I’m a writer, speaker and coach under the moniker Miss Modish, where I help makers, artists, and designers market their creative businesses with confidence and success! I dole out what I call “doses of mojo”- inspiration, motivation and advice- via my blog, newsletter, e-books and one-on-one sessions with creative biz owners. My focus is on helping them create healthy, happy businesses and lives, since as solo-prenuers the two are so intertwined. I help with everything from getting your website into tip-top shape and creative marketing ideas, to dealing with competition and your own self-doubt, as it’s all a part of running a successful indie business. I also run a blog & e-course with my friend Jen thru our site The Maven Circle, where we do weekly posts and videos dedicated to helping women unleash their inner awesome, and live the lives they were meant for!

I saved up enough to live off of for at least a few months and everyday dreaded my day job more and more as the lusty pull from my own biz was tugging at me. I remember I broke down one day and started sobbing on the way to work, nauseous from the thought of another day spent away from the direction I really wanted to head in, and so I walked in and gave my notice. I can still remember how awesome it felt to walk out on my last day and say goodbye to everyone- I felt free and full of so much possibility, and I haven’t looked back since. I learned that we must listen to that call within us- when you hear it, do everything you can to follow and foster it as that’s the path to your happiness- it’s a longer, twistier, much more fulfilling road.

I wake up when my body wakes up instead of by an alarm clock, with a pile of three cats on top of me, and the day is mine! I have a morning routine of self-care- I drink a big glass of water, meditate/breath and exercise before I sit down to my computer to work. Then I’m usually blogging either at Miss Modish or at The Maven Circle each morning, and will usually hop on social media, answer comments and a few emails in the morn. I may have a mojo session that day, or may be meeting with Jen to shoot videos. And then I’ll take a mid-day break to play with the dog, eat lunch and get outside. And then it’s back to work either on client projects/research, answering emails, graphics/design stuff, filming/editing “dose of mojo” videos, more writing for myself or guest posts… everyday is different really, I flow in and out between a lot of projects and love it!

I really have stayed true to my own interests and voice and I think that has a lot to do with finding and growing an audience. You have to be genuinely stoked about what you’re doing and be really genuine in imparting the message of what you’re doing to your customers- ie, just be real! Be you, be honest. I’ve realized that the more personal and honest I get in my business, the more I loosen the reins of perfectionism, the more I make mistakes in front of everyone that I have to learn from- the better my business gets! Any business all comes down to people connecting with people. So the more you can connect, the more you’ll engage your ideal customer and the more they’ll want to support you, and your business will grow strong, organically!

What keeps you inspired and motivated?  How do you cope when inspiration won’t come?

Taking care of myself is really one of the best ways I’ve learned to keep the inspiration coming, cause when I feel more taken care of and less stressed out, it’s much easier to think freely and creatively. Frequent breaks, lots of breathing, lots of downtime and getting away from the computer are some of the best ways to stay motivated. I used to get stuck working working working and was so burnt out from working so hard, I was just wasting so much time. Now I let myself relax more, cut myself some slack, and I actually get more done in less time because I feel better and am not beating myself up all the time!

I do a heckload of research- I’m a nerd, so it’s one of my favorite things! I research every one of my mojo client’s situation’s individually to find marketing ideas and resources specific to them. I research the topics we write about over at The Maven Circle through online articles and videos. And I have a different ebook or ecourse I’m in the middle of at any given point on marketing, bettering your business or bettering yourself- I’m always learning as much as possible about what I want to know, so I can learn and share with others too!

Well if you’re in the just getting started phases, I’d recommend Kari Chapin’s new book, Grow Your Handmade Business. I have a little Q&A in there on PR for indie business owners, but the whole book is phenomenal and super informative. And if it’s PR/pitching that you’re really interested in, I have to suggest my own Tip-Top Pitch Kit to help with that! And Danielle LaPorte’s Fire Starter Sessions address more the mindset and emotional stuff behind pursuing your passions- she’s amazing in general, I have a total girl crush on her. 

I’m obsessed with my flower garden, you’ll find me out there pruning, planting or taking pictures of them everyday I can. I also love to go thrifting and to estate sales with my Mr., make stuff, paint my nails crazy colors, take pictures, watch netflix documentaries and bad Bravo reality tv shows, yoga and exercise in the park, going to see live music and lots of ice cream is had, oh yes. Lots of ice cream.