Setting Goals for 2020

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Hilary shares her approach to setting 2020 goals and discusses the book "Atomic Habits" by James Clear.

Download the New Year's Goal Setting Workbook.

Hustle Hack: We are now 40+ episodes in on Hustle and Grace and if I could give you just ONE Hustle Hack that to me is the most important one of all, it is to take the time to reflect on your year, reflect on what you’ve achieved, and dream about what you want to achieve in the future. This is the time where you can be deliberate and think through what you want to create in your career and your life in the future. Carve out time to reflect and dream and plan. If you can, I would suggest taking a day to do this. In 2020 I plan to take four days throughout the year to reflect and plan. I call these HSL Creative Retreat Days or “Quarterly Zoom Outs.” It’s where once every three months I put work on pause. I live “zoomed in” on life. I’m right here in the middle of it. But every three months I zoom out. I survey life with a wide angle lens. I look at what’s going well, what needs to change, and I look at how I’ve changed. I want to encourage you to start your year by getting clear on where you want to go. To help with this grab the New Years Goal Setting Workbook. 

Moment of Grace: Today’s moment of grace is tied right into the Hustle Hack. It’s so easy to get hyper focused on the future during this time of year. We must achieve! We must set big goals! We must constantly be moving forward! But this time of year is also great for looking back, for reflecting. What can you learn from what happened last year? Take the time to celebrate those wins. Take the time to think through the lessons you’ve learned. And spend some time considering how you feel about all of it. What would you change if you could? Are you burnt out because you didn’t give yourself enough margin this year? What can you say ‘no’ to next year? What can you focus on that will give you the metaphorical, “biggest bang for your buck?” What has been depleting you? Take the time to answer these questions and reflect. 

Laura Briggs, Author and LinkedIn Expert

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Laura Briggs spent most of her life preparing to be an educator and then burned out after working as a middle school teacher in Baltimore City. After starting a freelance writing career on the side, she quickly replaced and surpassed her day job earnings and hit the six-figure mark in just 18 months. Since 2013, she’s worked full-time for herself helping clients with content and project management by leveraging time management and digital teams. She now teaches others how to build fulfilling lifestyle businesses from home as a coach. Laura is the author of “Launch Your Own Freelance Writing Business” with Entrepreneur Press.

Hustle Hack: Own your experience! Laura wasn’t sure at first about writing a book about laucnhign a freelance business. IT had been several years since she did that. What would seh even say? Then she realized she could wirte the book that she wished she had access to when she was just starting out. Ya know there are so many things that you probably know that you could pass on to someone who is coming up in your field behind you. You don’t have to be 10 steps ahead, you can just be one step ahead. That’s the beauty of creating courses, of writing books, of coaching, you can help someone else move forward by sharing your own experience. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to share your story and help someone else.

Moment of Grace: Laura mentioned that in her email signature she lists her “office hours.” How brilliant. If you are a freelancer, a side hustler, or an entrepreneur, it is so easy to work round the clock. And let’s be honest, if you work for a company where the culture is to always be “on” you can also feel this way. But it is such a good and healthy practice to power down and log off. Consider adopting your own office hours and holding yourself accountable to keep them. 

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Jenn Collins, Entrepreneur, Podcaster, Chief Self-Care Officer of Mama Needs

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Jenn Collins of the Mama Needs Box and Mama Needs Podcast joins Hilary to discuss her career journey from communications professional to stay-at-home mom, to entrepreneur and podcaster. They talk self-care, self-awareness, and why they both love podcasting.

Jenn Collins is the owner and Chief Self-Care Officer of the Mama Needs Subscription Box and host of The Mama Needs Podcast. She is also a wife to her high school sweetheart and Mama to 3 amazing kids ages 10, 7 and 4! Jenn is on a mission to help Mamas understand the need for self-care and give them the tools and inspiration to prioritize it. Jen believes that mamas need to put aside the feelings that we don't have time or money to take care of ourselves and ditch the guilt that keeps us from self-care! 

Hustle Hack: One of the biggest hacks you can execute is having self-awareness. I noticed several times in my conversation with Jenn that she has solid self-awareness: she knows when her best time of day is to work. She knows her tendencies. When it comes to productivity, recognizing your tendencies and patterns is huge. So consider keeping a journal with you for a week. Every few hours check in with yourself. Are you feeling energized? Tired? Did you get on a roll with your work? Were you in “flow”? In order to execute on our work with maximum effectiveness we have to be aware of our strengths and when and where we work best. Charting that out is a great starting point. 

Moment of Grace: On that same theme of self-awareness, I love that Jenn recommended building an awareness of what drains you and what fills you up. Take 5 minutes to jot down a 2-column list of what drains you and what fills you up. Try to put something on your calendar at least once a week that is in the “fills you up” column.

HoneyBook, the online business management tool that helps you manage projects, book clients, and get paid, is giving Hustle & Grace listeners 50% off their first year, with a 60-day money back guarantee, and account set up. See if it's right for your business!
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Linsey Knerl, Author, Freelancer, and Mother of Six

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Linsey Knerl is a Midwest-based author, branded content writer, public speaker, and member of the ASJA. She has a passion for helping consumers and small business owners do more with their resources via the latest tech and finance solutions. You can find her work at places like Mastercard, HP, Walmart, and Flexispot. Linsey's first fiction novel is scheduled to publish in 2020. See her work at LinseyKnerl.com or follow her on Twitter at @LKnerl. 

Linsey Knerl spoke with Hilary about her unconventional journey to freelance writing and becoming a published author. She shares her hacks for landing new clients, getting work done in a busy household, and how she carves out time for self-care while working, writing, and homeschooling 5 boys. 

Hustle Hack: I gotta go back to Linsey’s advice to pick up the phone. I think so often we think that the newer a form of technology is, the more of a “hack” it is for getting things done. But in businesses built on relationships, often times, there’s no good replacement for actual face time or an actual conversation. So the next time you have an opportunity to work with a new client, instead of just emailing, pick up the phone. It builds rapport, helps you connect on a deeper level, and makes a lasting impression.

Moment of Grace: Once a month Linsey sneaks away from her crazy busy life as a freelancer, mom of 6 and goes to a hotel, and veges out. I love this! She’s hyper aware of her own needs and knows the cadence of when she needs a break. Maybe you don’t need to take a break from your life once a month and go stay in a hotel, but what is something that you can do that is renewing for you? What comes to mind? Putting something in your life on a regular basis, like Linsey and her hotel stays, may be just the thing you need to do to avoid burnout. 

Connect with Linsey on Twitter @lknerl.

Hustle & Grace Group Coaching launches October 29. Register by October 19 to get the Early Bird Rate and a guaranteed spot in the first group! Cohort runs October 29-December 17. Learn more and register here.

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Chelsea Francis, Connector & Photographer on Failure, Moving, & Making the First Move

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Chelsea Francis is a photographer, editor, consultant, connector, and all around people person residing in Austin, TX. She's most passionate about helping people see the beauty in their own lives, a good cup of coffee, helping businesses thrive, and finding a great slice of pizza. When she's not answering emails, she's writing and editing pieces for Pass/Fail, hosting networking events, and shooting photographs for incredible companies both in Austin and elsewhere.

Chelsea Francis, Austin photographer and founder of Pass/Fail was my guest on this episode of Hustle & Grace. We talked about the connection between failure and success, how to find community after moving, and of course, the enneagram. 

Hustle & Grace Group Coaching launches October 29. Register by October 19 to get the Early Bird Rate and a guaranteed spot in the first group! Cohort runs October 29-December 17. Learn more and register here.

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Freelance Coaching Session: How to Launch a Side Hustle & Still Have a Life

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For five years I have worked with professionals and creatives that want to make the leap into freelancing either as a side hustle or full time. Today I’m coaching Hannah Underhill, a marketing whiz with a knack for helping small businesses and mom ‘n pop shops master social media. Hannah had lots of great questions about everything from taxes and legal stuff to how to launch a side hustle and still have a life. Be sure to listen all the way to the end of the episode because I have an extra special announcement after the call.   

And I’m thrilled to announce the launch of Hustle & Grace Group Coaching! Register by October 19 to get the Early Bird Rate and a guaranteed spot in the first group! Cohort runs October 29-December 17. Learn more and register here.

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Jane Jourdan, Fit for Broadway Founder

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Hilary sits down with Jane Jourdan, founder of the wellness philosophy Fit for Broadway. Jane shares her journey from dreams of the stage to becoming a thought leader and entrepreneur.

Jane Jourdan is the Founder of Fit for Broadway®, a community-powered wellness philosophy highlighting the health and lifestyle practices of Broadway performers. Fit for Broadway has expanded from online content to events & workshops, non-profit and educational partnerships, products to elevate positive messaging, and a growing popular community online and in New York City. Jane loves being a catalyst for health initiatives as well as bridging the gap between industry professionals and students. Advocating for wellness curriculum in the education system is Jane’s greatest mission through Fit for Broadway. 

Hustle Hack: When it comes to your career, pay attention to your evolving interests and the doors that are opening to you. There are no rules that say you have to be tied to your original plan or early career goals. The more you are in your career the more that you might encounter new opportunities and skills that you may have never considered before. I love the quote “If three people tell you you’re a horse, buy a saddle.” Pay attention to what people ask of you, what they notice about your work. Changing directions is often not only permissable, it’s the best thing you can do to find meaning and fulfillment and enjoy your work.

Moment of Grace: What is your wellness practice? It’s so easy to put health and fitness on the back burner when your life already feels full. I know for me in this season of having a baby it’s easy to get very busy with family and work. Working out can feel like just another thing to add to my to do list, but the truth is it shouldn’t just be on my to do list or be something I should do when I get around to it. If I kind of put my life on pause and zoom way out and look in, I would like to see a person who has a thoughtful approach to my relationship with my family, my work, my self, and God. So the wellness practice is an important component of that. I love that Jane said there’s no magical formula that all Broadway performers adhere to. But they all have some kind of thoughtful approach to it. Consider what your wellness practice is currently and what you would like for it to look like. 

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Jeremy Cowart, Photographer, On Creativity, Failure, and Parenting

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Hilary sat down with photographer Jeremy Cowart to discuss his new book, I'm Possible, and The Purpose Hotel. They discuss parenting, social media, creativity, burn out, and Jeremy's advice to young creatives.

Named the “Most Influential Photographer on the Internet” by Huffington Post, Forbes and Yahoo in 2014, Jeremy Cowart is an award-winning photographer, artist, and entrepreneur whose goal in life is to use his creative platform to inspire and help others. Jeremy is a sought-after speaker, having presented at TEDx, the United Nations and creative conferences across the country. His latest endeavor is The Purpose Hotel, a planned global for-profit hotel chain designed to fuel the work of not-for-profit organizations. He’s also the founder of a global photography movement, Help-Portrait and an online teaching platform, See University. The story of all of these projects is told in his brand new book “I’m Possible: Jumping into Fear and Discovering a Life of Purpose. He lives in Franklin, TN with his wife and four children.

Hustle Hack: Jeremy shared that he’s definitely put his 10,000 hours of photoshop in over the 20 years he’s been in photography. It’s easy to be drawn into the desire for success and accolades but remember it all comes back to the hustle. Put the time in. Practice your craft. And do work that you really love--whether or not it leads to fame, power, or success. Bette Davis said “You have to love the sweat more than the lights.” 

Moment of Grace: Jeremy’s advice on self-awareness and social feeds was so good. Check in with yourself on how the accounts in your feed and the posts in your feed make you feel. Do you tend toward positive emotions or negative ones? Curate your feed. Are you waffling between feeling inspired and feeling jealous? If an account only brings up negative emotions in you, remember, there’s no reason you have to view that content. Mute posts. Unfollow. And curate a feed that is good for your soul. 

HoneyBook, the online business management tool that helps you manage projects, book clients, and get paid, is giving Hustle & Grace listeners 50% off their first year, with a 60-day money back guarantee, and account set up. See if it's right for your business!

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Eryn LeCroy, 'Christine' in The Phantom of the Opera

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Hilary sits down with Broadway actress Eryn LeCroy who's currently playing Christine Daae in The Phantom of the Opera. Eryn shares what it's like starring in a Broadway show and what her path to getting there has been like. She shares about her (very) early memory of deciding she wanted to pursue performing, her approach to the craft, her advice on auditions, and what she wishes she had known about being a professional actor and living in New York when she was younger.

Eryn LeCroy received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance with honors from Oklahoma City University and currently plays Christine Daaé in the The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. Other credits include-Off Broadway: Sweeney Todd (Barrow Street Theatre, Johanna), Assassins (City Center Encores!). World Premiere: Sousatzka (Young Sousatzka). National Tour: Jekyll and Hyde (Emma Carew). Regional: Brigadoon (Pittsburgh CLO, Fiona). Eryn is a National YoungArts Foundation alumna and Presser Scholar. Eryn serves as a member of the non-profit organization Broadway Hearts which brings music and entertainment to kids in the New York-area Children’s Hospitals. @erynlecroy

Hustle Hack: Eryn shared some really practical advice for actors who want to make it to Broadway--get an agent. Get in class. Even now, she’s starring in this iconic role in the longest running show on Broadway and she is still in class. She checks in with her vocal coach, she is in an on camera class right now. To grow in a competitive profession, you have to be proactive. Do the work--be prepared in your auditions. Make your agents look good. Hustle to find auditions yourself. Get in class. Then be ready when doors open and opportunities present themselves. 

Moment of Grace: I love that Eryn pointed out how critical rest is for her job. While not every job demands you to be as well-rested as being a soprano on Broadway, there’s a lesson here for all of us. Getting the sleep we need can have a massive impact on our job performance. According to the department of health and human services getting enough sleep has a ton of benefits. People who get the recommended 7 to 8 hours get sick less often, stay at a healthy weight, have a lower risk for serious health problems, like diabetes and heart disease. Getting enough sleep reduces stress and improves your mood, helps you to think more clearly and do better in school and at work, get along better with people, and make good decisions and avoid injuries. Getting a good night’s sleep can solve a host of problems. 

Free eBook: Would you like 20+ pieces of advice and inspiration from a swath of creative professionals on the rise in their careers? Download 5-Minute Mentor for Creatives free here!

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Natalie Franke, Founder of Rising Tide Society On Community Over Competition

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Natalie Franke Hayes is an entrepreneur, mobilization marketer, community builder, and neuroscience nerd. As one of the Founders of the Rising Tide Society and the Head of Community at HoneyBook, she leads tens of thousands of creatives and small business owners while fostering a spirit of community over competition around the world.

Hustle Hack: If you are feeling overwhelmed or out of time, press the pause button and consider the hierarchy of what matters. Natalie and I can both really relate in teh sense that our time is no longer our own because we’re new parents. But she made such a good point--we should all--no matter what our commitments are or our phases of life--we should do some soul searching on what matters most and schedule our days accordingly. So I challenge you to carve out some time--maybe it’s a morning this weekend--to write down what matters most to you. Ask yourself what is truly taking up more time than it should. How can you adjust your schedule and what is filling your calendar to really reflect your values? 

Moment of Grace: It’s so easy to lament the negative aspects of our work, whether it’s loneliness, too much competition, low wages, or something else. What I love about Natalie’s approach to her work and to life is that she has a proactive problem-solver approach. She felt isolated in her work, she felt like there was a pervasive culture of competition and she decided to do something about it. She has such a spirit of generosity about her. She wanted to connect creatives. She wanted to provide free education and community. She lacked some of those things in her own life and felt grateful for the opportunities she had received, so she brought those solutions to others in her field. What are you bummed out about in your career? Picture someone else in your position in your career. What should they do? Sometimes it’s easier to see a solution when you imagine it’s someone else’s life. 

HoneyBook, the online business management tool that helps you manage projects, book clients, and get paid, is giving Hustle & Grace listeners 50% off their first year, with a 60-day money back guarantee, and account set up. See if it's right for your business!

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How to Plan a Social Media Sabbatical

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Have you thought about taking a break from social media? Hilary shares 10 reasons it may be time to take a social media sabbatical. Then she gives 9 practical tips for making your social media break a big success.

Hustle Hack: If you’re going to take a social media break, pair that goal with another goal. Do you want to read two books during your break? If you’re an entrepreneur, do you have a revenue goal? Would you like to grow your email list? Giving yourself the gift of a social media break is giving yourself the gift of time. What will you do with it? 

Moment of Grace: While you take a social media break consider keeping a journal handy. Jotting down your thoughts throughout this journey will give you an opportunity to look at your life with fresh eyes. You’ll have more space to reflect on your life and come up with new ideas. Keep a journal accessible so you can jot down ideas as they come. Who knows what might begin as a result of you taking a social media break. 

If you know you need a change when it comes to social media, I suggest you download the Technology Manifesto Worksheet. This is a free worksheet that you can fill out to help you get more clarity on your values and how you want to live them out online. Download it below.

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This episode is sponsored by Get Your Dream Off the Ground eCourse.

Kayla Grizzard, Actress & Founder of The Hang On Mentorship, Overcoming Feelings of Inadequacy, and Why You Should Choose Yourself

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Kayla Grizzard is an actress, mommy, wife, crafter, singer, worship leader, dancer, artist, and “Friends” fanatic, but the title she loves most is disciple. She is a graduate from Liberty University as a theater major and has the opportunity to share the stage with amazing people like Quentin Earl Darrington and Laura Osnes and performed on stage at the Tony Award winning theater, Dallas Theater Center. She and her husband moved to New York city and started a ministry called THE HANG that ministers to artists in the city. Although she still loves to perform, she knows she is sitting in purpose with this directive from God.

Hustle Hack: Kayla shared her practice of relaxed readiness. I love this concept. Be prepared. Work on your craft. Do what you can do to be ready when the doors open. And then relax. Hold those aspirations with a relaxed hand. And be ready to say “yes” to the doors that open and the opportunities that await you.

Moment of Grace: I LOVE that Kayla shared Sutton Foster’s quotation: “Get a hobby.” In fact after this interview ended I went and watched that entire commencement speech on YouTube. I recommend it! Don’t wait for someone to give you permission to create art. Don’t wait for someone to pick you. Pick yourself! Create opportunities for yourself. Want to write? Start a blog. Want to perform? Write a 10-minute play. Of course keep pursuing opportunities that you want to pursue—whether that’s Broadway or professional writing or whatever it may be. But in the meantime, choose yourself. 

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This episode is sponsored by Get Your Dream Off the Ground eCourse.

Special Episode on Adjusting to Life as a Work from Home Parent

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Special guest Erica Geffken interviews Hilary on coming back to work (from home) after maternity leave. Hilary shares her new approach to self-care, the productivity lessons she's learned, and shares the advice she would give to a new work from home parent.

Hustle Hack: No matter where you are in your career, every so often taking a “blank slate” look at your career and your routine is a great idea. Is there a change you could make in your routine that would optimize it for your specific goals and phase of life? For me, freeing myself from the box of traditional hours helped me get more done in less time. What might you take for granted about your routine and your work situation that you could actually change? What do you need to give yourself permission to change? 

Moment of Grace: Sometimes “grace” looks like classic self-care where you really take time away to yourself to recharge, reflect, and rest. And sometimes “grace” looks like loosening your death grip on your own expectations. I’ve had to consciously remember that in this season in particular I may be surprised by what I can and can’t do, what I have bandwidth for and what I don’t. And that’s ok. It’s important to be conscious of the reality of my current situation and recognize that it is just a season. I want to be a present and healthy parent for the long haul. I want to be a content creator who serves my community for the long haul. It’s important to come at life and work with a long-game perspective. 

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This episode is sponsored by Get Your Dream Off the Ground.

Nicholas George of The Listening On Launching and Running a Nonprofit

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Nicholas George is the founder of The Listening, a Virginia nonprofit that is making strides to engage, change, and save lives by connecting the performing arts and social good. Nick is currently juggling parenting three kids, working third shift in the mental health field, as well as growing and running his nonprofit. Today’s conversation is a great peek into the life of a visionary who has been putting in the work on growing a nonprofit for a good five years. It all starts with an idea and that feeling of imagining how you can impact the world, but what is it like three kids later? When you have to hustle to put food on your family’s plates while also doing the gritty work of actually making a nonprofit run? When you find that spark that you know you’re meant to do, it’s incredible what kind of sacrifices you’ll make to see it come to fruition. 

Nicholas Steven George is an author, poet, and founder of the Listening, an organization that exists to challenge the perception of the performing arts being strictly for entertainment purposes, and connect it to mentoring and social impact. Nick balances his day job as a mental health professional, with parenting three small kids and running the Listening. Nick has been writing since his youth in Newark, NJ. First born to his Trinidadian parents, Nicholas began performing his poetry at local open mics and slam competitions in Newark, crafting his skill and delivering his story. In 2013, Nicholas launched "The Listening", where he currently serves as Executive Director. The Listening’s mission is to engage, change and save lives with the performing arts through community engagement and youth mentoring.

Hustle Hack: I have to admit that I’ve never heard the phrase Nick quoted “the riches are in the niches.” But OMG is that so true?! I’ve definitely heard at marketing conferences before, “get crystal clear on who your audience is, who your ideal client is, who really needs your product, because the truth is, if it’s for everybody it’s really for nobody.” So if you have an idea, a product, a service, etc—figure out the unique audience you are meant to serve. Figure out what it is that matters to them: what they need, what they want. And then go create that. 

Moment of Grace: It really struck me that Nick said “if it feels like it’s not the right season—listen to that voice.” We’re told so often that we can do it all and have it all and the truth is in every season we have to make choices. For me, in my life right now, I have enough time and mental energy to do my primary work as a writer, to care for my baby, spend time with my husband, and then I’ve got space for one other thing. Right now that’s the podcast. A few months ago it was a very disciplined workout routine. You have to be realistic about the space you have in your life. If you don’t have the space to launch that nonprofit right now, that’s ok! You don’t have to achieve that thing by that arbitrary milestone (like I was saying, I had all these plans to achieve by my 30th birthday) Sometimes it’s 100% ok to change course and have that long-game perspective. For a lot of us life isn’t short. It’s long. 

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This episode is sponsored by Get Your Dream Off the Ground.

Branden Harvey On Good News, the Analog Renaissance, and Intentional White Space

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On this week’s episode Hilary peppered Branden Harvey with questions about his mission to share the good news of the world, how his personal community impacts his work and life, and how he avoids burnout. They discuss how he read almost 100 books last year and why he’s consciously approaching content consumption differently this year.

Branden Harvey is a storyteller focused on the good in the world. He's the host of the podcast Sounds Good, the creator of the Goodnewspaper, a printed newspaper full of good news, and built an online community over more than 250,000 world changers. He's helped brands like Disney, Square, Southwest Airlines, and (RED) tell meaningful stories with heart all over the world. He's been written about and featured by media including The Washington Post, Seventeen Magazine, Fortune Magazine, and Mashable.

Hustle Hack: Branden’s messaging is crystal clear. The way he serves brands, the content he puts out—it’s all around sharing the good news of the world. When he’s considering a new project he doesn’t have to wonder if he should or shouldn’t do it. The medium doesn’t matter His message is crystal clear. So what drives you? What is your heartbeat? Can you articulate it in a sentence or two? Get clear on your vision and your purpose and that will help you know which endeavors are right for you. 

Moment of Grace: I shared that last year Branden’s journey of reading and listening to a ton of books inspired me to use my time more wisely by listening to audiobooks on the go. But even good things need to be reined in sometimes. It’s easy to get used to constantly consuming—even good content needs to be consumed in moderation. Instead of having consumption be the usual gear you’re in—-carve out specific time for it. Consume intentionally. And then have some intentional white space in your life. Carve out intentional quiet times. Maybe it’s one commute each week or while you’re doing the dishes. Practice intentional stillness. Practice being instead of consuming.

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This episode is sponsored by Get Your Dream Off the Ground.

Hilary Sutton On Her Career Journey from Acting to Writing and Entrepreneurship

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On this special crossover episode with Everyday Creative People Podcast, Dena Adriance interviews Hilary Sutton on her career journey from acting to writing and entrepreneurship. Hilary shares what she loves about theatre, how she stumbled into being a full-time professional actor in her early twenties, and how she navigates the challenges of balancing multi-gig work with life outside of work. 

Hilary Sutton is a writer, speaker, and consultant, passionate about helping people spend their days in work that is wildly fulfilling. She is the host of the podcast, “Hustle and Grace” and the author of several eBooks and courses including More in Less: 21 Productivity Hacks for Creatives. Hilary has worked with clients ranging from Broadway shows, to nonprofits large and small, creatives of all stripes, and consumer brands. She is a contributor to USA Today where she has written about careers. Hilary and her family live in the DC metro area.

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This episode is sponsored by Get Your Dream Off the Ground.

Saleema Vellani, Multilingual Social Entrepreneur On Grit and Empathy

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Hilary got to chat with Saleema Villani, a social entrepreneur and polyglot. She was really struck by Saleema’s unique perspective on entrepreneurship. Hilary had a few lightbulb moments in this interview—mainly on the importance of empathy and grit in entrepreneurship. Saleema speaks five languages and has lived all over the world. Listen to her interesting and unique perspective she brings to her work.

Saleema Vellani is an expert in inclusive leadership and a recognized authority on the Future of Work. She has been a social entrepreneur since the age of 21, when she launched Brazil's largest and top-rated Portuguese school to finance an orphanage and education programs. Saleema has won numerous awards for her work in social innovation, including her most recent groundbreaking study on how to improve refugee livelihoods through climate-smart food systems technologies in the Middle East and Africa. She holds degrees from McGill University and Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. 

Currently, Saleema is CEO at Innovazing, an education firm that helps leaders learn 21st-century leadership and communication skills. She is also Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Johns Hopkins University and an advisor to several purpose-driven organizations, such as Wonder Women Tech Foundation and the World Bank Group Youth-2-Youth Community. Saleema is fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Italian. 

Hustle Hack: Saleema said in entrepreneurship “You have to be really comfortable with being uncomfortable.” It’s all part of the process. Wow, how true is that. It’s such a reminder that when pursuing creative projects, innovation, and entrepreneurship, it will be uncomfortable. Failure will happen. But it’s what we do in the face of that adversity that really counts. Get comfortable with it. I like to advise creatives to make failure your new best friend. Because the more familiar you get with it, the more you’ll realize that it’s not the end all be all. The more you fail the more you realize that failing won’t break you. It’s an opportunity to build resilience and learn.

Moment of Grace: Saleema mentioned that for her traveling speeds up her personal growth. When she goes new places she experiences new things, meets new people and gets to take a pause from business as usual. Maybe you can’t skip town this weekend and jet set to a foreign country—but you can go to a bookstore in your city you’ve never been to. You can go hear a band play that you’ve not heard before. You could go on a hike on a trail that you’ve never explored before. Give it a try. Do something out of the norm for you. Go somewhere new. Power down your phone. Try to resist taking photos for Instagram stories—I know that’s so tempting. Just be present where you are and experience it. Who knows what ideas and thoughts may come to your mind. 

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This episode is sponsored by Get Your Dream Off the Ground.

Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon, American Idol Finalist, On the Creative Process, Minimalism, and the Distraction of Attention

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Hilary sat down with one of her favorite local musicians turned American Idol finalist, Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon. As of the airing of this episode, Jeremiah is in the thick of American Idol auditions as a Top 10 Finalist. Jeremiah shares how he is balancing all the American Idol craziness, the highlights of his experience, and what parameters he puts in his life to protect his creative process.

Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon is a singer-songwriter based in Baltimore, Maryland. He first started writing songs in Lynchburg Virginia, eventually performing them at the Lynchstock Music Festival for three consecutive years. Harmon's self-titled EP, released this year though Virginia based record label Harding Street Assembly Lab, is a psychadelic folk-jazz fusion project recorded in his old living room with producer Chris Schlarb who compared its sound to that of Stevie Wonder's "Innervisions." With a vocal ability that has been described as possessing "a cross between Jónsi, Jeff Buckley, and a soulfulness that is uncommon to his complexion," Harmon delivers a collection of uniquely crafted songs that are "simultaneously transcendent and reserved. Jeremiah's most recent projects include the release of his latest single "Learn to Love" recorded live at the Glass Village Studios in Lynchburg, VA, and as of this recording Jeremiah is in the Top 10 on Season 2 of American Idol on ABC. 

Hustle Hack: What are the things in your life that may not even be obviously related to your work that are cluttering up your mental space? For Jeremiah he has really experienced a calm and a renewed clarity in his creative process after diving into minimalism. What’s cluttering up your mental space? Do you need a clear and book-free desk to do your writing? Do you need to organize your schedule before you can sit down and problem solve? Do you need to organize your audition book before you can schedule a bunch of auditions for the week? Take a pause and look at what may be distracting you from getting in the zone with your work. 

Moment of Grace: I found it pretty fascinating that Jeremiah, after creating some really artsy, experimental, unusual music, decided that he would be open to the most commercial of music opportunities: American Idol. It’s such a reminder that we are constantly evolving. And it is a healthy and good thing to be open to change and new opportunities. To be open to things that maybe in the past we thought weren’t for us. So maybe for you, you ache to be original, but just like Jeremiah, remember you already are an original. You are uniquely you. You can approach your work and your life with confidence knowing that you have something unique and beautiful to give that only you can give. So open yourself up to that.

Connect with Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon
Website
Instagram
Patreon

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This episode is sponsored by Get Your Dream Off the Ground.

Aerica Shimizu Banks, Forbes 30 Under 30 and Googler On Motivation & Validation

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Aerica Shimizu Banks works at Google, served under the Obama administration, and was on the Forbes "30 Under 30" List in 2018. So what is it like to achieve so much before your 30th birthday? What is that pressure like moving into your thirties? And what has spurred her on toward these achievements? In this episode Hilary interviews Aerica Shimizu Banks and we learn how her values shaped her career decisions and the surprising way she landed her job at Google. 

Aerica Banks is on the patent strategy team in Google's DC office, where she monitors the legislative and legal patent landscape and integrates diversity and equity initiatives into Google's legal and patent strategy, such as the Google Legal Summer Institute, an educational leadership program for underrepresented law students. She is also the COO of the Asian Google Network. She was named a 2017 Tech Titan by Washingtonian Magazine and joined the 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Social Entrepreneurs. She also cofounded BEACON: The DC Women Founders Initiative.

Previously, she was a political appointee in the Obama Administration, worked in government relations for The Pew Charitable Trusts, and advanced environmental justice policies in Washington state. She holds a MSc in Environmental Policy from Oxford University and a BA in Environmental Studies and Public Affairs from Seattle University.

Episode Highlights

“If you are nourished by validation then you will starve.” -Aerica Shimizu Banks

“Your work is not your worth, but it can be a reflection of what you care about.” -Aerica Shimizu Banks

“Part of owning your power is learning to say ‘no.’” -Aerica Shimizu Banks

Hustle Hack: Sheryl Sandberg gave the graduating class of Harvard Business School this advice: “If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat. Just get on.” This reminds me a bit of a Aerica’s story with Google. The first job she applied for with the company was not her dream job. But the organization aligned with her values and she knew there was great potential to move into her desired field. So she was offered a seat on a rocket ship and she accepted. And today she gets to not only work at a dream company but also work at the crossroads of her passion, calling, and skills. 

Moment of Grace: I was so struck by what Aerica said about motivation: “if you are nourished by validation, then you will starve.” This is coming from someone who has many accomplishments and awards under her belt. And it’s a great reminder: if those things are what we fill our tank with, we will run out of gas. It reminded me of what Jim Carrey said—“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer.” I encourage you to do some soul searching. What DOES drive you? When you look back on your life and you reflect on the moments where you were the most at peace, the most happy—It probably wasn’t because of recognition. So don’t get distracted by that. Walk in your purpose. 

Connect with Aerica Shimizu Banks:

aerika.co
Instagram: @erikashimizu
thebeacondc.com

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This episode is sponsored by Get Your Dream Off the Ground.

Cam Jones of YouTube Channel Goal Guys On Goals and Serving Your Audience

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Cam Jones is a YouTuber based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. With his YouTube channel “Goal Guys”, Cam produces educationally centered content that focuses around self improvement and learning new skills. Through his videos, Cam has garnered millions of views, thousands of returning subscribers, and has carved out a full time career producing online video content. In addition to his YouTube work, Cam also consults and produces video content for numerous brands like Squarespace, Audible, Blinkist and many others.

Hilary sat down with Cam Jones of YouTube's Goal Guys to discuss how he hacked YouTube and built a personal development channel that has hundreds of thousands of subscribers and garners millions of views. Cam shared how his curiosity turned into a hobby which then turned into a freelance career. He also shared what he has learned about achieving goals after creating almost 100 videos on the subject. 

Episode Highlights

"What's really rewarding about what I do is the creative freedom, the control I have and the ability to connect with people and help other people through my videos which is like, not a lot of people get to do that which is really, really cool. I always try to focus on a holistic approach and not just numbers and growth, which is really easy to focus in on." -Cam Jones

"I get so many people who talk to me who are like 'I would love to start a YouTube channel. I've always wanted to do this'-- or even outside of YouTube. 'I've wanted to start my own business' or do all these different things, but they've never actually done it or they've always put these barriers in their way. For instance, in my field, with video stuff, a lot of people are like 'I'm going to do it once I get this camera lens' or 'once I get this camera upgrade' or 'I'm going to do it once I get a little more money' or 'I'm going to do this, this, this and this.' So it's really, really easy to procrastinate and put things off. Yeah, it's like, my career was built on like, a $300 entry level Canon camera and so--you can't make excuses. You've kind of gotta work with what you've got and take it step by step." -Cam Jones

"I've had people ask me how do you get started in freelance writing? How do you get anyone to take a chance on you? The first thing you do is start a blog, like put something out there. Go on Medium, or whatever. You have to invest in yourself first before anyone else will invest in you." -Hilary Sutton

“Bring value. It's really easy to try to hop on trends but I think you need to find something that you enjoy doing. If you're looking for something that's going to be long term and satisfying work for you then I think you need to do something you love and try to bring value to people because there's so many people--especially on YouTube--that rise really quickly and fall really quickly, that are like on one wave of a trend, a flash in the pan. But if you want something solid and stable focus on quality, on bringing value to people, because that's stuff that's going to last." -Cam Jones

Subscribe to Goal Guys on YouTube.  

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