(upbeat music) Success looks so easy from the outside, but all successful people have had to overcoming enormous obstacles along the way. And in many cases, look failure right in the eye. Most successful people don't focus on the struggle and they rarely talk about it because that's not what creates success. Join us here. Where we'll chat with serial entrepreneurs, both men and women, and share the good, the bad, and the ugly of entrepreneurship. We'll talk about the obstacles we face and how to overcome them to reach the success that you desire. I am your host, Cammy Lehman, and this is She's Invincible. - Hey everyone. Thank you so much for joining us today on She's Invincible. And do we have an Invincible one for you today? Colleen Pendergas is the season graphic designer with over three decades of experience. She started her career with three years at a local community college, followed by 18 years at her local newspaper. Currently, she leads Media Minds, Inc., a media marketing company in Horsham, Pennsylvania. In her spare time, she runs CSP Designs, specializing in social media, logo design, advertising, and branding, with a passion for collaborating with small business owners, particularly women-led enterprises. Colleen's passion for Halloween is reflected in Croydon Haunted Hallows, a non-profit haunted house offering sensory-friendly experiences for families with autistic children. She also teaches part-time at a local painting with a twist studio, living in Croydon, Pennsylvania. She cherishes time with her children, Dean Shannon and Ryan, and their Boston Terrier Autumn. Oh my gosh, Colleen, welcome to She's Invincible. I can not believe that it took us 241 episodes to have you here, but I'm so excited because this month we have been giving a shout-out and spotlighting our support team here at She's Invincible. And I mean, you were the one, right? When they say, "Build it and they will come." Oh my gosh, you were there from before the beginning and been such a great support to myself and my students at She's Invincible Podcast School. And I couldn't wait to bring you here and introduce you to our listeners. So, oh my gosh, welcome. - Oh my gosh, thank you so much. It's such an honor. - Oh girl, you are like the pillar of the support team and I just can't appreciate you enough. I don't think there's words or actions or gifts or anything that could really express how important you are to me, my business, my community. You are such a gift. - Oh, thank you so much, I appreciate that. - Well, thank you and I'm so excited to dive into this. Let's do this. Let's jump in and let's tell our listeners how in the world did you get where you are today and what makes you invincible? - Oh, okay, well, it makes me invincible. Starting out as a child and losing a parent at a young age, I think would make anybody not feel invincible, but turning that around and conquering everything that life has thrown at me, I think has been such a rewarding part of my journey. So losing my mom at eight years old and then again, losing my pop at 21 just really changed my focus on life, but it was from their values and their teaching that led me to where I am today. And so my pop's words always ring in my ear every day about not being a victim of your circumstance, about always working for anything and everything that you ever wanted. You can't get there by laziness. You have to get up even when you don't want to put in the hard work at the end of the day. And that's all that I've ever done. - Oh my gosh. Well, I've watched you do it and live that out, but I didn't know that's where it came from and who inspired that in you. And I love that. If I could go knock on Heaven's door and tell him, I would, that is amazing. And I love that story so much. - Oh my gosh. All right, so with that being said, tell us how you got here today. - I've always been creative and I've always loved art from a very early age, at two years old, coloring inside the lines. I was, you didn't see me without a coloring book and crayons or, you know, paints or whatnot. I was always on the creative side. And I always had a passion for art and I always wanted to be an artist of some kind. At first, I thought I wanted to be an art teacher. I thought I wanted to be, you know, a painter. I started my journey at Bucks County Community College, working on my associate's degree. And I went for, actually just the graphic design career. And I was doing all different classes, learning about art history, whatnot. And I took a, at that time graphic design was still in the early workings of going on the computer. So there was still cut-ups and pastings of whatnot and they were introducing computers. And I took my first computer class and I was like, this is my jam, this is it. This is, I found like the heavens open like, oh, you know, and I was like, oh my God, this is it. And so that's when I could change my major to more of the computer graphic design part and haven't stopped since. I just love it. I mean, I still love being creative. I do, you know, teach painting on the side. So I keep that Archie creative side, but no, graphic design, that's my passion. - I love it. So you went to the community college and then you, how did you get the job there? - Okay, so my, so being raised by a single dad, and he was an older dad. So he was on social security. And we didn't make that much money. He didn't make much money. And once he retired on social security and I always worked part-time jobs 'cause I was going to school. And so we applied for a grant and that, and we got approved. And that grant was, if I was to go to college, I had to work on campus. So my goal was to work in as many different departments as possible, because I wanted to learn the inner outer room workings of the college. So I worked in so many different offices. And the last office that I worked in was the print shop where all the teachers would come in with their tests and we'd print them out and anything that was college related. And across the hall was the graphic designer. And her and I would talk, the early workings of networking, you guys are proud. And I would like always peek in and I introduced myself and we would talk and I was getting ready to graduate. And she said, you know, you should come over and you know, I'm gonna try to, I'm gonna try to get a part-time designer position open. And you should come, you know, work with me. And I said, oh, that would be great. And that my pop passed away. And, you know, I took a little time off to mourn him and got right back on the road again, went back to the college. And I said, got that part-time position open? She said, absolutely. So I was working part-time at the graphic, at the college that I went to. And I thought, oh my gosh, this is so amazing. I went to school here and now I'm working here. Six months into that job, Lori, who was the full-time graphic designer, both her parents passed away within a short amount of time. And she realized that her life is too short. So she quit and decided to go traveling on the road and seeing things and living out her dreams. And the college turned around and I said, so would you like to be the full-time graphic artist? And I was like, absolutely. So yeah, six months out of graduating from the college that I went to, I was working as the full-time graphic designer. Oh my gosh. And now that's amazing. That itself is amazing that you were able to go from being the student there to then having that position. And then when I met you, you were working at the newspaper. So, and that was, yeah, so tell us how did that happen? Well, I was working at the college for about two years. And I always am learning, always trying to expand my knowledge. And I'm a little bit of a hustler. So, and I don't like to be bored, as you know, I always like to be working. And so, I was walking across campus 'cause I had a meeting and I went to, I always went past the student job board to see what kind of things were open for students and maybe myself. And I saw that there was a part-time position at my local newspaper. And I remember my pop getting that paper every morning, having his coffee. And I thought, oh my gosh, wouldn't that be so funny if I like applied for this job? And I got it. It was the perfect hour for me. And so, I called up and I talked to a wonderful man named Tom Heens. And I said, I was interested in position. He asked me if I knew all the programs, like the back of my hand. And he said, great, when can you start? Because we're all learning a new system. Can you come in tonight? And I was like, well, hold on. Like, I have a portfolio and he was like, no, I know who you are. You work as the graphic designer for the college. Like, come on in, like we need your help. It's like, OK, I went in that night. And everybody was learning a new program, which I had already known. So I went in and got the job, worked a part-time. And again, about a year later, they wanted to hire me full-time. And I went to the colleges and I was like, I have to leave because I want to discover this avenue. And they were like, no, we can't let you go until we find somebody to replace you. So there was a crazy time where, for six months, I worked both jobs, didn't seem to my husband that much, made an incredible amount of money. And it was extremely tired, but it was great nonetheless. Oh, my gosh. And you spent a long time there, 18 years. And I remember one of the things that I was so impressed about when I met you was the awards that you were winning from your work. Oh, yes. I just-- that was so amazing to me. It is wonderful to be recognized by peers in your field. And one year, I was the number one newspaper, front page newspaper designer in the state of New Jersey. Because at that time, I wasn't just designing for my local paper. They had combined with two other affiliate papers. So it was the Bucks County Courier Times, the Doylestown Intelligence are all based in Pennsylvania. And then we had the Burlington County Times in New Jersey. So I was designing for three newspapers a night every night. And so, yeah, one year, I won first place in design for the two leading newspaper awards. And then when the one editor said to me, she was like, you're the number one newspaper designer in New Jersey. And I was like, oh, yeah, I am. That's kind of crazy. But I'm very humble about all the awards that I would. You know that. And I never lead with any of that. Because it's very humbling. I am very thankful to be recognized again. The newspaper business was such a rewarding career. I loved it. I loved being-- I miss it. I do miss it. There are times where I just miss the excitement of current events that are going on, so. Yes. And yet that industry has shrunk, right? Absolutely. Yeah, so much so. There are so many less people that are going to the corner store to buy the newspaper every day, like your pod did. So yeah, amazing. That's just-- I think that's amazing in itself. And then I got to enjoy all the other things. Like, gosh, I'm thinking I should be giving out awards. Because you'd be earning mine, too, for your graphic design. But yeah, and now you're currently working with the media minds, right? So tell us a little bit about what you do there. So I run it now. Media Minds is a media marketing company. And our big client is IGA local grocery stores. So we do television commercials. We do their ad circulars, their store signage. And that's wonderful. And it's been making me think in a whole different way. I'm not news driven anymore. Product driven now. And I love it. And especially after working 18 years of night shift and then going to day shift, that was quite a change. Now it's like 9 o'clock. It's like, oh my gosh, who's calling me at 9 o'clock at night? Like, I'm in bed. Oh, I love it. That's awesome. So awesome. And tell us about how CSP designs was first. Oh, geez. So even from my time working at the college, I always did graphic design on the side. And at this time, you know, it was my husband and I. And so I just took our two first initials, C, and as his name is Stephen. And just ran CSP designs and was always doing freelance stuff on the side. So I've been doing freelance graphic design since 1999. And it's built up as years. I've gotten a lot of clients. I'm looking at one right now. And I have my first international client. And I do work for women all over the country. It's so wonderful. So I love the free-- because it forces me to think outside the box. Every new project and every new design is a new challenge for me. And it's very rewarding. I love that so much. Oh my gosh. And we'll talk more about that as we dive in. Right now, we're going to talk about graphic design. And we're speaking to your ideal avatar right here. And we're going to tell them everything they need to know and what they should be doing and what they should not be doing, right? Because I think sometimes if we just stop doing some of the things we do, we're halfway there, right? So I'm excited to talk about all of that. And so let's dive in to this graphic design. I cannot explain how I was elevated when you started branding me. And so I think the first thing I want to talk about is why it's important that whoever you work with gets you. Because I sat down in front of you and you were like, yep, I get you. You understood me. You understood how I think. You understood what lit me up. You helped me with my colors and my brand and all of my logo, which is now trademarked. And all of that. So let's start there with how do you pick this graphic designer and why is it important that they get you? Oh, well, using you as an example and really anybody, sitting down with them, we're not. I just don't sit down and say, OK, what do you want a logo? What colors asking about how your day was? What things let you up? The things that bring you joy, things about your life. And it usually ends up being a two or three hour conversation and only about 15 minutes of it was actually about your logo. And from there, just looking into your eyes and seeing your personality, I'm building your profile. I'm understanding who you are. I'm manifesting in my mind the logo that really is meant to represent you. And so I do love to be able to sit down and to experience all that. And then that's just how I work. And while you're talking, I'm thinking in my head formulating how this is going to be. And 99% of the time I hit it at the park. I get it right within the first one or two designs. So-- Yeah, you got it right on the first one with me. What did you say? Then I'll never forget that. Because I was like, what happened, I think, was that you saw me as I really was and I didn't even see myself as I really was. So you showed me-- I feel like that process showed me who I was and I was able to step into it. And that's so crazy, right? Because we-- other people can sometimes see into us more than we see ourselves. And that's what I really feel like that happened with you. Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. Simple conversations where what are you most proud of? You talked about your children. You talked about your grandchildren. You talk about all the things that bring you joy, bring you happiness, the things that light you up. And that should be represented in your logo and your branding and who you are. And yeah, it helped that you told me that you want your pink in your logo and not that I didn't already see that. Because whenever I see pink, I always think of you. And that's what's important about branding and something that represents you. So that's how my process works. It's just by simple conversations, like all these different podcasts that you have with amazing women and people. That you're getting to know that. Each one, I'm already seeing what their branding looks like when I'm listening to your podcast or I'm watching it. Getting to know people on a deeper level just with a simple conversation. You kind of see the aura about them. And that's the aura of branding, I guess you can call it. I think that's a gift. I don't think everyone has that. I think that's such a gift of the intuitive part of the technical thing you do, right? So if you were to put the intuition with the technical part and put it all together, that's where that magic happens with you. And I just, I love that and I've seen, I mean, I'm talking about what you've done for my brand, but I've also sent people to you. You have lit up their brand as well. And I'm just so grateful for that because I know that it's like, okay, if they can't get it, nail it on their own, we need to send them the Colleen and she will nail it once and for all. And that happened and I love that. - That's so funny that you used the word intuitive because I've had a few clients and they're like, you're just, if I'm taking my laptop on the go and I'm designing with them, they're like, you just move that in the place where I was thinking, and I was like, yeah, and they're like, you're so, you're like the intuitive designer and I was like, yeah, I guess so. I guess you could call me that. And I'm thrilled to be able to do that because I was working and having a personal relationship with a client. It's so important that I, you know, sitting next to them, even just even by Zoom too, looking into their eyes, I'm kind of thinking about what they're thinking and working in that way. It's the best way to work for me, so. - I love it. So tell us a little bit about what you should not do. What are some things you've seen that you're like, "Oh, no, never do that." So what are some of the don't dos? In terms of graphic design or branding? - In terms of all of that, like creating your logo, where you're putting it, what you're naming your business. - I've already so many. - Oh geez, I definitely think that branding yourself is absolutely the best thing that somebody can do once they own a business. If you're just constantly out there selling, selling, nobody's gonna buy from you. People have to know who you are by putting yourself out there, sharing a little bit about yourself, maybe some of the fun things about yourself. You're getting people to know who you are. And like with you, the joys, the things that light you up. I already know who I'm working with from that point. If you're constantly like, "Buy for me." I don't really know you. Tell me more about you so that I can buy from you. What are the things that make you, as you say, what makes you invincible? Those are the kinds of things that I wanna know. So by branding yourself, I think it's the best thing that you can do, especially when you're a small business owner. - I love that. All right, and what are the do not do's? What have you seen that you've been like big mistake? - Wow, big mistake. Definitely certain fonts that you stay away from. You don't wanna go too frilly. Don't wanna go too crazy, too bold. I would just stay away from really bold fonts and colors and very busyness of logos. Stay away from those. That's what I would do. - I love it. And never copy, right? - Never copy. - Yes, never copy. It's okay to be inspired by people, but yeah, don't copy them. Although copying is a form of flattery, it's not in every case. - Yeah, and a lot of times in, you know, graphics and logos and design, there's trademark. So sometimes copying can be against the law. Yeah, and you can get a lot of trouble for that as well. So which I love that we were able to trademark all the work that you did for me. So because that's locked down, right? And so no one can duplicate what we have and what we've done or even use our name. So we've got our logos copy written and brand. - Also the photos that you use too, I've dealt with that in the media marketing company that I work at. Make sure that you're downloading your photos from reputable sources because there are companies that come out and go after you and sue you if they own the copyright of that photo. So just because you can right click and save a photo and use it on your blog or even on your social media, just be careful, my company has gotten sued. We've fought every case and won because we download from reputable places and that is important. So that's also another thing because we're so socially media driven and photos and videos. Make sure they're your own and they're your authentic because there are companies that come after you. So I just know that from experience. - That's so good. So that falls under the what not to do, right? - Yeah, absolutely absolutely. I think it's important that you have a reputable graphic designer that you're working with because they already know that and they already have their, you know, list of reputable companies that they work with. So they're protecting you along the way and I think that's so important as well. - Yes, yes, absolutely. - So let's talk a little bit about graphic design and websites. I know you have created, most of my website was created by you with the colors and the graphics and the fonts, all those things. So let's talk a little bit about how that transfers from, say, a business card to a website, to something digital. - The way that it transfers, it's just a little bit different. We are in such a technical world now. So I used to be just a business card fliers and what not girls. So definitely my business has changed and making everything compliant with social media guidelines as we were talking about, you know, for Instagram, it's usually squares and Facebook can be different sizes. And it's been challenging, but it's also been rewarding. There's a little bit more fluidness. I'm learning more about videos. I've even gotten my daughter to work on graphic design and I still do love my traditional print media, but I do love all the different things that we're able to do now with being online and with transferring the graphics over to websites and stuff. You can just do a lot of things. - I love that too, because when we're talking about business cards and things which you've designed them for me as well, but when we talk about those are limited to the people that we're in front of, right? So when we switch that over to the digital part where people can access it on a website or an app or on social media, we have access and we can reach so many more people. And I love that. So, and I love that the things that you design for me that can be on a business card are easily put on a website as well. So I'll encourage people to go to my website and look at Colleen's work. So they met Hannah a few weeks ago and Hannah's the one who built it, but Colleen did all the work, all the graphics, all the colors, all the fonts and that kind of stuff. It's just amazing what you've done. And we're going to do something new coming soon in this next year. And so I'm excited to share that with you as well because you're going to be a part of it. Surprise! Isn't that how I always do that? - Oh, yes, yes. There's less than a tax of like, oh, what is she into now? What does she want me into? What does she pull me into, right? It just laid our, oh my gosh, I love it. Anything else that you think is important for people to know, especially women that are starting these businesses, what would you say? Is there anything else they need to know that we haven't covered? - Along with your logo and branding, you're crafting a story. You're crafting the story about who you're trying, your target people are and what your brand values are. And make those partnerships with those people that are a part of your team. So if you are a woman business owner, definitely get a good team behind you, get a graphic designer, get somebody doing social media and do somebody with, you know, web design and, you know, media marketing, whatever you need to do, get a good team behind you. That's so important. And get to know them too, that I think, because you want to involve your brand alongside them. As you grow, they'll grow too. And I think that's a beautiful partnership. - I love that. Oh, that's so good. And oh my gosh, if I didn't have my team, I would have never got my business off the ground. I could never, first of all, I don't know how to do a lot of that stuff. And second of all, I don't have time. There's so much to do as a business owner. And especially as you're getting started. And a lot of people I think feel like they can't afford it, but you can't afford not to because it's a difference of whether you'll actually get your business off the ground. So if you're thinking about starting a business, start making your budget now, start getting the funds together so that you can get the best start and have the support team that you need. - Oh my gosh, you have worked on three different businesses with me, Colleen. - Oh my gosh, has it been three? - It's been three. Yeah, it's been three. And yeah, well, actually four, if you count the TV show. So, you know, you need the support team so that you can do what you're good at and let them do what they're good at. And you come together and it's a magical experience and very successful. So thank you for that. Thank you for all of these tips and for sharing, you know, letting us see inside of like how you got where you are and what inspired you. And you just amazed me. You're like the energizer bunny. I'm like, you have, what are you doing? You're painting and you're, you know, there's so many things and I love that about you. And keep it up, keep going. I don't know how you juggle it all, but you're always right there at the other end when I'm screaming, "Help!" (laughing) And then coffee helps, coffee definitely helps. I love that. So, it definitely helps. Oh, good, so now I know what I can give to you when I need to send you a gift, just coffee. I love it, that's so fun. So, Colleen, tell us more about this haunted hollows. How did this get started and what drove you to offer sensory friendly experiences for families? Oh, is this one not crazy enough with having freelance and working and being a mom, right? So, my family and I, we love Halloween. We in fact live Halloween every day all year long. So, we are that spooky family too. And what I love about Halloween is that you get to be whatever you wanna be. And so, we always at our house dressed up and was that house in the neighborhood that used to scare everybody when we used to give up candy. And how it involved was my daughter was dating somebody who had Asperger's and he told us that a lot of people that he went to school with wouldn't be able to walk through our little haunted attraction. We're a small yard haunt. And I said, why? And he told me about strobe lights and scary interactions and whatnot. So, I went on a quest to then make it accessible. Halloween haunt to be inclusive. Now, we are also wheelchair friendly. So, last year we had wood surfaces come through. So, we are wheelchair friendly. We do a sensory friendly hour because I believe that Halloween and I'm going to a haunted house or a haunted yard walkthrough like myself should be inclusive for everybody. And that is another passion project of mine. And one year we had 1800 people walkthrough. We do this for free. We became a nonprofit in 2018. It is definitely another love other than graphic design and is our haunted walkthrough. So, I love it's called Curtin haunted hollows. We are the first in the country to be sensory friendly and now wheelchair friendly. And so, I love it. I love it. It's almost, it's almost our witching hour and I can't, I'm so excited. - I love it. Now, I know you have this boo crew and you guys like get together and plan all year long for this big event. So, tell us- - Yes, we have over 50 volunteers. We start the day after Halloween with thinking about what our new theme is going to be. We go to try to attract sponsors because we are a nonprofit. We try to go do fundraisers, to seek out donations and what not to keep it going. But what I love too is that we've built our own family. Coming from my mom and pop that I talked about, I'm also adopted. And so, it's not always about the family that you have, but it's also about the family that you create. So, all year long, we get together. We have a witch's party. We do summer ween. We get together during Christmas. And that, and for me, that's also another rewarding part about that. I have this whole spooky, extended family, so. - I love it. I've seen the haunted hollows on national TV and on the local channel, Six and here in Philly. And it's so fun. And I'll just be authentic here. I am afraid of those things. I don't even watch scary movies. So, when I was young, I just freak out going in those haunted houses down the shore. And so, I haven't been there, but I need to come to the sensory friendly one. - You can come to the sensory friendly one. We won't scare you. - Oh my gosh. - Another thing that we do is even during our nighttime hunts, where we have all the strobes and all the special effects, that if any child or adult comes through and they are more scared. I do sense a cast member to go with them so that the rest of the cast knows to turn it down, turn it down for them. So then can still experience the spookiness, but not all the in-your-face frightful moments. So it's almost like a nighttime sensory friendly sort of, just downgraded a little bit, but they can still experience it. For me, it's just all about inclusivity, just experiencing and loving the Halloween holiday, and for those who can't do it, we had a long-term man who had long-term COVID, sorry. And he wanted to go to a haunted attraction and he can't. They're not wheelchair friendly. They're not sensory friendly. We are. Even though I'm just a small yard hunter, I just want to make that possible for people. So my goal in the future is to be able to get a place where I can build and not have it in my backyard have a permanent place, so. - Yeah, so I think it's important because there's a big community that can't go to traditional haunted houses. And there is a need, there is a need, especially with those on the autism spectrum, there's a need to have it toned down for them, but they can still experience the spookiness of the season. - I love it. And what are the dates for the one this year? - Well, so far, we have two dates. We're key playing with, I think it's going to be the Sunday before Halloween and on Halloween. It's hard, but there were 50 volunteers. We do this for free and we don't charge. So trying to get everybody coordinated. So we always do, we always do at least one show, always on Halloween. And this year we'll be doing two. We usually do two now. And we start off with the sensory friendly hour. And yes, we've been on TV. We've had newspaper articles written about us. It's fun. We get recognized in public as you're not Halloween family, right? Like I said, we live Halloween. My husband drives a horse. My youngest son, his first car is a horse. - Oh my gosh. - We live in the spooky environment and I wouldn't have it any other way. - Oh, that's so fun. Okay. And where can people find information about haunted hollows? - Oh, we are. We have a website, koreanhaun@hollows.org. We are on Facebook. We are on TikTok. We are on Instagram. - Yeah, you can find us anywhere. - I love it. - Oh my gosh. And the links are in the show notes you guys. So we'll have the link for that. Just click the link and get there. All right, maybe I'll see you this year. - We'll definitely love having you. - All right, Colleen. Let's tell our listeners where they can find you. - Right now I'm on Facebook. So CSP designs on Facebook. My daughter is working on my website so that'll come later. So right now it's just Facebook. - I love it. And if you're listening right now, the link is in the show notes. Just click the link and it will take you right to Colleen so you can reach out to her and you can do the old help. Like I do. 'Cause we all need help you guys. And if you're winging it, listen, the best thing you can do is level up by getting your professional logos done and your branding. And really you'll watch your business take off. It builds confidence when you are proud of what you're putting out there and how you're being represented. So don't we jump into that. Whether it's Colleen or if you already have someone, make the investment, but I highly recommend Colleen. - You have moved from fighting cancer to discovering how to live beyond it. But what now? Would so many emotional side effects still unknown? As a new survivor, you find yourself in a void as you navigate through the isolation. Fear and an uncertain future that can overshadow you and your family for years to come. Instead of focusing on the uncertainty of cancer, consider how strong and determined you are and think of the strength demonstrated by those who stood beside you through it all. Consider this. You now get to choose who you want to be and what your intentional, fulfilled life can look like. You made it through treatment. We can help you define yourself as a survivor. We're here to help you through this moment, to walk beside you as you shift your mindset from counting the days of life to creating a legacy. For more information, visit www.adventuretherapyfoundation.org or contact us at info@adventurefound.org. - Well listen, this has been so much fun Colleen and you know when she's invincible, we promise our listeners that we're going to bring them fierce entrepreneurs and we're gonna share their experts own of genius. And you've done that so well today. Thank you so much. But we're not done because we also promised them that we're gonna pull back the curtain. See, people look at you and they listen to what you do and how you've moved through your career and the life you live today. And the first thing they think is she's so lucky. And I just wanna smack 'em because luck has nothing to do with it. And we know that, right? And so I love to pull back the curtain and let people see the authentic journey that you went through. I love to share the good, the bad and the ugly because it is hard and people out there that are trying to find their way, when it gets hard, they think maybe this isn't for me. Maybe this isn't what I should be doing. Maybe I should quit. And the truth is, it is hard. And no, you shouldn't quit. And yes, it is for you. And you'll never know until you do it. So we're all about keep going, get back up, never give up. And we do that through our story. So are you ready to tell a few stories of your own? Yes. Awesome. All right, we're gonna start with the good. So tell us a story about the good or the greatest part of your journey so far. In terms of graphic design, it's working with women owned businesses. I have a particular client in mind. And her name is Melissa from Milma's Dog Trees. And met her at a networking event and loved her personality, loved everything about her. I mean, yes, I own, I have a dog, so a very spoiled dog. And so that also helped too. And just introducing ourselves as a networking event and saying who we are. And then we started becoming friends and working with her. And she was at the very grassroots of her campaign. And now she is in, I can't even tell you, over 40 different stores. Her dog biscuits are in giant grocery stores. She's in small mom and pop stores. She's out there every weekend hustling. And I love that together. We've evolved her brand from the ground up. I've worked on her logo on her packaging, crafting her story that resonates with not just pet owners, but her values. She's a Philly girl. She's got attitude, she's tough. And that all comes through in her business. And I just love it. That's, so it brings me so much joy to evolve alongside her. - I love that. And you know, I know like your favorite thing is small businesses. So that are women owned, right? - Yes. - A female owned. So that's perfect. And what a great story. And I know you have thousands of stories from all the years, but I love that you chose that one. And I love that she's a Philly girl. - I know, absolutely, absolutely. - I love it. - All right, tell us a story about the bad. We're gonna save the ugly for last, but tell us a story about some of the bad things along the journey. - Oh, along the journey. If I could charge for the hours spent conceptualizing and brainstorming ideas, I'd be a millionaire. It's designing this in just about sitting down and creating something beautiful. It's about understanding my client's vision, researching trends, meticulously planning, every detail. I have a huge catalog of design inspiration that I look through. So that is definitely not one of the glamorous parts of my job. It's just the sheer amount of time involved, just thinking. Yeah, I wouldn't say it's bad. It's just consuming, it's exhausting. But when you get to the final project, the final project that it's rewarding, so. - I love that. All right, and now we have to tell them about the ugly. - Tell us a story about the ugly part. - So we talked about my time at the newspaper, which I loved working for 18 years. And the trends of newspapers, if anybody knows, you don't pick up a newspaper that much anymore. And so after 18 years, the company was owned by a family and they sold to a big corporation and they let us all go. And that was devastating. It was definitely some of the hardest times of my life, just having that rug pulled out from under me. That job was security. Even though the pay that I was getting when I first started was nowhere near what I was getting towards the end, because newspapers were a falling industry. And but it allowed me to raise my children the way I wanted to, I worked at night, my husband worked during the day. And so when that was pulled out from under me, I went through a really dark time and I had to mourn it. With any loss, you have to mourn it. And that's what I did. And then after I had my crying, my what am I gonna do? Nobody's gonna hire me. I had to stop, change my thinking, start everyday manifests that the best thing is going to come for me. And it did. So I fixed my resume, created a LinkedIn account. And within a couple of days, I had gotten a message from the owner of my current job saying, "Hey, you know, I really like your portfolio. If you're ever interested in a position, it looks like you're still working. You know, reach out to me." And it was like one of those. And I'm getting the camera. But it was all those days of being sad and upset, thinking that, you know, what am I gonna do now? Putting it out there in the universe. And then it came for me, honestly. I was like, well, so it happens that I'm losing my job in like a month or so. And now I'm working at the company and now I'm running it. And now I'm sharing that advice with my daughter who just lost a job that she really liked for the past two years and saying, "Okay, you have to stop. You have to take time to mourn this visit and you have to take time to mourn this." And then you have to pull yourself up by your root shafts and get back into it. And that's what she's doing. I wouldn't been able to give her that advice if I hadn't have fallen from grace. Like I had with losing my job at the newspaper. But I'm in this so much of a better place. I have the freedom to do the things that I want to do. He allows me to be creative. I'm very fortunate that, you know, during the dark times of your life that there's something that's always coming that's bigger and greater that you didn't realize. And I'm very thankful and very fortunate that, you know, those dark times brought me to where I'm at today, so. - Oh, isn't that the truth? And it's so hard to see that when you're in the midst of it. But on the other side, looking back, we become very grateful for the dark times because those are the times that redirect us. And I mean, I look at you today. Like, how would you do all these other fun things that you love? How would you travel around the world with your son? And, you know, as a bowling pro? Like, how would you do any of these things if you still had to work the night shift at the newspaper? - I wouldn't have been able to. I wouldn't have been able to. - Of course not. You would have treated that and you didn't even know that life was possible. And now it's the sweet life that you get to live. - Oh, yes, I would never go back. It definitely has brought me to where I wanted to be. And sometimes that's how it is. Sometimes you have to lose things to realize what's on the other side of that door. And at the time, you're not seeing it. But just stay with it and keep the hope that there is something better on the other side. You just, you know, you just have to open that door, open that window and shout out like I'm here and put it out there in the universe going, I met for greater things. I meant for something better. And if you just say those as if it was a daily prayer, you're throwing it out there in the universe, it will come to you and it did for me, so. - I love it. - I'm living proof, I'm living proof. - Yes, you are, you are. You got back up every time, right? Every time. And you've been taking the hits since a very young age. I didn't know that you were only eight when your mom passed. And so, I mean, that even opens up a different light, you know, but you have been taking the hits and getting back up and making this journey to this beautiful place where you are today. And thank you from the bottom of my heart for I'm grateful for all you went through because that brought you to where you are and where I am as well. And I really wanna say as we close, like other people's dreams are connected to you. You can't give up. If you gave up, then where would I be today with my business, right? And I think like it's a selfish way to be, but it's also the reality of life is that we are all connected in some way. And we're here with gifts that we can use to help others. And if we give up, then how are we gonna help them? And I just, I love it. Thank you for being here. Thank you for being invincible and courageous to share your story and be so authentic. I think that many people will understand and connect with you and really feel comfort in knowing, like, oh my gosh, she went through a lot and look at her now, right? And I think that's it. It's like, look at you now. And you know, when you're face down on the ground, it doesn't look bright, but you have to believe. As you said, you have to believe there's something better that you were made for better. You deserve better and go out there and make it happen. So thank you. Oh, thank you, thank you. Yes, you just definitely touched on that part because during some of them, when it was just me and my pop and I would question, you know, why am I here? You know, why are these things that happen to us? And he's like, you're here for a better purpose. You're, this is your life. You know, what are you gonna make out of it? You know, when you have lemons, you have to make lemonade, right? So, and that's what I've always done. I have always done. I've never become a victim of my circumstance. I've never ever said to anybody, oh, for as me, I grew up this way or that way. I've always like, what can I do to better myself? I instill those in that same mantra into my children as well. And so, and that is my journey. - I love it. You get to choose every day. Do you wanna be a victim or do you wanna be victorious, right? - Yeah. - And chose victorious. And I love that. - Absolutely. - All right, you guys, I don't know where you are in your life or your business, but if you're face down on the ground right now, get back up. I mean, you just heard it from Colleen. So you, she's shared it all and you know, and we're here to tell you, I know it doesn't feel like you can do it, but you can, right, Colleen? - Yeah, absolutely. - 100%. - Yeah, you guys, you are invincible. You can do anything, just get back up. - Thank you for joining us today. If you were inspired or learned something new, please follow the show, submit a rating and review and share us with your friends. If you would like to chat to see if you can attract your ideal client and monetize your business through podcasting, please book a free call with me at cammyleman.com. I can't wait to meet you. (gentle music) (gentle music) [BLANK_AUDIO]
