CELEBRATING WOMEN IN BUSINESS
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Summer 2022 N AT I ON AL F EAT UR E: TASHA C HAMP ION K B & C O’s CL AI RE EN GEL KEN M I NDF U LN E S S : I M POS T E R S YN D RO M E
Issue IN THIS
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L ET T E R F R O M T HE E D I TO R
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EM OT IO NAL F OR E C A S T
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CRYSTAL ’S R E AL E S TAT E TI P S
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ARO UND TOW N
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MI NDF U L N E SS
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CAR E E R P L ANNIN G
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FEAT UR E : TASHA C H A M P I O N
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L AW R E N C E L ADY B O S S
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Crystal Clear This Summer issue offers great messages, advice, and inspiring stories, from dealing with Imposter Syndrome and learning how to cope to revamping that resume to staying open to new opportunities and understanding what a Shenomenal™ woman is. Make sure to follow us on issuu.com, where you can find our past issues and check out some of our advertisers’ digital offers. Thank you for the support through the years and to the amazing people who volunteer their time to make this magazine happen on every issue!
Crystal Swearingen, Founder | Editorial Director
The Spot Mag
@the.spot.mag
crystalsavesthedeal@gmail.com
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EMOTIONAL FORECAST
July and August for the collective
Happiest of Summer greetings to the collective reading this emotional forecast. I know we’re all in the mindset of “what’s going on?” I want to start off by saying July feels like the perfect time to lay to rest the worrying and soak up the sunshine. This month truly is about freedom and absorbing tonic thoughts instead of toxic ones. Tonics heal, toxins destroy. Let go of the unknown and understand you are on the path you need to be on and it’s time to celebrate this beautiful season with laughter, friendship and sunkissed afternoons. Take those chances and see those new horizons. We’ve got a beautiful summer ahead and I’m so glad it’s just the beginning. Also remember to be your own best friend. In those quiet moments treat yourself like you would your very best friend and talk to yourself the same. This will give you the encouragement you need to grow and the strength for the changes ahead. 4
August is very similar in feeling yet productivity amps up nearing the end of August. You’ve learn to master the work/play balance and now have the energy to focus on the things you’d like to accomplish while it’s warm out. I see some true growth in many of our plans so remember to be grateful as if it’s already come into fruition. I’m gonna be clear that the first part of August could have many distractions but remember that’s all that they are. Stay grounded and centered in what you yourself are actually experiencing and charge forward with your goals and ambitions. It’s time to turn off the devices, put on a little music, fire up a grill and smell the sunscreen in the air. I wish you the easiest of days this summer and remember to shine through it all!
Many Blessings, Angie Campbell “Southern Psychic”
REAL ESTATE TIPS
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JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION IN LAWRENCE, KS photos by Jeff Burkhead
Mindfulness
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Imposter Syndrome Unmasked We’ve all been there. Preparing to lead a meeting or presentation, meet with that new client or starting the interview, and the thought goes through our head, “what the hell am I doing?”. The insidious voices from the depths of our insecurity tell us that we are unprepared, inadequate, incapable and about to fail. We try to push the thoughts away and “fake it ‘til we make it”, but the echoes of perceived shortcoming ring in our minds, unable to validate our best efforts. Imposter Syndrome. The feeling and belief that our successes are not inherently tied to our determination, skill or intelligence; rather some stroke of luck or universal oversight has landed us in our current position. That we don’t really know what we are doing or deserve to be where we are, that we are essentially a fraud masquerading as a successful professional. This does not discriminate, as well known politicians, authors, actors and executives have all disclosed struggling with these thoughts and feelings. Recent research has posited 20-30% of high achieving adults have this experience. And unfortunately, this experience disproportionately impacts women and people of color.
Research has often conceptualized this challenge as solely emanating from within, however I disagree. I believe it is both rooted in our anxieties about “belonging” and achievement, and it is related to external pressures and internalized negative perceptions of self because we have not often seen people that look like us in our positions. We want to excel, yet we have been made to feel we don’t belong for generations, and we can’t help but bear that doubt’s burden. Without consistent reference points, our minds often gravitate toward uncertainty. So it begs the question, how do we overcome this urge to question and discredit ourselves? Honestly, I don’t think we fully can. At least not in the short term. I don’t mean that to be discouraging, rather to emphasize the need to embrace the dialectic. Living mindfully is much more about the practice of observing our emotions rather than limiting or judging them. We can lean into embracing the fears and we can learn to master listening to them more closely. Our emotions are educators, they serve a function; and our wisest self can then learn to comfort those uncertainties with facts about our competencies. We can then become our biggest cheerleaders or at least give the permission to express those worries to trusted colleagues who can help us remember our successes and esteem. And, sometimes the voices have a kernel of truth. Every time I meet with a new client, I feel a sense of anxiety about if I’ll be able to help them, if I’ll know enough about their particular struggle or if I’ll fail their requests for support. I wrestle with this enough to use it as motivation to focus and engage in the moment. The truth is we will all make mistakes and fall short in some way, and this is absolutely necessary to build mastery of any skill. When we accept fallibility, we can relinquish the expectation of perfection and move away from self-judgement. And this openness allows us to also more confidently affirm our capabilities and fully participate in any given experience. Below are a few tips in working through these thoughts and feelings when they arise. 1. Be candid and honest about what you are feeling. Being open about these thoughts with trusted confidants helps to normalize the feelings. 2. Push away or distract from the self-doubt thoughts if they are persistent. Redirect into preparation for your task or invest time in an outlet that is relaxing or calming. 3. Reframe or reinterpret the thoughts with a more constructive perspective. “I don’t belong here” can become “It’s normal to feel nervous when you are trailblazing a path.” 4. Look to others who you see as “better” than you as teachers and models that can help you grow as an individual. No need for comparison. Being a student and teacher is absolutely necessary for growth. Recognize you are part of the change. Someone will see your success and feel they belong. 5. Allow for authenticity in our experiences. Feel the doubt and do the thing anyway. That is the most effective way to quiet the voice over time, keep building your database of stumbles and successes, so no one thing becomes what feels like the end of the world. We all struggle with self-doubt at times. And, you cannot be an “imposter” if you take the mask off and show the real you, live and work openly expressing both the confidence and concern. Take on the challenges and listen closely to your inner voice; this is how we achieve our full potential. Anthony Gonzalez, LCSW, QS Alere Emotional Health LLC Illustration by Franziska Barczyk
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KB & Co. is a collective boutique filled with the latest apparel, accessories, handbags, shoes, home decor, and gifts.
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Come check out 13 small, women-owned boutiques! We pride ourselves on having the perfect something for everyone, while you enjoy a little retail therapy and fun!
LET’S MAKE THE MOVE TOGETHER!
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CAREER PLANNING
UPDATING YOUR RESUME
WITH ERIN WOLFRAM & MELISSA JOHNSON
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As we reach mid-2022, updating your resume, likely, is not at the top of your priority list. However, now is the perfect time to reflect on your professional accomplishments from the first half of the year and make updates to your job search documents. How often do you update your resume or take time to think about what you have achieved professionally? For many, the answer to that question may be “Whenever I am applying for a new job.” Often, years go by before someone applies for a different position, and going years without updating or even thinking about your resume can lead to stress, careless errors, and omission of valuable information. You will be thankful when a great career opportunity presents itself and you don’t have to quickly throw together application materials that may not represent you as well as you would like. If at all possible, update your resume at least twice per year. Below are some easy steps you can follow to ensure your resume is always up to date and accurately demonstrates your qualifications. 1. Reflect on your achievements. First, think about what you accomplished at your job so far this year, and make a comprehensive list of those achievements. Challenge yourself to go beyond your
duties and responsibilities. Really think about the impact you made and how you contributed to the success of the organization. In addition to your work achievements, also think about any new professional development or volunteer activities in which you participated. 2. Gather data. Next, compile any relevant stats or data that demonstrate your success from these accomplishments. For example, if you and your team planned and implemented a successful in-person event, how do you know it was successful? First, consider the goals and objectives you had for the event. Did you accomplish them, and how do you know you did? Next, consider data you have that proves impact. Always try to quantify your achievements when possible. -Did you transition back to an in-person event after hosting online a couple of years? -How many attendees did you have? -What marketing tactics did you use to secure registrations and income and how do you know they were effective?v -How much revenue did you generate from registrations and sponsorships? -What were the high points demonstrated on the post-event survey? 3. Make a list. Now that you have identified your accomplishments from the past six months, make a list of any new skills you developed, strengths you enhanced, or weaknesses you overcame. Many of us experienced significant changes in our work environment and processes in recent years, so you may find your list of accomplishments, skills, strengths, and activities is longer than usual. At first, this may seem overwhelming, but revisit the list when time allows. 4. Update your resume. It is now time to start revising your resume to incorporate these new elements. You will want to arrange this information strategically on your document to capture the attention of a prospective employer and make the most significant impact. You might not want to remove any old information until you have a specific job for which you are applying. This may make it easier to implement adjustments that allow you to best represent how you meet the qualifications listed in the position description, as you always want to tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific position for which you are applying. When adding content, aim to include action-verb bullet statements that demonstrate achievements, impact, and results. 5. Celebrate and repeat. Now that you have a comprehensive understanding of your recent professional achievements and have an updated resume showcasing them, take a moment to celebrate and reflect on everything you have accomplished. This is also a great time to consider what you still want to achieve before the end of 2022 to meet your goals and objectives! To make this process even easier in the future, consider keeping a log of your contributions, skills, relevant data, and professional development as you accomplish your goals throughout the year so you can easily make updates. It is important to keep your resume up to date because you never know when an ideal career opportunity may arise. By implementing these steps, you will be ready to tailor your materials and confidently hit “submit.” Here’s to a bright, prosperous, and accomplishment-focused second half of the year!
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NATIONAL FEATURE
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Shenomenal Women author Tasha Champion Who is Tasha Champion? There was a time when I would start this with, I am a mom of four. We as women are not moms first. We are who we are. So, I am Tasha Champion, a woman who enjoys life, laughter, love, support. I love being present, experiencing joy and being around loving family. I am also, The Shenomenal Coach, a certified master life coach who helps women live their best life. I am a 2x best-selling author, speaker, workshop and retreat facilitator and a triple negative breast cancer survivor. I love supporting people through their cancer journey and showing them how to live through the diagnosis. I am a woman who remains humbled and proud of the life I learned to live intentionally. My deepest love is being a mom to my fantastic four. My children are simply amazing humans and make me proud. They know my mistakes, flaws and obstacles as I choose to remain open with them because moms learn along the journey of mothering. My children remind me of why my healing was so important. I have learned to be the beauty and grace I want to experience in this world. What does it mean to be Shenomenal? Shenomenal™ is the extraordinary, phenomenal woman. She is the woman that gives up her excuses to make a way through life’s most challenging times. She is ready to heal and live her dreams, goals and confidence out loud. As the Shenomenal Coach of Champion EmpowHERment, I support overworked,
exhausted, and underappreciated women who constantly feel pressed for time by their extensive to do list, awaken to unapologetically make their self-care a priority. I work with them to clear limited beliefs, empty out their emotional baggage, and help build their confidence to love the champion they are and to live a purposeful and Shenomenal life. Why was it important for you to start this brand? I lived many years in the shadows of my value. I didn’t see greatness within myself, and I felt my life was incapable of having a purpose. I accepted unhealthy behaviors of others in hopes I could convince them to not leave me and to provide the love I wasn’t giving myself. Living this way began to take a toll. How could I continue to live life this way, especially as a mother of four souls that depended on me to be my best, yet I didn’t know how. I searched for answers and began working with a life coach. There had to be an alternative to how I was living my life and how I was feeling. My life coach led me to ME. The truth within began to unfold. The love I was seeking, I had in me. The voice that had the power to protect me and speak up for me was my own. The truth of validation I needed was my own. As I went on this healing journey, I discovered who Tasha is, not just my titles of mom, daughter, sister, auntie, friend, co-worker. This was freedom and I wanted other women to feel
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“I needed women to know that no matter what they have been through, the power to heal was within them and their past didn’t define them.” this same kind of freedom.
Your life is one decision away from being what you want it to be and sometimes we need the tools to make that happen. I wanted to give women that. I have always admired motivational speakers and lord knows I absolutely love helping people. Through my pain, my purpose was revealed, and Champion EmpowHERment was born. HER meaning to Heal Evolve and Renew.I wanted to wake up every day and guide women inward to live a life of purpose on purpose and with purpose. It became my mission to guide women out of their pain and support them in living a Shenomenal life and in their Shenomenal glow. What prompted you to write the book? The book, Shenomenal Women I was sitting at my desk where I worked at the time and I felt God say, you’re going to write a book called Shenomenal Women. I honestly thought I was tripping, and I felt his presence again letting me know I was going to write this book and there would be women that joined in to share their story of giving up their excuses. I had been a part of an anthology book but this time I was the visionary author, I would be
leading, and I knew God would support me in assembling the right group of women. I asked for at least 14 plus me, I would end up with 22 plus me. Each woman saw my vision and delivered. Every co-author shares an intimate story of their life. Some told their story for the very first time. Having known some of these women for years, I learned something new about them which confirmed what I had been thinking, sometimes you can sit across from a woman that can be your closest friend and not know they pain they have endured. This book is told through transparency and truth. All of us dug deep, cried while writing and experienced another peace in our healing journey. We all wanted women to read our stories and be inspired to take the first step, to stop living in their excuses and to make a way for themselves. Challenges are always going to come. Some that hurt us so deeply we feel like we can’t get through it. In Shenomenal Women, you learn you can get through it. You will read stories of overcoming molestation, rape, losing a child, finding your voice, domestic violence, battling cancer, and more. We want you to know you are worthy of your healing and each of us had to learn that through the darkness. All the tears you cry are watering the seeds of your future and you will bloom into the Shenomenal Woman you were born to be. What did this experience teach you? The biggest thing I Iearned was how to accept support. From writing the book to planning and executing 3 book signings, all of which had over 100 people attend, I learned how to say yes you can help me and trust things would get done. This was a part of my Shenomenal glow that was awakened. I thought being inde-
pendent meant relying on myself. The process of leading this book exposed a vulnerability within me and my Shenomenal co-authors or maybe I should call them co-stars, made me feel safe and I fell into the support they offered me. I learned something new in each story. I learned just how resilient the very women I knew are. I didn’t know the tears their souls once held and as I read the manuscript learning more about them, I cried repeatedly. It made me admire each of them even more because I’m reading their stories and thinking to myself, damn, I would have never known you’ve been through this. That is the beauty of who we are as women, but we also must learn how to stand on our story to experience the freedom of getting through it. Is there anything else the audience should know?
Everyday live intentionally. Learn from your mistakes and always know you can powerfully move forward from where you are today. You are worthy of your healing, and I would love to support you in activating your soul, owning your truth, and confidently living the life you want for yourself. Be Bold, Be Fierce...... Be Shenomenal! Sign up to my email list and learn about our upcoming brunch, entrepreneurial summit and retreat. Please support the book by purchasing through the website shenomenal.com. Your book will come signed by a co-author of your choice. Where can our readers find you online? website: shenomenal.com Facebook: TC Champion IG: @theshenomenalcoach YouTube: The Shenomenal Coach Online show: She is Shenomenal
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Lawrence Lady Boss
KB&CO owner: Claire Engelken
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One of the things I have learned in the last six years as a Lawrence resident is that Lawrence, Kansas is as unique as they come. Walk down Massachusetts St and you never know what you may see. Pop into any one of the boutiques and find everything you wanted, or didn’t even know you needed. KB&Co Boutique opened up at 825 Mass St six years ago. Adding to the unique factor found in the heart of downtown Lawrence, KB&Co is a collective boutique with 13 small, female-owned businesses calling the beautiful space their home. The boutiques feature everything from clothing to accessories, footwear, gifts and even home decor. Manning the helm of KB&Co is Claire Engelken. Claire has been a part of KB&Co since almost the beginning. After graduating with her Master’s degree from the University of Kansas in 2016, she started working at the boutique. Within a year she was the manager and by 2018 she opened up Stripes Boutique inside KB&Co. In January of 2020, right before the pandemic hit, Claire purchased the boutique from Kristie Bowen. These days find Claire at the store on any given day welcoming customers with an infectious smile and an attitude that lifts your mood no matter what you are shopping for. We asked Claire a few questions about her business. Here is what she had to say.
What is your favorite thing about being a lady boss in 2022? “It has been a challenging few years but it’s been a lot of fun! Shopping and fashion have always been a hobby of mine, but I never envisioned making it into a career. It has been more fun and rewarding than I ever imagined. I love being my own boss and being able to set my work-life balance. I love working with other female small business owners – they teach and inspire me every day. And most of all, I love working with my family – my mom owns a store inside KB&Co, and we travel to markets together. My partner Jeff is very involved and my whole family is always around to help and support us. It’s so much more personal than a typical job. “
Who or what inspires you? “I always feel inspired when we go to market to buy for the store – seeing the new styles for each season is exciting and really helps to define our point of view
for each season. Other than that, I’m inspired by other female business owners, especially those in retail. I’ve always been inspired by Kristie Bowen, who started KB&Co. She is so confident and energetic and has such a positive outlook. She really inspires other women to just go for it. And I’m always inspired by my mom. She is the most hardworking, intelligent, stylish woman I know. Her pep talks and support have gotten me through some of the most challenging times. She inspires me to be brave and think bigger.” In what ways has KB & Co changed since you took over ownership? “The main change is that we’ve weathered a pandemic. We all pulled together and supported each other during an incredibly scary and uncertain time. Other than that, we’ve had some amazing new stores move into KB. Mostly we’ve just continued to build off the strong foundation that Kristie built. We’ve worked hard to keep evolving our social media and I’ve tried to empower our employees to explore areas of retail and marketing that they’re interested in and to become a leader in those areas.” Where do you see your business 5 years from now? “I hope we’re still in Downtown Lawrence with an incredible group of stores in our collective. And I hope we have expanded KB&Co and taken it into different college markets in our region.” What piece of advice would you encourage others with? “Find a mentor! Find someone you trust that will steer you in the right direction when you have questions or need advice. And when it’s your turn, mentor someone who’s coming up. Don’t gatekeep information – it’s better to be collaborative than competitive. And just know that fear and anxiety are common when you’re starting something big or taking a risk. But know that it will pass and you’ll be stronger for it.” Lawrence Lady Boss Project was built to connect and network lady bosses in both Lawrence and the surrounding communities. Once a quarter we bring you Networking Night Out events featuring local businesses both big and small. Find us on Facebook at Lawrence Lady Boss Project for more information.
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