JULY 2006

SPIRITED WOMAN NEWSLETTER
Copyright Nancy Mills, 2006.
Issue 38. All rights reserved.
http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com

CIRCULATION: 2,501 (and growing!)

PLEASE FORWARD TO OTHER SPIRITED WOMEN

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CONTENTS

- Spirited Woman Quote
- Editor's Spirited Message
- Spirited Woman Circle Guest - Marcia Wallace
- Spirited Woman Q & A – Laurel Touby
- Upcoming Spirited Woman Workshops
- Host a Spirited Woman Workshop
- Spirited Woman! Store
- Spirited Woman Certificate
- Blog ? of the Month
- Join the Spirited Woman Club - Get a Free Listing

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SPIRITED WOMAN QUOTE

     “Commit deeply to your passions and you will soar to heights beyond your dreams.” - Nancy Mills

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EDITOR'S MESSAGE

Welcome to the world of SPIRITED WOMANHOOD.

Firecrackers. Chili dogs. Outdoor barbecues. Fun & family. The beach. That's why this month's newsletter is a few days late. I hope your July 4th weekend was beyond spirited. Fantabulous in fact.

Well! Are you ready for another fun change? After three years of the same newsletter format, I finally took the plunge and changed it. Added some pzazz, colorful pictures, and tightened it up. A few more new things are in store, too. I wanted to make it more user-friendly for you. So what do you think? Let me know.

Things are on the move in SPIRITED WOMAN land in July - hey, bring out the drums! Several Spirited Woman Workshops are coming up, a great Spirited Woman Circle conversation with actress/author Marcia Wallace, and I'll be guesting on the Maria Sanchez radio show, and appear in an upcoming "Santa Barbara News Press" article. She-bang as they say!

And this month, I'm really excited to announce that our SPIRITED WOMAN Q&A is with dynamo Laurel Touby, the founder, CEO, and cyberhostess of the ultra hip, hugely successful media community Mediabistro.com. Laurel is one of the leading women entrepreneurs in the county, and she is definitely on the pulse of where it's at and where it's going. In her revealing, candid interview - her determination, persistence, and focus literally leap from the cyper-page . She's a total inspiration!

As always, I would like to thank you for your support, comments, enthusiasm, and friendship. And for those of you new to the newsletter, I'd like to welcome you to our growing numbers. YOU inspire me, always. And I genuinely look forward to meeting you (again or for the first time) in person at a SPIRITED WOMAN Workshop or within our new SPIRITED WOMAN CIRCLE.

The SPIRITED WOMAN Newsletter is meant to be fun, informative, and inspirational. Your free monthly tool to stay connected with other spirited women nationwide. I welcome you forwarding this newsletter to ALL your spirited friends.

Nancy Mills
Founder Spirited Woman

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SPIRITED WOMAN CIRCLE
MARCIA WALLACE

Tuesday, July 11, 10am PST is our next SPIRITED WOMAN CIRCLE "up close & personal" 1-hour phone conversation. Our special guest is Marcia Wallace, (Carol on the "Bob Newhart" TV show) and author of "Don't Look Back We're Not Going That Way."

Funny. Open. With a never-say-die-attitude. Marcia really looks forward to chatting with you and to answering your questions.

Remember: If you sign up and miss the call, you'll receive either a MP3 or PDF version.

Next Month: On August 1, 10am PST, our guest is famed mystery author Rochelle Krich "Where's Mommy Now?"

Please join us! We've also got a series special. To sign-up go to: http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/spirited_woman_circle/

Past Spirited Woman Circle 1-hr. Conversations Available: Author Janet Fitch, NPR Radio Personality Frances Halpern, Hollywood Reporter Calendar Editor Selena Templeton, Author Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey. Buy in MP3 or PDF format. $15 ea. They're so wonderful.  

To order, go to: http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/registration/

TELL A FRIEND ABOUT THE SPIRITED WOMAN CIRCLE.

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SPIRITED WOMAN Q & A
LAUREL TOUBY

You know, sometimes you just go to a party, and things just happen. Bada-bing. Bada-boom. That's how I met Laurel Touby, not really, but sort of. Now to the story.

A dear friend told me about Mediabistro.com, this "really cool site for the media,"she said, and that they host great parties for scribes, pr pros, designers, and just about anyone else in the media biz. As fate would have it, (are there any accidents?) they were hosting a party in LA - they host them all over the world - and I attended.

Before I went, I checked out their site again, and found out the owner was a WOMAN (Laurel) who operates her biz from Manhattan. That's when a light bulb went off. I thought wouldn't it be great to interview her for Spirited Woman. So, when I went to the party, I asked her LA exec Erwin (whom I had just met) if I might interview Laurel.  One thing led to another and to my surprise and delight, Laurel said yes. Bada-bing. Bada-boom.

Personally, I find Laurel to be amazing. A 1981 graduate of Smith College in economics, she was born in Hawaii, raised in Miami, and "escaped" to New York, where she became a top journalist for such pubs as "Glamour, " and "Business Week." But writing can be a pretty lonely road and in 1993, she and a friend had a brainstorm - why not host a mixer for media people, where we can meet some like-minded friends? Ten people came to the party, a "huge success," she says, "because that was five more people than I knew."

That party was the beginning of Mediabistro and how it evolved is quite a story. Laurel now employs 22 people, her site receives over 5 million hits a month, and her annual revenue is 5 million plus from the 450,000 people who've signed up for the various Mediabistro's services - from job listings, bulletin boards, classes, freelance marketplace and more.

Laurel is a persistent fighter. Married to Jon Fine, she now lives in Brooklyn. A woman who has made her own advantages Laurel's interview is really inspiring.

Q. When you began Mediabistro what was your goal or perhaps said another way what was your vision for it?
A. Well, my vision started with a cocktail party, because I really didn’t envision having a website or a business at all. I envisioned a party that was fun and engaging, where I could meet like-minded media professionals and we could talk shop. It wasn’t even my idea for the party it was actually a colleague's, a freelance writer named Russell Baker. So literally the business started with that first party in 1993, and we had about 10 people and it was a huge success, because that was five more people than I knew. The party evolved into an e-mail newsletter in about ’96, and into a website in 1997. But in 1999, I saw that Monster and Hot Jobs were making money off their job listing sites and I thought maybe this is a business. Up until that point it really was just a hobby. But we had the best job listings in media on our site, so I thought, hum, this could be something. I started asking employers posting jobs to the website if they were happy they could send a check for $100 to this PO box. Eight people sent in checks that first month and that is what launched the business.

Q. What about you and your concept do you think kept Mediabistro growing?
A. I think the part about me is – I’m like you – I’m very diligent and I’m very attentive to details and I’m extremely persistent. So that is a good combination for being a small business owner because you really have to just persist and persist and get all the details right and keep doing it over and over again. It’s interesting because I remember in the beginning it was all about keeping in touch with customers. That meant on the phone, at the parties, over e-mail – but I’ll never forget, I kept hammering away at the message and the message was always the same – what can I do for you, how can I help, here’s what I’m already doing check it out. I was constantly telling people about the product that wasn’t even a product at the time, but I wanted them to use it. So when people would send me a job listing through e-mail, I’d say you can put up the job listing – here go to my website. Check it out. Post your own jobs. Instead of me typing it up for them, I would get them in the habit of using the website. I guess just being persistent in every single interaction with your customer.

Q. You got to the point where you needed to bring financing into the business – why is creating a business plan so vitally important for any woman in business?
A. I don’t know if you are aware of this but I use to write about business for "Glamour," "Working Woman," and "Business Week," so I knew early on – if I wanted to make this into something, I needed to have capital. I also knew to get capital you needed a business plan. It wasn’t a natural thing for me to create. I can honestly tell you that I wouldn’t have been able to do it on my own. I needed help not with the writing or the concept but with financial projections and the numbers. So very early on I contacted a lot of people who were experts in their field, and I just asked for help and I said I don’t have any money right now, but I’m going to have a business that’s going to grow, and I’ll give you some stock in the future company if you’ll help me right now. I strongly advise writing a business plan because of the discipline it gives you about really thinking through your product and your services and your company. But even better – before you write your business plan talk to your customer and do surveys and focus groups and things like that. They don’t have to be expensive, but you need to have a very good handle on what your customer wants, what they’re willing to pay, and how you’re going to market. I had a lot of customer research from years of doing cocktail parties.

Q. You refer to yourself as the founder, CEO, and cyberhostess of Mediabistro. Explain your role as a cyberhostess?
A. It’s making people welcome. Making people feel that they belong there at the party because they’ve been invited – everyone is an invited guest. It’s also helping them meet each other – not letting them sit by themselves at the party or feel disconnected or alienated, because so many parties I’ve been too I’ve felt all those things. I’m trying to be the anti-alienation hostess. In terms of being a cyberhostess for the site, I’m kind of the person who makes people who come to the site feel welcome and feel connected to one another. A lot of people write to me and they don’t believe that I exist. They just think I am kind of an avatar – they think I’m the site avatar. I guess as cyberhostess I serve as the figurehead of this connected website.

Q. I know you are known for wearing colorful feather boas – why do you wear them and what do they symbolize for you?
A. I wear the boas as a way for people to find me in a room – so they are very practical, but they symbolize freedom because honestly I used to go to other people’s cocktail parties and I was too afraid to approach anybody. And the boa allows me to become the hostess and to approach total strangers and not be shy. Because fundamentally, I’m shy.

Q. Do you think it helps being somewhat of a personality in business?
A. I think it helps and it hurts. It’s certainly gets me a lot of attention on Gawker.com, which is this website that loves to make fun of me, so that is where it doesn’t help, because it makes you into a target. I don’t have a thick skin, I am extremely thin skinned, and it really bugs me every time someone writes something mean about me. It helps to have a personality because people will want to work with you, people enjoy the sense of fun I bring to the party, and they love the spirit that I bring to every interaction whether business or personal. I like to say I combine the personal with the professional at Mediabistro. I really believe business can be a personal thing it doesn’t have to be so professional.

Q. What do you do to keep yourself balanced?
A.  I have to exercise an hour a day – I know that’s not much for you California women, but in New York – people look at you funny when you say you’re not going out to lunch, you’re going to the gym instead. Eating well, going to movies, things like that. Sometimes I have to avoid media though, because media is a reminder of my business, and if I’m really upset reading an article by a journalist whose name I know, it might upset me even more. It's hard to un-plug from the media – it’s on TV, it’s online – movies are probably my only safe venue because they are a total escape and I’m not in the movie business – yet. Twice a week I run with a coach. It’s really hard – I can’t think of anything else right at that moment.

Q. Spirited Woman is a growing on-line and off-line community and Mediabistro is a HUGE on-line and off-line community  – why do you feel a sense of community is so vitally important today?
A. I think it has become more and more important. People don’t really have the type of communities that they used to. If you go back over history community was where you lived. Right? Your neighborhood, your little block. There are more and more barriers to that kind of community. People don’t say hello to each other even in the same building. Religion isn’t bringing people together in the same ways. Working for companies no longer provides you with a strong community because you are so disposable. So I think as the individual finds fewer and fewer outlets for community, places like Spirited Woman and Mediabistro become more important in their lives. The traditional means for creating community are no longer as strong and that’s why these organic communities based on enthusiasm or a hobby or an occupation resonate with people.  I think this is the future of community – organic little creatures like ours.

Q. Laurel, why do you feel that you are a Spirited Woman?
A. Because I really didn’t start with all the advantages. Yes, I had a really great education, I went to Smith College, but honestly, that only gets you so far. I did not have a lot of advantages growing up before college in my hometown of Miami. I came to a big giant city and made my own advantages and that is really hard to do and not a lot of people survive here, much less succeed on the level that I’ve succeeded on. I’m really proud to say I’m a Spirited Woman for those reasons.

THANK YOU LAUREL. KEEP ON CHANGING THE WORLD.

Laurel Touby welcomes hearing from you. She invites you to visit her website at: http://www.mediabistro.com.  

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES: http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/newsletter/
Presently there are 38 past interviews online for you to read.

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SPIRITED WOMAN MEDIA COVERAGE

GOOD NEWS! For those of you who live in the North Valley, Ventura, and Santa Barbara area – Nancy will be the guest on the Maria Sanchez Morning Show on KKZZ (The Connection 1590 AM) live at 8:15 am. Come on, tune-in and join us!

For more press info go to: http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/press/. There’s some great interviews and wonderful past radio interviews to download on your IPOD.

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UPCOMING SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOPS

Featured workshop locale the Black Box Theater in LA.

Who-ee! More and more women are attending the SPIRITED WOMAN workshop across the country. Over 700 have signed up to date. 

The SPIRITED WOMAN Workshop includes three hours of creative playfulness and growth. Emphasizes your ALIVENESS and reinforces YOU ARE ENOUGH AS YOU ARE. Great for transitions, movement, fun. Attendees range from writers/artists/healers to business owners. Led by Nancy Mills, Creator of the Spirited Woman Approach to Life. Limited to 12 women. Offered at amazing locales.

2006 SUMMER/EARLY FALL WORKSHOP CALENDAR

SANTA BARBARA - Saturday, July 22, 2006
1-4 pm, Private Estate (TBA to attendees)

LOS ANGELES - Saturday, July 29, 2006
1-4pm, Black Box Theater, 12420 Santa Monica Blvd. 90025

BOULDER - Saturday, September 16, 2006
1-4 pm., Prema Rose's Creative Space Studio, 6231 Fourmile Canyon, Boulder, CO 80302
Find out about our Special Buddy Rate for this workshop.

BOULDER - Sunday, September 17, 2006
1-4 pm., Prema Rose's Creative Space Studio, 6231 Fourmile Canyon, Boulder, CO 80302
Find out about our Special Buddy Rate for this workshop.

REMEMBER: Take a workshop & you'll get a FREE LINK & a FREE 60-WORD newsletter ad on our website - forever!

For more info on the workshops and to see new workshop pictures please go to:
http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/spirited_woman_workshop/. You can also call Nancy Mills at her toll free number: 888-428-1234 (in Santa Barbara call 805-698-3555) or e-mail her at: NancyMills@TheSpiritedWoman.com.

To sign-up, credit cards are accepted on-line at: http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/signup/ and via phone at 888-428-1234. Workshop checks are mailed to: Nancy Mills, P.O. BOX 20042, Santa Barbara, CA 93120. Checks must be received within 10 days of making a reservation. All payments due in advance of each Spirited Woman Workshop. All reservations final.

And, if you're wondering…the SPIRITED WOMAN Workshop has been held in the following cities to date: 

LOS ANGELES
NASHVILLE
PORTLAND
EUGENE
ASHLAND
LAS VEGAS
LAUGHLIN
SAN FRANCISCO
SANTA BARBARA
SAN DIEGO
BERKELEY
MAUI
OAKLAND
SEATTLE
CARLSBAD
PHILADELPHIA
KAUAI
SACRAMENTO

UPCOMING NEW CITY:
BOULDER

TELL A FRIEND ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS.

WHY NOT MAKE YOUR CITY NEXT?

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HOST A SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP

.... In your city. Here's Nancy with hostess with the mostess, Susan Duval, of the Health & Wellness Center in Philadelphia.

It's great fun! You'll love it. Anyone who hosts a workshop in their home or business receives a free workshop, great publicity, and a chance to meet other fantabulous women. Since the workshop size is small, most spaces work out ideally. If you'd like to host a workshop, go to our host page and fine out how to do it: http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/host_a_workshop/. Or please feel free to call Nancy at 888-428-1234.

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SPIRITED WOMAN! STORE

Spirited Woman Selena Templeton models our FREEDOM scarf. AVAILABLE IN NEW JUICY SUMMER COLORS.   

We've decided to extended our blow-out scarf sale to July 15th. We're in the spirited mood. Regularly $25 - NOW $20 & SHIPPING IS FREE. Buy 5 scarves and the sixth one is free.

To order go to: http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/spirited_woman_scarves/

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SPIRITED WOMAN CERTIFICATE

BE SURE to give a Spirited Woman Gift Certificate. You can give a gift certificate for a workshop, a Spirited Woman Circle conversation, any of our store products, and even to place an ad in our newsletter! The certificate is available on-line or by calling Nancy Mills at 888-428-1234. MAKES A GREAT GIFT. Easy, affordable & inspirational.

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THE SPIRITED WOMAN BLOG

For those of you who have never blogged – don’t worry – we have really easy instructions on our blog page on how to post. So, please try it. It’s fun!

Here’s the July blog ? of the month: Any “spirited” travel adventures you’d like to share?

Just click on: http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/go_blog_blog_blog/

We really, really want to know. ALSO keep those other blog posts coming in too - and BE SURE TO TELL US WHY YOU FEEL YOU ARE A SPIRITED WOMAN. We want to know that too.

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THE SPIRITED WOMAN CLUB - LISTING BOARD

NEW FEATURE! PUT YOUR PICTURE (OR LOGO OR PRODUCT SHOT) UP WITH YOUR AD.

Here's the good news. If you have taken the SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP you are automatically a member of the SPIRITED WOMAN CLUB, and you'll receive a FREE listing (up to 60 words) - monthly. For those of you who have not taken the workshop (come on girls, you need to join the club!) - the listing is $25 per month per listing or $40 per month with a photo! What a great deal!

For past workshop attendees, to ad a photo to your one free 60-word listing it's $15 additional/per month.

This listing board is a great way to advertise your service, business, workshop, event or WHATEVER - and to stay connected with other spirited women. Currently, the newsletter reaches over 2,500 women. Think of it as your very own SPIRITED WOMAN DIRECTORY. Be sure to check out what other women are offering and support them!  Also, see below HOW TO PLACE A LISTING.

Our current ads are featured in the newsletter. More newsletter listings are at: http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/newsletter_ad/

YOUR LUCKY DAY ~ ONE FENG SHUI! Join us as feng shui master China Rose demonstrates the tips & tricks of feng shui to discover amazing ways that increase true luck & happiness. Treat yourself to this inspiring event Saturday, August 12, 2006 @ the American Film Institute in Hollywood. View promo, buy tickets & get info: www.onefengshui.com / 323.953.8388

JOIN US IN BALI: PURPOSE, PASSION, PROSPERITY. 70% of Americans are unhappy in their careers, have unfulfilling relationships and not much time to pursue activities that gives them pleasure and joy. With the most affluent generation in history reaching middle-age, these facts are sobering and saddening, knowing most people will die with their dreams still buried in
their hearts. www.mauigoddess.net

THE DIVINE FEMININE INSTITUTE: EMBODY YOUR ECSTASY – Caroline Muir & Joan Heartfield, Ph.D. Programs for men and women. A synergy of Tantra, Tao & Spiritual Psychology. http://www.divine-feminine.com.

JOY MANIFESTING TELESEMINAR – Every Monday 6 pm PST at 605-772-3300 and 569 569#. Learn the science and magic of manifestation. Rotating presenters, including master channeling. Followed by an invitation to an abundant life without debt.

HUGS, HOPE AND PEANUT BUTTER: Bouncing Back After Hitting Bottom. Humorous essays illustrated by critically ill children. An inspiring book for any woman who's faced tough times. And isn't that EVERY woman?  Laugh out loud as the author recounts in Erma Bombeck style, her own life experiences and lessons learned from them. http://www.hugsandhope.org/pb.htm

THE GIRL BLUE PROJECT is a FREE, self-awareness program for teen girls combined with the performing arts and community service.  Our sole purpose is to awaken the truest potential in young women by promoting discipline, non-judgment, self-acceptance and self-discovery.  We are a grassroots, 501(c)(3) organization funded by individual and in-kind donations.  For more information and to support us visit: http://www.thegirlblueproject.org.

BARBARA SCHIFFMAN: TUNE IN TO THE MOON as your energy-map for structuring projects, goals &/or life-shifts. Learn to  use the Moon's phases to focus and energize your projects or goals from EvoLuminus Coaching's Barbara Schiffman. Her Moon Cycle MasterMind includes weekly group phone sessions with guided Zodiac meditations plus online support and networking all month long.  Info: 818-846-3043 or mooncycle@charter.net.

"SHARING WITH WRITERS" is the official Authors' Coalition
(http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com ) newsletter. We're a group of serious writers--experienced and aspiring--who are dedicated to the mutual support and development of each others' careers. Sign-up by sending an e-mail with "subscribe" in the subject line to: HoJoNew@aol.com

CUDDLE PARTIES in SF BAY AREA!  Come join other spirited women (and men!) for the kind of pajama-party-non-sexual touch we used to love as kids, with the added benefit of heartful, respectful communication.  A most inspiring, rejuvenating way to spend an afternoon!  For more info, e-mail: suz@cuddlepartysf.com

WE’LL COACH YOUR INNER INNOVATOR OUT OF HIDING - Feeling stuck in your own business? Need to design more innovative products or services? Are you a coach, trainer, manager or artist who needs inspiring new programs? Seeking a creative retirement? At Creative Sage, we design exceptional creativity programs for businesses, nonprofits and individuals. Contact Cathryn Hrudicka, Chief Imagination offer: sage@CreativeSage.com www.CreativeSage.com

PARLOR PERFORMANCES - Jeannine Frank's "accidental performing arts series" (now in its 16th year!) presents comedy, cabaret, authors, & more in a cozy West LA concert hall -- and also books artists for fundraisers, conventions and special events. For free monthly e-calendar or more info, contact Jeannine at frankent1@juno.com or call (310) 476-6735.

HOW TO PLACE A LISTING

E-mail a 60 word or less description of your listing (word count must include phone number and such) by the last day of each month (i.e., July 30 for August 1 issue) to: NancyMills@TheSpiritedWoman.com and put "LISTING BOARD" in the subject line. The same applies to photos and a JPEG (no larger than 200 pixels) is required.

All past SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP attendees receive ONE FREE 60-word listing EACH MONTH. To ad a  photo it costs $15 monthly. All additional listings are $25 per item per month, and with photo $40 per month.

For those of you who have NOT attended the SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP it cost $25 per listing per month or $40 with photo. Please follow the above instructions.

You can pay for listing via credit cards online at: http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/newsletter_ad/ or by calling Nancy Mills at 888-428-1234. Checks for all payable listings are to be received in advance of the next monthly issue (August 1) and sent to: Nancy Mills, P.O. BOX 20042, Santa Barbara, CA 93120.

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Permission is granted to reproduce, copy or distribute the SPIRITED WOMAN newsletter with the understanding that the copyright notice and all the content is to be attributed to Nancy Mills, the SPIRITED WOMAN Newsletter. Copyright Nancy Mills, July 2006. All rights reserved.

Please Note: The Q&A portion of the newsletter IS NOT available for use in and of itself unless written permission is given by Nancy Mills.  Recently, someone posted our Q&A on her blog without my permission and that is not okay.

THANKS FOR YOUR SPIRIT!  SPIRITED WOMEN!  AND YOUR SUPPORT!

PLEASE FORWARD THIS NEWSLETTER TO EVERY SPIRITED WOMAN YOU KNOW!

Nancy Mills
SPIRITED WOMAN
PO Box 20042
Santa Barbara, CA 93120

Office Number: 805-698-3555
Toll-Free Number: 888-428-1234

E-Mail Address: NancyMills@thespiritedwoman.com
SPIRITED WOMAN Website: http://www.thespiritedwoman.com

Privacy Policy: The Spirited Woman Way is to keep our newsletter/mailing list under wraps. It is not for sale even to a goddess. 

YOU ARE SUBSCRIBED TO THIS NEWSLETTER.

To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, place "unsubscribe" in the subject line and e-mail:     NancyMills@thespiritedwoman.com

LET'S HEAR IT FOR SPIRITED WOMEN EVERYWHERE!