Red & Rugged

This season invites us to upend old habits and reveal a fresh perspective.

Before you dive in and do “all the things,” ask yourself a few quality questions. “What if it IS possible to… What would that look like?” And see how your brain goes to work finding options for you.

To be real, these internal dialogues aren’t always simple and joyous. Sometimes, when I ask myself for clarity around a question, it’s calming. On certain days, I’m inspired to pursue a different outlook, and on others, well, it’s like a tug-of-war with myself (See photos —maybe you can relate!?). And I accept it all as normal, part of the process.

During this time of refresh and renewal, ask yourself to think differently, raise questions around problems you want your brain to solve, and proclaim the answers. You may uncover an alternative, an idea, or a brand new path you haven’t seen until now.
Find more on asking your best questions here:

https://www.redandrugged.net/blog/2025/reveal-a-fresh-perspective

Vintage inspiration. A peek at my journey.

I pulled this card out of my wallet this week and smiled. It’s a promo I made for clients ten years ago! The card is from back in the day when you could make and load individual, custom Starbucks cards with different people, outfits, backgrounds - like a physical card emoji way before its time.

I have to laugh because it’s still all the things I love: my running shirt, red hair (now silver), cell phone in one hand, frothy latte in the other, and NYC (still a fav, just there last week!) The tiny print says, “brewing creative content.” Yep, still.

What a windy road from there to here. Back then, there was no way to know the changes ahead: moving, launching a national program, starting a biz, working with my husband, global artisan clients, and coaching talented creative women (that’s six out of a million!) One thing that’s remained constant: my love for creative, colorful, unique, festive, personalized things and the same in written form, books, notecards, calendars… (Which is why I write a blog.)

I reloaded this card, so I will keep pulling it out, make myself laugh, and remember the fun things I’ve accomplished. Also, as a reminder, while we don’t know how the path zigs and zags, the passion you carry inside goes with you and keeps showing up (so don’t ignore it!). Here’s to percolating on your next creative idea.

Stepping out to shine and serve.

Sometimes, unexpected events unfold that, in the end, make perfect sense. It’s like finding that last puzzle piece without the box cover, and the whole picture becomes clear.

The transition we’ve just completed feels a lot like that. We’re announcing changes that excite Rugged and me in different ways.

After decades in business, and mentoring women of all ages, I’m excited to be a creatives’ business coach full-time. And Rugged is thrilled to fully retire.

As co-founders, it’s taken many long conversations between us, a lot of self-reflection, and candid answers to questions about where we each want to go in business. The conversations weren’t all fun; change is prickly. However, it can also be liberating. (I joked with friends that I could write a book on this!)

If you’re in the thick of it with your co-founder or business partner, keep talking, make the next decision, take one step forward. As Brendon Burchard says, it’s okay if, some days, all you do is take the next right step with intention.

When you’re honest with yourselves, the path appears. And one day, you step back, look at your journey - the long days, the rough patches, the wins - and realize it all makes sense. It all led to this moment.


Find more details here:
https://www.redandrugged.net/blog/stepping-out-to-shine-and-serve