept myself for who I am. At close to 8 years, I left my data entry job in pursuit of being a full-time entrepreneur. I had already been operating DIYvinci for over 4 years by this point and was determined to see it flourish.
While my business still isn’t earning enough to support me, I was recently given a huge opportunity through Synergies Work with both a business grant and an 8-week entrepreneurship learning program. For the first time in a long time, I felt like someone finally saw value in what I was doing and was willing to go to bat for me. Aarti, Shlok, and the whole Synergies Work team brought back a spark I feared I was losing.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: One thing I have learned over the years is that isolation doesn’t support growth. While I often retreated to isolation as a kid as a means of self-protection, I don’t allow myself to stay in that state for long anymore. I’ve learned that it is okay to ask for help and that I don’t have to do everything on my own. Connection with a community provides support, accountability, and an exchange of ideas that push you outside of your comfort zone. I highly recommend everyone seek out a community they relate with, that is encouraging, and that can help them see things from a new perspective.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: To me, feminism means opportunity. Many cultures can easily stereotype women into certain categories and when a woman attempts to do something outside those categories she’s often seen as weird. Feminism is when we shift this perspective and view women as valuable, and human, and are celebrated for our differences. As someone who entered the technology field and entrepreneurship – both of which are primarily dominated by men–I’ve witnessed firsthand how women can be overlooked and discriminated against simply because of being a woman. I believe respecting others equally as fellow human beings is the essence of feminism.
“If you truly believe in yourself, and if you’re willing to put in the work, then you will get what you want.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I have always been interested in helping others learn how to be more successful in their careers, but it wasn’t until recently that I realized how much value there is in coaching. I know what it’s like to be in a position where you don’t know how you’re going to achieve your goals. It’s hard to keep up with everything when you don’t have the tools or resources that are needed to succeed at something. I believe that coaching is a powerful way for anyone to reach their full potential, regardless of their current state. In order to help others achieve this, I offer both one-on-one coaching sessions as well as group coaching, workshops, and training. My goal is to create a space where you can learn from other people’s experiences, become more knowledgeable about your own body language and mindset, and continue growing into a more confident person.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I grew up with enough privileges to have a good education, but my parents never gave me all or everything I wanted. I always knew I had to work myself for my wishes. I started teaching younger kids when I myself was in 8th grade. Since then, I have been related to teaching and coaching in one way or another. Before I started my own business coaching, I worked as an executive assistant for 6+ years. During those years, I was mainly working with coaches and taking their workload while they grew their businesses. I had been through the journey of coaches with success after success and with those who failed again and again. This gave me true insights into what works and what doesn’t. Now I am able to differentiate the patterns in the businesses that would lead to fully booked launches or just crickets. I was underpaid and overworked, but the knowledge and experience I gained from all those years are so much more valuable. Some of my clients trusted me fully with the systems that I wanted to implement while working as an executive assistant. They made $7k, $8.5, and $15k in their first month. That was my ah-ha! moment. I knew I could help a lot more people with my experience. And that is what we all are here for.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: If you truly believe in yourself, and if you’re willing to put in the work, then you will get what you want. If you don’t think that this is possible for you, then I’d recommend going back to square one and starting over with a different goal. But if it’s something that really matters to you and is important enough for you to spend time and energy on—if the goal is worth it to make sure it happens—then keep at it!
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: I don’t believe in superiority or inequality between genders, but I do believe in equality of opportunity for both genders. Feminism is about giving everyone an equal chance at success—and this means that everyone should have access to the same opportunities as anyone else. Feminism isn’t about male-bashing or misogyny; it’s about empowering all genders to realize their full potential by supporting each other in achieving equality.
Thank you for reading!
I am passionate about learning and am always taking new courses. I love how learning can keep you challenged and engaged. There is nothing more important than taking care of ourselves and developing ourselves as individuals. One of the best ways to do this is through personal development. It is something that can often be neglected, but it is so important. I am team tea; there is always a cup of tea on the desk.
When I started my business, I wished there was someone to help me organize everything and streamline my workflow. Having a partner to help carry the weight and be a shoulder to cry on would’ve been amazing. They could’ve helped me focus on the right things and prioritize all of the other bright and shiny ideas that can wait. If you need someone to help you with YOUR business, then I’m your girl!
A: I am most passionate about creativity. My life is defined by creating, making, and living my best life with intentionality. Over the past two years, while developing my Color Affirmation Program, I led a weekly meeting and podcast, the Global Art Café, where people from all over the world gathered over Zoom. I hosted artists, authors, and entrepreneurs and enjoyed many wonderful conversations. It provided a safe space for conversations and connection. I am passionate about sharing knowledge, creativity, and information in the arts. I believe by sharing our creative souls, we can find the healing we may not even know we need. I am currently taking a break from the Global Art Café as we get settled here in Arizona.
A photo from Colossal Cave Mountain. I am calling this my “EPIC” series of photos; I’m embracing the joy in manifesting my dreams!
I am currently working on my latest and biggest vision! All my past experiences in love, life, and work have brought me to where I am today. My husband is my biggest cheerleader and is the truest partner one could have. I am excited to be building this place that incorporates both of our skills and allows us to pursue our dreams and cultivate our creative pursuits. Our big vision is to provide a place for people to come and find rest. We are building a Wellness Center with a Healing Arts focus. The name is still under discussion! We are just getting started! I recently shared this on a Facebook post:
A place to recharge their souls with peaceful vistas.
A place to walk the labyrinth to release daily stresses.
A place to meditate in nature.
A place to listen to that still small voice inside.
A place to find yourself again.
A place to ignite your inner passions.
A place to stimulate your creative senses.
Come…
WALK THE LABYRINTH
TAKE THE JOURNEY
SPIRAL IN, SPIRAL OUT
FEEL THE CHANGE
BE THE CHANGE
COME, renew your true self under the shadows of Mica Mountain.
Find rest in the morning’s cool breezes here in Vail, Arizona.
The Labyrinth at our Dailey Ranch Retreat Center for Healing Arts and Wellness, official name to be announced. We are located in Old Vail, an unincorporated town of Tucson, Arizona.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I grew up in what I think is considered a traditional American family with a mother and father with one sibling. We lived in a nice house, in a nice neighborhood, and we had two cars and a cat. I was able to pursue my passions of playing cello and piano through private lessons. I played in a youth orchestra for many years which helped me grow as a musician and person. I eventually attended a private liberal college with multiple scholarships.
Leaves of Grass, pen and ink, 2020
Growing up, I was most impacted by the elderly neighbors who became my mentors as a young woman. To this day, they bring back my fondest memories of sharing ice cream or getting soda while listening to their stories. One neighbor, in particular, was the one who funded my private orchestra experience, paid for my first car, and shared stories of her youth and the importance of knowing how to read the stock market and much more. She was a constant supporter of my dreams and talents. I lived a block from my grandparents and spent lots of time with them too. From sleepovers to learning to sew, can fruit and vegetables, trips to the cabin, the county fair, and much more, they were a big part of my life!
My mom and dad were my biggest supporters, and I lacked for nothing. My first job was as a newspaper carrier for the Star Tribune. I started delivering them in the afternoons and over time had two routes that I delivered every weekend from the time I was 16 through graduating high school. My dad would go with me and I learned to drive a car during this time. We delivered when it flooded, we delivered when it was icy and when there were blizzards. I sprained my ankle falling down a steep set of stone stairs, I permanently damaged a front tooth collecting payment for the paper from customers, when I flew over the front of my bicycle…. and many times in winter, I walked the route with my eyes frozen shut because of the frost on my eyelashes.
We vacationed at the neighbor’s cabin on the shores of Lake Superior and also up in Park Rapids at a little cabin on 6th Crowing. Nature and time outside were a significant influence on my life. My dad taught me to fish and showed me how to take pictures. Later, we set up a dark room in our basement where I learned how to develop photographs. I also had my own workbench in his wood shop where I got to play around and build things. This definitely influenced my creative side. My mom taught me how to bake and cook and while out on walks, would point out all the details, kinds of leaves, trees, and flowers. I feel like I have the best of both of them in me.
Faith and music were really the backbones of our life. Spirituality often comes up in conversations. I do identify as a Christian and whether it is obvious or not, my motivation and foundation come from that belief system. I am open to discussion about it and often am in conversation with others about their faith walk. I aim to serve and be a light to those seeking peace and comfort in this world. We always had music, whether it was piano, cello, orchestra, or church choir. At college, I attended chapel daily and studied religion. I sang at a Billy Graham Crusade and have played cello for church events and on worship teams over the years. I’ve led bible studies, and women’s groups and even organized women’s retreats. It’s a big part of my story. All these things contribute to where I am now, building a Wellness Center with a Healing Arts focus with my husband.
Watercolor as the new year approached (2022) A stone cairn reminding me of what is ahead…ME. CREATE. US. RENEW. LET IT FLOW. It all starts with me and a reminder to let my dreams flow! I will find renewal along the way.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: Start manifesting and DOING what you love. The rest will follow. Believe in yourself. Do what it takes and never give up on your dreams.
Inspirational watercolor: It’s okay to be selfish. “Be selfish….Take the time you need to discover who you truly are.”
Q: What does feminism mean to you? A: To me, I have always seen feminism as a movement to gain equality for women in a world that has been predominately male-driven. I tend to steer away from political and highly charged religious discussions, but there are times I choose to use my art to create statements on feminism and political topics. I believe that women deserve to have the same opportunities as any other gender. I do believe that a woman should be allowed to make and take whatever actions she needs regarding her well-being without any discrimination or laws impeding her progress.
A Wellness Coloring book I created that is now available on my website along with a coloring book featuring my pen and ink drawings.
I think being a “Minnesota girl” has wired me to be more private about these views. That does not necessarily mean I don’t have opinions. I welcome one-on-one discussions or in-private forums where people are willing to be open-minded about a variety of topics.
MORE ABOUT LISA: I am originally from Anoka, Minnesota, USA. I grew up there and graduated from Anoka High School. I went to Augsburg College in Minnesota and graduated with a BA in art studio, German, and was a performance major, studying cello. I also spent a semester abroad at Heidelberg University in Heidelberg, Germany. I recently moved to Tucson, Arizona, with my husband. We have three adult children; two live in Minnesota and one lives in Wisconsin. We have one cat, Ted, who made the cross-country move with us.
*UPDATES* I will be offering color sessions, color coaching, and certification and releasing TWO new color affirmation decks at more accessible pricing, including one that will be just for kids!
*Announcements about our creative wellness/healing arts center will be coming soon, like the name and website!
40 foot labyrinth
2 private guest rooms
Shared full bath
Private art gallery featuring artists from US and Abroad
Color gardens, serenity path
Open spaces for yoga, tai chi, and meditation
Personal and group retreats
Art classes
Wellness retreats
Color path sessions
Private coaching
MY BIG PASSION, and dare I say the core of what will be my lifework. Over the past couple years, I have been developing my signature program, the Color Affirmation Program. I have created a healing arts coaching program that includes private Color Path Sessions, an online course, and an online certification course for licensed practitioners and professionals. I also offer private sessions to learn about your life path color and how you can transform your life.
The “I Am Colorfully Made” Deck is a 72-card daily inspirational deck that fuses art, color psychology, and numerology with original art and affirmations. Enjoy Kindle’s bright and colorful mixed media pieces along with daily affirmations to inspire positive action in your life. Promote inner well-being while reflecting on what it is you truly want for yourself. Kindle believes you can truly “empower yourself with color!”
I am currently creating two new decks that I will be releasing. One will be a special “kids” edition!
I have received testimonials from practitioners and other users about its impact on their lives.
A mindfulness coach from New York, USA says, “I love Lisa’s deck! It gives me simple directions for the day. The focus on color helps me connect to other aspects of my being. It helps me to live a vibrant, colorful life! –Raditia, Mindful Being LLC
A creativity coach from the UK says, “Lisa’s card deck is inspiring and exciting. I did a deck with my 6-year-old daughter and we spent a lovely time together talking about colors, and how it makes her feel. She designed the cards on her own while I found affirmations for her. Lisa’s material is clear and concise and is a great blueprint to create your own cards and feel inspired. I highly recommend buying this for you or a loved one.” –AJ, UK
A sampling of the affirmation cards found in my art & affirmation deck, “I Am Colorfully Made.”
I will be releasing my second deck, the “Color Affirmation Deck” soon and a third deck based on this program especially for kids!
The Woman Wednesday Blog 