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  • 09/21/2021 8:21 AM | Anonymous member

    Guest Blogger, Cherina Johnson is the owner of Upstairs Resale Shop located in Saginaw, MI, which is currently operating as an online and pop-up store.

    Fall is a favorite time of year for me. If you enjoy eating apples as I do, the fall season should make your taste buds burst inside by the mere thought of all the apple goodies that are in season and available this time of year; for instance, plain apples, caramel apples, homemade apple pie, apple donuts and fresh apple cider to name a few.

    Fall brings about cooler temperatures that are perfect for wrapping up in a soft throw and sit in a favorite chair or recliner, to enjoy a cup of homemade chicken noodle soup or soup of your choice, or to sip a hot cup of tea. I look forward to these moments to unwind from the hustle and bustle of the day, and it a purposeful effort to get some relaxation time on a consistent basis.

    Over a year ago I purchased online two greeting cards from Shannon Cohen, Inc. located in Grand Rapids, MI. I really liked both of the cards that I had selected, but one of the two cards stuck out to me. It read “THINGS FELL INTO PLACE AS SHE GOT INTO POSITION.”

    Since I like giving and sending cards to others for encouragement, my intention was that I would do the same with these two cards as well. However, I have held onto both of them. I propose to you that things will not fall into place in your life or in my life, if we do not have the right attitude. Proverbs 23:7a (NKJV) states, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” With all the negativity that our minds are bombarded with on a daily basis, especially from the news outlets, we have to watch ourselves that we do not fall into the trap of negativity. It is easier said than done, but we have the power to control what we allow to feed into our minds.

    Watch what you say about yourself and the situation, as well as be attentive to what you allow others to say to you or about any given situation. Be informed but do not become a garbage container for it is toxic to the mind. It is our responsibility to keep a positive outlook in life, not matter what is going on outside of us. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” according to Romans 12:2a (NIV). There could be chaos going on all around us; in our lives, on our jobs, in our family, even in the world, but we do not have to allow the chaos to reside within us. Choose to keep a positive attitude, no matter what! Then watch out and see how things will fall into place because you positioned yourself from the right mental standpoint.


  • 08/04/2021 8:44 AM | Anonymous member


    Guest Blogger, Cherina Johnson is the owner of Upstairs Resale Shop located in Saginaw, MI, which is currently operating as an online and pop-up store.

    Congratulations to WIL Member Cherina Johnson for publishing her first book! The following is an excerpt from her autobiography "Cute as a Button, Tough as a Girl" now available on amazon

    "Growing up people would often comment that I was pretty.  This was passed down to me from my Creator through my very beautiful mother.  This proved to be such an asset to me throughout my basketball career.  People often underestimated me based on my looks. Many assumed that I could not play ball or did not initially take me seriously as a player, especially the boys.  Once I recognized that at a young age, I used it to my advantage.  Despite my outward appearance, there was another part of me that went unseen by the natural eye.  I was a competitor and hated to lose.  The inward part was more important than my outward appearance, which would repeatedly prove you should not judge a book by its cover."

  • 06/22/2021 2:42 PM | Anonymous member

    Guest Blogger, Dawn Shestko is the owner of DRS Performance Solutions. Find Dawn on Linkedin  Facebook and Instagram

    I cannot tell you how many times over this past year I’ve heard people, (myself included) preface how they’re doing or feeling with, “I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately, but…” 

    It seems we're all on the collective struggle bus. Many are having a hard time sticking to any healthy routines, and many are fearful of feeling and staying stuck. Lots of us are having a hard time focusing on anything for longer than a few minutes, and many talk of low energy, no drive, and zero motivation. Many wonder why they just can’t seem to get it together and keep it together!

    That’s the thing… It's the keeping it together that’s challenging. We seem to get back on it  with the best of intention, only to fall off again a short time later. I get it. The ups and downs since March 2020 have been plentiful!

    Now that things are opening up again and life appears to be returning to somewhat “normal” we naturally assume these feelings will just disappear, and that we’ll magically feel inspired, motivated, and energetic. More than likely, we’ll get a burst of all the good feels, because summer is here and vacations are calling! 

    As a matter of fact, I’m on vacation right now, and am feeling great! I also know that I am in no way healed from this pandemic experience and that more than likely, a downturn is ahead. So, this morning I’ll take some time to remind myself of the things that have kept me afloat and doing okay this year, followed by a to-do list once back home in my beloved Bay City!! Setting oneself up for success by having a plan is essential.

    Oh, and let me just say, that never in my life has “staying afloat'' and “being okay” been the goal… My goals are typically more impressive than that!  But let’s face it, there are days when simply staying afloat and being okay is a win!

    My hope is that you find some value in a few things from each list. 

    1. Read Adam Grant’s, New York Times article, “There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing.” This is a game-changer! I’ve read and reread this article multiple times, and have suggested it to everyone I know! If you want to do something nice for yourself today, you’ll take a few minutes to read it!

    2. Show yourself grace. The definition of grace is a willingness to be fair or to forgive. Isn’t it interesting how we show our loved ones grace without reservation, and yet to do the same for ourselves is exceptionally difficult. Many of us are way too hard on ourselves. I often suggest to clients to treat and talk to themselves like they would their best friend. 

    3. Create or maintain healthy routines. Routines help provide a feeling of normalcy and consistency - both of which are necessary to stay afloat and okay!  Remember, routines are about discipline, not motivation. Healthy routines should be non-negotiable!  

    4. Be intentional, be grateful.  I’ve included time for intention and gratitude in my morning routine for years. I write my intention for the day based on my values and on who I’m striving to become. I follow that with writing about a few things I’m grateful for.  This daily practice helps to center myself before the day starts. I find it extremely valuable.

    5. Write a daily to-do list. I’ve written a daily to-do list for 30+ years, and I understand the value. Clients have told me this was their game-changer! Be sure to pay attention to your whole self by giving yourself a few action items each day for your spirit, body, and mind.

  • 05/21/2021 9:27 PM | Anonymous

    Guest Blogger, Arielle Roth is the Marketing Manager of Amigo Mobility, Owner of Riella Marketing & Design and Co-Owner + CCO of Emerge Entrepreneur Collective. She also speaks on mental health and addiction, and works to create a safe space for others struggling.

    May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Nearly 450 million people worldwide are currently living with a mental illness, yet nearly two thirds of people with a known mental illness never seek treatment. ADAA is dedicated to helping those living with anxiety, depression, and co-occurring disorders and their loved ones find treatment, support, and resources.

    With changes and unknowns due to the past year, the number has grown tremendously, while access to resources has become significantly harder. WIL member Arielle Roth has battled depression and bipolar since her teen years, and in the past year began speaking on managing mental health, she shares her journey and some of her tips for balancing her mental health, stress and life with us:

    It's hard to be vulnerable, but important. It's how safe spaces are created for others, especially for those that have not struggled before it can be overwhelming and it's time to #BreakTheStigma for others to realize they aren't alone.

    I was diagnosed with chronic depression and high anxiety when I was 17, and I always find it interesting that even at that age I was incredibly comfortable speaking about it. But I didn't fully understand it, especially how to manage it.  That mixed with side effects of medications, trial and errors of finding the correct ones, along with just the general angst of being a teenager was...a lot. And I always assumed things were working as they were and my life would always just be that way.

    As I got older I started to realize the medications weren't working for me. I also started to realize that I do not have anxiety, I rarely feel anxious in regards to life and decision, am capable of making game plans and very logically make decisions. My struggle is large mood swings, heavy depressive ones, I am easily distracted, have a hard time staying on track or on deadlines, and a handful of other side effects that led us to realize it was bipolar. Which I have never struggled with - on the contrary it simply brought me answers I needed.

    Around 21 I also made the decision to fully go off of medications and learn how to manage my illnesses on my own. Please note - I am not a medical professional, this is in no way my advice to someone, only my experience. I did this with the help of a professional therapist and trial and error on my own part. 95% of the time I am great, but when I struggle...I struggle hard. But if you're trying to get a better grasp on your mental health, especially after this last year, here is some of my best advice:

    1. Embrace it - Find the positives in your mental illness. Odd statement right? It's been a revelation for me though, it is a part of me. And negatives aside it makes me incredibly passionate and self-aware of my life which has brought many positives.
    2. Be active - it really is the best natural medicine. Your doctor isn't just telling you that. Even if it is only a thirty minute walk a day, I can tell a drastic change in my mood if I'm staying active or slacking.
    3. Let the bad days be bad - if you are avoiding letting yourself be sad or feel the negatives you will continue to bottle them up. At some point they are going to overflow. So let the bad days be bad, but know the next day is a new fresh start and it doesn't need to be bad too.
    4. Think before you panic - it took me a long time to get into this habit but, when you are in a situation that makes you uncomfortable ask yourself "what is the worst that can happen in this situation?" Majority of the time the worst outcome is exactly where you are at currently, and you're already surviving that. This also allows you to make a game plan by looking at potential outcomes rather than panicking.
    5. Learn what works for you - I have a really hard time with sticking to deadlines, keeping track of...anything, and simply being forgetful. I have had to learn how to offset that. I tried digital planners it doesn't work. Bipolar comes with an interesting aspect that if we can't physically see something we forget it exists, so phone planners don't work. Instead I have a yearly monthly planner, I also have a one month giant whiteboard calendar in my office, and I use a desk calendar for EVERY individual client. But it means at all times I can see everything I need, it is what works for me.
    6. Find something be thankful for everyday - and write it down. Even if it's a tiny moment, it forces you to find a positive even when you are struggling.
    7. Realize you are not alone - find someone who will listen. And if you can't, I always will and can be reached by email or Facebook anytime you need.


  • 04/16/2021 10:43 AM | Anonymous member

    Guest Blogger, Cherina Johnson is the owner of Upstairs Resale Shop located in Saginaw, MI, which is currently operating as an online and pop-up store.

    A benefit of living in Michigan is that you get to experience all four seasons. Each season brings forth certain characteristics from beautiful landscapes to various weather conditions. Each season within itself can stand on its own and in the forefront at its appointed time during the year to showcase its strengths and reveal its weaknesses.

    We are still in the midst of a pandemic, but do not let the pandemic get inside of you through complaining and having a gloomy outlook on life. A lot of devastating things have happened since spring 2020; thousands of deaths, job losses, and business closures. While acknowledging these things, let us also recognize the positive things that has spring forth: more family time spent together, businesses pivoting into new ventures to survive, and work from home that allowed parents to be present to assist child with virtual learning.

    It is inevitable that life will throw you some twists and turns throughout your seasons. The outcome will depend on how you act in the midst of the challenges. Either you will react or respond to the situation. Reactions are emotionally driven and most likely to be accompanied with regret. On the other hand, when a person responds to a situation it tends not to be done hastily, but given thought into how to proceed and overcome the circumstance at hand. Just like the seasons come and go, know that wherever you find yourself in life at this given time, it will surely pass. Therefore, let go of things that have held you down, that has frustrated you, and kept you from moving forward because you are stuck in the past. This is your season to let go of fears, disappointments, uncertainties, jealousies, and inadequacies. This is your time to rise up and spring into new opportunities and new beginnings in your life, family, workplace, and community. This is your time to shine and launch into endless possibilities.

    Spring into life…


  • 03/26/2021 8:20 AM | Anonymous member

    Guest post by  Andrea S. Richmond Proprietress, Leopard Print Books, Gifts & Curiosities and Account Manager, The Scott & Miller Group

    Years ago, I read a book on how to be more creative. One of the suggestions from the author was to change your route to work and places you travel frequently. By doing so, you expose yourself to new sights, new sounds, and new paths, which change neural connections in your brain and foster creativity. Since many of us are working from home, changing the path to our workplace isn’t going to make much of an impact. There are a finite number of ways from your bedroom to your desk, after all. However, we can still apply this approach when we do go out and about. 

    “If we know exactly where we're going, exactly how to get there, and exactly what we'll see along the way, we won't learn anything.”
    ― M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth

    For example, taking a side street on your way to Meijer can shift your perception or spawn an idea. Even taking a different path shopping in the store can change your mindset. I applied this idea when I went for a walk in the woods recently. There’s a path I always take. I often think to myself, “I should try a different route (or travel the path in reverse),” but then make excuses for not doing so. “I know this path. It will take me longer to go a different way. I’m not sure where I’ll end up, etc.” However, Sunday morning, I took a different route. And, what happened? I saw things I hadn’t seen before and they were exciting! A muskrat swam under the ice directly under the bridge I was standing on. A blue heron, who was standing in a marshy area, took flight right before me. Some of you are probably wondering how a muskrat and heron can be exciting. But for a nature and animal lover like me, it was. 

    Poem of the One World
    This morning
    the beautiful white heron
    was floating along above the water
    and then into the sky of this
    the one world
    we all belong to
    where everything
    sooner or later
    is a part of everything else
    which thought made me feel
    for a little while
    quite beautiful myself.”
    ― Mary Oliver, A Thousand Mornings

    These experiences also reminded me of why I love walking in the woods so much. Like Oliver, it fills my spirit. In every season. The aroma of the earth and decaying autumn leaves. The sound of birds chirping and wind making music striking branches together. Sights of a snow-covered landscape or lush moss on a fallen log. Ahh. And, in an age that’s full of spirit-sapping devices, media, and sometimes people, finding something that brings you into the present moment and fosters appreciation is life giving. 

    I’m fortunate to have friends that also inspire me. My friend, Pearlette, who was the presenter for March’s monthly meeting, always provides unique insight. In addition to being very driven, she’s also very intuitive. She often says something that I’ve known at some level but I’ve either missed or ignored. During our last chat, we talked about listening to our intuition. I don’t know about you but sometimes I don’t listen to the nudges. Sometimes, they are little ones, “you shouldn’t type that” in an email. Sometimes, they are bigger, like making a big mistake because you’re overtired should have gone to bed. 

    Listening to your inner voice is required if we are to live our best, most authentic life. It’s why I started an indie bookstore. I had an epiphany sitting in one of my favorite bookstores, Literati in Ann Arbor. I had wondered what my life purpose was for years and read, journaled, and worked with a life coach to figure it out. That day, I was reading The Happiness of Pursuit by Chris Guillebeau. (This is a great book for entrepreneurs and wannabees) And, it hit me like a jolt. My intuition said, “I need to open a bookstore.” It was the convergence of all the things I love – books, creativity, art, funky stuff, shopping, and uplifting people – and things I am good at – organizing, making connections, marketing, transformation, and shopping. (Yes, shopping appears twice.)

    Now, would that idea have come to mind if I hadn’t been quiet and listening? I don’t know. What I do know is that making time for myself was absolutely necessary to birth this vision. For most women, myself included, this is incredibly difficult to do. 

    “Tell me with whom you consort with [or how you spend your time] and I will tell you who you are.” 

    ~ Goethe

    Who am I? Who are you? Are you who you want to be? Authentic conversations with people we trust like Pearlette can provide insight into what we already know. I need to do the work – recharge, spend more time in nature, and go within and listen – in order to be who I want to be and live my “I am.” What about you?

    “Until you value yourself, you won't value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.”
    ― M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth

    Building or running a business is a ton of work. We must nourish ourselves so we can give to our families and friends, to our communities, and to our passion. When we realize our value, our lives, our community, and our world will be a richer, more vibrant and fulfilling place for all. 


  • 02/18/2021 9:47 AM | Anonymous member

    Guest Blogger, Cherina Johnson is the owner of Upstairs Resale Shop located in Saginaw, MI, which is currently operating as an online and pop-up store.

    Do you work in an environment that is hostile, disrespectful, or unappreciative of your skills or input? This is a toxic relationship. What can you do if this is something that you are experiencing now or have been experiencing for some time? There are basically three options you can choose, each having its own pros and cons.

    First, you can stay at the workplace and tolerate the abuse. You will most likely keep your job, but under the present circumstances you probably will be stressed out or even fearful to go to work.

    Second, you can report incident to immediate supervisor or executive management of any intimidating or rude behavior that has been targeted against you. This may reveal to management a potential problem, however, if management does not take it very seriously it could result in a more vicious attack on the individual who disclosed the issue.

    Finally, you could quit this job and find work elsewhere. If you leave the job it would be a good thing for your mental health, yet it may put you in a financial bind until you find another job with comparable or better pay and benefits.

    If there is incivility in the workplace, in order for the root of it to be cut off it must be dealt with from the top down. What is civility? This is something that has to be defined, communicated and demonstrated by word and deed by executive management, not just written in an employee’s handbook. Sure, these individuals may not deal with the staff much on a one-on-one basis, but they set the tone of what is expected from their staff and how the workers should be treated by their superiors and toward each other; no matter, what department they are working in. The following is an example of what civility is according to the law firm Bryan Cave in Irvine, California (Porath, 2018):

    Bryan Cave’s Code of Civility

    1. We greet and acknowledge each other.
    2. We say please and thank you.
    3. We treat each other equally and with respect, no matter the conditions.
    4. We acknowledge the impact of our behavior on others.
    5. We welcome feedback from each other.
    6. We are approachable.
    7. We are direct, sensitive, and honest.
    8. We acknowledge the contributions of others.
    9. We respect each other’s time commitments.
    10. We address incivility.

    Another thing to take into consideration to foster a civil atmosphere at the workplace is to teach employees skills in how to act civil through ongoing training, including role playing. Being civil is a learned behavior, so teaching about civility is important. Yet, modeling civility is essential. Like the old adage says, “action speaks louder than words.”

    Reference: Porath, C. (2018). Making civility the norm of your team. HBR. 

  • 02/01/2021 2:44 PM | Anonymous member

    Guest Blogger Neena Hogle is the 2021 President for Women in Leadership, she is also an inspirational speaker and owner of Fearless Networking

    Grabbing coffee or lunch with a friend or colleague probably isn’t going to happen anytime soon, at least not in person. But social distancing doesn’t mean you can’t network. In fact, you may find even more ways to connect and network with your circles.

    Due to modern technology, meeting in-person isn’t required to develop new relationships or deepen existing ones. So, although we’re all practicing some form of social distancing for the moment, here’s how to maintain and grow your network while social distancing:

    EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

    Be intentional about reaching out to different people and groups of people. A lot of us have big holes in our schedules because of cancelled plans, In the past, many of us struggled to make time to network - now is a great time to reach out and get a response. How do you find these people without leaving the house?

    • Identify people you would like to connect with on LinkedIn.
    • Utilize professional organizations and association websites, i.e. Chambers of Commerce, Women in Leadership, Rotary, etc. 
    • Go through your collection of business cards. Organize and follow-up with connections from your current collection of business cards. 
    • Take advantage of one-on-one networking opportunities – global quarantine has had unexpected benefit - a surging interest in one-on-one mentorship and networking.
    • Carve out time to stay connected. Online relationships require nurturing just as much as (if not more than) those in the real world.
    • Consider mentoring - many successful people attribute their success to having had a great mentor and you can grow exponentially by being a mentor, as well? Serving as a mentor can develop your communication skills, allow you to gain a new perspective, give back and expand your network.
    • ASK how you can help! Be up-front and authentic and offer something like ‘since I can’t support you financially right now, how can I help?’
    • Write recommendations and testimonials – share them on contacts LinkedIn and Facebook Business Pages – and be sure to email a copy contacts can utilize for their website, or however they want.
    • Last but not least leverage social media by Following, Liking and Sharing posts to help contacts grow their online presence. Many small businesses and entrepreneurs rely on social media marketing and it’s hard to get content in front of people without paying for advertising. 

    FOCUS ON LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

    Don’t focus on sales, focus on the relationship. Reaching out with, ‘Business is really slow right now, do you have any leads?’ is not only transactional and opportunistic, it’s inept, we all know businesses are suffering. We don’t know how long the crisis will last; and we’re all adjusting to new restrictions, and this is not the time to be aggressively prospecting with people. What’s the best way to build relationships during the age of social-distancing?

    GIVE WITHOUT KEEPING SCORE

    How can you give back? We’ve seen a lot about supporting local businesses and restaurants #TakeOutTuesday, which is wonderful, but if you’re one of the many people that still aren’t working, and aren’t getting unemployment – you might be struggling to pay bills – and purchase-support may not be an option for you. So how can you give back?


  • 02/10/2020 11:57 AM | Anonymous


    What is your story? What makes you become a confident, empowering woman? Women from the Midland, Michigan area came together to share just that with Self Love Beauty through our Beautiful Me campaign. 

    Our Beautiful Me campaign has been bringing women together to showcase the shirts from our shop as well as hear from women on their journey to find self-love and what makes them beauty. Click here to view the photos from the Midland photo shoot.

    Each person has their struggles and it is amazing to hear their stories so we can help others relate through story. Quite often you see people looking for Life lessons and quotes that help them through their situation because they can see that others have managed to get through tough times too.

    Hear from women on their journey to find confidence: 

    I’m still in pursuit of being a confident woman. I try everyday to be kinder to myself and stop my negative self-talk.- Ali Cnudde

    Self Love Beauty Beautiful Me Campaign

    “I think my story is still a work in progress. It all started as an athlete

     in high school and then in college. That’s when I am comfortable and feel like I am in my own shoes. I now feel like I can do anything because of my drive that I got from playing in sports my whole life.” Alexsis Koch

    “I became and confident woman after leaving a bad relationship that made me feel like I wasn’t a lovable person. After I left that relationship I was able to focus on myself and learn to love myself. I saw that the relationship changed me and I didn’t like it. I saw that I needed to believe in myself and stop giving up on things and missing out on other opportunities because of someone else. I knew I needed to learn to love myself before I started dating again. Then I met my husband who helped me become confident in myself and show me just how lovable/wonderful I truly am. Also once I had my daughter I knew with all of the body shaming and bullying these days I needed to be strong and confident for our daughter. I need to teach her how to love herself no matter what . I am her example. ” Nichole Elledge

    “When I was younger, I had extreme social anxiety and was super self conscious. I wanted to be someone other than myself. I didn’t like the way I looked, I cared what other people thought of me, and felt like I couldn’t be myself with anyone except my family. It took a long time to feel comfortable in my own skin and confident in who I was. When I went away to college, I started to learn more about myself and really came out of my shell. Being on my own, trying new things, and just putting myself out there, really helped me become a more confident, empowered woman. After I graduated and moved off on my own, I grew more confident as I learned how to support myself and take charge of my own destiny. Don’t get me wrong, this journey was by no means pretty, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Because without those messy life experiences, I don’t think I would be the person I am today.” – Marie Nesbitt

    “A former health teacher turned studio owner, put me in a position to help change or influence the lives of others which means I need to lead by example .” –Amy Jaster

    “Through embracing the good in life and learning from the hardships.” -Alyssa Bickel 

    “Throughout my childhood my dad always told me “numbero uno” meaning number 1 in Spanish… sounds silly but it taught me always to keep me in mind first. I still repeat it to this day when I find myself caught up in the chaos life brings and remind myself to take care of my mind, body and emotions. It can begin to sound selfish but to remember about ourselves and show ourselves love is key to living my life freely. It has taught me to be true to who I am, my dreams and future. Over the years, I’ve learned so much about my self talk and being “my own best friend”, someone I can count on. My confidence and self love stems from loving and being true to who I am.” – Samantha Schlicker

    “Learn from your set backs instead of dwelling on them . Remember to celebrate the small wins and your will find peace in the process.” -Selena Ashley

    “I kicked cancer in the face while maintaining a positive attitude and having a lot of laughs”- Hayley Coleman

    “I discovered my self love through my involvement with SLB. It has been incredible to a part of the blog as it has grown. I have been honored to witness it touch so many woman’s’ lives.”- Gabriella Hoffman 

    “The Air Force played a huge role in me becoming who I am today. I loved being in the military, it had its ups and downs, and there were days when I was away that I cried more than smiled. But it taught me incredible things. It taught me that I can take care of myself, that I can hold a career, be successful, pave my own path, and it taught me to be proud and it humbled me all at the same time.” –Delainey Doughty 

    “My strongest support system is my immediate family. My mother and father have always encouraged me to strive for success, and they have supported me every step of the way. I know I am so blessed to have graduated college debt-free with a 4.0 GPA, traveled the world through study abroad opportunities, landed more than 10 internships in a field that I love, and so much more. I know that I can do anything I set my mind to, and I take great joy in sharing my story with other young minorities to encourage, assist and mentor them to strive for success as well. I also take pride in my characteristics of a confident, empowering woman as I want to be the best role model for my younger sister to look up to.” – JoLena Broussard

    “In the past, I have tried to be that size 0. I have worked out for countless hours and ate very little. I have ran for hours on end and hated having muscles. I would avoid working out my legs or my shoulders because I hated how muscular they were. I hated being the girls with the big biceps or big, broad shoulders. Then I discovered CrossFit. CrossFit showed me that having muscles bigger than the average person is a good thing. It not only is impressive to watch a person throw about 170 pounds over their head, but the hard work and dedication it takes to get it there. CrossFit has opened a new world for me and has shown women, all shapes, sizes and ages, that being strong is a beautiful thing.”- Danni Radosa

    “Through the revelation of God’s constant belief in me walking out of the darkness and into the light.” -Ruth Rushlow

    The Beautiful Me Campaign comes from Self Love Beauty’s mission is to ensure women have self-love through feeling confident in their own beauty and feeling empowered one story at a time knowing they are not alone on their journey to reach their full potential.

    Self Love Beauty’s online Beautiful Me shop opened in the fall of 2016. The shop includes a variety of shirts that showcase quotes for women to choose from to wear that best describes themselves.

    What is the Beautiful Me Campaign?

    The Beautiful Me campaign and store is to inspire women to share their stories of how they were inspired to love themselves, what they love about themselves and the challenges they faced to get there.This campaign is to showcase how all shapes, sizes, ethnicity and ages are beautiful.

    This campaign is to spread the word about women’s journeys to self-love. We have been traveling to a variety of states and cities for photo shoots of women of all shapes, sizes, ethnicities and ages for them to showcase how our shirts look beautiful on everyone and to have women share their story on what beautiful and self-love means to them.


  • 02/03/2020 11:53 AM | Anonymous


    What makes a good leader?……Someone who….

    Did you click on this link to see the top ten characteristics of a leader, to see if you feel like you have a few of them? Did you want to read a commentary to assure you that you are in a good leadership environment or affirm that you need to get out of a bad one? Maybe you thought that there was going to be an additional training on leadership…. well that one might be true……

    Having asked this question of adults in various settings the answer always is a comprehensive list of characteristics of leadership……for example
    • Communication
    • Delegation
    • Visionary
    • Networking
    • Commitment
    • Trustworthy
    • ……….

    Pages and pages of easel paper could be filled with characteristics of a good leader. We could search this question and have an endless list of characteristics. Good, even great characteristics.

    But what do these characteristics look like? How do they make people feel? What is the impact on the people around leaders?

    It seems easy to list the characteristics, but it takes self – assessment and commitment to behave the characteristics. My actions, my presence in the characteristics, essentially the way I am is what has the impact on others around me.

    This hit home for me when I asked this same question “what makes a good leader?” of youth. The answers were a little different.

    • Someone who makes me feel important
    • Someone who helps me learn new things
    • Someone who teaches me to do my job
    • Someone who is there if I have a question
    • Someone who knows what they are doing
    • Someone who leads a group to accomplish something together
    • Someone who knows I am good at things

    Most of my kids in class share openly and easily, yet there are always a few that you never really know if they are listening or if you are reaching them. If you could picture this day, a group of 12 and 13 year olds gathered around the easel paper, relaxed, sharing thoughts, and this quiet voice from the side of me says….

    • ‘Someone who doesn’t yell at me when I make a mistake’

    Even now as I reflect back it brings tears to my eyes. ‘Someone who doesn’t yell at me when I make a mistake’, there is a story there, a moment in this young person’s life where someone did something that impacted him.

    We are all leaders. It is not just characteristics that make a good leader but more importantly the person who embodies them. Characteristics are qualities or values people have, qualities that inform actions or behaviors and define the person who behaves them. This is the core of ‘everybody is a leader’. We are all ‘someone’ for ‘someone’ else.

    What kind of ‘someone’ do you want to be?

    Contributor Writer: Sarah Weisbarth has been described as rooted in her faith and able to draw inspiration from a rock. As a life coach with Self Love Beauty helping others grow in themselves and connect with others on a deeper level is a natural niche for Sarah. A commitment to providing others with the internal resources they need to be successful in life has Sarah working and serving in programs related to youth and those that promote self-worth and personal value.


Women in Leadership 
Great Lakes Bay Region

PO Box 6717
Saginaw, MI 48608

wilteam@wilgreatlakesbay.org

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