After hitting record for over two years, I’ve decided to end this show. In this episode I’m joined live for a conversation on why I decided this, how I came to the decision, and what it’s taught me about how others react when hearing about big life and business decisions. We talk about: How important it is to get quiet, Getting over the fear of losing connection when you’re not pumping out content, The push and pull between relevancy and authenticity, Separating what you want from what you think you should want, and LIstening to — what Oprah calls — the whispers of the universe. Stay connected long after this show has ended by signing up to receive emails from me: www.patternofpurpose.com.

Pattern of Purpose

119: The Final Episode - Transitions + Turning Points

Business growth can, at times, feel like you’re on a roller coaster — anticipating the unknown is scary and invigorating. Before you know it you’ve become addicted to the act of climbing and bottoming out — so addicted, in fact, that you feel you have to steer the cart at all times. Aside from not being a very effective way to run a business, this makes stepping away and trusting a team quite difficult. As my final interviewee, Karen Sergeant, helps us to understand how to prevent bottleneck behaviors and bridge the gap between good ideas and good execution. Working in the CIA, she cut her teeth in what she calls “the hardest parts of the world” and is using those skills to help small businesses. A pro at surfing ambiguity and uncertainty, Karen has great tips for delegation, creating systematic frameworks, and keeping business fun while also effective.  In this episode we talk about: Walking away from a dream job; The differences in operating as a freelancer and a business owner; What boring money is and why we overlook it; How you know if you need a COO, a project manager, or an integrator; Deciding what ideas to pursue; and The switch from time-based pricing to value-based pricing. 

118: How to Stop Being the Bottleneck in Your Business // Karen Sergeant

Earlecia Richelle never had a roadmap for her career. While fashion has always been her north star, it’s been integrated in her work in unexpected ways, taking her across the globe as a stylist, mixologist, and national brand ambassador. On today’s episode Earlecia shares what top brands are doing well that corporate and personal brands skip over—connecting your brand to your consumer’s lifestyle, narrowing in, and creating an aspirational aesthetic. With a personality as bold as her wardrobe (you must follow her on IG), Earlecia shares: How she followed her internal spark even when there was no model for what her varied interests could lead to, Being unapologetic about pricing, Why luxury isn’t as much about price as we think it is, and How you must experience life fully if you’re going to inspire others through your work. Be sure to sign up to attend the final podcast recording. Bring your questions and experiences moving through transitions and turning points.

117: Personal Branding Lessons From A Cultural Curator // Earlecia Richelle

All business owners reach a point where they want to pursue opportunities outside of their current focus. Sometimes that’s writing a book. For others it’s sharing their personal story.  So what happens when that desire looks different from the outside than what you’re doing right now? How do you convey all sides of who you are and what you do when these parts aren’t necessarily tied to your marketing goals? My answer: personal branding.  In this episode I talk about,  The top reasons you might need a personal brand, Tackling the most common objections to personal branding, Taking a summer sabbatical, and A BIG announcement about the future of this show. Sign up for the final podcast recording.

116: Do You Need A Personal Brand?

Those numbers on your balance sheet - they have no meaning. We’ve been conditioned to believe that growing our revenue is the goal. But what today’s guest, Josh Greenbaum, wants you to think about is why you’re growing in the first place. Josh has been an Advisory CFO for over a decade and what he’ll willingly tell you is that his work isn’t always easy to grasp. Like many of us who use our training and experience in multi-dimensional roles, Josh has had to explain why his services are different from those you can get with a low monthly fee.  As we explore commoditization we talk about the human experience of what you sell. Once you can capture that in your messaging, it’s much easier to stand out. In this episode we also cover,  Why numbers alone have no meaning,  The reason “do what you love” messaging impacts what we charge, Getting addicted to the process of growing, and Why profit first isn’t always the goal. Visit Pattern of Purpose for full show notes and links to resources mentioned on this episode.

115: Strategic Growth and the Commoditization Trap // Josh Greenbaum

I recently took a trip to Palm Springs for a photoshoot. This photoshoot was the big one—the one that would take down all photoshoots. So you can imagine my confusion, angst, and sadness when the results didn’t come back as imagined.   This episode is all about what it looks like to be in the middle of change. While everyone loves to say that change is messy, we rarely accept it as such. The desire to push through it and have it figured out is real. But what would happen if we can roll through these disappointments and setbacks rather than labeling them as a waste of time, money, and energy?   That’s the question I’m considering as I take the mic solo and unscripted in the midst of a season of great expectations.

114: The Downside of High Expectations

We cheer for our healthcare heros. But do we actually understand what they’re going through?   Today’s guest, Dr. Hisla Bates, does. An Ivy-league trained, board certified psychiatrist, who also happened to have a career as a fashion designer, Dr. Bates coaches women physicians who are experiencing burnout.   Even if you’re not a healthcare professional, you probably understand the toll it can take when you wear busyness as a badge of honor. Dr. Bates brings a firsthand account of the fast-paced lifestyle we’re convinced we need and why normalizing stress is dangerous.   In this episode we cover: Why female physicians are at the highest risk for burnout, The health scare Dr. Bates faced in her 30s and how that changed her life perspective, How to create conditions for creativity, Making the distinction between your personal interests and your professional calling, and Why “just one more thing” leads to burnout.   This episode is dedicated to those of us who think we can (and should) do it all—as parents, partners, managers, and visionaries.

113: Creativity: The Rx For Burnout // Dr. Hisla Bates

If you’re in business you’re in sales. And every salesperson has to expect negotiation.    When you’re in charge of making decisions you also have the freedom to name your price, availability, and timeline. This is great because as you evolve you can shift your prices, start a waiting list, and let a prospect know when you’re not a good fit.    And still there will always be someone who wants it all and wants it THEIR WAY.   Knowing what you can promise -- good, fast, or cheap -- (hint: it’s never all three) will help you navigate these conversations and uphold the boundaries you need to deliver your highest level of service.   Visit Pattern of Purpose for full show notes and links to resources mentioned on this episode.

112: Good, Fast, or Cheap - Pick Two

We all know that social media isn’t everything—it’s a snapshot. Swap that out for newsletters, podcasts, or however you stay connected. We see flashes of success and think, “They’re killing it.”   Some of us are saddled with home responsibilities we’ve never had before — kids being at home 24/7, dishes and cleaning, schooling during the day and working until midnight. Others have had tremendous space to create as the world loosened up on its hurried expectations. But we’ve all experienced envy.   Despite what you’ve heard, envy isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In this episode I’m sharing: Why we need to pay more attention to what we’re envious of, Important questions to ask yourself to assess whether envy is helpful or harmful, A surprising action I took when I was recently feeling jealous, and Keeping your sights on the life you want your business to afford you. 

111: On Envy

How do you decide which pieces of your story to share and where to share them? How do you know when you’re even ready to do so? Today’s guest, Shawnta Jackson, is a master at using storytelling to leave a lasting impression. No matter the arena, this successful leader, social entrepreneur, author, podcaster, and single mother commits to showing up as the highest expression of her authentic self. That kind of exposure isn’t easy; even a calculated risk comes with a high degree of anxiety. For Shawnta, however, the rewards of repeatedly stretching beyond her comfort zone - and modeling that lived experience for her audience - continues to inform her life choices. Shawnta and I discuss leveraging our overlapping personal and professional identities, when appropriate, in the stories we share and journaling as a creative tool for self-assessment. We also talk about sorting through the shame that often keeps us from crafting more compelling narratives. Please note: We discuss sensitive topics, including domestic abuse. Listen with caution and, if you need to step away, I’ll be back next week with a solo episode. In this episode, we cover: Navigating the in-between stages of life, where we no longer quite identify with the way we once did, but haven't fully stepped into our future identity, Journaling as a therapeutic activity and planning device, Taking action outside our comfort zones, Overcoming the shame associated with sharing difficult life experiences in the content we create, The evergreen wisdom of acclaimed mentors, and Deciding which of our personas show up where.   Visit Pattern of Purpose for full show notes and links to resources mentioned on this episode.

110: Be Honest With Yourself: Personal Storytelling in Your Brand // Shawnta Jackson

We all struggle writing about ourselves. It can feel self-important, pretentious, even put on.   Then there are the questions of how to blend what you did before with what you’re doing now and how to sound professional without sounding boring.    Yet bios are important. They capture attention. They build connection. And they help you become more visible.   In this episode I’m giving a rundown of what you need to know to update your bio, including: How your about page, LinkedIn profile, social media bio, and press bio differ; What you need to know about streamlining your professional narrative; and Where to find the best bio inspiration.   Visit Pattern of Purpose for full show notes and links to resources mentioned on this episode.

109: Building Authority With Your Bio

Oh, the allure of rags-to-riches transformations! We see this genre of messaging everywhere. Perhaps we’ve even surrendered our own histories to the template, running modest career moves and hard work through the wringer until we’ve disappeared from the subsequent tale. Ouch. I’m here to tell you that the point of your story isn’t just to shock someone. It’s to connect, and to humanize, and to build trust. You don’t have to contort your narrative into a wildly provocative origin story to improve credibility. Sure, rags-to-riches storytelling captivates; it’s glossy, and it’s ubiquitous. But to what end? In this solo episode, I debunk its seductive but ultimately unsustainable charms and offer ideas to help you craft more relatable messaging.  In this episode, I cover: The unsustainable allure of rags-to-riches narratives, Using “micro-moments” to connect with your audience, Disentangling your story from a belief that your life’s purpose must be linked to your work, Abandoning the need to prove your professional capabilities ad nauseam, and Questions to help you craft a more convincing and relatable brand story. Visit Pattern of Purpose for full show notes and links to resources mentioned on this episode.

What If I Don’t Have a Rags to Riches Story?

That entrepreneurial origin story of yours could use a refresh. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with the standard lemonade stand tale, much like the MBA story, it’s merely acceptable rather than meaningful. Whether you call it your origin or founder’s story, the true soul that keeps your audience listening lies in the turning points. But how do you reintroduce yourself after relying on the standard opener for so long? Hint: Don’t start at the beginning. In this solo episode, I explore the questions that inform more relevant, relatable narratives, and share details on crafting origin stories that audiences can feel rather than hear.  In this episode, we cover: Why your narrative doesn’t have to start at the beginning,  Using turning points to provide an audience with access into your story, Examples drawn from fellow founders, Questions to aid you in crafting a more compelling why, and  How mistakes and everyday “messiness” leave an indelible mark on an audience. Visit Pattern of Purpose for full show notes and links to resources mentioned on this episode.

An Alternative To The Lemonade Stand Story

You’re ready to speak more but you aren't sure what to talk about. You aren't even convinced your story is compelling enough to share.  Today's guest, Alexia Vernon, would challenge you on that point. She believes that we are equipped with the tools we need to make an impact from the stage right now.  As a sought-after executive coach, trainer, keynote speaker, and author, Alexia’s ease in front of an audience came with patience and practice. We talk about what it looks like to integrate social justice into our businesses, how the Miss Junior America competition introduced Alexia to public speaking, and why thought leaders must be unapologetic truth-tellers. Throughout our conversation, Alexia illustrates adjustments we can make in our approach to public speaking and how to uncover what it is about our lived experience that resonates with audiences more than expertise ever could. In this episode, we cover: The defining experience that introduced Alexia to public speaking; The myth of "not being enough of an expert yet" and how that holds us back from pitching ourselves; Multiple strategies for aligning our public voice with our brand messaging; How negotiating and asking for more can help others to do the same; Tips for how much of your story you should share in your messaging; Why, as speaker, you need to have multiple stories in your back pocket; and The impact a cancer diagnosis has had on Alexia's business and life.   Visit Pattern of Purpose for full show notes and links to resources mentioned on this episode.

106: Public Speaking As An Emerging Thought Leader // Alexia Vernon

It takes more than raising your prices to attract premium-paying clientele. Your brand approach has to instill confidence that you can serve them in the way they need and expect.   This is where the small businesses and agencies of the world become differentiated.   In this episode I’m sharing 7 things that premium clientele are looking for and the 5 tactics we’ve been taught that are creating question marks in their minds. I share:   How to adjust your brand approach to instill confidence, Why you need to review in your customer experience right now, The mistake I made when trying to convey a customized approach,  How important social media is to clientele with cash on hand, and Whether top-paying clients want to be educated or not.   Visit Pattern of Purpose for full show notes and links to resources mentioned on this episode.

105: Why Your Brand Is Attracting Clients Who Can't Afford You

Pattern of Purpose (previously Beyond the Mood Board) is a podcast for entrepreneurs who know there's more to building a stand-out brand than a beautiful logo and functional website. Focused on the strategy and research side of branding, host, Kim Wensel, shares practical advice and interviews with seasoned business owners on topics like: defining your niche, conducting market research, sharing your story, and working with a designer.

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Pattern of Purpose

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