Life happens in the uncomfortable.

The view from the floor, surrounded by dogs, coffee and adderall. 

Listen up

Listen up

One of the most important skills a person can possess is the ability to listen. In a world where phones are beeping, watches are buzzing and emails are popping up...we

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Things to do during Snowmageddeon

Things to do during Snowmageddeon

Dear Michiganders, We find ourselves, once again, in the midst of a blustery winter storm (Snowmageddeon) that has seemingly caught us by surprise...even though it is winter in Michigan. I

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Be comfortable with change

Be comfortable with change

Be comfortable with change is the best piece of advice I can offer you. Life is going to throw a lot of curve balls your way, so line up to

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Leadership is…RBG

Leadership is…RBG

I have been thinking about leadership quite a bit this week, probably because I am in the middle of the woods with 6 dogs and a shitty wifi connection. I've

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Middle aged woman wearing a shirt that says "As Strong As the Woman Next to Me"

Hey, I'm Bode.
Writer of musings.

Thanks for swinging by to check out my dogs, my ideas, my super fresh perspective and all the things that annoy me in life.

I can’t wait to share all the things you never knew you needed to know.

Have You Heard?

8THIRTYFOUR Integrated Communications.

We’re going to tell you your site is bad, your messaging is jargon, and stock photography from the 90s is burning our eyes. A trifold will not get you a client, and cold calling makes people hate you.

We do the kind of work people remember—and the kind of relationships built to last.

Hello employers. People are the hardest part of our jobs, am I right?

We convince ourselves we have everything figured out and then a new generation comes along and it feels like we start all over. Lately it seems we’ve just decided that we’re done and I’m here to tell you that is not an option. Punishing your business because you’re unwilling to change or adapt isn’t what got us here. Come talk about it on April 28th.

#personalbranding #smallbusiness #kimbode #genz
Business owner success, by the world’s standards is always boiled down to one thing and one thing only - revenue. We are constantly working towards the $1 mil, then the multi-million milestone. Maybe it’s my neurodivergent brain, or maybe it’s the fact I’ve never been one to go with the flow, but I think this is bullsh*t.

...and yes I realize you have to make money, but to me, it’s not that one line on your P&L; it’s the people, the communities you invest in and the impact you have. 

You can’t grow and build at the same time, not if you’re a small business, something will have to give - maybe it’s relationships, revenue or your health. 

It’s the point I was making in the 
Inc. Magazine article on this very topic.

“When you invest in growth, your profitability will take a hit. You can’t simultaneously grow and post record profits, especially when you are a small business. This past year, I had to take a step back to build, which meant I wasn’t out there selling, and as a result, our revenue is down. It’s your responsibility as the business owner to anticipate trends, read the economy, and plan for the worst. It’s why we expanded our business to add a complementary offering, but it’s going to be a hefty lift and require additional capital to build. Growth is painful but worth the risk. You need to believe in yourself because no one else will..”

Don’t measure your success on someone else’s definition. You get to make your own rules.
Just getting a little painting done between meetings. Gotta be ready for the April 28th, Uncomfortable Conversations: The Skills Crisis.

I’m very handy.

@8thirtyfour #personalbranding #bigdealenergy #smallbusiness #softskills #Idoallmyownstunts kimbode
Everyone hates Gen Z...or so say employers. It really doesn't matter if it's true or not. Perception is reality.

Businesses are actively choosing not to hire you because of the frustrations they've had with your generation. 

You can change, if you get real acquainted with personal branding or as I call it, your Big Deal Energy. Use your voice, story, experiences and weird to stand out - it matters.

Now...Gen X on the other hand, we're perfect...nothing but trauma over here. 

#bigdealenergy #personalbranding #kimbode #yesihashtaggedmyself #smallbusiness
Your disadvantages are your advantages. Stop seeing your quirks, weird as something to hide. Flip the script.

What society sees as disadvantages are the exact things making you unstoppable aka resilient aka awesome.

#personalbranding #kimbode #bodesbits #womensupportingwomen
Fake it. 

We are navigating a world not built for us or designed with us in mind. Confidence doesn’t just happen, and maybe it never will but maybe, just maybe, if you fake it long enough, you’ll start to believe in yourself.
WTF is personal branding? Um…something you need to stop ignoring. Own Your Weird, it’s the only thing people will remember about you. Still confused? I’ll fill you in on March 2 & 3, go register at www.bodespeaks.com
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