Story Ideas

1. Aggressive Optimism® Isn’t About Fake Smiles—It’s About Real Possibility

A mindset isn’t useful if it only works when things are going well. Aggressive Optimism® was born during the hardest season of my life. It’s not about pretending. It’s about choosing to believe in possibility—and backing that belief with structure, support, and self-trust.

2. There’s a Million Ways to Do Anything—Let’s Find Yours

Following your dreams doesn’t mean following the rules. Whether you're running a bookstore or building a creative business, the path forward doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Reinvention is allowed. And honestly? It’s often the smartest thing you can do.

3. Reinvention Isn’t Failure. It’s Strategy.

We all have a version of the life we thought we’d live. I lost mine—and then built something better. Reinvention isn’t giving up. It’s the bravest way to keep going. I help creative business owners figure out what’s next—without burning everything down to get there.

4. Creative Brains Need Clarity, Not More Chaos

Most creatives don’t need another idea—they need a plan they can actually trust. I help people get out of the cycle of overthinking and into aligned action. Clarity isn’t just comforting. It’s the most generous thing you can give yourself.

5. When the Big Bad Shows Up—Ask for Backup

I lived with severe PTSD after a life-altering trauma. Healing didn’t happen because I was strong. It happened because I stopped trying to do it alone. Your story doesn’t have to be tidy to be powerful. You just have to be willing to keep going—and ask for help.

6. Optimism Isn’t Toxic Positivity. It’s Direction.

You can be hopeful and still be honest. You can believe in something better without ignoring what’s hard. Real optimism makes space for both. That’s the kind of mindset I write about, speak about, and use in every room I walk into.

7. From Buffy to Bookstores: Building a Life That Actually Fits

My life didn’t go as planned—and I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve worked on Hollywood sets and sat across from indie bookstore owners who just want to keep their doors open. The through-line? Possibility. If it’s not working, we don’t quit. We rework the plan.

8. Feel Stuck? You Don’t Have to Burn It All Down

When creative entrepreneurs come to me, they’re often overwhelmed, under-supported, and stuck in systems that don’t feel like theirs. I help them slow down, get clear, and move forward with intention—not panic.

9. Bookstores Deserve Better Marketing—And a Plan That Matches Their Values

Indie bookstores are the beating heart of their communities. But most don’t have a strategy—they have hope. I help owners find clarity around their growth so they’re not throwing money at random ideas or exhausting themselves on Instagram.

10. You Don’t Need More. You Need Meaning.

Growth doesn’t mean chasing every trend. Sometimes, it means coming back to what actually matters to you. I help creatives and indie shops reconnect with their vision and build systems that support it—so they can grow without losing their soul in the process.