In my last blog post, I talked your ear off about my new(ish) opt-in quiz. I told you all about the many reasons why I decided to set up a quiz and how the whole thing aligns with the vision I have for my brand and business. If you didn’t catch that post, you can find it here: Why I set up an Opt-In Quiz In this post, I want to show you all the behind-the-scenes steps I took to set this thing up so that if you want to set up a quiz of your own, you […]
Last month, I finally launched something I’ve been working on for months: the Brand Clarity Quiz! Over the last two years, I’ve experimented with several different opt-in offers. Everything from printable art, to checklists and planners and workbooks. Nothing really worked as well as I thought it would. And nothing really sparked joy — even in me. I can’t remember when exactly the idea for an opt-in quiz hit me… but I know that when it did I was instantly excited. I knew I could make it work. And more importantly, I knew it would be super […]
Here’s my personal update for the week: I’ve been feeling stuck. Like, really, really stuck. Maybe it’s the repressed social justice warrior in me starting to regain strength. Where do I begin? Maybe it’s the cultural background I’ve been trying to hide making it’s way back to the forefront. Can I still be successful? Maybe it’s the baby growing in my womb. Everything’s going to change. I feel like I’m at a crossroads, but not one of the neat tidy ones where you have to pick from two options. No. This crossroads feels more like the tangled […]
Here’s the truth. All those “When you’re doing what you love, it doesn’t feel like work,” quote graphics on Pinterest straight up lie. The truth is, work is work whether you love it or not. I love branding and design and even the boring business-building stuff. But you know what? It still feels like work because it is work. It is work to wake up before my daughter every morning. It is work to write newsletters and blog posts and Instagram captions. It is work to answer emails and hop on video chats and follow up. And it is definitely work to strategize with clients and […]
Has anything like this ever happened to you? You’re at a networking event or conference… or even a family get-together, when someone asks a simple, “So, what do you do?” And you freeze. You forget everything. Or you blurt out tons of unorganized information and keep talking and talking even though you know you sound confusing as hell. I’ve so been there! And I’ve coached a bunch of small business owners through this same struggle. Because a lot of us– and I mean a lot— stumble for words when this question comes up. It’s not that we […]
As much as I want to be one of the cool kids who is totally against resolutions, the truth is that this time of year always gets me in a reflective mood. And reflection inevitably leads to planning and goal setting! Maybe it’s something about the slower pace of the days between Christmas and New Year’s. Maybe it’s just that the excitement of everyone else’s resolutions rubs off on me! Whatever it is about the season, I might as well give in and take advantage of the resolution-setting mood, right? So, here are my 5 business resolutions for […]
As you’re reading this, I’m probably running around like a mad woman trying to figure out if there are enough diapers, snacks, and toys in my backpack. Hoping against all hope that I didn’t forget to pack our toothbrushes. And praying that the public transit gods will rule in my favor and get me to the airport on time. That’s right. I’m flying home for Christmas. This is our first real vacation since moving up to the Pacific Northwest and my first extended time off since starting Wild Olive. And while I (sadly) don’t have any tips for […]
The holiday season is here! And it’s a great time to show the boss ladies in your life how much you love, respect, and appreciate them. I have to admit, I’m not much of a shopper. But I know that a thoughtful gift goes a long way in expressing gratitude. And if you’re anything like me, you have at least one super inspiring creative entrepreneur you want to get a little something for. So whether you’re shopping for your favorite client, your business bestie, or your mastermind group I’ve got some suggestions for thoughtful gifts she’ll love: 1. […]
I’m gonna go right out and ask a slightly uncomfortable question. When is the last time you had a professional headshot taken? A year ago? 3? Never? You know that as a creative entrepreneur, you are the face of your brand. You know your headshot is a big part of the impression you make. And you know an iPhone selfie doesn’t at all cut it. But if you’re anything like me, even the thought of having your photo taken makes you break out in hives. Nothing feels more awkward than having a camera lens pointed right at your […]
I’m always stumped when someone asks how long Wild Olive has been a thing. I feel like it should be the easiest question to answer, but I never really know what to say. Did it start last summer when I put in like a million hours to write my first blog posts and design my branding? Did it start when I took my first client call as Wild Olive instead of Lilly Garcia? When my website finally went live? When I got my official Oregon business license? I recently hit an Instagram goal I’d set for Wild Olive […]