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Articles Tagged with: business mentorship

Saving and Investing: Two Tools, One Goal

For as long as people have been earning money, they’ve been faced with the same decision: What to do with it once it’s in their hands. Some tuck it away in savings accounts. Others put it into the stock market and other investment channels.

Eventually, they get to wonder: Is one better than the other?

The truth is, saving and investing aren’t rivals. They’re more like teammates, each with its own strengths. Understanding how they work and when to use each can give everyday people the confidence to manage money with more clarity and less stress.

Let’s take a dive into saving and investing, how they’re the same, how they’re different, and how we can use them to our advantage.

Saving: The Safety Net

Saving is the steady, dependable sibling of the financial world. It means putting money into a savings account, money market account, or certificate of deposit.

The big advantage that saving brings is safety. Funds in a bank account are typically insured and accessible when needed. For someone building an emergency fund or planning for a near-term purchase, saving makes perfect sense. It offers peace of mind, knowing the money will be there when life throws a curveball.

But there’s a catch. Savings accounts grow slowly. In fact, the growth often lags behind inflation, which means the buying power of those dollars shrinks a little each year. That’s the trade-off: stability in exchange for limited growth.

Investing: The Growth Engine

Investing is a different story. Here, money is put into stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or exchange-traded funds. Unlike savings, investments aren’t guaranteed to hold their value. The market rises and falls, sometimes dramatically.

Yet, the upside is clear. Historically, investments grow far faster than savings accounts. Over time, reinvested earnings build on themselves through compounding, creating growth that can be surprisingly powerful.

Of course, this comes with risk. Anyone who invests has to accept that values may fluctuate along the way. But with a long-term view, investing becomes one of the strongest tools for building wealth.

Why Saving and Investing Matter for Everyday Life

At first glance, the differences between saving and investing might sound technical. But in practice, they touch nearly every part of daily life.

Savings matter because they bring security. When an unexpected bill arrives, having cash on hand keeps a minor problem from becoming a major crisis.

Investments matter because they bring possibility. They open the door to long-term goals that savings alone can’t achieve. Whether it’s preparing for retirement decades down the road or building financial independence, investing provides the growth needed to make those milestones possible.

When people understand both tools, they can make choices that protect the present while preparing for the future.

When to Save, When to Invest

So how does one decide which to use? It usually comes down to timing and purpose.

Save when the need is short-term. An emergency fund, a car repair fund, or money for an upcoming trip belongs in a savings account. Accessibility and safety matter more than high returns.

Invest when the goal is long-term. Retirement, college tuition years away for the kids, or a general plan to grow wealth all benefit from investing. Time allows the ups and downs of the market to even out, letting compounding do its work.

By dividing goals into “short-term” and “long-term,” the decision about saving versus investing becomes much clearer.

Follow the Rule of 72

Sometimes, financial concepts can feel overwhelming. That’s why the Rule of 72 stands out. It’s simple enough for anyone to use.

The rule works like this: divide 72 by the annual interest rate or expected rate of return, and the result shows how many years it takes for money to double.

At 6%, money doubles in about 12 years.

At 10%, it doubles in just over 7 years.

At 1%, which is close to the rate some savings accounts offer, it takes more than 70 years.

This quick calculation shows why investing is so valuable for long-term growth. It doesn’t replace saving, but it highlights the power of putting money to work in the market.

The Balanced Approach

The most effective strategy isn’t choosing saving or investing. It’s using both together.

Savings form the foundation: a cushion for emergencies, everyday expenses, and short-term plans. Investments build on top of that foundation: growing money for the bigger goals that take years to reach.

Together, they create a financial plan that’s stable yet forward-looking. It’s a balance that helps people feel secure in the moment while still building momentum for the future.

Learning Financial Literacy in Community

Saving and investing may take different paths, but they share a common purpose: to make life easier and more secure. One offers peace of mind today, while the other provides growth for tomorrow.

By learning when to save and when to invest, anyone can use both tools to build a future that feels steady, prepared, and within reach.

When to save and when to invest is actually the topic of conversation at the upcoming Money Talk on September 11, 2025. Co-facilitated by financial educator Kristen Winter and community resource connector Malee Ojua, Money Club is a safe space where people can come together to build financial literacy.

It’s not about jargon or complex theories. It’s about sharing stories and simple strategies that real people can use every day.

Don’t miss this conversation. Register today.

August 26 Job Searching for Entrepreneurs Sacred Fire Creative

Why Networking Is the Most Overlooked Job Search Tool for Entrepreneurs

For many entrepreneurs, there comes a point where a little extra stability could go a long way. Maybe business is seasonal. Maybe growth is taking longer than expected. Maybe you just want some breathing room while continuing to build your dream.

A part-time job. A contract gig. A flexible role.

Something that fits around your business, not replaces it.

But finding that kind of work isn’t always easy, especially when most job search advice isn’t written with entrepreneurs in mind.

Traditional job boards often feel like a dead end. Résumés don’t always capture the depth of your experience. And the application process can be time-consuming, impersonal, and discouraging.

That’s where networking changes the game.

Why does networking matter in an entrepreneur’s job search?

Networking isn’t just about finding work. It’s about finding the right kind of work through the relationships you’ve already built.

Many jobs, especially part-time, contract, and flexible roles, are never posted publicly. They’re filled through word of mouth, referrals, and direct connections.

And as an entrepreneur, you already have a rich network. You have former clients and collaborators, vendors, mentors, fellow business owners, friends, and community contacts who have seen what you’re capable of.

These are people who know your work ethic, your values, and your ability to get things done. You’re not starting from scratch. You’re building from trust.

How can networking help with your job search?

There are many ways that tapping your network can boost your job search. Here are some of them.

You get to skip the cold applications. Instead of sending your résumé into the void, you start conversations that actually lead somewhere.
You have the opportunity to tell your story directly and frame your business experience in a way that highlights your strengths instead of the gaps.
You find roles that fit your lifestyle. Many small businesses and mission-driven organizations are looking for people who think like entrepreneurs. They just don’t always know where to find them.

Here are simple networking strategies to start using today.

You don’t need a huge following or a perfect pitch. You just need to take the first step.

Let people know you’re open to work. Reach out to a few contacts in your network. Be clear about the kind of roles you’re looking for – part-time, project-based, remote – and share what you bring to the table.
Reengage your community. Attend a local meetup. Hope into an industry group online. Comment on someone’s post. Networking isn’t always about asking; it’s about showing up.
Offer before you ask. Share a help resource. Refer someone. Make a connection. Building goodwill often leads to new opportunities when you least expect it.
Focus on conversations, not pitches. Instead of asking, “Do you know of any job openings?” try: “I’m exploring some flexible work to support my business and would love to reconnect and hear what you’ve been working on.”

Learn how to do networking with confidence.

If you’re ready to learn how to network your way to flexible income to augment your business, join us at our upcoming event: “Networking Your Way to a Job.”

Part of our Job Searching for Entrepreneurs series, facilitated by Clearinity’s Conrad Rohleder and Sacred Fire Creative’s Malee Ojua, this is an opportunity to learn how to:

Use your entrepreneurial experience as an advantage in the job market.
Build a simple, effective networking strategy.
Reach out to your network without feeling awkward or salesy.
Turn conversations into opportunities.

This event is for entrepreneurs who want to support their business, not replace it. If you’re looking for income that aligns with your values, lifestyle, and goals, this is for you.

Start connecting with confidence. Register here.

Job Searching as an Entrepreneur: Why You Don't Need to Go It Alone

Job Searching as an Entrepreneur: Why You Don’t Need Go It Alone

You were prepared for change.

You knew this next chapter wouldn’t be easy.

But nothing quite prepares you for job searching when you’re an entrepreneur.

You thought your biggest challenge would be updating your résumé.

Instead, it’s the quiet, grinding uncertainty that no one warned you about.

The job search isn’t just a search. It’s a test of resilience.

You apply for roles that sound like a fit. You try to explain what you did as a founder without sounding like you’re overqualified – or worse, like you’re starting over after what the interviewer may assume as a failure.

You wonder if the recruiter on the other side understands what it meant to build a brand from nothing, lead a team, manage budgets, grow revenue, solve crises.

You wonder if they can see the value behind the title of “Founder.”

You hit submit and wait. And wait. And wait.

Sometimes there’s a rejection. More often, just silence.

You start to question your instincts.

You rewrite your story. Again.

You try to stay upbeat for the next interview, even as your confidence thins.

And you begin to ask: Is it just me? Am I doing this wrong?

It’s not just you. And you’re not doing it wrong.

Job searching as an entrepreneur is uniquely challenging.

Not because you lack skills, but because traditional hiring systems aren’t built to understand non-traditional paths.

But here’s what no one tells you: You don’t need to muscle through this alone.

You don’t have to.

The missing piece in your job search might not be a better resume or a new strategy.

It might be a support circle, a space where you’re reminded of what you bring to the table, even when the world feels unsure of where to seat you.

What can support circles do for you?

A strong circle doesn’t just offer encouragement. It changes the experience of job searching as an entrepreneur in real, tangible ways.

First, you gain clarity. Talking with others helps you see yourself and your transferable skills more clearly.

You also learn how to tell your story. A support group helps you shape your founder journey into a compelling narrative that hiring managers can understand.

You get unstuck. Whether it’s a new connection, a practical tip, or just someone who’s been there, the right support gives you momentum.

Lastly, you feel human again. Being around others who get it helps you shake off the isolation, the imposter syndrome, and maybe even the shame that job searching can trigger.

You’ve carried enough alone. It’s time to let someone help you.

Finding the right support is what Job Searching for Entrepreneurs is all about. It’s not another job-searching, resume-writing workshop.

It’s a gathering place for people who are in the thick of the search, who’ve been refreshing job boards, second-guessing themselves, and wondering what’s next.

It’s a chance to talk about what really makes a difference: connection, community, and support that actually understands where you’re coming from.

In the upcoming session of this conversation, titled “Finding Support as a Job-Searching Entrepreneur,” we’ll explore:

What makes the job search uniquely hard for founders
How to find the right people to walk this path with you
Where to look for mentorship, guidance, and belonging
How to ask for help in a way that feels empowering

This session is on August 19, 2025, at Offbeat Coffee in Salem, OR, co-facilitated by Conrad Rohleder of Clearinity and Malee Ojua of Sacred Fire Creative.

The job search is hard.

But you don’t have to do it alone.

And you were never meant to.

Join us for this part of Job Searching for Entrepreneurs.

Let this be the session that reminds you that you’re not stuck.

You’re evolving. And there are people who see what you bring, even when the hiring algorithm doesn’t.

Joining is free. RSVP today.

Oregon Startup Conference 2025: Building Strong Roots for the Future of Community

At the Oregon Startup Conference, held June 20, 2025, we witnessed something rare.

It wasn’t just a gathering of entrepreneurs. It was a moment—a shared breath—where hope, vulnerability, and possibility met in the same room.

Founders came with big dreams and unfinished ideas.

Mentors came with open hands and honest words.

Strangers became collaborators. Ideas became momentum.

And what started as a conference became something much deeper: community.

One quote echoed through our hearts all day long:

“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go into pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

That spirit was everywhere. In every pitch, every breakout session, every side conversation over coffee. People chose to plant something—an idea, a connection, a belief that what they’re building matters.

We created space for people to show up as they are. No polish required. Just passion, persistence, and purpose.

And that’s what made this event unforgettable.

Because at the heart of every startup is a voice. A story. A reason for doing the hard thing anyway.

At Sacred Fire Creative, that’s what we’re here to nurture: the voice that connects, the story that resonates, the brand that builds bridges between humans.

🧡 If you’re ready to find your authentic voice and use it to spark connection in your community, we’d love to collaborate.

How to Ace the Job Interview as an Entrepreneur

For years, your job interview was a client pitch.

You didn’t talk about your job qualifications. Instead, you showed them.

You didn’t wait to be hired to show what you can do. Instead, you built a business around what you can do.

You wore every hat, made every decision, and held the full weight of success (and failure) on your shoulders.

But now, something has shifted.

Maybe you’re craving stability. Maybe you’re burned out. Or maybe, for the first time in a long time, you’re curious about what it might feel like to be part of a team again – this time, not as the leader, but as a contributor with clear boundaries, shared goals, and room to breathe.

And that’s brought you here: preparing to reenter the world of traditional employment.

But let’s be honest. Job interviews hit differently when you’ve been the boss.

In the first part of this blog series, we talked about the resume and the cover letter. Here, we’re going to tackle the job interview.

Why Interviews Are Uniquely Challenging for Entrepreneurs

When you’re used to creating your own opportunities, sitting across from someone evaluating your qualifications can make you feel vulnerable, even strange.

There’s a quiet fear underneath.

Will they understand my story? Will they think I failed?

Am I too much? Or not enough?

These are common and completely normal questions for entrepreneurs making this leap.

Here’s why the interview stage can feel especially hard:

Your career path is nonlinear. Traditional roles follow a ladder. Yours was more like a jungle gym.
You’re afraid they’ll think you can’t follow. You’re no longer the CEO, but that doesn’t mean you can’t thrive in a supportive role. Still, that transition can be hard to communicate.

What Hiring Managers Need to Hear

You bring incredible value to the table. But it’s up to you to make that visible.

Here’s how to make your experience resonate in the interview:

Reframe your story.

Don’t just say, “I ran a business.” Translate it.

I launched and scaled a client-focused brand, led a team of five, managed a $100K budget, and built a marketing system that generated consistent leads through organic social media.

Be specific with your story and focus on outcomes. Connect your experience to the job you’re applying for.

Address the elephant in the room.

If your business closed or paused, acknowledge it confidently.

After several meaningful years in entrepreneurship, I’m choosing this next chapter intentionally. I’m excited to contribute in a focused role where I can apply my experience and collaborate with a team.

Most employers aren’t put off by your business pausing, closing, or being set aside. They just want to understand your “why” and know you’re ready to show up fully.

Shift the narrative from “boss” to “team player.”

One of the biggest assumptions you may face is that you won’t take direction or adapt well to the hierarchy.

Prove them wrong by sharing examples of collaborative partnerships, taking client feedback, and learning from mentors or peer networks.

Let them see your willingness to grow within a team, without needing to lead everything.

Use the STAR Method to Tell Compelling Stories

Entrepreneurs are natural storytellers. But job interviews require a more structured kind of storytelling.

That’s where the STAR method comes in.

STAR stands for:

Situation: What was going on?
Task: What challenge or goal were you facing?
Action: What specific steps did you take?
Result: What was the outcome?

This method helps you clearly demonstrate your value through real-life experiences. And that’s something entrepreneurs have in abundance.

Let’s break it down:

SITUATION: Set the Scene.

“Our customer retention rates were dropping, and we realized our onboarding process wasn’t setting clients up for success.”

TASK: Define the Challenge or Goal.

“I need to redesign the onboarding system to improve retention and create a more seamless client experience.”

ACTION: Describe What You Did.

“I mapped out the existing process, created a new step-by-step welcome journey, and trained my team on delivering it consistently.”

RESULT: Share the Outcome.

“Client retention improved by 35% over the next six months, and support tickets dropped by half.”

Here are a few STAR tips that entrepreneurs can use during the job interview:

Choose diverse stories. Highlight collaborations, problem-solving, and resilience, not just your wins.
Tailor your examples. Connect them directly to the skills the job requires.
Practice out loud. STAR stories are designed to be spoken so they can be remembered.
Stay focused. The structure helps you avoid rambling, a common habit among founders.

Using the STAR method turns your entrepreneurial experience into concise, impressive stories that resonate with hiring managers. It shows that you’re not just experienced; you’re self-aware, coachable, and ready to contribute.

Find the Right Support

Transitioning from entrepreneurship to traditional employment doesn’t just involve a career shift. It’s diving into an identity shift.

And it’s okay to need help navigating it.

That’s why we’re hosting the second session in our Job Searching for Entrepreneurs series: Nailing the Interview: How to Tell Your Story with Confidence.

Whether you’re getting ready for your first interview in years or struggling to translate your founder journey into corporate language, this event is for you. We’ll walk through real examples and hold space for the complexity of this transition without judgment.

This second session is on August 12, 2025, at Offbeat Coffee in Salem, OR. Just like the first session, it will be led by Conrad Rohleder of Clearinity and Malee Ojua of Sacred Fire Creative.

Come as you are – curious, cautious, or completely overwhelmed. You’ll leave with tools, language, and renewed clarity for your next step.

Because you’re not starting over.

You’re starting fresh, with experience, perspective, and something powerful to offer.

RSVP here.

How to Talk to Your Family About Money as an Entrepreneur

Starting a business is about chasing a dream – more freedom, more purpose, more control over your future.

But what many entrepreneurs don’t anticipate is how quickly that dream can stir up tension or confusion at home.

You might find yourself avoiding certain topics around the dinner table. You might downplay a rough month or overexplain a business expense.

Or maybe you just carry the weight quietly, hoping your loved ones will understand eventually.

But here’s the truth: your family doesn’t need perfection when it comes to money matters.

They need communication.

Why Is It Important to Talk to Your Family About Money?

Money is deeply personal. It’s tied to security, identity, culture, and even love. And when you become an entrepreneur, your relationship with money often changes. Sometimes, the changes can be dramatic.

Your income may fluctuate. Your expenses may increase. Your financial priorities may shift from steady paychecks to long-term investments and high-risk decisions.

And yet, many entrepreneurs try to shoulder these changes alone, believing they’ll protect their loved ones by staying silent.

Unfortunately, silence creates distance.

When your family doesn’t understand your financial reality, they can’t support you through it. Talking openly about money helps bridge the gap between your business goals and your personal life. In turn, it allows you to build stronger and more resilient relationships in the process.

Opening Up About Money Can Be Beneficial for Your Relationships

Bringing your family into financial conversations isn’t just a responsible move. It’s a move that can strengthen your relationships.

Here’s what happens when you choose openness over avoidance:

You build trust and reduce anxiety.

When you’re quiet about money, your family is often left to fill in the blanks. And most people assume the worst. Talking things through can bring a sense of calm. It tells your loved ones, “I respect you enough to be honest,” even when things are uncertain. That trust is foundational, especially during times when your business is still growing.

You set clear expectations.

Family members may not understand what being “self-employed” really means. By explaining what to expect, like why your income might be higher one month and lower the next, you create alignment and avoid misunderstandings. Clarity helps everyone plan better together.

You invite emotional and practical support.

You don’t need to carry everything on your own. When your family understands what you’re navigating, they can offer meaningful help, whether that’s encouragement during a slow month or flexibility when your schedule gets hectic. Sometimes, the greatest relief is just being seen.

You lay the groundwork for future conversations about wealth and legacy.

If you have children, or plan to have them, how you talk about money will shape their financial future with it. Including your family in financial conversations helps break generational silence and opens up opportunities to co-create long-term visions about shared wealth, values, and impact.

It’s True: Talking About Money Can Be Hard

If talking to family about money were easy, more people would do it. But this kind of conversation can feel deeply vulnerable and fraught with unspoken history.

Here are some of the emotional and logistical hurdles you might face:

Fear of judgment

You may worry that your money won’t understand your choices. Or worse, they’ll see your financial ups and downs as personal failures. This fear can be especially strong if your family values traditional career paths or stable income.

Guilt over taking risks

Many entrepreneurs wrestle with guilt, especially if loved ones have sacrificed to support them. You might feel like you’re letting people down by not being “further along” or by choosing a path that feels uncertain to others.

Power dynamics and past experiences

In some families, conversations about money are tangled up with financial control, inequality, or trauma. You might feel like you’re not “allowed” to lead a money conversation or that speaking up will spark conflict.

Communication gaps

Not everyone speaks the language of business. When you start explaining profit margins or investment timelines, eyes may glaze over. It’s easy to feel discouraged if your family doesn’t seem to “get it.” But that doesn’t mean the conversation isn’t worth having.

These challenges are valid. But they’re also navigable, though it takes care, courage, and the right tools.

How Can You Start the Money Talk?

If you’re ready to open up but aren’t sure where to begin, here are a few ways to ease into it:

Lead with honesty and vulnerability.

Start small. You don’t need a spreadsheet or a formal agenda. All you need is a willingness to say, “I’ve been thinking a lot about how money impacts all of us, and I’d like to talk about it.”

Share your “why.”

Help your family understand the bigger picture behind your business decisions. When they see what you’re building and why it matters to you, they’re more likely to offer support, even if they don’t fully understand the details.

Be clear about what’s changing.

Are you adjusting household budgets? Pausing vacations? Reinvesting income into the business? Lay it out with compassion and transparency so everyone knows what to expect.

Invite dialogue, not just approval.

Let your family ask questions or express concerns without feeling shut down. The goal isn’t to convince them you’re right. It’s to foster mutual understanding.

Make it a habit, not a one-time talk.

Talking about money once is brave. Making it a normal part of your day-to-day is transformative. Schedule regular check-ins. Use tools, books, or resources to guide the conversations. Keep it going.

It’s not easy to talk about money, even with the people you love. But with the right mindset, tools, and intentions, you can start the conversation, keep it going, and make it a way to strengthen your relationship with your family.

Want a Safe Space to Explore These Conversations?

If you’re in the McMinnville, Oregon area, you’re invited to join us at “Money Club: Take Control of Your Finances, One Conversation at a Time.” This is an in-person conversation about money facilitated by financial educator Kristen Winter and founder resource connector Malee Ojua.

Each month, we gather entrepreneurs, creatives, and changemakers in a safe, heart-centered space to talk about the emotional side of money. This August 14, 2025, we’re diving deep into how to talk about your family about money. Because business is personal, and the people closest to us deserve to be part of the journey.

This is an opportunity to hear real stories from your fellow entrepreneurs, gain new tools to start or deepen the money conversation, and find a sense of relief that you don’t have to figure this out alone.

Click here to RSVP and join us in changing the way we talk about money, starting at home

Please explore more helpful articles here.

Job Searching for Entrepreneurs: Reclaiming Your Story, One Résumé at a Time

At some point in the entrepreneurial journey, a shift happens.

Maybe the business isn’t sustainable anymore.

Maybe the founder has outgrown it. Or it has outgrown them.

Or maybe, for the first time in a long while, stability feels more appealing than hustle.

Whatever the reason, more entrepreneurs are finding themselves on a new path. And that is looking for a job.

It’s a decision that can be full of mixed emotions. Relief. Uncertainty. And sometimes, even shame.

But here’s the truth: Seeking a job after running a business, or even while running it, isn’t a failure. It’s a transition. And like any transition, it comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities.

Why Would an Entrepreneur Want a Job?

Entrepreneurs don’t just wake up one day and abandon their dreams. The decision to pursue traditional employment is often deeply intentional.

For some, it’s about financial stability after a tough season. For others, it’s a chance to learn from the inside – to gain perspective, tools, or connections they couldn’t access on their own. Many are simply ready for a slower pace, a steadier rhythm, or a new kind of fulfillment.

There’s also the very human truth that people evolve. Just because someone was a founder doesn’t mean they’ll always be one.

The Challenges of Transitioning to Employment

Still, the job search process can be uniquely frustrating for former or current entrepreneurs.

That’s because résumés don’t tell the whole story. It’s hard to summarize the role of “founder,” especially when it spans marketing, operations, leadership, and growth strategy all at once.

Hiring managers may also be wary. Some assume that entrepreneurs can’t take direction or won’t stick around.

Imposter syndrome can also creep in. It’s easy to feel like your nontraditional path isn’t “enough,” especially when facing a wall of corporate job postings.

And then, there’s often emotional baggage. Burnout. Guilt. A sense of loss.

Perhaps most of all, there’s the question of how to explain it all. How can you write a résumé or cover letter that translates years of grit and vision into something employers will actually understand and value?

There’s Help. And You Don’t Have to Do It Alone.

That’s why Sacred Fire Creative’s Malee Ojua and Clearinity’s Conrad Rohleder are launching a new in-person event series called Job Searching for Entrepreneurs. This event is designed to help entrepreneurs on the hunt for jobs to be more successful in this endeavor. It’s for founders and freelancers who are wondering how to reshape their stories, rebuild their confidence, and take a meaningful next step toward traditional employment without compromising who they are.

The first session, happening on July 29, 2025, at Offbeat Coffee in Salem, OR, is all about building a résumé and cover letter that works.

Together, Conrad and Malee will walk you through:

What to include in a resume when you’ve worn all the hats
How to write a cover letter that feels honest and grounded
Common mistakes entrepreneurs make in the job hunt
How to own your story, even if it doesn’t follow a “standard” path
Reframing the transition as growth

This session will be warm, practical, and real. It’s not a career coaching seminar. It’s a conversation among peers.

About Conrad Rohleder

Conrad Rohleder is a seasoned business strategist and entrepreneur who passionately builds people-first systems across diverse sectors – from tech startups and nonprofit leadership to local community initiatives.

As the founder and CEO of Clearinity, which he launched in early 2018, Conrad has helped hundreds of e-commerce companies scale sustainably by addressing operational pain points, especially in inventory and change management systems.

Conrad is deeply versed in systems thinking, organizational change, and emerging technologies like AI, and he’s gone through multiple career transitions himself. His unique blend of empathy and real-world insight helps professionals reframe their résumés, rethink their processes, and align their work with what truly fits their lives, not just their job titles.

A New Chapter Starts Here

If you’re a founder or self-employed professional thinking about the next step, or already deep in the job search, Job Searching for Entrepreneurs is for you.

You’re not starting over. You’re starting with experience.

And with the right tools and support, this next chapter can be just as meaningful as the last.

Reserve your free spot today.

3 Key Leadership Lessons from Women CEOs

Did you know that, as of 2018, 12.3 million businesses in the U.S. are women-owned? That’s roughly 42% or four out of 10 of all companies in the country. Interestingly, these women-led enterprises generate around $1.8 trillion in earnings every year.

Judging by these figures, the current notion that men are better at leadership and women should emulate them is becoming obsolete. Women generally have a distinct leadership style that their male peers can actually learn from.

What leadership lessons can we learn from female CEOs? Let’s spend some time pondering these three:

Know your strengths and limitations.

Women tend to be more self-aware, and they’re usually not prone to bluster. This tendency for self-awareness gives women a deeper insight into their own strengths and limitations. They build on their capabilities and lean on others to make up for their weaknesses.

What does this mean for you? If you want to be a good leader, you need to learn more about yourself. Know the traits that make you strong and acknowledge your weak points. Use your strengths to grow your business and surround yourself with a competent and inspired team to make up for your limitations.

“It’s OK to admit what you don’t know. It’s OK to ask for help. And it’s more than OK to listen to the people you lead.” – Mary Barra, General Motors CEO

Put your team first.

Women are often stereotyped as too compassionate and relationship-oriented to be competent leaders. But the fact is that these traits are now seen as indicators of high emotional intelligence, which in turn has become a desirable trait among leaders.

As mentioned earlier, a woman business leader tends to surround herself with a team to augment what she lacks. But this relationship is rarely one-sided. Female leaders often serve as mentors and cheerleaders to their team. They encourage and empower their team to grow professionally and personally through validation and empathy.

“I think about: ‘Have I been bringing enough people along?’ You can help a peer become a CEO… This is not a competition or a race.” – Rosalind Brewer, former CEO of Walgreens

Be a transformational leader.

Perhaps one of the best leadership lessons we can learn from a woman CEO is the art of transformational leadership. A transformational leader is someone who leads by example. Their sense of purpose and values inspire their followers to change their own beliefs, bring out their best selves, and positively impact their world. Women CEOs tend to be gifted transformational leaders.

How can you become a transformative leader? It starts with yourself. You need to be a model of integrity and principle. You have to have a clear vision and measurable goals. And you have to win your team’s trust, be ever-reliable, and inspire them to serve the higher good rather than their self-interest.

“Leadership is service to others.” – Denise Morrison, Campbell Soup Co. President and CEO

These are only a few leadership lessons we can learn from women CEOs. Spend some time meditating on these lessons and see how you can apply them to your own business.

Sacred Fire Creative is a digital marketing agency that positions itself as a force for good. Reach out to us today and let us help you build a solid, authentic brand that matters to your audience.

Value in the Valley: Empowering Women to Reach Their Highest Potential

On September 27, 2021, the Oregon Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO Oregon) will hold a virtual event entitled “Value in the Valley.” It is a message to encourage every professional woman to climb their highest mountain and become who they are capable of becoming. The guest speaker for this event is Tammy Butler Robinson.

We invite you to join us at this event. You can register here:

About the event

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, and how you can still come out of it.” – Maya Angelou

Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once wrote that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. You may know which destination you’re headed to, you may know how to get there, and you may even have that strong desire to arrive there. But you will never reach that destination if you don’t make that first, small, single step.

Our journey to greatness begins this way. We may have the passion, the drive, and the plan to make our dreams a reality. But without taking that first step, our dreams will be just that—dreams. And there’s no assurance that the journey itself will be easy. More likely than not, we’ll be called upon to make sacrifices, as well as to face setbacks and heartaches. Nonetheless, if you truly believe that your dreams are worth pursuing, that you’re willing to persevere against all challenges, that you stay true to your values, and that you exercise self-care no matter how hard it gets, you will see the value in the valley and finally reach your destination.

About NAWBO

The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is the unified voice of over 10 million women-owned businesses in the United States representing the fastest-growing segment of the economy.

Founded in 1975, NAWBO propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social, and political spheres of power worldwide by:

Strengthening the wealth-creating capacity of our members and promoting economic development within the entrepreneurial community
Creating innovative and effective change in the business culture
Building strategic alliances, coalitions, and affiliations
Transforming public policy and influencing opinion-makers

About Tammy Butler Robinson

Tammy Butler is a proven leader with a strong background in housing and community development, expertise in public finance and management, and a deep commitment to improving communities and the lives of women in Indiana. As a Managing Principal with Engaging Solutions, she has successfully led and managed the company’s call center business and co-managed the firm’s planning and community outreach sector. Prior to that, Tammy spent over a decade in State government as a fiscal analyst for the Indiana House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee; Assistant Director of the Indiana State Budget Agency; Director of Claims Management for the Family and Social Services Agency; and Data Director for the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning.

Tammy’s passion for improving the lives of women and families in Indiana extends beyond her corporate life. She is pastor of The House of God Church in Indianapolis, leading a congregation whose members are among the most underserved and underrepresented populations in the state. Her problem-solving skills, knowledge, and experience engaging stakeholders in the community planning process have led to the creation of multiple programs that have changed lives.

Tammy lives in McCordsville, Indiana with her two children, Myles and Brian Jr.