Amplify your New Year

Do you believe in New Year’s resolutions? Are you in Camp New Year, New You? What about manifesting? (Fun Fact: Manifest is Cambridge Dictionary’s 2024 Word of the Year!)

Or do you take a more laid-back—or even skeptical—approach to the new year? Maybe January 1st feels like just another day. Are you tired of hearing about everyone else’s resolutions and just wishing they’d get back to work? Do you secretly relish Quitter’s Day? (Another Fun Fact: The second Friday of January has earned that nickname because so many people abandon their resolutions by then.)

Wherever you land on the New Year continuum, one thing remains true: it’s always a good time to ask yourself, “How can I be 1% better today?” James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, champions this idea. I love it because 1% better feels achievable for all of us. And for my financial friends, this approach is like compounding interest: those small daily improvements add up to remarkable growth over time.

True confession: I’m firmly in Camp New Year, New You! I love setting goals (SMART ones, of course), creating vision boards, and choosing a Word of the Year. Last year, my word was reinvent, and I’d say I nailed it—owning courageous confidence is one of my 2025 goals.

This year, my word is amplify: to expand, make louder, and increase strength. Inspired by Clear’s philosophy, my goal is to amplify in three ways daily:

Expand my impact by 1%.
Make my voice (and your voice) louder by 1%.
Increase my strength—mentally, emotionally, and physically—by 1%.

Now, I want to hear from you: What do you want to amplify this year? Let me know below.

Let’s make this year the year to amplify—one small, powerful step at a time! To help you get started, this month I’ve compiled some of my favorite reads and listens to inspire you to step into 2025 confidently.

Welcome to this month's edition of Leadership Couture! Get ready to try on new ideas, take off what doesn't fit, and confidently wear your Leadership Couture!

Stay stylish, stay courageous, and as always, lead with intention.

Your Leadership Stylist,

What do you want to amplify this year?

Defining and honoring my values

Building and leveraging my network

My energy - I want to thrive, not just survive

Using my voice to communicate more effectively

Try it On

Marathon Running

I ran my first (and last!) half-marathon back in 2007. Since then, my running has been more about fun 5Ks with my kids and some good friends. But recently, something shifted. A friend of a friend shared her experience running the Every Woman's Marathon, and it sparked something in me.

Maybe it’s this fabulous decade of my 40s, or maybe it’s the promise of a fresh start in the new year, but I found myself thinking, Why not me? If Oprah ('94 Marine Corps Marathon) can do it, surely I can too!

Turns out, I’m not alone. According to this Wall Street Journal article, plenty of us are hitting the pavement. Now, I’m looking for training partners—are you in?

Style Up

Wear It

Time Names 2024 CEO of the Year

Lisa Su has made history as the first woman ever to be named Time’s CEO of the Year. As the CEO of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), she leads the second-largest company in the semiconductor industry—just behind Nvidia, which also happens to be the most valuable company in the world.

AMD’s chips are at the heart of personal computers, data centers, and cutting-edge AI programs like ChatGPT. An engineer by training, Su took the reins at AMD when its stock was a mere $3 per share. Today, it trades at around $140—a staggering 50-fold increase!

Oh, and did I mention she’s a billionaire with three degrees from MIT? Talk about #goals! Check out this short video to learn where Su goes to relax, what she learned in 2024, and one of the most used apps on her phone (Spoiler Alert, it's ChaptGPT!).

Style Up

Take it Off

Quiet the Noise

Amplifying certain parts of your life often means quieting others. As a ruminator, a people pleaser, and a recovering CliftonStrengths Achiever, I know a thing or two about having voices constantly vying for my attention. Over the years, I’ve made progress—less ruminating, healthier boundaries, and a proud shift away from Achiever as my #1 strength. But quieting the noise completely? That’s still a work in progress. If you can relate, you’re in the right place. This month, I’m sharing my go-to tips for turning down the volume on life’s distractions so you can focus on what matters most. (feel free to save and share the pdf!)

P.S. If you’re looking for someone to facilitate CliftonStrengths for you or your team, I know a woman (or two) who would love to help!

Quiet the Noise.pdf

What I'm Loving AND Amplifying...

on the page,

Hot off the press January 7th and already in my Amazon orders is Coco Sellman’s new book, A Force for Good: Empowering Women to Lead High-Impact, High-Growth Enterprises! I've been devouring my early copy and can't wait to get my hands on the real thing later this week. This isn't just another business book - it's a powerful guide to building a purpose-driven company that thrives on impact, scale, and profit. Connect with Coco on LinkedIn and listen to her podcasts (yes, she has two!) - A Force for Good Business and #WisdomOfWomen. Ready to dive in? Add her book to your Amazon cart using the link below—you won’t regret it!

Style Up

in my closet,

the Bee & the Fox started stalking me on social media, and honestly, I couldn't be happier about it. I'm a total sucker for a graphic tee with a strong message (ask me about this one in the pic below #AWorkInProgress).

the Bee & the Fox has some amazing prints! Like the two women founders, my love for graphic tees might have started in childhood when no family vacation was complete without a coveted souvenir shirt. Anyone else relate? Or maybe it’s my way of expressing myself until I finally commit to a tattoo (yes, I want one, and no, I still don’t know what it’ll say or look like…yet).

Until the ink is dry—and probably long after—you’ll find me embracing the graphic tee life. Now, I need your help: which one should I buy next? I’m leaning toward the one in the link below (#IYKYK). Let me know your pick!

Style Up

and out in the world.

Thanks for making it (almost) to the end of this month's newsletter. I hope you're feeling inspired, loved, and amplified! And, if all this talk of the new year has you feeling the #FOMO, I've got you! Join me on the Lunar New Year, January 29th, at 2 pm EST for Amplify Your Year: Leadership, Style and a Bold Word to Guide You.

During this one-hour session, we'll talk leadership and style and help you select your word for 2025. You won't want to miss this or the fun offer to follow. Register at the link below and share with a friend. See you soon!

Style Up

cabi Moment

Spring '25 Launches January 16th!

What’s that sound? Oh, it’s just me gushing over the new cabi fashion! Season after season, the cabi design team knocks it out of the park, and this collection is no exception.

Take a peek at this First Look video—you’re going to love it. And when you’ve watched it for the fifth time (because, let’s be real, you will), message me to book your show!

What’s better than friends, fabulous style, and exclusive discounts? I’ve got just a few dates left in January and February—let’s make it happen!

Style Up

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