I still remember the moment I realized things had to change. We were on our usual walk—me and my dog, leash in hand, hoping for a calm, quiet stroll. Instead, it turned into the usual tug-of-war: barking at every dog we passed, lunging at squirrels, spinning in circles when a bike rolled by. I loved my dog more than anything, but honestly… I dreaded our walks. At home, it wasn’t much better. The barking at the window, the pacing during thunderstorms, the constant hyper-alert energy—it wore both of us out. I knew he wasn’t being “bad.” He was just overwhelmed, anxious, unsure how to cope with the world around him. That’s what inspired me to create Calm Canine Academy. It’s not about strict obedience or “fixing” dogs. It’s about helping them feel safe, secure, and calm—so they can actually enjoy the world, not just react to it. And helping their humans understand how to guide them there, step by step, in a kind and science-backed way. Now our walks feel completely different. He checks in with me, stays grounded, and we can finally enjoy being outside together. The barking has lessened, the restlessness is fading—and most importantly, he seems happier. And so am I. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, frustrated, or just wished your dog could relax and feel more at ease… I totally get it. That’s exactly what Calm Canine Academy is for. If you're curious, feel free to message me or check it out. No pressure at all—just wanted to share what’s been working for us in case it helps someone else too. https://www.skool.com/calm-canine-academy-3658/about?ref=de5185e55f884cfbbe00b2f8973b333b

Happy Holidays, and.... it's Friend Friday!!!! That means that IN THE COMMENTS BELOW, you get to shout out ONE group that has provided value to you or that you think others would benefit from. Yep, you heard that right, this week, I want you to pick the #1 group that has made a difference in your life or in the life of someone you know. But don't just drop a link, give us some context. Let us know what it's amazing, how it has helped you, or what type of person it's meant for. Then tag the person or send them a DM to let them know that you mentioned them here! You'll make their weeking - I promise. 😊 Unfortunately, shoutouts that are posted in the main feed will be deleted. Have a great holiday season, and don’t forget that it’s okay to focus on your IRL loved ones during this special time. We’ll all still be here when you get back! 😊

I run a Skool community called Tinker & Type for creative business owners who like having a bigger plan but don’t want to execute their entire future in one sitting. It’s for people with a lot of ideas, real life responsibilities, and a brain that works in bursts, not perfect schedules. We focus on small systems, testing things out loud, and building momentum without pretending we all have unlimited time or focus. One thing we come back to a lot inside the group is this: you can hold a long-term vision and still work in tiny, realistic steps. The plan can be big. The work just has to fit your actual life. If you’re building a Skool group, a creative business, or something in between and want a calmer place to think and experiment, that’s the lane Tinker & Type lives in. If it fits you, you can find it here. Happy to answer questions.

When I started Tinker & Type, I thought it would be a small place to collect my thoughts so they didn’t keep rattling around in my head. A quiet corner where I could make sense of how I work, and maybe help a few other creative people feel less scattered too. The problem I was trying to solve was my own overwhelm first, and then I realized how many other creative business owners were carrying the same thing. So many ideas, so much responsibility, and not a lot of systems that actually fit real life. Especially if you’re juggling kids, shops, side projects, and a brain that refuses to be linear. I did have a bigger vision even then. I’ve always believed in having a plan. What I didn’t have yet was the understanding that the plan didn’t need to be built all at once. Back then, success looked like small proof points. A few people inside Tinker & Type feeling calmer after a post, or saying “okay, I can actually do this.” That felt like enough to keep going. What surprised me was how deeply that approach resonated. People weren’t avoiding big goals. They were just exhausted from trying to execute everything simultaneously. They wanted direction and breathing room. A long view paired with smaller steps that didn’t require burning everything down to make progress. If I could tell past me one thing, it would be this: it’s okay to hold a bigger plan while only working on one small piece at a time. Vision doesn’t require urgency. Momentum comes from letting the work unfold in a way that fits your actual life.

The very first day I had the idea for this community, I thought that I would make it possible for people to purchase a pinned post. Then, I started running the community and became a pin hog and felt like I couldn't give up the premium real estate. I wanted everyone who was new to see the Start Here post, and I wanted everyone in the community to see important notifications and hashtag days. But more and more people have been asking for the ability to get their posts pinned to the top for a certain length of time. I also want to keep some of the pinned posts because I think they are important for setting the tone of the community and keeping you apprised of important information, but if I could open up one pinned post spot, what would it be worth to you to have that spot for 48 hours (if anything)? Just to be clear - you would write the post and I would pin it. It would not be coming directly from me. Also please note that if you give a masterclass in the community (as a premium member), I will create my own post promoting your masterclass. Please vote and then share your comments below: