Always Remember...

You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and more loved than you’ll ever know.

These words hung on a print in my daughter’s bedroom for years—until recently, when it was replaced by photos of pink bows (she’s firmly in her #coquette era now). Isn’t it fascinating how powerful messages can fade—quietly pushed aside by trends, comparison, or our own self-doubt?

And it’s often during the seasons we need those messages the most—my daughter stepping into adolescence, and me, navigating the early (and sometimes messy) stages of building something new.

Recently, a dear friend and coach challenged me to fully own my space—to believe in the results I deliver, to stand tall in my experience, and to trust the strength and resilience that got me here. It was a good reminder of why I chose this path in the first place: I believe in a brighter, more connected future for leadership—one where women have access to the tools, support, and community they need to become the leaders our businesses and industries need to thrive. I won't get there by playing small.

I’m not the only entrepreneur in my house. My daughter, a Girl Scout, recently celebrated a successful cookie season with her troop. Their reward? A trip to a local adventure camp—where she did this…keep scrolling!

In that moment, she climbed. Not because someone told her she could—but because she believed she could.

Turns out, the strongest messages aren’t the ones we hang on our walls… they’re the ones we learn to carry inside.

Consider this month’s installment of Leadership Couture the summer edition (that's right, I'm taking a break). Rest assured, I'm sharing resources to help you strengthen your inner voice all summer long.

My wish for each of us is that we return in September well-rested, well-read, bolder, brighter, and ready to go! I can smell the fresh binders and planners already!

Here’s to believing in you—this summer and beyond.

Welcome to the summer 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,

Wear It

Your Leadership Style

A few months ago, I sat down next to Sherry Schaefer at a conference. We didn't know each other, but within minutes, we were deep in conversation about books, leadership, and—naturally—style.

We stayed in touch (despite the two time zones and the international border between us), and recently, we co-hosted a LinkedIn Live together.

This is why I always say: Be open. Be curious. Talk to the person next to you at the conference. You never know where a simple connection might lead.

Listen in as we discuss the intersection of leadership and style and explore what it means to SEE your Signature Style (one of my favorite workshops to facilitate). You’ll get to know Sherry, too—an accomplished author, wise leader, and now, a friend.

Style Up

All smiles chatting about leadership styles!

Take It Off

An Old Measurement of Success

For as long as I can remember, I’ve measured success by two things – title and salary. I graduated with a business degree in the early 2000’s where after four years of hard work you were rewarded with an entry-level position and a salary to define your worth. My goal was to climb the corporate ladder, and I did – supervisor, manager, director, and eventually officer. With each rung came a salary increase, but it was never enough. I always wanted more until I didn’t. Isn’t it funny how that happens?

In this new season of life, I’ve let go of the need for an impressive title. But, the predictability of a bi-weekly salary is harder for me. Let's not forget, most of us do need to earn a living, AND I am a Taurus.

Here’s the thing, success isn’t one-size-fits-all—and it was never meant to be. If I’m being honest, I was chasing someone else’s version of it. Now I’ve given myself permission to define it on my own terms. And that’s where real power (and peace) live.

So now, I measure success by things that look a little different…

Waking up at 5 AM (see last month’s edition) excited about the work I get to do
Creating spaces where women feel seen, heard, and celebrated
Having meaningful conversations with leaders who are making the future of business more inclusive
Watching my daughter and son do brave things and realizing I’m modeling that, too
Separating my self-worth from my pricing—and confidently standing behind the value and ROI I deliver to every organization I serve
Using my experience in ways that make a difference
Staying aligned with my values, even when it’s not the easy path
Feeling more like myself now than I ever did in any corporate title

Here’s my invitation to you: Take a moment this week to ask yourself—What does success really look like for me right now? Not what it should be. Not what it used to be. But what actually matters today.

And if you need a space to explore that definition? You know where to find me.

#5 in action - let her see you doing hard things!

Try It On

Self-Efficacy

When you confidently believe in your ability to succeed in a particular situation you are demonstrating self-efficacy. And you're never too young to start building this belief. It's especially important for us to foster self-efficacy in our girls as this article from Lean In Girls highlights. "When girls believe they can handle what life throws at them, they take more chances, speak up more, and bounce back faster." Read the full article for five ways to start building this belief.

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What I'm Amplifying...

owned by a woman,

True Confession: I'm a Peloton Addict. That bike and fellow riders near and far got me through the pandemic - anyone else? Find me on the bike @JulieMich510. But, Pre-Peloton and Pre-Pandemic, I belonged to a local gym and loved the community and accountability it gave me. Earlier this year, I found myself missing that gym energy. So, when a friend started teaching classes at Mary's Health & Fitness in Hershey I decided to give it a try. And, I'm glad I did. If you're looking for a friendly gym with great coaches - check out Mary's. It's become a bit of a family affair for us. My son has improved his tennis game through their youth classes. Check them out! Who knows, you may find that you're stronger than you seem!

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the BEST in the country,

What if you could build your courage AND give back to a local non-profit that is the BEST in the country? Get ready to don your safety helmet and go Over the Edge for Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-Central PA on October 10th. This could be your braver than you believe moment! Last year, BBBS served over 1,300 youth in its programming. This feat along with many others led the team to be recognized nationally as the 2024 Agency of the Year. Sign up now before your palms get sweaty (like mine were in this picture a couple of years ago) and start raising funds for this incredible mission!

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and on the screen (and in my ears).

Have you ever gone down a rabbit hole after watching a limited series? This week, I found myself going down one such hole. I just finished watching Sirens on Netflix - highly recommend! It gives Big Little Lies vibes, and I'm here for it. If you haven't watched it yet, listen to this episode of The Run-Through with Vogue where Julianne Moore talks about her leading role in the limited series, her upcoming movie, and fashion, of course.

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Oh, and the rabbit hole I went down? Googling "sirens" to be smarter than I ever thought possible on the subject. Molly Smith Metzler, creator of Sirens, says "We call these women monsters in the (Greek) myth, but for all we know, they're just singing for help." Hmmmm.

PS: Can you tell I'm spending a lot of quality time with my Gen Alpha daughter (and loving it)? Gives vibes?

Girl Math with Cabi

Stock up on Summer

Summer has arrived in Pennsylvania! We're currently in a "heat dome"?!?! Translation: It's time to fill your closet with all of the great summer pieces from cabi. We have rompers that are easy to get on and off, shorts you'll actually want to wear, and lots of sleeveless tops to work on your tan (safely). And, when you spend $250 before then end of the month, you'll earn $50 to spend on Fall. Oh hey, #girlmath! Click the link below for vacay (or staycay) looks curated just for you!

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