October 26 - Well a lot has changed
So much to catch you all up on! Life has been a whirlwind of fun, adventure, soul-purposes and a whole lot more!
Let's back all the way up to April 2021 - my first adult trip ALONE to wonderfully sunny Florida (my happy place)! Being near the ocean, my soul feels completely at peace, like I am one with the ocean and all her power and furry and softness and curves. Anyone else?? Seriously, the ocean hypnotizes me in a way nothing else has EVER. On this trip I packed my handy journal, sunglasses, sunhat and vaca state-of-mind, but little did I know God had a whole lot to chat with me about while my toes were buried in the sand.
My eyes were opened to how wildly independent I can be as a single woman. How self-sufficient I actually am and how many decisions I can truly make on my own. I couldn't believe the courage and strength I started feeling those 5 days in Florida, with the beautiful sun beaming down on me and the waves crashing against the bright white shoreline. I found myself. And I knew in my heart I had been playing it safe the last few years - (which was much needed after an incredibly hard divorce and the up-rooting of my entire life). I needed and craved the safety net of family and friends, my heart needed my people, my soul needed all the reconnection with so many creatures comforts.
BUT THEN FLORIDA HAPPENED....
Coming back from this soul awakening trip just opened my eyes WIDE to what God was intending for me...I didn't know how or when, but I was meant to leave home. And not in a small way. Like quit my job, get out of my apartment lease, sell all of my things and GO kind of way!!! And that I did...
I jumped into an Airstream adventure with one hell of a good friend, Adi - you changed the trajectory of my life! And took off on an journey that I will never forget. Traveling to Taos, NM - our first stop (and only stop with "Sheinz57", after learning the Airstream and F-150 combo only averaged about 8 mpg) - yikes is right! So we parked our rig and I got to climbing mountains, mountain biking (still a work in progress, lol) and paddle boarding until my heart was so full of adventure I felt completely content. I went exploring on my own A LOT - southern Colorado to Utah to New Mexico. And I LOVED EVERY SECOND of it!!! And I connected with God in away that only happens when you are secluded from all the normal routines of life, a bit of an Elijah situation if you will...
AND GOD SHOWED UP
Showed up and showed me that this "purpose" I've been searching for had been placed right in front of my eyes in little Clay Center, KS (look it up, the town is adorable). I learned the in's and out's of website design and development and how to create an incredible social media presence for an amazing boutique with a long-standing reputation in the community! And the reach, the reach that came with leaning into all this "new" was absolutely INCREDIBLE!!! And the joy it brought to my heart, to be the one behind the screen, promoting the busi-ness out of this amazing business - extending the reach past the county lines, past the state lines to a business that now ships nationwide!
I'd found my passion!!
And here we are October 26th, 2021...I type this while on vacation with my family in Maine, living out my passion -- Empowering Women-Owned Businesses through E-Commerce. And guys, HOLY SHIT does this light me up!!! I mean if I could somehow explain to you how amped up I get about sharing the creativity inside these women entrepreneurs...you'd just see the glow that comes from me for sure!
I've always known I somehow wanted to Empower Women, in some form or another...but who would have ever guessed I'd be nerding out about web design and social media?!?! And the HUGE impact it can have on a small business!!
So re-branding is happening, the woman who got so much joy from making handmade cards, is still creating, but in just a different form these days. The Collective is shifting, growing and evolving like we all do...
Stay tuned friends, we are only just beginning...
Much love & gratitude,
Kelsey Ann