// Mastermind Sessions + Best Friends

On Saturday I met my friend Elle at Baja Burrito for a delicious lunch and a business chat. Elle is one of those people who just have it so together when it comes to life/career/basically everything. You can't help but be inspired when you're around her. Her work ethic is totally enviable (and somewhat contagious luckily!) She's currently working her way through Marie Forleo's B-School and man, the work load is crazy! She shared some of the exercises with me as we talked about her business and I was so impressed. In case you don't know, Elle is a paper/wedding stationery designer under the name Jam + Toast! Anyway - we chatted for well over 3 hours and by the end of it I just felt so motivated and inspired. She called our meeting a "Mastermind Session" and that was totally on point. We agreed to try and make this happen every 2 weeks or so that way we can both work our way through business blunders and help each other see a fresh perspective for whatever problems we may be facing. She's getting ready to move to Wilmington (!!!) at the end of May so our sessions will be via Skype, but I'm already looking forward to them! It was so so incredible to sit and just talk about ideas. "Is this a good idea? How do you feel about this? What do you think about ____?" 
I really feel as though it was just the kick in the butt I needed to really really figure some things out. I've said it a few times (too many) now but I've just been teetering on the verge of something awesome (or so it feels!) but haven't felt the nudge I needed to just go full force. And as silly as this may sound, I think part of it has to do with the fact I don't feel super inspired by my office set up. We only just moved in but I think that paint switch needs to happen and something has gotta give with my clothes/shoes. I think I'd rather downsize all of those and have a more dedicated work space rather than it just be pretty. (Yikes! Just don't tell that to my husband who spent all those hours drilling holes in the ceiling haha I'll keep my wardrobe rack but I think the shoes might go? IDK! Getting sidetracked here!) 
I keep thinking about all of our "businesses" (this blog, Honeybean, Him + Honey, design work, etc) and I want to consolidate them as much as possible. I want to rebrand certain aspects of stuff, have a dedicated work site for each one, and streamline everything on this blog. I wanted to redesign the  LCH layout, but every time I go to try I get hung up on the beautiful flowers and I just can't let it go. Until I feel comfortable with a full redesign, I'm just going to tweak the navigation and clear out the sidebars, all the while making it about 200 pixels wider. It's so cramped right now! I also want to launch some surveys/polls and get (anonymous) feedback from all of you. 

I feel so blessed to know Elle and be able to spend time with her and chat about life, business, etc. She's one of my very best friends and she's such a great person to have in my life. I'm excited for her next chapter in North Carolina (We can't wait to visit!) but we'll miss her and Bryan so much! Saturday's meet up really made it obvious to me how much it helps to have someone you can talk to about things like that. We can relate to each other and help each other out along the way. Sometimes being a solo entrepreneur or small biz owner can be so daunting and stressful. You feel like you have nowhere to turn and no one to talk to (I mean, there's Mike but I'm talking about someone not directly tied into the success/failure of the business) -- we get to see each other reach goals and milestones. We can celebrate those small victories along the way. 
If you have your own business (or want to start one), I highly recommend finding someone you can confide in and learn from. Almost like a mentor, but a peer. It's amazing how one little afternoon can make you feel so revived and inspired. I can't wait to put these new goals and ideas into motion.  While I know it's a flexible schedule and only a foundation, I already have all of April laid out. Here's to hoping it's beneficial to be back on the scheduling wagon! Thanks, Elle

Do you have anyone like that in your life? If so, do you feel like it's helped you succeed?

35 comments:

  1. I can definitely relate. I had a conversation about a month ago with my husband about wanting to find someone to discuss business ideas because certain aspects of the day to day operation just aren't relatable if you aren't doing them. I met a fellow t-shirt brand owner at a trade show recently and hit it off. We'll see how that goes. I'd love for Elle to share so info on B-school. I almost did it but couldn't find any unbiased reviews.

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    1. I'll definitely toss the idea her way and see if she's keen on sharing her experience! She's only been at it for a couple of weeks but I'm sure she'll have loads to say about it once she's completed it!

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  2. I don't have anyone like that in my life, but I certainly need one!!

    I'm trying to do so many things at once with my art, my blog and my shops... and I don't ever know if I'm doing all this in the right way.

    - Rewynd
    http://make.rewynd.net

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    1. Don't worry about doing things "the right way" - everyone's business experience is "right" because it's personal! but I totally get what you're saying! Having an unbiased extra party can really help you see things from a new perspective!

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  3. Oddly enough, I think I may have found a friend like this in my friend/hairstylist Pam. She's and amazing and growing so big with her stylist skills. Her and I got to talking about where we wanted our careers to go from here. For her it is full time and for me it is part time. It was just so amazing to be able to be able to talk to her about it even though we are in separate lifestyles.

    Kelster Jean
    kelsterjean.blogspot.com

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  4. sounds like a great way to spend an afternoon, and wonderfully inspiring. I'm just at that point of wanting to find a business peer/mentor and also trying to declutter my life.

    good luck with all of your decisions :)

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    1. and good luck to you on your quest for someone to confide in!

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  5. I think it's great to have someone to discuss all of these things with - it's amazing how much pressure it takes off your mind!

    Much love,
    Jennifer x

    artstylelove.com

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  6. For many months now, I've felt like I could really benefit from a mentor and/or peer that is a small business owner or does freelance work on the side. I've been feeling rather defeated by financial things, so I know it could be helpful to have someone to talk to other than my husband (sometimes I think you need to talk to someone outside the situation).
    You're a lucky lady to have such a friend! I agree that inspiration is contagious, so hold on to that!
    Thanks for sharing, especially on a Monday. They tend to be the pits, haha.

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    1. I can't tell you HOW many times Mike and I moseyed over to the coffee shop to just sit and hash out business ideas for hours. It was/is really great, but having someone who isn't connected to your business can be SUCH a breath of fresh air! Here's to hoping your Monday wasn't too bad! ;)

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  7. I definitely need a fellow mastermind to have these sessions with. It seems so beneficial, especially if your peer is not only willing to help you shape your ideas but also to tell you when something just sounds bad.

    I can get "inspiration drunk" and see things through "creative-vision-goggles" so I need someone to tell me when my brilliant idea is actually a dud.

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  8. My friend & fellow blogger/shop owner Mandy and I have 'boss business lady brunch' every couple weeks. It's so helpful to bounce ideas off of someone who is in the trenches too.

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    1. I love the name! "Boss Business Lady Brunch" is so catchy!

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  9. i don't have a person like that in my life but i really need. hope to find some one like that soon!

    that was also a reaso why i wrote you a few weeks ago :) and i still wanted to say thank you for your kind words!
    (also done it on my blog today)

    http://www.freaktvblog.de

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    1. you're so very welcome jessie! wishing you the best of luck!

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  10. I had a great friend for this but she has since moved and it is hard to keep in touch. I really need to find another person to do this with... I have been dragging my poor husband on coffee dates to help me brainstorm!

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    1. We are like two peas in a pod - Mike and I made regular coffee dates a priority just to brainstorm business!

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  11. I love your handwriting! And I also use a journal and a calendarr to help me plan and think of blog ideas. :) I try to constantly keep my inspiration journal filled with new ideas!

    x Sara from tinysugarbee.blogspot.com

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  12. I really need someone like that in my life! I talk to my husband and sister about it and while they are SO supportive and helpful, it would be nice to have someone with the same entrepreneurial spirit/experience to talk to.

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    1. I couldn't agree more, Aileen! It's great when you can talk to someone who you don't see as direct competition, you're able to trust what they say even more!

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  13. I totally agree!

    I have only recently been letting people into by business and sharing ideas and it is a huge encouragement. It is wonderful to have business buddies and to spur each other on!

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  14. what an inspiring post - if only i could know you in real life! thanks to your blog for making me strive to make mine better!

    ~ erika

    wordslikebeautyblog.blogspot.com

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  15. ooh this is super inspiring. love your idea-board.
    kw ladies in navy

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  16. Just reading this had me inspired! :)

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  17. I love organization and this was so inspiring. When I dont plan, it makes my life so chaotic and stressful. I love seeibg a calendar like that. It is essential for have a person that inspires you. My sister is my person. We balance each other.

    Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com

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  18. I guess I'm still young, maybe thats the reason i don't have someone like that in my life yet. I hope i will in the future. Actually if I had someone to discuss about all the hobbies and whatnot that I was serious about in life that would be perfect :)

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  19. I have recently discovered someone like this in my life and they've become my go to and an even better friend than before. I need structure in my life and the people in it, so I understand this completely. And good for you for buckling down :) Can't wait to see the changes!

    xo Ashley
    thetiniestfirecracker.com

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  20. You guys both look so cutely organized! I love it! I wish I had a more cohesive way to organize how I want my blog to run...I'll work up to that...

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  21. This is turning out to be a match-making thread for "business buddies" lol. Who wants to make a duo, or even dare I say, a 3 musketeers scenario?! Ha ha.

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  22. Wilmington, NC is SO AMAZING. Did you know that One Tree Hill was filmed all in that area and it is huge on film? I should know because of my ex but STILL, Chad Michael Murray was close to where I was standing...

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  23. it's so great that you have such a wonderful, smart, talented person to turn to and bounce ideas off of! i generally talk to shannon about my plans so all my franticness falls to her. but since i joined the stockroom vintage team it's been amazing having elizabeth around to help me sort out all my goals and plans! it's so awesome to have a circle of supportive ladies around <3

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  24. wow, this is a great idea! i have a couple blog/real-life friends and we totally need to have a "mastermind session." thanks for sharing! and good luck. :)

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  25. It seems so nice to have a friend like that. I'm glad the creative juices are flowing and I can't wait to see what happens with LCH and more.

    Kindness is the best accessory,
    Rebecca

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  26. It's so great to have a friend that you can talk to like that. It must be great to get all the creative juices flowing. I can't wait to see what happens with LCH and all of your other projects.

    Kindness is the best accessory,
    Rebecca

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HEY! Thanks for dropping by. xo KB