Grace Kraaijvanger Grace Kraaijvanger

Lessons From the Coffee Shop

I started a practice last year where I have at least one breakfast, coffee, or lunch date each week with someone that fuels my creative energy, sparks new ideas, and inspires me.

I call it my "inspiration date" and it's been a game-changer. It's fun to go into a meeting knowing that they're my inspiring person that week. Some weeks I end up with 2 or 3 coffees or lunch dates that meet my inspiring person quota. That's a cup-filling week.

Yesterday, I had two in one day! And, in both conversations, confidence came up as a central theme…

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Grace Kraaijvanger Grace Kraaijvanger

What do Madonna and Female Founders Have in Common?

I saw Madonna in concert last night and was amazed by the showcasing of her genius career over the decades.

What struck me as I Vogue-d and shimmied to Holiday (took me right back to my side ponytail and legwarmer days) is that Madonna lives in days, just like the rest of us. A collection of days (tens of thousands of them) where she wakes up, does her Madonna thing and goes to bed. And yet, in that collection of days, she's shown up to push the boundaries, be the first, and express herself as authentically as only Madonna can. Wow. What we do every day adds up. 

Today, I'm so proud to showcase the work of a group of Hivery students who worked so hard day-by-day last Fall in our special Revenue Sprint program. Over a couple of months, Laura Zavelson (Hivery member and Entrepreneur-in-Residence) and I mentored these talented small business owners on how they could clarify their offer and pricing to get paid what they're worth. They worked on customer insight surveys, pricing strategy, and messaging, with many iterations and aha moments.

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Grace Kraaijvanger Grace Kraaijvanger

A New Way to Start the New Year (aka Drishti)

In yoga, there's a concept called Drishti, meaning to find your focus or gazing point. It's that gentle yet firm focus that helps us keep our balance. It's not a steely stare, but rather a steady gaze that connects us with our breath and keeps our eyes open, literally and figuratively. 

This concept of soft focus is a remarkable metaphor as we move into the New Year. 

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Grace Kraaijvanger Grace Kraaijvanger

Lessons From a Free Bird

I have a new title. It's free bird. Or, empty nester. Or, bird launcher. I'm officially something related to birds.

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Hivery Customer Service Hivery Customer Service

12 Best Books for Late Summer

We partnered with BookSparks to bring you a late-summer reading list for you to squeeze a few more lazy days in the hammock or poolside before Fall kicks in.

Happy August Reading!

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Grace Kraaijvanger Grace Kraaijvanger

Lessons From the Auto Mechanic

It was a rainy evening the day before Christmas Eve. And instead of bustling around for last-minute gifts, I found myself leaning over the counter at my auto service shop reviewing the many things that were wrong with my car.

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