By Popular Demand

Since James Van Der Beek’s passing last month, I’ve been revisiting his work... from Dawson’s Creek to old Dancing with the Stars clips to a recent viral video of his 9-year-old daughter offering tips about grief 🥺 The latest gem I found was an August 2025 Instagram video about creativity, where James talks about how we often chase goals set by younger, less wise versions of ourselves. He challenges us to revisit them through a new lens, and have the courage to let go. “ How much happier...

As a marketer, don't you wish you could save every small business from shutting its doors? Because you can usually see the warning signs… The restaurant still using Facebook as its “website.” The shop that doesn’t show up on Google Maps. The boutique with no real social presence. Recently, an amazing restaurant in my town closed after less than two years. And I keep thinking about the fact that I had tried — more than once — to give them business: I was hosting a baby shower for about 20...

If you've ever struggled to show up for the things you want to do — whether it’s working out, writing, or building a habit — you’re not alone. There's a key to accomplishing any goal: community ✨ In fact, community made the unthinkable happen... I became a morning person!!!! Not just any morning person, but one who works out before the sun comes up. Seriously, who am I?! A few neighbors and I realized we each had a Peloton bike, but none of us were consistent. So we made a pact: send a 5:45...

I saw a post in a local Facebook group the other day that bummed me out 🥲 A small boutique owner was struggling. Sales were down. Traffic was down. And this was during what should be her busiest season. I did some digging and noticed the shop had a consistent, active, and overall solid Instagram presence. So why not meet their audience where they already are? 🤔 That’s where live shopping comes in — selling products in real-time through live video. Live shopping isn’t new — you’ve seen it on...

My husband called me from a work trip recently and said something that made me extremely jealous. He had just checked into his hotel and eaten his complimentary chocolate chip cookie from DoubleTree 🍪 It got me thinking: has there ever been a more genius marketing move in the history of hospitality? The cookie started in 1986 as part of turndown service. By 1995, someone had the brilliant idea to move it to check-in. Because it’s impossible not to smile when you’re handed a warm chocolate...

These days, there’s so much pressure to ~be an influencer~ Grow your following. Build your brand. Sell the thing But when we tell ourselves we need to be an influencer, that’s when we try too hard 🫠 You overthink captions. Second-guess every post. Your content starts to lose your voice. So instead of trying to be an influencer, be a good influence. A good influence teaches, inspires and helps — out of the goodness of their heart. And it’s this genuine approach that actually grows your...

Excuse me, for I am mind blown...I just learned that “Crazy In Love” by Beyoncé sampled the 1970 song “Are You My Woman?” by The Chi-Lites 🤯 Sampling is when a song borrows a piece of another to create something new. And it happens all the time: Eminem – Stan → Thank You by Dido (1998) Jessica Simpson – I Think I’m in Love With You → Jack & Diane by John Mellencamp (1982) Destiny’s Child – Bootylicious → Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks (1981) Drake – Hotline Bling → Why Can’t We Live...

I read something Brianna Wiest wrote that really stuck with me: “Ask yourself what you can do with minutes, not hours.” We like to think we need long stretches of uninterrupted time to get anything done. But I’ve noticed that mindset just keeps me from starting. I catch myself waiting for a free morning, a quiet weekend, or some perfect block of time that never comes 🫠 But progress doesn’t need perfect conditions. It happens quietly in the small, in-between moments. So instead of saying “I’ll...

These days, my podcast playlist looks a bit different...I’ve swapped marketing shows for ones about motherhood. I worried I’d fall behind on the latest marketing insights — but parenting podcasts are more relevant to my field than I originally thought. One that stuck with me came from a show called Talking Toddlers, where host Erin Hyer said: 👉 “If you want attention and engagement from your toddler, you need to be the most interesting thing in the room.” She meant it literally — you have to...