And Rising’s Post

Sunday reflections! 🌟 As the founder of FriendsSquare, I've been on a rollercoaster ride that many of you might relate to. Building a startup from the ground up is exhilarating, but it's also all-consuming. Lately, I've been pondering over a crucial realisation: how easy it is for us entrepreneurs to let the lines between work and life blur until they almost disappear. When you're passionate about your vision, it's tempting to pour every ounce of yourself into it. Trust me, I've been there – working late into the night, thinking about strategies over breakfast, and even dreaming about work! But here's the truth I'm learning to embrace: while our work is important, it's just one part of our beautiful lives. As an IO psychology firm, we at FriendsSquare are all about understanding human behaviour in the workplace. Yet, ironically, I found myself neglecting the very principles we advocate – the importance of a well-rounded life for optimal performance and wellbeing. I'm realising that to be the best leader, the most innovative thinker, and the most supportive colleague, I need to nurture all aspects of my life. This means setting boundaries, like no work calls after 8 PM, and rediscovering passions outside of work. Recently, I've started reading again – something I loved but abandoned in the hustle of startup life. The result? I feel more energised, more creative, and surprisingly, more focused when I am working. By stepping away and recharging, I'm actually becoming more effective in my role. To my fellow founders, entrepreneurs, and everyone in totality – remember, your work is a part of your life, not your entire life. It's okay, even necessary, to have interests, relationships, and moments of joy that have nothing to do with your business. This week, I challenge you (and myself) to do one thing that nourishes your soul outside of work. Maybe it's calling an old friend, reading a non-business book, or simply taking a walk in nature. Let's build successful workplaces, yes, but let's also build rich, fulfilling lives. After all, isn't that the ultimate measure of success? Sending strength and balance to each of you. We're in this together. 💪🌈 #StartupLife #WorkLifeHarmony #EntrepreneurMindset

As a mom and bootstrapped entrepreneur, I prioritized two things this month. My children and my business. This summer, for the first time ever, my husband and I are both working remotely and building businesses. 😅 We also decided not to send our children to camp. Knowing what this would require and that my most precious resource is my time; the social calendar was put on hold. So, what does this month look like? 🚸 Childcare gymnastics for a six-year-old and ten-year-old: - Allowing them to get bored and encouraging them to create and problem-solve for entertainment. - Becoming comfortable with failure, practice, and perseverance as parents. - Making intentional time for presence amidst the chaos. 💫 Big picture visioning: -Setting big-picture goals on all the significant initiatives, moving from worker-bee brain to CEO brain -Meditating and visioning the future, seeing myself one, two, five years from today, writing it down -Blending motivation, inspiration, and self-belief every day 🆕 Creating new programs for a late Q3 launch: - Maternal well-being research project with exciting partners - Newsletter: neuroscience-packed with insights on matrescence and a touch of inspiration - Intensive group coaching program direct to working moms 💡 Organizational and community impact: -Coordinating live and virtual talks, coaching and workshops around the country -Impacting the biotech industry, partnering with company #2 this quarter I’m so proud of all our progress; there is no work-life balance; it's just shifting priorities. One thing that will never change is prioritizing my well-being. That’s a daily requirement. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫? --------------------------------- Hi, I’m Jess, a certified coach, matrescence expert, and founder of ELIXR Coaching & Consulting. 🔔 Follow along, 💌 subscribe in the link, 📬 message me to learn more. #WorkingMom #Culture #Matrescence #Business #WomenEmpowerment #Happiness #WellBeing #Entrepreneur

Don't read this if you're content with feeling overwhelmed by the demands of work and family life! As someone who's been there, I know firsthand the struggle of trying to balance it all while still striving for personal, emotional and professional growth. It sucks! ☯️What could you achieve if you had 3 days? Three days to recharge your mind and body, to laser-focus on your personal and professional goals, all without worrying about a thing. Imagine the possibilities... 🔮 Picture this: You sign up for a retreat, excited for a break from the grind and a chance to recharge, only to realize you're constantly reaching for your wallet. 💳 Meals, activities, room, even basic amenities – everything comes with an extra cost, turning what should be a rejuvenating experience into a financial headache. Only to go home feeling about the same as you started. Pointless! 💫But amidst the chaos – the birth of Zenergía. Fueled by my own disappointments and fueled by the need for a retreat that actually delivers what it promises, I set out to create something different – an all-inclusive haven where business leaders and entrepreneurs could truly unwind, grow, and thrive. Zen + Energía (Spanish for energy) 🌟 Imagine yourself in Tulum, Mexico, surrounded by luxury and tranquility. At Zenergía, you'll experience a retreat unlike any other. Chef-prepared meals King Suite with private in room bathroom and daily housekeeping Immersive business coaching sessions Fitness and wellness activities Meditation ceremonies Networking Thrilling excursions like ocean adventures on a yacht and touring the ancient Mayan ruins Every moment is designed to inspire and uplift. ✨ But here's what sets Zenergía apart: complete autonomy. Say goodbye to full schedules and hello to freedom. Seriously. This is the only all-inclusive retreat for leaders where you have the power to craft your own experience, tailored to your needs and desires. I invite you to join me at Zenergía. This intimate small group experience is only for 8-12 people during Memorial Day weekend- May 24-27 Apply now at www.zenergiaretreats.com and embark on a journey of self-discovery, growth, and limitless possibilities. #Zenergía #WellnessRetreat #hr #privateequity #mensmentalhealthmatters #womenshistorymonth #wellness #hrcommunity #healthcoach #csuite

Happy Spring! Growth can come in all shapes and sizes. This month we’ll be introducing a new concept called 3rd Space. What is 3rd Space? A valued communal space that sits between work (second space) and home (first space). Think of this as the virtual equivalent of Central Perk from Friends! In this space, we have room for conversation and connection. In our first session, we will discuss this month's theme, Growth, with some very interesting and knowledgeable guests. The conversation is recorded and made available to you on our website to view in your own time. A virtual discussion board is ready for you to continue the conversation and share your thoughts within the community. We will announce it as soon as the first session is live! Why is it important? We have busier and over-scheduled lives now, and that ‘in-between’ slots of time are precious. The global pandemic immediately halted all communal gatherings, and perhaps we have to learn the benefit and art of conversation again! This is a space for community - a place to stop, catch your breath, regroup and reflect so that you can see your life, options and priorities more clearly. It’s an open space to share your thoughts and hear alternative perspectives. A chance to ‘get out of your head’. The space where you get a chance to slow down, where someone knows your name, and your story and is happy to see you! You feel welcome and accepted. Who is it for? Everyone who is interested in stimulating conversations about topics related to our planner’s themes. Anyone who wants to find a community of thinkers and doers! If you’re feeling isolated and stuck in your hamster wheel life and want to feel inspired. This month's theme? Growth in the broadest sense of the word What does growth mean in different aspects of our lives and from different perspectives, e.g. financial, learning, ambition, self-acceptance? In spring, the energy is a place of growth and rejuvenation - we’d like to learn how you take on the challenge of growth in your life. Drop us a line at info@verda.ie or leave a comment on this post with a particular topic around growth you would like us to dive into. #intentionallifedesign #3rdspace #investinwomen #growth

This week has been weird..... And I like weird, weird is cool, but for me, it's been a little uncool weird....so in an effort to also show people what running a business is like and being transparent about it, I wanted to write this post to show you that even after a being a successful entrepreneur for almost 11 years, I still have learning moments and moments where I have to pivot...... I had a Revolution of Work Retreat scheduled in San Francisco in June... And I had set the maximum number of attendees at 8 because I'm experimenting with the right amount of attendees to really dig in to the work and also for each of them to have tactical takeaways AND enough time to express things to each other... Over the last few weeks and culminating this weekend, I had several of those attendees tell me that they were not able to attend due to personal reasons and professional obligations that were now on their calendars that they could not move.... And I had to make the tough call with half of the attendees not being able to come to postpone the Retreat. So now - I'm moving the San Francisco Revolution of Work Retreat to mid-September AND I'm opening it up to 4 more people because I've learned and realized that life happens - and if you plan for 12-15, 10-12 people will end up being there. All of this to say, it's okay to pivot. It's okay to listen to your instincts. It's okay to decide that maybe having a Retreat for 4 people would be lovely but the cost of putting the retreat on just doesn't make sense for 4 people. (Hotel and food costs are HIGH, y'all, and they aren't coming down anytime soon.) I hope seeing that running a business isn't all unicorns and rainbows allows you to give yourself grace today. Because sometimes, the pivot can be beautiful and even better than you planned! And if you want to snag one of the 4 new spots for the SF Revolution of Work Retreat (likely going to be Sept 15-17, Sept 19-21 or Sept 20-22), please DM me! #pivot #hr #revolutionofwork #fractionalhr #fikeandco #entrepreneur

I’m truly grateful for the overwhelming outreach, kindness, and support I've received as I've shared about this season of life. Transitioning into a new beginning, especially unexpectedly, can feel unfamiliar, but change—both personal and professional—is inevitable. Rather than starting from scratch, I'm approaching this new chapter with intentionality, focusing on what I previously postponed. And amidst this reflection, a central theme has emerged: BOLDNESS. Why boldness? Because at Bradley & Co., we believe that confidence and courage stem from within. Prioritizing wellness isn't just about physical improvement; it's about embarking on a journey toward self-renewal. When you feel like yourself, you're empowered to show up boldly and authentically in every aspect of life. Here are Bradley & Co.'s next steps: 1/ Our Urban Retreat Expansion: Supporting more individuals and corporate partners on their wellness journeys. 2/ Emboldened Entrepreneurs: Offering mindset and business coaching to early-stage founders. 3/ Advisory for Acceleration: Providing support to scale small and medium-sized businesses to the next level. 4/ Investing for the Future: Addressing one of the most significant challenges to SMB growth—capital. Community is at the heart of what we do, and I value your continued support. If you or anyone you know is interested in our services, I'd love to connect. And if we can offer assistance in any way, please don't hesitate to reach out. Here's to embracing boldness and seizing new opportunities together! #BradleyAndCo #Boldness #NewBeginnings

💫 Every year, our family goes on a retreat to a cozy place with of course, a hot tub that we go in every morning and evening (an absolute necessity for me! 🛁).⁠ ⁠ This annual tradition is more than just a getaway; it's a retreat for our souls, a time to reconnect, recalibrate, and enjoy each other's company. Here's a glimpse into our daily agenda:⁠ ⁠ 📅 Day 1: Celebrate & Reflect We kick off our retreat by setting intentions, reminiscing about our favorite memories from the past year, and reflecting on lessons learned. We take stock of what's working and what's not, and we celebrate our achievements and milestones together.⁠ ⁠ 🌌 Day 2: Dream & Plan On the second day, we dream about the future. We share our aspirations, brainstorm ideas, and make an intentional plan for the year ahead. It's a day filled with laughter, dancing, and sharing our deepest desires with one another.⁠ ⁠ ⏰ As for our schedule:⁠ We dedicate three hours each day to our retreat activities. Mornings are slow, with our official start time usually around 11 am or 12 pm. Before every session we soak in the hot tub and make breakfast. During the evening we play boardgames, watch a movie, and hop in the hot tub, again! ⁠ The key to a successful retreat is choosing the right time, place, and people to do it. I’ve learned with over a decade of doing my signature planning system, you don’t do this process alone. In my #SheBuildsBook, I expand deeper into this topic where I share insights and guidance for planning your own planning retreat (whether it’s with your business partner, your life partner, or a group of entrepreneurs).⁠ ⁠ If you're curious to learn more about our family retreat tradition, I invite you to listen to my conversation with @jonathanfields on the SPARKED Podcast. The link is in my bio 🌿✨⁠ ⁠ Oh, speaking of getting away, on April 27-28 I'm hosting a workshop in the San Francisco Bay Area! Spend two days at my creative studio building your Anti-Hustle Visionary Action Plan surrounded by other creative CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs. Early Bird pricing ends February 29th, friend! 👉🏽 Head to https://lnkd.in/gRGWRHCC for all the details! ✨

Want to know what the MOST successful, well-structured, #multigenerational #FamilyOffices have figured out? They don't require that each person fits the same mold. 😏 Or put another way, in investment terms: They have figured out how to #diversify not only their business/investment portfolios....but how to diversify their #RelationshipCapital within their own family. 🌟 They have figured out how to #leverage individual strengths for the good of the whole group. 🌟 They honor both #Community AND #Authenticity (without having to sacrifice one or the other) 🌟 They have figured out that their ability to #Collaborate and #DesignBuild TOGETHER is a bigger indicator of long-term success than any one particular projection. 🌟 They've figured out how to use #BusinessStructure and #Innovation to create space for everyone to become what they are best at. 🌟 They've realized how to create connection through a healthy, #supportive independence instead of enmeshed codependency. 🌟 They pool intellectual resources and TIME (especially #multigenerationalTribalKnowledge) Instead of forcing everyone into one single structure, one venture, one business, one modality -- The most successful #FamilyOffices create *multiple ventures* according to the strengths of **multiple family members** -- symbiotic ecosystems where each person is allowed to be both a #star and #supportingcharacter. #TAKEAWAY: Sometimes family friction not a matter of toxicity....rather, it's a lack of imagination. It's that you have outgrown your current structure, and it's time to innovate!!

Finding a balance, when you are early days starting a business is hard. But it's important to get some sort of balance. Little one has been staying with family most the holidays, meaning I could do longer days. But today, I'm spending some time with the family (and of course answering important emails and calls) It may be tough at times, but I love it! start up life, with a young family 😍 #startuplife #worklifebalance #Iloveit

🌞 This Summer, Focus on the Most Powerful Ways to Know Yourself Better and Enhance Your Decision-Making Process 🌞 As we enjoy the warmth of summer, it's the perfect time to delve into understanding ourselves more deeply. One effective way to do this is by reflecting on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs—a powerful tool for assessing where we are in life and how we can move forward. 🟢 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs 🟢 Physiological Needs: Basic survival—food, water, shelter. Safety Needs: Security, health, financial stability. Social Needs: Relationships, community, belonging. Esteem Needs: Confidence, achievement, respect. Self-Actualization: Realizing your full potential, creativity, growth. 🔜 Tomorrow Is the Perfect Chance to Reignite Inspiration & Motivation Across All Areas of Your Life! Join us at the Growth Night event by Nomorenetworking on August 13, 2024. It’s a unique opportunity to explore your basic and psychological needs while enjoying enlightening talks in a supportive environment. 🔥 Highlights Include: BBQ Evening: Satisfy your physiological needs with great food. Inspiring Talks: Gain fresh insights to boost your confidence and self-esteem. Networking: Build meaningful connections that nurture your social needs and encourage personal growth. ✨ Your decision to participate could shape your thoughts, feelings, and actions for the rest of the week. Are you in? 👉 Join us at Growth Night: https://lnkd.in/e4ME23xQ #SelfGrowth #DecisionMaking #PersonalDevelopment #MaslowHierarchy #Networking #Community #GrowthMindset #SummerGrowth #Event #Inspiration #BBQNight