<![CDATA[kdblaine - blog]]>Mon, 10 Mar 2025 21:33:37 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Thinking Walk]]>Wed, 21 Jun 2023 14:49:56 GMThttp://kdblaine.com/blog/thinking-walkPicture
On my moms' birthday this year, I started a new routine of "daily thinking walks."  Part of it is for getting clear with my thoughts, part metabolic/middle aged reasons, and part to connect to the enchantment of nature, our original source.
I read (audiobook-ed) the Steve Jobs biography recently and learned that he often took walks for his one-on-one business meetings.  I knew immediately that this would become a new way of work for me.  Why are we so attached to lunch,  office desk, conference room meetings when we can just as easily walk and talk!  My first was last week with a friend and associate who agreed to meet with me to discuss hiring me for social media training.  It was as productive as any sit down meeting and we got some good steps in before 10 am.
That walk sparked the inspiration to post yesterday about freelancing some media work which leads me to HUGE GRATITUDE today!  Every seed I've planted seems to be blooming, poof, just like that!
Examples:
I went to a comedy show in DC a few weeks ago.  It had great reviews but was a bit disappointing.  Not really the point but it did prompt me to YouTube my favorite comedian, Bill Burr,  and enjoy some laughs while watching him with my aunt and sharing with my Dad. 
Lo and behold, my "Available" post prompted a response from a comedian!  I just got off the phone with him and am very excited for the possibility of doing his social media and rebuilding his brand!
Stay tuned on that! 
ALSO
I have been talking a lot about my new love for boat communities and how I'd love to live in a "marina" area.  I got invited by another potential client to attend an event at the Boat Club tomorrow!
AND
I'll be able to connect with a childhood friend who is potentially hiring me for website and logo design!
THINGS ARE HAPPENING!
I'm so excited I almost decided to skip yoga and stay at my laptop....but I believe in self care so I plan to squeeze it in! 
DO THINKING WALKS!
Grateful! 
 

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<![CDATA[AVAILABLE]]>Tue, 20 Jun 2023 12:57:58 GMThttp://kdblaine.com/blog/availablePicture
Today I posted this little number to my social media.
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I’M AVAILABLE!
Hey, friends! After a successful sale of my business and a little self-care hiatus, I’m “putting it out there” that I’m currently available either virtually and/or in person for
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projects/partnerships/short term/contract agreements/consulting
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I specialize in things like events, festivals, fundraising, social media, marketing, logo and web design, branding, customized wellness programs, small business consulting.
I'm open to new ventures as well! Always eager to learn especially if you're in media/broadcasting.
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You don’t need to be “near my zip code.”
Open to (and currently have) some travel programs on the calendar.
I’m free to roam or even relocate for the right opportunity.
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Fees are negotiable.
Message me or if you have my info otherwise, ping!
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I am already surprised and quite grateful how many people are "sharing" it to their pages.  A freelance life has always felt like a good fit for me but I've never tried to actually make it happen.  It took me a minute to decide if I should even do the post.  I am not, and do not wish to appear, desperate.  There is too much abundance out there to undervalue myself or my skills.  
As an entrepreneur,  I have done just about everything, and taught myself.  It's strange how I can pretty much do it all but a master of none.  That seems to "turn off" potential big opportunities with sports teams or media companies who are looking for a specific "job title."  It would be attractive to me to join the "9-5" work force should I be given the opportunity with these places but they seem to need a "headline."
Don't let the word "yoga" fool you!  I think people see that business and think "well, that's cute," but a yoga studio is still a business. Trust me!  I have done all the things any other entrepreneur has done;  built a brand from the ground up, put out fires, had difficult conversations, battles over programs and policies, trained and mentored people, taken leadership roles in the community, and negotiated leases and collaborations with businesses and the school system.  Most of all, I hold myself to the highest standard of ethics.  First and foremost, I know how to treat people.  I have some kind of superpower how to see all sides of the story, not just through my desires or someone else's rose colored glasses but  what the underlying reality is and how to do the right thing.  I also have one of those other superpowers to see things in people what they do not see in themselves.  Mentoring is always one of my favorite things to do and I have proven success.  
What I do is not easily described on a resume or personal website.  For me to match with a good business or partner to work with, it will take someone with keen intuition and an ability to trust that.....a little "Steve Jobs" style, minus the outbursts, LOL! 
An example of this was actually a turning point in my life.  I was hired at a franchise day spa in LA.  The staff I worked most closely with was far too gossipy, dramatic, and frankly, backstabbing, for me.  I quit even after I had received a quick promotion.  Fast forward at least one year, maybe more.  One of the managers of that spa contacted me and said she had opened a new place and wanted me to come work as Marketing Manager for her.  I had never done that and she said "Don't worry, I'll teach you.  Just come talk to me."  
I spent a "work day" with her visiting accounts I would be responsible for, meeting the people, and touring the facility. I've never felt so excited to say yes to a job!  I knew I could do it and I knew I would be fantastic at it!  My employment with Beach Massage and Day Spa started then!  I learned so much about my strengths and even more about new things like web design, networking, and interpersonal skills!  I never knew work could be such a natural fit and so rewarding.  They trusted me to work my own hours and schedule my own appointments.  People came into the spa all the time mentioning my name and that they had met me somewhere.  Our techs started making more money and we had our name out there as the #1 day spa choice for almost every LAX hotel!  It was a real life example of what people can do when you let them!  I don't need to be micro managed, I need to be trusted.   
Back to todays post.  I will wait for the right opportunity even if that means creating it myself.  I've done it before and I certainly can again.  This gap I've had to soul search has been such a pleasure.  I'm not bored but maybe I'm not done with my contributions yet.  The right people will be attracted to me!  
Meanwhile, I'll just be my extraordinary self!  

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