• Are you serving or striving? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ You see that little number on your profile? The one with or without a K behind it? Those are real people (in most cases, dang bots 😉😂). Those people at one point or another chose to follow you. To see your photos, to read your words. Something about you felt worthy of their time and attention. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But are you giving them YOUR time and attention? Do you value them as much as you value getting the followers you don’t have? Is it about serving your followers or striving for more? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I love the challenge I’ve heard before to picture all your followers in a room. How big would that room have to be? Talk about a reality check! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So, friend, let’s commit together to focus on serving and loving our current followers well and choosing gratitude for the platform we’ve been given. ♥️ Image by @wellstyledessentials
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    Are you serving or striving? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ You see that little number on your profile? The one with or without a K behind it? Those are real people (in most cases, dang bots 😉😂). Those people at one point or another chose to follow you. To see your photos, to read your words. Something about you felt worthy of their time and attention. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But are you giving them YOUR time and attention? Do you value them as much as you value getting the followers you don’t have? Is it about serving your followers or striving for more? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I love the challenge I’ve heard before to picture all your followers in a room. How big would that room have to be? Talk about a reality check! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So, friend, let’s commit together to focus on serving and loving our current followers well and choosing gratitude for the platform we’ve been given. ♥️ Image by @wellstyledessentials
  • One of the most challenging parts of being a creative entrepreneur is keeping up with all the new strategies, tactics and platforms. It’s easy to look at new developments as yet another thing to learn, or just one more thing to keep up with. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But what if we chose to look at our ever changing industry as a source of inspiration instead of frustration? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Our industry is evolving, innovating and it’s our job as business owners to embrace and evolve right along with it. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ One of those developments of late is Pinterest. Have you taken advantage of all the traffic Pinterest can bring you? Are you excited for the possibilities that come with upping your Pinterest game? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I know I am! And I’m SO excited and honored to have the Pinterest queen herself @vanessakynes guest blogging for me today with some of her best tips for optimizing your Pinterest profile! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Let’s join the movement and grow with our ever changing industry together, friend!
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    One of the most challenging parts of being a creative entrepreneur is keeping up with all the new strategies, tactics and platforms. It’s easy to look at new developments as yet another thing to learn, or just one more thing to keep up with. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But what if we chose to look at our ever changing industry as a source of inspiration instead of frustration? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Our industry is evolving, innovating and it’s our job as business owners to embrace and evolve right along with it. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ One of those developments of late is Pinterest. Have you taken advantage of all the traffic Pinterest can bring you? Are you excited for the possibilities that come with upping your Pinterest game? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I know I am! And I’m SO excited and honored to have the Pinterest queen herself @vanessakynes guest blogging for me today with some of her best tips for optimizing your Pinterest profile! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Let’s join the movement and grow with our ever changing industry together, friend!
  • Someday I’ll finish editing and organizing my phone photos of our birth and first few months of #aleamarleneduvick but not today. Today is just me and my girl sleeping, snuggling, eating and a lil bit of “playing.” Baby girl is officially out of preemie clothing and into newborn and it kind of just happened so fast yet went so slow all at the same time. You mamas who instagram daily and record your memories consistently have my mad respect. 😅 @lovevery play mat, @targetstyle sleeper
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    Someday I’ll finish editing and organizing my phone photos of our birth and first few months of #aleamarleneduvick but not today. Today is just me and my girl sleeping, snuggling, eating and a lil bit of “playing.” Baby girl is officially out of preemie clothing and into newborn and it kind of just happened so fast yet went so slow all at the same time. You mamas who instagram daily and record your memories consistently have my mad respect. 😅 @lovevery play mat, @targetstyle sleeper
  • How you show up is how you’ll be remembered. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Wise words from my very talented designer, Bri of @brightenmade that although written specifically about your brand from her guest blog post today, really apply to life in general. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So how are you showing up today? How do you want to be remembered? Both as a brand and as a human. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Head over to the blog to get Bri's best tips for keeping your brand consistent across aaaalllllllllll the platforms and make sure you're following her here on Insta! She's one of my favorites!
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    How you show up is how you’ll be remembered. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Wise words from my very talented designer, Bri of @brightenmade that although written specifically about your brand from her guest blog post today, really apply to life in general. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So how are you showing up today? How do you want to be remembered? Both as a brand and as a human. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Head over to the blog to get Bri's best tips for keeping your brand consistent across aaaalllllllllll the platforms and make sure you're following her here on Insta! She's one of my favorites!
  • I was going to tell you all about how real life has been today. I was going to share how I don’t have this motherhood thing down quite yet and how I’ve had to learn to make sure I eat and go to the bathroom and such. 😉 But sitting here this early morning, nursing my sweet little babe who just now fits into her newborn onesies, I felt like God whispered, “be grateful for this gift.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And I am. Grateful. Honored that God entrusted me with this little life, a soul with inherent, unmeasurable worth and value that He created. It’s a privilege and one I hope I never lose sight of. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But there’s also another privilege I was given a little over a year ago, when God made me a Mom for the first time. I didn’t ever get to hold him or change his diapers, but that little babe we lost changed me and will forever be the babe who made me a Mom. ❤️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Thank you Jesus for these lives and the perfect story you’re writing. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ To my hurting friends this Mother’s Day...I see you and I hear you. I was a part of a series of letters written to you in this season through the beautiful ministry, @liliagraceshop - head to their blog for letters of hope and encouragement and know that you are not forgotten this Mother’s Day! ❤️ Photo by the lovely @alexandriahinders
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    I was going to tell you all about how real life has been today. I was going to share how I don’t have this motherhood thing down quite yet and how I’ve had to learn to make sure I eat and go to the bathroom and such. 😉 But sitting here this early morning, nursing my sweet little babe who just now fits into her newborn onesies, I felt like God whispered, “be grateful for this gift.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And I am. Grateful. Honored that God entrusted me with this little life, a soul with inherent, unmeasurable worth and value that He created. It’s a privilege and one I hope I never lose sight of. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But there’s also another privilege I was given a little over a year ago, when God made me a Mom for the first time. I didn’t ever get to hold him or change his diapers, but that little babe we lost changed me and will forever be the babe who made me a Mom. ❤️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Thank you Jesus for these lives and the perfect story you’re writing. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ To my hurting friends this Mother’s Day...I see you and I hear you. I was a part of a series of letters written to you in this season through the beautiful ministry, @liliagraceshop - head to their blog for letters of hope and encouragement and know that you are not forgotten this Mother’s Day! ❤️ Photo by the lovely @alexandriahinders
  • This photo was one week ago...in Texas. Swipe and fast forward 4 days and our sweet Alea Marlene decided to make her entrance a month early. We’ve been able to love and get to know her for a few short days and for now, she’s in the NICU for an unknown amount of time, resting and building up strength before we can take her home. I wish I could tell you that it’s been easy to focus on the good. I wish I could say it’s been the sweetest few days of our life. But it’s really just been hard. A lot of tears have flowed from both of us, especially when I saw the feeding tube or the moment they put that mask over her sweet little eyes to go under the blue lights. I’m fighting hard to find rest in the truth of who God is and the story he has already written for this little babe’s life and praying for wisdom and strength to be what she needs us to be right now, and also praising Jesus she waited until we were back home to make her entrance!! ❤️
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    This photo was one week ago...in Texas. Swipe and fast forward 4 days and our sweet Alea Marlene decided to make her entrance a month early. We’ve been able to love and get to know her for a few short days and for now, she’s in the NICU for an unknown amount of time, resting and building up strength before we can take her home. I wish I could tell you that it’s been easy to focus on the good. I wish I could say it’s been the sweetest few days of our life. But it’s really just been hard. A lot of tears have flowed from both of us, especially when I saw the feeding tube or the moment they put that mask over her sweet little eyes to go under the blue lights. I’m fighting hard to find rest in the truth of who God is and the story he has already written for this little babe’s life and praying for wisdom and strength to be what she needs us to be right now, and also praising Jesus she waited until we were back home to make her entrance!! ❤️
  • You should consider failing more often.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 😅⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Probably not what you would expect me to say, huh? ;) You really wouldn’t expect anyone to give you that advice, much less a business coach. Success is the goal, right?! Even though failure seems like the worst possible outcome, it may actually be more helpful than you think.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🤔⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ No one wants to fail. That’s just human. But you really should consider failing more often. Because if you’re never failing, you miiiiight not be reaching your full potential. You have some great ideas, some high hopes and dreams, but a few of those might just have to fail so you can either improve on it or find an even better option.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💁🏽‍♀️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So friend, it’s time to let go of our fear of failure. Trust our creative gut. Try new things. Innovate. Take a risk. Challenge the status quo. Just TRY it.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💪🏼⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tell me, what is the fear of failure keeping you from trying right now?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 😬⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Check the blog for more thoughts on how to shift your mindset around failure 😘⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #theheartfeltgrid #hardworkandfairydust #creativepreneur #smallbiz #calledtobecreative #fueledwithheart #pursuepretty #herestothecreatives #savvybusinessowner #solopreneur #wearethecreativeeconomy #bosslady #creativityfound #dreamersanddoers #workfromanywhere #creativeatheart #communityovercompetition #makersgonnamake #pursuepretty #goaldigger #dreamchaser #businesstips #laptoplife #creativebusinesscoach #businesscoachforcreatives
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    You should consider failing more often.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 😅⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Probably not what you would expect me to say, huh? ;) You really wouldn’t expect anyone to give you that advice, much less a business coach. Success is the goal, right?! Even though failure seems like the worst possible outcome, it may actually be more helpful than you think.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🤔⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ No one wants to fail. That’s just human. But you really should consider failing more often. Because if you’re never failing, you miiiiight not be reaching your full potential. You have some great ideas, some high hopes and dreams, but a few of those might just have to fail so you can either improve on it or find an even better option.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💁🏽‍♀️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So friend, it’s time to let go of our fear of failure. Trust our creative gut. Try new things. Innovate. Take a risk. Challenge the status quo. Just TRY it.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💪🏼⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tell me, what is the fear of failure keeping you from trying right now?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 😬⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Check the blog for more thoughts on how to shift your mindset around failure 😘⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #theheartfeltgrid #hardworkandfairydust #creativepreneur #smallbiz #calledtobecreative #fueledwithheart #pursuepretty #herestothecreatives #savvybusinessowner #solopreneur #wearethecreativeeconomy #bosslady #creativityfound #dreamersanddoers #workfromanywhere #creativeatheart #communityovercompetition #makersgonnamake #pursuepretty #goaldigger #dreamchaser #businesstips #laptoplife #creativebusinesscoach #businesscoachforcreatives
  • I've pretty much survived this pregnancy on bagels. I actually had a bagel for breakfast AND lunch today, y'all. 😂 I actually think I should get a count. I've probably kept Panera and Starbucks in business just on my bagel-eating alone. 😅 So, of course, it was fitting that my high school besties had asiago cheese bagels at my super sweet baby shower last weekend. 😍 But really, whoa did I feel loved and whoa am I just overwhelmed and humbled at how our community has totally cared for us in providing SO DANG MUCH of what we need to welcome a baby into our life. 😭 The rest of today will be spent organizing alllll the things and ordering the final odds and ends to complete the nursery and make me feel ready to do this thing. 😳🎉 How are we really just 3 weeks away from April and about 5 weeks from our due date?! 🤯😅💃🏿
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    I've pretty much survived this pregnancy on bagels. I actually had a bagel for breakfast AND lunch today, y'all. 😂 I actually think I should get a count. I've probably kept Panera and Starbucks in business just on my bagel-eating alone. 😅 So, of course, it was fitting that my high school besties had asiago cheese bagels at my super sweet baby shower last weekend. 😍 But really, whoa did I feel loved and whoa am I just overwhelmed and humbled at how our community has totally cared for us in providing SO DANG MUCH of what we need to welcome a baby into our life. 😭 The rest of today will be spent organizing alllll the things and ordering the final odds and ends to complete the nursery and make me feel ready to do this thing. 😳🎉 How are we really just 3 weeks away from April and about 5 weeks from our due date?! 🤯😅💃🏿
  • HAPPY DAY the new brand and site are LIVE and I want to celebrate with YOU!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎉🎉🎉⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This site is for you. To encourage you. To bring you honest, actionable business tips and heartfelt #realtalk on the regular.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🙋🏾‍♀️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Because we were never meant to do this life alone and I want to help you build a growing and healthy business that supports what matters most in life.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ❤️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So, how are we going to celebrate?? With all the pretties and giveaways, of course! THREE to be exact!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🙌🏼⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The first giveaway you can enter RIGHT HERE! Then, you'll head to the link in my bio for the launch blog post with the rest of the deets!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 👩🏼‍💻⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ For a chance to win a FREE MONTH OF BUSINESS COACHING, here's how!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 1) Follow me here on Insta @valmarlenecreative⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 2) Like this image⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 3) Tag 2 other biz lady friends in the comments⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This giveaway will end Thursday, March 6th at 11:59pm and the winner will be announced on Friday!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram. By entering, entrants confirm they are 13+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram’s term of use.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #theheartfeltgrid #hardworkandfairydust #creativepreneur #smallbiz #calledtobecreative #fueledwithheart #pursuepretty #herestothecreatives #savvybusinessowner #solopreneur #wearethecreativeeconomy #bosslady #creativeatheart #creativityfound #dreamersanddoers #workfromanywhere #communityovercompetition #makersgonnamake #pursuepretty #goaldigger #dreamchaser #businesstips #laptoplife #businesscoachforcreatives #creativebusinesscoach
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    HAPPY DAY the new brand and site are LIVE and I want to celebrate with YOU!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎉🎉🎉⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This site is for you. To encourage you. To bring you honest, actionable business tips and heartfelt #realtalk on the regular.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🙋🏾‍♀️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Because we were never meant to do this life alone and I want to help you build a growing and healthy business that supports what matters most in life.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ❤️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So, how are we going to celebrate?? With all the pretties and giveaways, of course! THREE to be exact!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🙌🏼⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The first giveaway you can enter RIGHT HERE! Then, you'll head to the link in my bio for the launch blog post with the rest of the deets!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 👩🏼‍💻⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ For a chance to win a FREE MONTH OF BUSINESS COACHING, here's how!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 1) Follow me here on Insta @valmarlenecreative⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 2) Like this image⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 3) Tag 2 other biz lady friends in the comments⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This giveaway will end Thursday, March 6th at 11:59pm and the winner will be announced on Friday!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram. By entering, entrants confirm they are 13+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram’s term of use.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #theheartfeltgrid #hardworkandfairydust #creativepreneur #smallbiz #calledtobecreative #fueledwithheart #pursuepretty #herestothecreatives #savvybusinessowner #solopreneur #wearethecreativeeconomy #bosslady #creativeatheart #creativityfound #dreamersanddoers #workfromanywhere #communityovercompetition #makersgonnamake #pursuepretty #goaldigger #dreamchaser #businesstips #laptoplife #businesscoachforcreatives #creativebusinesscoach
  • Hey friend! I hope you've had a great week! It's been a while since we've had a little #fridayintroductions fun, and I actually want to know you, so let's get to know each other a bit better!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Let's start with 3 things you probably didn't know about me...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 1. I don't have my ears pierced. Not scared of it. Don't have anything against it....just never wanted to! 🤷🏼‍♀️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 2. My first business involved making wallets out of duct tape... super short lived and not profitable... also embarrassing 🤦🏼‍♀️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 3. I had to stop watching the show Parenthood because the constant drama made me irritable and less fun to be around 🙈 Has a TV show ever done that to you?!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Okay YOUR TURN! Tell me one thing I probably didn't know about you in the comments! Let's be friends! 🤗
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    Hey friend! I hope you've had a great week! It's been a while since we've had a little #fridayintroductions fun, and I actually want to know you, so let's get to know each other a bit better!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Let's start with 3 things you probably didn't know about me...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 1. I don't have my ears pierced. Not scared of it. Don't have anything against it....just never wanted to! 🤷🏼‍♀️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 2. My first business involved making wallets out of duct tape... super short lived and not profitable... also embarrassing 🤦🏼‍♀️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 3. I had to stop watching the show Parenthood because the constant drama made me irritable and less fun to be around 🙈 Has a TV show ever done that to you?!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Okay YOUR TURN! Tell me one thing I probably didn't know about you in the comments! Let's be friends! 🤗