Each Monday, StyleBlueprint profiles a different woman who is making a positive impact in her community in our FACES of Louisville and FACES of the South features. We ask all of them the same question: “What advice do you treasure?” Their answers are always inspiring and are definitely words to live by. Here are the words of wisdom from our FACES of 2016. Enjoy!
FACES OF LOUISVILLE
Colleen O’Connor of Elements Massage
The founder of Elements once said to me “If you honor the people who work for you, they will honor your clients and you will have a healthy business.” I embraced that philosophy, and it has proven to be a successful business approach for me.
Tanja Oquendo of KentuckyOne Health
Feel the fear and do it anyway. I have taken on positions in my career and have approached obstacles in my life with this in mind. It may not always feel comfortable, but I did not let the discomfort prevent me from taking calculated risks.
Meredith Conroy of Bend and Zen Yoga
Be authentic and be bold — don’t be afraid of letting your light shine, even if it makes others uncomfortable. And the Golden Rule never fails. Do to others as you would have done to you. If that’s at the heart of every decision and every encounter, then you can’t go wrong.
Virginia Rankin of Mert’s Cakes
“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” — Vince Lombardi
Susan Zehnder and Nancy Rankin of Blooms by Essential Details
Nancy: Write it down, pray over it and seek wise counsel. Also, be very careful about those you allow in your inner circle.
Susan: “It is what it is.” I am finally old enough to understand that advice and be able to live by it. It has taken me a long time to get to this point. I am working hard to instill this idea in the minds of our mostly millennial folks to help save them some grief along the way. Once you understand this point, you can quickly move on to find a solution rather than linger on the problem.
Ellen Fox of ShaFox Weddings & Events
Not sure if it’s advice, but a reality check for any entrepreneur, especially one raising three kids. My dad always says, ”It’s only money — make more.”
Shawne Reece Jacobs of Anne Barge
When in doubt, don’t.
Image: CatMax Photography
Sandy Gulick of Kentucky Select Properties
My daddy taught me to enjoy hard work, always be honest and take care of family.
Brandy Siemens of Vintage Style and Designs
“Don’t blink.” I have always heard that phrase regarding children, and I have to say it to myself daily. My two are growing up so fast, and I want to be there for every moment possible! That is why I cherish I was able to be at home with both until they started school and try my best to plan my days to be home with them after school. I am able to do that with my mother’s help covering the shop while I am gone with them. This has allowed me the opportunity to follow my dreams both in my career and at home with my husband, Jason, and our two children.
Rachel Hagan Witzke, musician and hair stylist
Give it everything you got, when you got it. Only trust your family. Keep in your life the things you love, that love you back. Have fun at what you do because life is short.
Julie Moore of cale & cole
My father always told me that facing and doing the things you are the most afraid of will come to be the things that define you. That is where you acquire your strength, your character and your confidence.
Tisha Gainey, beer maven
My dad’s words annoyed and haunted me as a kid anytime I asked for something, but he always said, “Work hard, get yourself a good education, and you can have those things.” I started working at 14.
Robin Cole and Kay Powell of Robin’s Nest Interiors
Kay: “It is more blessed to give than receive.” I have always tried to give more than expected.
Robin: “You have to give respect to earn respect.” I strive to treat everyone with respect, and that has served me well in both business and personal relationships.
Mae and Sandy Pike of Home Cuisine
Sandy: If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. Never be late, it disrespects the other person’s time.
Mae: My mom told me once that you should never criticize a person for something that they can’t change in 30 seconds, and you should not beat yourself up over something that you can’t change in a day. Amazing words to live by.
Megan and Christy Martin of Clater Jewelers
Megan: Mr. Clater always said, “Maintain a tradition of trust and high ethical standards.”
Christy: My mom has always told me to “do the right thing” and “don’t drink your calories.”
Breanne & Susan McCubbin of Something Blue
Breanne: It’s not a piece of advice so much as the constant feeling of support that I treasure. My parents have always been my biggest cheerleaders, and no dream was too big to pursue. I’ll be forever thankful for their guidance and encouragement. It’s a gift I’ll always treasure and hope to give my daughter.
Susan: “Always have a smile on your face and a song in your heart.” That advice came from Santa Claus.
Lauren Eirk of Yoga I.S.
“When you know better, you do better.” — Maya Angelou
Shelley Neal Shaughnessey of KentuckyOne Health
As I was contemplating making a career move within the organization and expressing some reservations, my mentor, Debbie Molnar, told me not to be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Some of the best work occurs when you don’t have all the answers and have to ask more questions. I still reflect on that advice each time I find myself in unfamiliar territory. It is how I have continued to learn and grow as a leader.
Jill Gaynor of Home Staging Specialists.
Anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
Rachelle Starr of Scarlett’s Hope and Scarletts’s Bakery
I treasure solid advice about how to stay healthy and focused so that we are here years to come!
ShaVonda Williams of Socialite Society
I can change my life by changing my perspective because how I see things becomes my reality. I have to learn to be my own rescuer because I am who I am and where I am because of my own thoughts, and how I see myself and the world around me. So I have to learn to respond to life with grace, creating peace within no matter the circumstance. I have to transfer my thoughts from fear to faith!
Amanda Duffy, President Louisville City FC
1) There is no substitute for hard work, and 2) Trust my instincts.
Kelly Ford, Host of radio’s America’s Morning Show on NASH
To put my oxygen mask on first before helping others. There’s such wisdom in that instruction.
RaeShanda Johnson of All is Fair in Love and Fashion
Not every day will be a good day but every day is worth it.
Grace Wainwright of a Southern Drawl blog
My family’s advice. If you can’t tell, I trust them more than anything and they’ve played such a large role in my success.
Yamilca Rodriguez of Louisville Bespoke
I have been talking to people who have started similar businesses and I treasure their advice. I have been very flexible with the business model. It has morphed and I think it will keep morphing as I understand the needs of the community. People have been very generous with the advice and I take it seriously. We are already putting together an event to launch the space, so lots of planning and organizing. The funny part is that the space is not ready yet.
Miss Kentucky USA® Kyle Hornback
Dare to stand before those you fear and speak your mind, even if your voice shakes.
Ashley Fultz of the Style Editrix blog
I always treasure advice from other women, especially moms who are also #GirlBosses, about balancing work life and home life and how to stand out and make your business successful.
Grace Simrall, Chief of Civic Innovation of the City of Louisville
The world is your oyster.
Jill Higginbotham of J Michael’s Spa & Salon
Don’t be afraid to fail; fear never trying.
Reena Paracha, community leader
One of the best pieces of advice I have received and cherish in recent years is “Be unapologetically Muslim!”
Pamela Darnall, President of the Family and Children’s Place
Treat others the way you want to be treated. It doesn’t matter who gets credit as long as we are successful.
FACES OF THE SOUTH
Molly Sims, actress and model
Don’t listen to the critical, even the thing in your head telling you that you aren’t good enough, you don’t look good enough — you just have to put it away.
Image: Jeff Vespa
Angie Cook of Hester & Cook Design Group and Wonderful Life Foundation
Live each day fully present in that moment. Don’t let the fear of the future rob you of what is happening right in front of you.
Image: Ashley Hylbert
Lauren Bush Lauren, founder of FEED
I have this quote by Minor Myers hanging in my office, and intentionally look at it every day as my North Star: ‘Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.’
Image: Johan Sandberg
Chandra Johnson of SOCO Gallery
The best advice was given to me by another mom. She said that one of the greatest things you can do for your child is to allow them to be themselves. I have repeated this often to myself, as a parent, to encourage my children to be who they are, not who I think they should be.
Image: Zaire Kacz
Dolly Parton, musician and actress
I don’t give advice, but I can share information. I have always tried to follow the light. I seek the good and the possible and understand that there are no real failures, just lots of opportunities to learn.
Image: Dollywood Foundation
Paige Booker & Alice Trahant, founders of Empire State Finery
PB: The harder you work, the luckier you get. AT: Be true to yourself.
Image: CatMax Photography
Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green, cancer researcher
Don’t let someone else’s limitations define your reality, and don’t let them tell you what’s not possible. It may not be possible for them, but it may be very possible and realistic for you.
Image: Eric & Jamie Photography
Jenn Gietzen, founder of Write On! Design
Actor Chris Pratt posted this to Instagram: “I had to hustle hard and go hungry … And I never had a plan B. I never stopped believing. Ever. Don’t give up. Apply constant pressure for as long as it takes. It will break before you do. Go get it.” A lot of family members have pressured me to quit and go back to a desk job. My response? HELL NO! I’m doing this for me. No one else. Proving to myself that this life is worth it, that I can do it. For me and only me.
Image: CatMax Photography
Laura Daily, Head Merchant at Cracker Barrel
Roll your sleeves up and just get it done. Because I think when you really do some soul-searching, you know when you’re ready for a change. I had the experience and I knew that I was ready to take a next step. So, when you know you’ve done your homework and you know you’ve practiced, just do it. Don’t let fear hold you back.
Image: Ashley Hylbert
Christi Paul of CNN
There have been so many great nuggets but there are two that stick with me: No. 1: The most important things in life aren’t “things.” We can get so caught up in having stuff but, at the end of the day, what we have doesn’t equate to who we are. No. 2: If you live for people’s praise, you’ll die by their criticism. Don’t give anyone that much power over you; you’re worth more than that. Oh, and No. 3: Age, weight and salary are just numbers.
Image: CatMax Photography
Michelle Workman, Interior Designer
I firmly believe you have to create the life you wish to lead.
Image: Grannis Photography
Julie Newman, founder of Give Her Six
I’m going to share a bit of advice I received from the delightfully inspiring Mignon Francois, owner of The Cupcake Collection: Don’t expect anyone to understand your vision. Seriously, it’s unrealistic and selfish. Get a notebook, write your ideas down and journal about it every day. Pray about it, reflect on it and piece the puzzle together — and when the time is right, you will know.
Image: Leila Grossman
McKel Hill, founder of blog Nutrition Stripped
My mission is to empower people who are seeking better health to create a balanced way of living. Food should be an enjoyable, social and celebratory part of our lives. The last thing I want people to think in adopting a whole foods lifestyle is that you can’t enjoy a glass of wine with friends or eat at your favorite taco bar.
Image: Ashley Hylbert Photography
Sue Joyce of Ocean Tribe by Turkish T
Be willing to look at yourself and your part during times of conflict. This is where you will find real growth, peace and understanding.
Image: Mary Craven Photography
Julie Chrisley, reality television star
One of my favorite quotes is, “Be true to yourself, help others, make each day your masterpiece, make friendship a fine art, drink deeply from good books — especially the Bible, build a shelter against a rainy day, give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day.” — John Wooden
Image: Tommy Garcia/USA Network)
Annette Joseph, photo stylist and lifestyle expert
Be present.
Image: CatMax Photography
A big thank you to all of these inspiring women and their wealth of advice.
All photography for FACES of Louisville by Adele Reding Photography.
Read through all their inspirational stories here.
