Building a business takes time, requires lots of different skills, has ups and downs, and challenges my belief in me, my abilities and my business on the regular. It often feels like the things I am doing are not working....

On a recent Career Alchemy Academy coaching call someone mentioned that she was at the first big work event with her new company. She was standing in line next to someone she did not know yet and they got to...

Last Friday, I had the wonderful experience of interviewing the amazing Janine Firpo about her money story, her book, and the nonprofit foundation she created to spark a global movement: helping women build wealth aligned with their values. It was enlightening. (You...

I was at an event at the beautiful Union League of Chicago this week that included networking time. At lunch, we went around the table and introduced ourselves. Essentially, we each gave our elevator pitch, the one we had all practiced...

I want to write a book. But I don’t feel quite ready to prioritize the writing given other things that are going on in my work and life. Even though I am not ready to set aside the time to...

Not long after we bought our current house, a storm rolled in with heavy rain. Soon we realized water was seeping through cracks in the basement walls. We called in the experts. They patched things up. Problem solved—until the next...

Every month inside Career Alchemy Academy (CAA) I like to have a word or phrase, a touchstone, for the month that is meant to be a guiding light of sorts. We explore the traditional meaning of the word and alternative...

Hello Weekend! Yes, I know. It’s Monday. I have not lost my marbles. But I wanted you to time travel with me in today’s blog. Let’s go back to last Friday and the end of your work week. I am...

As many of you already know, I started my career as the only woman software developer on a small team of guys. It was not a great experience for me as a woman in tech. I was excluded, ignored and...

Recently, someone asked me how I became successful in sales—and not just once, but in multiple roles, from software sales to recruiting and now coaching. I’ve always said that job searching, career advancement, or negotiating your next salary or opportunity is...