Happy Tuesday, Reader! As we continue our discussion of ways to break through that $250K glass ceiling holding back women entrepreneurs, today I’d like to focus specifically on managing your finances. My background as a small business banker and my years in helping small and micro businesses scale sustainably have taught me two key lessons. Business Financing Lesson #1: Migrate to a Profit-First Business Model I’ve talked several times about how game-changing this mindset shift was for me....
9 days ago • 1 min read
Happy Tuesday, Reader! This week, we’re continuing our discussion of what you can do to break through that $250K glass ceiling holding back women-led businesses. Our central value at Realign Consulting is putting people first. We know that no one achieves success on their own, and we help companies like yours invest in the communities that support them so everyone thrives. Traditional marketing and business practices often feel manipulative and gross because they put numbers—data and...
16 days ago • 1 min read
Happy Tuesday, Reader! Last week, I talked about the $250K glass ceiling that has existed for women in this country for over a decade. Today, I’m sharing two things you can do about it. Breaking Through Tip #1: Bigger Dollars, Fewer Clients The top sectors for women-led start-ups still include retail, health, beauty, food, and support services. These industries often share a common problem: small margins and/or a need for scale to be viable income earners. The way to combat this issue (in the...
23 days ago • 1 min read
Happy Tuesday, Reader! I have spent much of my life advocating for women's rights—equal representation, equal pay, and fundamental human dignity—and I've often reminded my peers that we were living in the best time in history to be a woman in the United States. At the risk of ruffling feathers, this WAS true across EVERY intersection of womanhood. That began to change in June 2022. Now, as we enter 2025, the decline in women's positions in the United States isn't just continuing—it's...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Happy Tuesday, Reader! Last week, we talked about winners vs. leaders, which got me thinking about an episode of On with Kara Swisher, in which she talks with social media’s early moderators and gatekeepers. One of the guests explains why “The Everything Stores” of social media (like Meta products and YouTube) have so much trouble with misuse of their platforms and noise. Meanwhile, Pinterest, Snap, and others do just fine. Her explanation? The age-old adage that by trying to please everyone,...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Happy Tuesday, Reader! This time of year in the United States, it’s hard to avoid talk about the Super Bowl. Even days after the game, you’ll find people ready to rehash calls and plays and offer their opinions on who won and why. But while winning is great for sports, it’s really bad for societies, relationships, and yes, even running a business. In his 2019 book, The Infinite Game, Simon Sinek explains how business and politics are games with different players, rules, and goals than what we...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Happy Tuesday, Reader! Last week, we talked about the power of wintering. However, slowing down to rest and observe can itself feel overwhelming. Our society idealizes and venerates spring's hustle without recognizing winter's necessity—to cultivate stillness as a foundation for future momentum. This week, I’m sharing two observation practices that help create a container for The Pause. Whether you’re using these in a wintering moment or to create space in faster-paced times, these two...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Happy Tuesday, Reader! Our remote team is spread all over the world, so winter looks a little different for each of us. But whether we’re dealing with snow and ice or just cooler temperatures, we’ve all embraced the wisdom of the winter season. This week, I’m sharing two quotes that explore the importance of honoring this time. Quote #1 discusses the necessity of winter for growth and new life. “Winter is not the death of the life cycle, but its crucible.” - Katherine May Florida has had a...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Happy Tuesday, Reader! This is the point in January when New Year's resolutions usually falter. What seemed completely doable in the midst of the sparkling hope of the holiday season now feels unattainable between the demands of everyday life. We need small shifts in our daily practices and rituals to create lasting change. Set yourself up for success by mapping out the path you need to get where you want to go. I think of this goal-planning method like planning a route with GPS—one step at a...
2 months ago • 1 min read
