Whatever this is, we’re in it together.

If you’re like a lot of the women I work with, this has been a really difficult week.

And, to be honest, I’m still not sure I have the right words to say to you.

I go back and forth from feeling deep sadness, to feeling completely numb.

I’m in disbelief, I’m angry, and I’m fearful for what the future looks like for my queer family, every queer person, every woman, every immigrant, and every underrepresented group.

As a side note, a while back, my marketing person told me to write two LinkedIn posts for election day: one if he wins, and one if she wins. 

I couldn’t do it, because I couldn't fathom what I’d possibly be able to say if he won. 

And now here we are.

—

When I woke up on Tuesday, after I read the news, my first thought was for The Academy community. We needed to be together that day.

We had our monthly planning session scheduled that afternoon, but we quickly scrapped that and used the time for a Listening Session so we could share our thoughts and feelings and be in community together.

We gave everyone space to share what was on their mind. There were tears. There was anger. There was even some laughter in the face of it all.

After we had each shared our thoughts, one of the members said that she had walked by a girls school in her neighborhood, and she had seen a group of little girls playing as usual, and screaming with delight. 

And she said, “Even though the country has chosen to give them a horrible country, I’m grounded in the fact that they’re still playing. Life is still going on. And I feel grounded in the present.”

The session was so meaningful. I needed it just as much as everyone else.

—

And that’s what we need right now: community.

One of the Academy members messaged me and said, “For a lot of us solopreneurs, the Academy is our team.”

And she’s absolutely right. It’s my team too.

Whatever we do in the future, it starts with community today. Coming together for whatever we need right now, whether it’s comfort, venting, support, shared rage, or taking action.

It’s time to be together.

We’re doing something soon to make that happen, and I hope you’ll join us.

(Full disclosure, it’s something we don’t usually start talking about until a couple of weeks from now, but in light of recent events, it feels right to talk about it now.)

We’re hosting our fifth annual Virtual Holiday Party just for Women Consultants, on Thursday, December 12th.

If you’ve been to this event before, you know that it’s all about community and togetherness. You’ll connect with other women running independent consulting businesses, chat live with my team and me, get inspired, and bid an emphatic farewell to 2024.

It’s free, and just for us. Our community.

I hope you’ll join us. And if you know other women consultants in need of community right now, please share this email.

Virtual Holiday Party for Women Consultants

Thursday, December 12th

4:00 - 5:30 pm ET

Price: Free

Link to sign up: smartgetspaid.com/holiday2024

—

When the member messaged me and said that The Academy is her team, here’s what I said back:

Whatever this is, or is going to be, we’re in it together.

xo

Leah

P.S. We know that everyone processes things like this in their own way and in their own time. If this message feels too soon or if you’re struggling to find comfort in these words, we understand. We’re here, holding space for you in our community, ready to support whenever you feel ready.