Spirited Woman Blogger Team

Picking One Word As Your Guiding Light for Next Year

I recently saw a write-up by Mari Smith, the social media guruess, and it really got me thinking. She wrote about her tradition of picking one word to use as her guiding light for the year to come. I love this concept and have since been wondering what my word for the coming year should be.

Should it be "Spirited?" No I think that one belongs to our fearless leader Nancy Mills. She certainly has been spirited over this past year as she pulled together her dream project of the Spirited Woman 2012 Directory: Resources for An Inspired Life!. She stretched herself and tested herself and never, ever gave up on herself. Throughout her wonderful journey this past year she took many fellow spirited women along with her and thanks to Nancy we all grew.

Perhaps it could be "Inspiring" but actually I think that one belongs to Ann Keeler Evans. One of the women featured in the Spirited Woman 2012 Directory who shined her talented light on all of us through her gift of words. If you missed her amazing poetic contributions throughout the month of December, be sure to go to www.facebook.com/thespiritedwoman to read her inspiration in action.

So maybe it could be "Contribution" but that word is certainly linked with Katy Leakey. Katy too is a part of the Spirited Woman 2012 Directory and is a role model for us all. Not only is she a breathtaking mixture of creativity, elegance and adventure she has taken all of those wonderful qualities and wrapped them up in her caring contribution to help her Maasai family. The Leakey collection was created when Katy and her husband Philip sought a solution for the Maasai during a very difficult time. Spirited women the world over can now benefit from their beautiful work through the newly created Spirited Woman Jewelry Collection, with a percentage going to establish the new Spirited Woman Foundation.

Therefore, I think I will choose "Purpose."  For a while now I have danced around my purpose, played with it and basically made it a hobby. I am ready to live it. Now that is exciting!

How about you? What word fits what you would like 2012 to hold in store for you? What word could be your cornerstone, your beacon to light the path for the coming year? Take some time because if you take this seriously it could lead you to some pretty amazing things. Please share what word you choose in the comment section below so we can all cheer you on!

Wishing you a Spirited and Fabulous 2012!

- Dawn Z Bournand  www.fabulouslysuccessful.com
Click here to read more of Dawn's posts.

Oh la la, our American in Paris is back. A member of our original Spirited Woman Blogger Team, Dawn Z Bournand is passionate about empowering women worldwide to Live their Lives on Purpose. Founder and Director of Fabulously Successful she is an award-winning presenter, author and entrepreneur with a mission to help women live lives of inner and outer Fabulous Success. Dawn lives in the suburbs of Paris, France with her husband and three young boys (the lights of her life) and is currently creating a new group coaching program.

A Very Merry UnBirthday to You!

It is the eve of my youngest son's birthday as I write this post. Zayne could not be more excited about turning five and if truth be told he has been preparing for this day for about 364 days. The day after his fourth birthday he was already telling me what he wanted for his next birthday!

I loved his optimism and excitement for what the future held but as a conscientious mom, I let him know that birthdays are not just about presents and that things can only make you so happy. I am not sure his freshly 4-year-old brain took the message in, as he continued throughout the year to rattle off exactly what he wanted for his birthday. What a dreamer.

This evening as I carefully put the bow on his new two wheel bike I realized that my only half a decade old son was actually teaching me a very valuable life lesson: Get clear on what you want and then go for it. You see when Zayne decided he wanted a new bike nearly a year ago, he was not even riding a bike with training wheels yet. He wanted to be like his big brothers so he asked to learn how to ride one of their old bikes. He mastered the peddling action and training wheels in a few days and became king of the sidewalk.

As his 5th birthday approached, I reminded him that if he wanted that new bike he needed to learn to ride without training wheels. He immediately asked me to take him out and help him take his extra set of wheels off. First one wheel off and then after about 15 minutes he was ready to go trainer free. To my amazement he was teetering around on two wheels that very afternoon. Yes, I may be a proud mama but I was truly impressed by this little human being's dedication to making his goal a reality and his complete clarity on what it was he wanted.

I must admit it got me thinking about how wishy washy my goals and dreams have sometimes been. Sure I have to-do lists and ideas of what I want to happen but all too often I let the other priorities in life come knocking and push my big dreams out of the way. How about you what is on your wish list? Are you taking steps to bring it into your life or are you letting it come in last in the priority race?

What if you didn't have to wait for your birthday to start thinking about what you really want? No blowing out the birthday candles necessary, you can wish for and begin to reach for exactly what you want today. I am so grateful to my son for reminding me that setting and reaching goals is as easy as getting clear on exactly what it is you want and then taking the action to make it happen. So as the mad hatter in Disney's cartoon version of Alice in Wonderland sang "A very merry unbirthday to you." Now go make that unbirthday wish list!

- Dawn Z Bournand  www.fabulouslysuccessful.com
Click here to read more of Dawn's posts.

Oh la la, our American in Paris is back. A member of our original Spirited Woman Blogger Team, Dawn Z Bournand is passionate about empowering women worldwide to Live their Lives on Purpose. Founder and Director of Fabulously Successful she is an award-winning presenter, author and entrepreneur with a mission to help women live lives of inner and outer Fabulous Success. Dawn lives in the suburbs of Paris, France with her husband and three young boys (the lights of her life) and is currently creating a new group coaching program.

A Mother's Day Trio of Spirited Women

I recently had the uplifting pleasure of interviewing a businesswoman - Jan McCarthy (who lives in LA and Boulder) - and her two dynamo daughters Keeley, 24 and Caitlin, 21. Talk about Spirited Women! These three ladies follow their inner wisdom, don't take no for a final answer and believe that they can accomplish anything they set their hearts and minds to. Far from being what can negatively be referred to as "overachievers," Jan, Keeley and Caitlin remain true to themselves.

When they are being given an urge to do something, they know there is a usually a good reason for it and they follow that inner voice and live out their dreams! In honor of Mother's Day, I would like to introduce you to this inspiring trio and to share their message(s) with you. 

Mom, Jan McCarthy has launched several businesses, including Ladies Who Launch (in Los Angeles and Orange County), a company committed to helping women launch their dreams or grow their businesses and Back 2 Our Roots with her sister Lisa Hart to help small businesses along the path to success.

Keeley McCarthy, Jan's 24-year-old daughter, armed with an accounting degree from the University of Colorado, made the decision to take over as CEO of Travel En Vogue, one of the family businesses, right after graduating. Following in her mom's footsteps, she has also launched her own side endeavor, Keeley Kraft, a company that repurposes furniture in stunning makeovers.

Caitlin McCarthy, Jan's 21-year-old daughter, launched Part of the Art Productions in response to her acting career and creative endeavors when she was just 17 and has been self-supporting ever since. She stays actively involved in the commercial and theatrical industry, but has also added interior designer and furniture designer to her resume (she graduated from FIDM - a top LA fashion design school - in March, 2011).

Dawn:  What is your proudest achievement so far?
Jan: Well, aside from raising my two fabulous daughters who have beauty, spirit and compassion, I think that my biggest achievement is that I don't let setbacks stop me from going forward. I have defined myself and have not let anything in life or circumstances define me.
Keeley: So far I think it is taking control of the company and helping it grow. It has shown me what I am capable of.
Caitlin:  When I was 17 I moved to San Diego to film a television show called Watch Over Me. I was so young but I took my work really seriously and learned to be on my own before a lot of my peers were. It felt like a big independent step for me and it defined me and helped me become who I am now.

Dawn:  Caitlin and Keeley, do you feel that having such a wonderful role model in your mother was a great motivator for achieving so much so young?
Caitlin:  Growing up, I never really imagined that I couldn't achieve something that I wanted and I think that is because my mom never accepted no as an answer. When it came to her goals and her dreams, it was never really a question of whether she was going to do it but how she was going to do it. She has always encouraged Keeley and I. Also, seeing the work she does with Ladies who launch is a great inspiration and I really look to her to see what she is achieving and then believe it for myself.
Keeley:  I agree with Caitlin, I think 100% that my mom has been a huge motivation for everything I achieve. Her support is always unwavering and so strong, it has given me the confidence to take risks and not be so afraid of failure. Her success makes me believe it is possible.

Using Art as a Helping Hand

One of the most wonderful parts of being an ex-pat in Paris is that I meet fellow ex-pats from the world over. Other cultures fascinate me and I feel it is such a gift to have the opportunity to meet people who come from all corners of the world and to learn their stories.

When I came to Paris over 13 years ago, it was to learn photography. In my classes, there were students from around the globe studying alongside me. I made a number of lifelong friends during that program - many of them extremely talented artists. One of the students that truly stood out for me, was a young woman named Miki Nitadori. Her art, even then was exceptional and it has bloomed even more since. I have stayed in touch with Miki over the years and one of the many things that is so beautiful about her is that she shares her talents for the good of others. 

Miki's work has been featured in galleries around the world which seems to be only natural for someone raised in multiple cultures and countries: Japan, USA (Hawaii), and France. She has an affinity for cultural understanding and perhaps thanks to this quality she is a very open and giving person. Through her art, Miki has worked on various charitable projects and one that she has been deeply touched by is the one she is currently undertaking: Combat for Tohoku people.

Deeply disturbed by the tragedies in Japan, Miki decided to do something to help. She therefore launched a mission to assist through her photography series entitled: Combat.  She chose to put her sought after artwork online and allow people to offer a donation in exchange for the print itself or for the print to go to the people in the affected areas. She began this effort five days after the natural disasters in Japan and it has been a great success both in support for the people of Japan and also on a personal level for Miki.

She wrote on her blog on April 3rd, "This experience of donating my works and people buying pieces from this series, I am experiencing something that is important. If I resume this experience in one word, it is "Trust". Trust in my action, my feeling, my thoughts, my instinct and who I am. In other times, when people bought my work, they trusted my work but reasons and goals varied. As this moment, I have never felt this strong sense of collaboration with people who bought my work. We are taking a common action together through this series. We know that this action is important as we are deeply touched by what is going on in Tohoku."

For Spirited Women, International Women's Day is Every Day

Spirited Women the world over celebrated International Women's Day on March 8th. Yet, what you may not realize is that many of the celebrations are still taking place all month long and if you are a true Spirited Woman you just may want to carry the celebrations on all year long.

International Women's Day celebrated its 100th anniversary this year! Is that not amazing? When you consider that countries as "modern" as Switzerland did not even give women the right to vote until just 1971 (hard to believe, isn't it?), it is truly inspiring that this very worthy day has marked its centennial birthday.

The Official International Women's Day site has a plethora of information on events happening around the world and offers a fascinating read on the history of International Women's Day (with facts such as "over one million women and men attended the first International Women's Day rallies in 1911"). It was more than a little difficult to choose which event to share with you, but here are a few facts, figures and bits of info that I think you will find inspiring, unique and motivating.

On a solidarity note - The International Rescue Committee. This worthy organization is sending out a wake-up call to get the US government to continue their threatened financial support. The committee's founding members believe that "when given a chance, women and girls can build a better world." The Rescue Committee is asking US citizens to take the simple action of telling your Members of Congress that international programs are critical to protect and empower women and girls around the world. They have made it very easy to get your voice heard by creating an e-mail system that allows you to get in touch directly with a US Senator or House Representative. 

On a stylish note - The Red Pump Project. The 2nd annual Rock the Red fashion show is coming to Chicago on March 24th. The show organizers, The Red Pump Project, raise awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls. Founded in March, 2009 by Luvvie Ajayi and Karyn Watkins, Red Pump believes that if HIV affects one, it affects us all. They use the red shoe as a symbol of empowerment to represent the strength and courage of women infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The incorporation of fashion into the message of HIV prevention is their contribution to show that Awareness is Always in Style!?

Daily Love From a Spirited Man

My post today is a bit different. I've had the pleasure to interview some amazing spirited women for The Spirited Woman but today, to spread a bit of daily love, I am interviewing a very enlightened Spirited Man, Mastin Kipp. Mastin's message is powerful, inspiring, and empowering. It was Nancy Mills, our fabulous founder, who suggested that I speak with Mastin and I think you'll be very glad she did. 

To give you a very brief background, Mastin Kipp, age 28, is an entrepreneur and writer from Los Angeles, CA. He is the founder of The Daily Love which is a website, daily email and Twitter account that's merging pop culture with inspiration. The Daily Love inspires almost 400,000 people a day. Mastin is also a regular contributor to The Huffington Post. The Daily Love, which began in 2005, has become one of the fastest growing inspirational Twitter accounts and email lists on the internet today.

Mastin believes that no matter what path you walk in life - inspiration and self-esteem - is needed to live up to your highest potential. His goal is to bring practical and ancient wisdom to the forefront of people's daily lives. With no further ado, I would like to introduce you to Mastin.

Dawn: How did your idea for The Daily Love come about? 
Mastin: Well that is a very profound question because I don't know if anyone knows where ideas come from but I think that along my journey I was trying to find an idea that allowed me two things. One, to be of service and to contribute and two, to be able to express my creativity. That's something I have been looking for my entire life.

The idea for The Daily Love has been refined over the years and it also has been called forth from our readers. I really believe in open source platforms where you start with an idea but say to yourself, "I'm only one person and I want to see how the subscribers react, how the users react and see what intuitively comes." There wasn't this moment where I said, "that's what I want it to be." It was more like, "Hey, I want to share some ideas." And it began gaining momentum and every step of the way, a new layer unfolded.

The result today has actually come from five years of effort. I think that one of the most important things for anyone out there who is interested in starting a business is to understand that you can only steer a car and course correct as it is moving and the most important thing is maybe not to wait for perfect inspiration but to just get started and course correct as you go.

A Spirited Woman Interview with SARK

Just recently I had the very wonderful opportunity to speak with the best-selling author and artist SARK (aka Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy). With sixteen titles in print and well over two million books sold, it’s clear that her message is one people need and want to hear. Her fabulous titles include the national bestsellers Succulent Wild Woman, Bodacious Book of Succulence, Eat Mangoes Naked, Prosperity Pie, and Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper. Her newest book is Glad No Matter What – Transforming Loss and Change into Gift and Opportunity, it is perhaps her most personal and therefore in my opinion, her most profound book to date.

SARK is also the founder and CEO of Planet Sark, a world all its own that is just an internet surf away. At Planetsark you can discover SARK’s innovative products and services to support empowered living. SARK lives and creates in San Francisco, CA in what she likes to call her Magical Cottage. On the evening that I spoke to her, she was traveling on a book tour. On behalf of the Spirited Woman community, I had the opportunity to ask SARK a bit about her life, her work and her dreams.  (There is also a full audio version of this interview available at: www.fabulouslysuccessful.com/sark).

Dawn: Welcome SARK, have I missed any essential elements about you that you would like to share with our readers?
SARK: Just that I live and love as what I call a full cup of self-love sharing the overflow with the world. And when I feel like a half-empty cup, I use the transformational practices that I describe in my newest book, Glad No Matter What. Let’s be sure to start by telling people this is not a book about feeling glad when you don’t. How Annoying!

Dawn: I love that you talk about that, because it is exactly what we think we are supposed to do. Some of us start feeling guilty about not feeling good all the time.
SARK: Not only is it ok, it is essential!  So many great things grow in the dark.

Spirited Women See Life In Pink

It was in my senior year at University that I was formally accused of seeing life through rose colored glasses. When my English Literature teacher handed back my report on The Heart of Darkness with a look of disgust I simply had to read his note scrawled on the front page to understand he did not share my optimistic view of humanity. His note read: “Take off your rose colored glasses and see the world as it really is”. Thank goodness I didn’t take his advice. I continue to view life in rosy pink and apparently much of the world agrees with that take on things. Well, for the month of October at least.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and hopefully everywhere you go you will be seeing pink. This optimistic color was chosen as the color for the campaign 25 years ago when the whole idea took root. Today, companies everywhere are joining the cause and thanks to the growing support and countless supporters, breast cancer is becoming more and more curable every day.

Here are a few companies you might want to consider making a purchase from this month to let them know you too want to be a part of the cure:

Avon – This woman friendly company is always a huge supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Not only do they sell the classic pink ribbon lapel pin they also offer a gorgeous flowery tote, a pretty in pink watch, special foot cream for those walkathon tired out feet and more. Check out their full selection. 

Design her Gal  - If you haven’t yet checked this website out, surf on over right away and tell a friend or two about it too. This fun girly idea allows you to create your own icon that walks the web in support of Breast  Cancer Awareness. Oprah’s a fan, go see why!

Kara Ackerman – Oh so feminine jewelry designer Kara Ackerman creates some of the most beautiful jewelry I have seen recently. Her designs work for day or night, office or play. Her entire collection is worth a wear but she has come up with a very unique design to show her support for breast cancer. Her lovely gold chain, pink ribboned necklace gives you yet one more solid reason to show your support.

Alexandra Wilkis Wilson - Co-Founder of Gilt Groupe - Creates Her Own Luck

Some women seem to have all the luck but spirited women know that "creating your own luck" is how to make things really happen. Luxury e-tailer Gilt Groupe co-counder Alexandra Wilkis Wilson lives this philosophy. A multi-lingual (she speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian) Harvard undergrad and MBA grad, working mom and business woman extraordinaire, she proves that you truly can accomplish anything you dream - when you simply mix in a healthy dose of massive action.

Alexandra and her co-founding partner Alexis Maybank brought Gilt Groupe to life just three years ago and in that short time they have made a significant impact on the world of fashion - making their company a household name for fashionistas in both the US and Japan. In fact, their company was named one of Fast Company's "The World's Most Innovative Companies 2010," coming in at an  impressive 21st place.

Not resting on their successful laurels though - the team has plans for global expansion. National expansion is already underway as the exciting new branch of the Gilt Groupe, Gilt City, is available in a number of towns (Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles) offering local style and lifestyle deals to their rapidly growing list of devotees. More Gilt Cities are in the works.

Recently, I had the opportunity to ask Alexandra about her entrepreneurial endeavors, her passions and her goals for the future. I urge you to let this Spirited Woman inspire you to act on your dreams and pursue what makes you shine.

Dawn: Can you tell me a bit about yourself? Take us beyond what we can read in your bio. What would you like spirited women worldwide to know about you?
Alexandra: I grew up in New York City where I went for 10 years to a girl's school called The Brearley School. I subsequently attended and graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. I love to travel and have lived abroad in various stages of my life but I always end up back in my hometown, the Big Apple. My mother is originally from Cuba, so I grew up in a multicultural home and speak five languages. I was married in May 2007 at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, FL. My husband is Kevin Wilson, and he is a Director in Citi's Foreign Exchange division. We live on the Upper East Side with our six-month-old-son, Conrad.

Dawn: What are your top business tips for women entrepreneurs?
Alexandra: Always be flexible and resilient, and always listen to your gut instinct. And smile!

Adventurer, Spirited Woman Extraordinaire - Katy Leakey - Lives Amongst the Maasai

I have had the pleasure to speak with some amazing women on behalf of Spirited Woman but when I had the opportunity to speak with Katy Leakey, I was more than a little thrilled. I first heard of Katy when I discovered the amazing Leakey Collection Zulu grass jewelry line. I read a bit about the company and its founders Katy and her husband, Phillip, and was immediately impressed. Fast forward to the present when I learned that there would be an opportunity to speak with Katy while she was back home stateside in California, where she used to live. I of course jumped at the chance. 

Katy is not only a spirited and adventurous woman, she is truly giving, open and oh-so-interesting. She was trained as an artist and she did very well with her craft. As she began to combine her love of art with her love of adventure, she began to create some amazing experiences for herself. It was when her adventurer’s heart was won by Philip Leakey of the famous Leakey family of paleo-anthropologists, though that Katy discovered a whole new life.

Katy and Phillip live amongst the Maasai in Kenya, Africa and have developed such a deep relationship with the tribe that when the tribe’s people most needed help, Katy and Philip stepped right up. They found a brilliant and beautiful solution along the lines of the ‘teach a man to fish’ theory. Now a well established and profitable company, the Leakey Collection features handmade jewelry created by the Maasai themselves.

My time with Katy was completely inspiring and uplifting. Perhaps her words will even motivate you to follow her lead and pursue your dreams and adventurous callings. After all, you are a Spirited Woman too! 

Dawn:  Katy, when I hear your story and all that you have accomplished in your life so far, the words, brave, unstoppable and passionate come to mind.  Do you think these words describe you well? Are there other words that you feel suit you better?
Katy:  I don’t know about brave, definitely passionate! I get very fired up and inspired by ideas; especially when I can see a structure that can benefit people or the environment. I love contributing to making a better world.

Dawn: It seems that you have always had an entrepreneur’s heart. Did it ever occur to you to take your passion for art into a more structured career such as teaching or running an art gallery?
Katy: Absolutely not! I need a much larger variety than either of those two offers could provide.