Avni Patel Thompson first guest-blogged on Dare to Dream in 2010. It was a few months after we'd met, and I suggested (ok, dared) her to start writing a blog. She and her husband subsequently lived/worked in China for a year, before moving to Washington State and having her first child. Below she shares some of her wondering about how to raise her daughter. More than anything, I need to know that my daughter will not grow up to be ignorant. That she will be thoughtful and mindful of...
I first learned about Mom Corps' business model (think headhunter specializing in flexible work/workers) from Nadia McKay, president of Mom Corps Boston. Thinking this could be a terrific resource for those of you sorting through how to have it all, Allison O'Kelly, Mom Corps founder and CEO, shares her thoughts on the types of flexible work options and how to determine if you are ready for a flex arrangement. Enjoy. I often find myself wondering aloud to friends something along the...
Maria Carr is a long-time friend and contributor to Dare, Dream, Do, in which she tells her story of life before she and her family came to the U.S. as political refugees. I spent 8 years as the primary care giver, first for my ailing father and then for my mother. I’m just beginning to understand some of the lessons I learned during those years. When my father first became ill, he said he wanted to die. But as time passed, and many loving hands cared for him, he found inner...
Deb Mills-Scofield and I first connected on Twitter two years ago, then met at the Business Innovation Factory in 2011. If you want to get to know her even better, also read her HBR post Networking for Survival. In 1980, as an 18-year-old second semester sophomore at Brown University getting ready to declare my concentration, I discovered two other young women were creating almost identical independent concentrations and some freshman kids wanted to do the same thing. So, instead of...
Kristy Williams' essay is the second in a series of posts celebrating the 1st birthday of Dare, Dream, Do. You may remember her piece titled Five Dreams I Think I'll Date, followed by Five Dreams I Dated and A Dream in Progress: Women in Business Conference. Having had twins about a year ago, below is the latest installment in Kristy's journey of dreaming. “I can do hard things” is a motto I’ve always subscribed to. Having four kids under four seemed like a perfect way to...
Robin Cangie previously wrote a beautiful post titled Doubting for Dreamers which I included in the Dare, Dream, Do Circle workbook; I've also quoted her on HBR. In order to celebrate Dare, Dream, Do's 1st birthday, I asked her if she would again contribute. May you be as moved by Robin's writing as I am. “What would you do if money didn’t matter?” I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve heard this question. Whether from career counselors, life coaches, or well-meaning friends,...
Anne Deeter Gallaher is one of my Twitter friends who just published the book Women in High Gear: A Guide for Entrepreneurs, On-Rampers, and Aspiring Executives. Here she shares her story of moving into high gear -- it is delightful! One of the proudest moments for any mother is to watch her children supporting each other and looking out for each other. As the mother of three sons, all of whom spent elementary through high school years on the wrestling mat, I have witnessed a few of these...
"It's just not that easy," said my husband kindly, but with just a hint of exasperation. We were watching with our 12 year-old daughter Kurt Warner's The Moment, a new reality show about giving people a second chance to chase their dreams. Tracie Marcum, the episode's protagonist, had always wanted to be a photographer for Sports Illustrated. After an intensive 2-week one-on-one training with award-winning photographer Lou Jones, Tracie not only gets an interview at Sports...
Jayne Juvan and I have been Twitter friends for some time, but then I got to meet her when I spoke at Case Western. We immediately hit it off, and I asked if she might share her experience of making partner at her Cleveland-based law firm. When I was a mid-level attorney at a large law firm, two women helped me gain professional momentum by leveraging their power and influence on my behalf. The first, an expert business strategist, provided counsel on effective tactics I should undertake...
Reinventing You is a timely book by my fellow Harvard Business Review blogger Dorie Clark, a journalist turned press secretary, non-profit helmer, campaign manager, documentary filmmaker, and now marketing strategy consultant to the likes of Google, Yale and the National Parks Service. Whether you are early, mid or late career, and are considering disrupting or reinventing, Ms. Clark's book is a surefire tactical guide, using case studies (e.g. fascinating stories, including her own!) and...
