The last chapter of my book, Embracing Autumn: A Motivational Field Guide for Midlife Women Entrepreneurs, is called, "Autumn Sages: The Sisterhood" and it is central to who I am and some of the things that matter most to me: community, belonging and doing life and work together.
As I shared in the book, it’s the power of partnerships and our collaborative, cooperative endeavors, that help us advance and grow. Our success is really never just ours; it's the sum total and contribution of those in our circle and community that help us advance. No woman is an island. We need each other.
That’s how we started 3E Marketing Solutions. I saw two things: business owners baffled by the ever-shifting landscape of digital marketing and everyone siloed and trying to do it on their own. So, I started a breakfast meeting in my kitchen in 2009 and, over coffee, we got our heads around marketing, as I shared a tip and strategy every week. Before long the place was packed, and by the end of the year, I realized I could help people with their marketing and 3E Marketing was born. People had a need I had a solution, and the rest is history.
I think we need that even more as women—supporting each other and helping one another achieve success as we live out our purpose and mission. And then even more so at midlife, when we become so much more aware of time and have a greater sense of urgency to see it through, so that we can create something that outlives and outlasts us.
As women, we can do one of two things: support, love, promote and appreciate one another OR undermine, envy, lack trust ad be suspect of one another. One says—I’m running right alongside you, cheering you on, rooting for your success, and the other ignores, dismisses and underplays your accomplishments.
One is confident because she knows who she is and that what she has to offer is a complement to others and their gifts—she lives from a place of abundance. The other is uncertain, lacks confidence and holds her cards to her chest, fearful that what she has will be copied or taken from her—she lives from a place of lack.
I shared in the book, we can often suffer more at the hands of a women than a man’s, and as harsh as it may seem when that happens, it's not from malice, but from insecurity.
Here’s what I know—we need each other! Each other’s wisdom, each other’s discernment, insights, knowledge, know-how, connections and so much more. Straight up, we will advance in ways we never dreamed, when we are willing to walk in partnership and collaboration. For real—it’s the sisterhood.
As I shared on the last few paragraphs of Embracing Autumn, I have roller skates, you have a key. I have an idea, you have a location. I can take on this part of the project, you can take on that part. And as the late Stephen Covey used to say—"it's win-win or no deal". Each of us should come away thinking we got the better end of the deal but truly knowing that we both did, or it just wouldn’t work.
So I’ll wrap up this blogpost like I wrapped up the book and this message is coming straight from my heart to yours!
I’m calling all midlife women entrepreneurs! Brave, heart-warriors and champions of change. This is your time. You are perfectly poised to bring grace and greatness to a needy world as you share and give of your time-tested wisdom and provide solutions that will bless others.
Just know, you are not alone. There are thousands of women at midlife, movers and shakers like you who want to make a difference through their expertise and influence. That’s why I wrote Embracing Autumn and why I created Sage Success Studio so we could encourage one another to live this brilliant, vibrant season of our lives fully.
And that’s why we need a sisterhood, because there is no way we will sustain these god-sized goals of others without us whispering in each other’s ears: rise up, go , do, be, this is your time and I’m running right here beside you.
Just so you know, you bless me and many others by stepping out and doing what you’re doing. So be encouraged today to keep going, keep creating, keep serving, no matter if you’re just getting started or have been doing this for decades. We need you to get up, dress up, show up and never give up. Even if we fall down, so what, we can get back up and blaze a trail for others to follow.
Midlife rocks and I’m thrilled to be on this journey with you!
Come join the conversation and the sisterhood over in our free Facebook group, Sage Success Studio! I look forward to seeing you there!
PS Would you like to read Embracing Autumn for free? It's available all the time on Kindle Unlimited, so jump over and grab your copy.
Photo credit: Paul Pruitt Photography
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