How do you stay motivated when faced with overwhelming loss? Whether it is a death, personal failure, business failure or other; motivation can seem unattainable – especially when all you want to do is curl up in the fetal position and cry.

This past year, I lost two of my dogs and the pain felt insurmountable. There was an emptiness, crushing sadness…but I own a business and giving into the hurt wasn’t an option. I picked myself up and reminded myself of the following:

1. You have a purpose. Every day your employees, clients and vendors depend on you. Your business and role serve a very important purpose, remind yourself of this every day when you wake up. Take a deep breath and remember why you started your business.
2. Be open about the loss. When I lost Murphy, I wrote a blog about it and shared the pain with those close to me. Interestingly enough when I lost Apollo, I kept it to myself and preferred to suffer alone and I’m still dealing with the repercussions of that approach.
3. Be thankful for what you have. Reflect on the positive – your family, friends, business and for me, my other furkids. As human beings it is our natural reaction to give into the negative and get stuck there – remind yourself each day of the good things.
4. Plan a trip. Pack everyone up and go someplace. A change of environment will do wonders for you.
5. Be inspired by others. Pick up a book on some badass individual and gain perspective. I started reading What Happened by Hillary Clinton – talk about someone who had to overcome obstacle after obstacle.

There is no magic formula for overcoming loss and finding motivation in spite of it. Acknowledging it, allowing others to help and remembering the positive was key for me.

What are your thoughts?

If you don’t understand what is happening in our country as it relates to the stories circulating around sexual harassment and assault, then you are not listening. Women have never had it easy as it relates to dealings with the opposite sex, yet you seldom hear us complain or make a fuss, instead we go about doing what we have been doing for years – putting it behind us and moving forward.

The fact that we, now as a nation, are discussing sexual harassment and assault and have stopped making excuses for men and their actions – tells me it is about damn time. Every single woman out there has been subjected, in some way, to inappropriate behavior – so much so that the majority of us don’t even register it as abnormal or unacceptable.

I just read a piece by Amber Tamblyn in the New York Times, called “I’m Not Ready For The Redemption Of Men.” The piece talks about how men are feeling attacked and it is time for forgiveness and understanding. Excuse me while I laugh out loud.

Tamblyn states in the article that she is not ready to forgive, forget and move on, and I couldn’t agree with her more. The fact is we have been silent WAY too long and if it makes you uncomfortable, annoyed, angry – then all the better. There are so many more stories out there to be told and so many more powerful men to topple (we’re coming for you Trump – consider this your warning), we won’t allow this behavior to be the norm, we will speak up and we will change the dialogue.

To quote Tamblyn, “We’re in the midst of a reckoning. It’s what toxic masculinity’s own medicine tastes like. And people should allow the consequences to unfold, regardless of how it affects those they consider to be friends. The only way to enforce seismic, cultural change in the way men relate to women is to draw a line deep in the sand and say: This is what we will no longer tolerate.”

Join us.

Back in September the news out of D.C. was the reversal of the pay gap rule put in place by the Obama administration. After reading about it, I started thinking about women in the workforce and what it means to be a female leader in this day and age.

As much as I would like to tell you that I have never been treated differently due to my gender, I can’t.

There are situations I look back on now, as a business owner, and I know that if I was of the opposite sex the outcome would have been much different.

There were times, I would ask a male colleague to go to a meeting with me for a prospective client because I knew he would have their respect by just walking into the room. I, on the other hand, would have to earn it. They would direct questions to him and I would answer them, they thought nothing of it.

I’ve been asked to schedule appointments, take meeting notes, coordinate something with an admin, work outside the contract, have a ‘feelings’ meeting because my to-the-point communication style offended an employee of a client…I wish I was making this up. Each of these alone seems minuscule but when they all pile on top of each other, it starts to really wear on you. I have owned 8THIRTYFOUR for 10 years and have been asked questions a male business owner would never be asked.

I am proud to be a women-owned business and the opportunities that has afforded me far outweigh the negative. The lesson in all of this is that we can only control how we react to situations. Don’t let them see you sweat.

It’s that time of year where we are bombarded with ads, coupons, sales, doorbusters – you name it. If you are a small business you may struggle to stand out, how can you even compete?

If you are a small retailer, it is already hard enough to make a profit, you can slash prices to be competitive with the big box stores.

Don’t worry, there are other ways you can stand out and the great thing? Your customers are loyal.

1. How you treat your customers when they walk through the door is your chance to shine. Greet them, hand them a shopping bag and offer them a refreshment. Spend some money on mimosas and croissants for them to munch on as they shop. These thoughtful touches are what keeps them coming back. By taking the time to get to know every customer that walks through your door, you know their style, likes and favorite products. Be sure to reach out when something arrives in your store you know they will love.
2. Be unique in the products or services you offer. Anyone can go and pick up a dress online that 25 other people they know will have, however if it is a truly unique piece the price because less important. Your customers are those that see the value in what you offer, appreciate the uniqueness and want an enjoyable experience. There is a reason they are not at Wal-Mart fighting over the last TV.
3. Give a little something extra. Drop a personalized note in each of your customer’s bags when they are checking out; let them know how much you appreciate them. Brainstorm how you can add value to their experience, whether it is taking the time to chat with them or giving away a freebie with a purchase.

If you choose to participate in Black Friday, Small Biz Saturday or Cyber Monday, remember why you do what you do and stay true to yourself and your brand.

Share in the comments below what your plans are.

I failed today in setting an example, in leading, in following our core values. I let frustration and stress get the better of me. Want to know the great thing about it? I have another chance to get it right. Tomorrow is a new day.

Owning and running a business is tough and you are going to screw up. Admitting the mess ups and then moving on is the only choice you have.

We are human and we are not perfect and I’m telling you right now, it’s ok. Moving forward means taking the right steps to get past it.

1. Admit your failure. Once you acknowledge it, you can move on.
2. Do better. If you know what you screwed up, don’t make the same mistake again. Get in the right head space and tell yourself tomorrow is another day and another chance to get it right.
3. Fake it. Slap a smile on your face and set an example.
4. Reflect. Take time in the evening to really truly reflect, ask yourself: “What could I have done differently?”
5. Give yourself a break. No one is perfect and owning a business is really hard. There is a loneliness that is impossible to explain and you are going to have bad days and hard days and really, really shitty days.

Be nice to yourself and strive to do better, that is all anyone can ask of you.

Small Biz Saturday is coming in hot on November 25th. The ‘holiday’ was created by American Express and shines a much-needed light on small businesses. Michigan small businesses employed 1.8 million people, or 50.2% of the private workforce in 2013, according to the 2016 Small Business Profile released by the Small Business Administration.

In September The National Small Business Association (NSBA) released its 2017 Mid-Year Economic Report which showed the small-business outlook on the overall economy is at its highest point in seven years despite growing frustration over elected officials’ inability to enact needed reforms.

According to the NSBA Mid-Year Economic Report, some of the biggest challenges facing small businesses are:

• Politics or should I say politicians. More small businesses today say “partisan gridlock in D.C.” is the number one challenge facing their business than at any point in the last four years. Small businesses need Congress and the Administration to work together across party lines.
• Health care costs are seen as a major challenge as it relates to growth and survival.
• Obtaining financing for growth is difficult for small businesses. This effects hiring, expansion, employee benefits and inventory.
• Heating, cooling and lighting are the biggest energy costs for small business. The overwhelming majority (85 percent) of small firms are somewhat or not at all confident about the future of low, stable and reliable energy costs.

Small employers comprise 99.7 percent of all employer firms in the U.S., however, our system caters to large business. Regulations, taxes and health care costs can and do cripple our ability to grow and survive.

So…on Small Business Saturday, take the time to visit a small business or show your support on social media. Your voice helps us fight for change as we work towards economic stability while urging lawmakers to tackle the major issues facing our country.

Source: National Small Business Association, 2017 Mid-Year Economic Report.

It is hard to fight perfection. We are taught that we should always pursue it, even if it isn’t attainable. Why is that? If it is a lesson in failure then ok, but most often it sets us up for low self-esteem, feelings of inadequacies and disappointment.

As a business owner, we feel that we have to do it all. Let me use myself as an example.

I stop home everyday to let the dogs out, when I am there I clean, throw laundry in, pick-up, vacuum and try to reorganize. When I get home in the evening, I try to make a healthy meal, walk the dogs, feed the dogs, give them their meds and then spend some quality time with them. I then open my computer and start tackling all the items I never got a chance to get to…this blog usually being at the bottom of the list. Did I also mention I lay out my clothes for the next day?

Do you see what is missing (besides breathing)?  You time. We don’t give ourselves time to rest, or to just think. The guilt overwhelms us, if we aren’t working then we see it as failure and that certainly doesn’t fit into our picture of perfection. We always put others first, way before ourselves.

Screw it.

1. Leave the house a disaster, that is what weekends are for.
2. Get to know EatStreet.com, you don’t need to cook and clean-up every night.
3. Accept that you will never get it all done. That to-do list is never ending and always will be – you are a business owner, your work is never done.
4. Breathe and read a book, watch Game of Thrones, drink some wine/beer/vodka; just do something frivolous. Every minute of your day doesn’t have to be productive.
5. Lean on a partner or friend. If you don’t voice your doubts and confide in someone, then it is going to eat you alive. Feel free to email me, kim@834design.com, I’m always willing to lend an ear.

The point is, give yourself a freaking break. No one is doing it all or has it all – so don’t play the perfection game.

I have a Mac, an iPhone, an Apple TV, an iPad and all the accessories; suffice to say I am an avid Apple product user…however I cannot possibly fathom paying $999 for a PHONE. Writing this is blasphemy to all other Apple consumers but it’s time to stop the madness (said in a very dramatic British accent).

Releasing a new phone every year, when the existing models are so buggy and we all dread the ios update, is a backwards business model. Obviously, Apple will go out of business soon, it’s not like they have billions of dollars or anything.

Here are my suggestions of the top 10  (8 – I ran out of ideas) things you can do in place of buying the iPhone X.

1. Purchase 2 or 3 refurbished or new ‘older’ iPhones. Give to a friend – like me, we’re friends, right?
2. Bring me out for 10 consecutive dinners or buy me 106 bags of pizza rolls (you’ll want to check my math).
3. Book a trip through Southwest, not only is this a company I hugely admire but they always have amazing deals available through their website. For example, book a flight + hotel package of $750 value and they’ll give you $200 in savings. Wouldn’t you rather a trip then a phone that will never take you anywhere? I’ll open my schedule up to ensure you have a fantastic time.
4. Launch a LinkedIn ad campaign that advertises how amazing you are. Grow your network and open up new career or connection possibilities.
5. Invite 1000 friends to subscribe to my blog. Currently I have 30 subscribers, was 31, but Mike unsubscribed last week – thanks Mike (I know where you work).
6. Donate $1,000 to charity – wait, I mean $999. Might I suggest Vicky’s Pet Connection? Jimmy Lab will thank you.
7. Sign-up to sell LuLaRoe – what is better than selling leggings (or whatever they sell – it isn’t Tupperware, is it?) I hear they are doing well for themselves.
8. Adopt a dog. Might I suggest adopting 4? $999 will go along way in buying dog food.

I feel there is a lesson in this blog post somewhere, but it escapes me. Perhaps it is that I am funny and we should be friends.

What do you think?

I had a friend send me the below the other day and I literally laughed out loud and then went and followed Smirnoff on all of their social channels. Whatever ad agency came up with it, kudos.

I recently wrote on brand activism and my thoughts on companies engaging in political dialogue. As a small business owner it was an easy decision for me to speak up, however the majority of larger companies tend to shy away or avoid politics like the plague.

Smirnoff, on the other hand, said screw it – let’s do this…and they did. The brilliance of the ad is explained below.

1. When you are sitting around having a cocktail with colleagues, friends or acquaintances, what most often comes up? That’s right…politics and the state of the world we live in. Alcohol has a way of loosening our tongues and derailing our inhibitions…which leads to very fascinating conversations. A vodka brand, like Smirnoff, saw an opportunity to better connect with their customers while also pushing the envelope in messaging, design and humor.
2. It’s funny! A brand that doesn’t take itself too serious, sets itself apart. Their ad strategy illustrates that the brand is in tune with current events and the political climate…not to mention their customers.
3. They know their target audience and they are young, liberal and vocal. They also have a shit load of buying power; it just makes sense to tie your hooch to young people and the liberal causes they champion.

Don’t believe me? Smirnoff’s internal research found that 86 percent responded to the ads positively. I’d say that is a pretty good indicator they hit the nail on the head, wouldn’t you?

In a recent article on SevenFiftyDaily, Robin Robinson, a sales and marketing consultant whose focus is small spirit brands, points out that politics is now permeating our culture in an entirely new way. “When you think of the zeitgeist now, it’s a highly polarized time we live in,” he says. “Everyone is asked to choose sides. I guess it makes perfect sense that alcohol brands would join the fray.” His feeling is that it would be almost disingenuous for a brand not to choose a side—millennial consumers expect them to.

It is, of course, always a gamble for a brand to choose a side…but the choice is no longer yours; consumers demand it.

What do you think?

I am sitting here with perma-grin on my face after creating a presentation for the GVSU Public Relations Student Society of America. The group asked me to speak on the Nitty Gritty of PR, in other words, what you don’t learn about in the classroom. You know, the long hours, coordination, logistics, wrangling, headaches, stress, etc.

But…you know what…I really fucking love my job. I decided instead of words, words and more words, I would show my experience in pictures. I have spent the last 2 hours looking through and inserting photos into the Prezi and it dawned on me…I have had one hell of a career so far.

Sure there are long hours, annoying people, unexpected surprises and more but holy shit the stuff I have gotten to be a part of…wow. Here are my major takeaways from my 15+ year career:

1. People, so many people. I have met some of my best friends that started out as acquaintances, reporters or clients. I met Susan Ford Bales when I worked on a project for the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum – she was as awesome and intelligent as you would expect. My partner in crime, Adrienne Wallace, became the #2 of 8THIRTYFOUR and we experienced Lights in the Night Grand Rapids, Bissell Pet Foundation Howlween Hoof & Woof, Unity Bridge of Holland, multiple events, press conferences, speaking engagements and more.
2. Experiences. I was able to travel to New York City with a client after setting up meetings with Seventeen Magazine, SELF magazine and more. Sure it was in the dead of summer and easily 100 degrees in the City but it was like I was in an episode of Sex in the City…but not as well-dressed.
3. Clients. 8THIRTYFOUR has represented companies that have appeared on Shark Tank, are global, were launching a kitty litter product, were opening an ER and more. We once took on a client that wanted to launch thousands of lanterns into the sky over Grand Rapids – what a bunch of nut jobs.

This easily makes up for the sleepless nights, zero work/life balance and crushing stress. I would do all of it again in a heartbeat.

Take some time in the next week and just reflect on all you have done and accomplished. It is pretty damn impressive, be proud.