Meet Heather Rodgers

Posted on August 23, 2024 - 5:08 pm by Heather DeVine

Heather Rodgers is the newest member to the Transcend Ideas team! She will offer support with her design and copywriting skills. She shares a little about herself in this Q&A below.

Heather Rodgers Q & A

1. What are your favorite projects to work on and how do you want to grow professionally?

I would say my favorite projects all focus on helping small brands grow through my designs, especially when I have lots of creative freedom. I love using vibrant colors and organic elements in my designs. Branding and logo design are among my top favorites. Professionally, I want to grow by expanding my skill set. As a self-taught graphic designer, it’s incredibly exciting for me to keep learning and evolving in my craft.

2. Where do you pull inspiration from for creative work?

I am consistently inspired by nature and spending time in the mountains. There’s something about being outside that sparks my creativity. I also love checking out the work of other talented designers and artists. They really motivate me to keep pushing my own boundaries.

3. What’s a bucket list item you’ve held off on completing for years and when do you hope to complete it?

l’ve always wanted to learn how to surf, but I’ve never lived close to the ocean or anywhere good for surfing. Maybe one day soon, I’ll finally get to go to a surfing camp or something like that!

4. What small object in your house means the most to you and why?

I have two small paintings from my grandmother that mean the world to me. She’s an incredibly talented artist, and her work has always inspired me. I treasure these paintings and look at them every single day.

5. What advice do you have for small businesses looking to amplify their messaging and brand?

My advice is to really get to know your ideal audience. Make sure every image, graphic, and bit of copy you put out there resonates with how your target audience will perceive it. It’s easy to lose sight of your core message when you’re so close to it, which is why getting some outside support, like from a team like Transcend Ideas, can make a huge difference. They can help you nail down and communicate what makes your brand unique. And remember, consistency is key—keeping your branding clear and recognizable across the board will help your message stick.

6. How do you like to spend your free time?

I love spending my free time outdoors, with my boyfriend and pup, Zeus. We are always planning weekend adventures.

7. Who keeps you inspired and why?

I’ve been fortunate to meet many creative and talented people throughout my life. My grandmother, as mentioned, is a huge inspiration to me. I also admire the work and entrepreneurship of many of my friends and family. I feel really lucky to connect with so many driven and amazing individuals.

8. What’s your favorite life lesson you’ve ever learned and held on to?

One of my favorite life lessons is to trust the process. Not everything falls into place right away, and that’s okay. It’s important to stay patient and keep moving forward, even when things don’t go as planned.

9. What are you grateful for? What are you hopeful for?

I’m grateful for the opportunity to work creatively and for the support of my family and friends. I’m hopeful for continued growth, both personally and professionally, and to keep finding new opportunities that challenge and inspire me.

10. What are you proud of right now?

Right now, I’m proud of how much I’ve grown as a designer, especially being self-taught. I’ve been able to work on projects that I love and help small brands grow, which is really rewarding.

Would you like to work with Heather Rodgers? Reach out to our team to get in contact with Heather and discuss a future project for you! Find more of Heather’s work at her site https://kinddesignco.com and follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinddesignco_/.

From Burnout to Balance: Rebuild Empathy When Faced with Compassion Fatigue

Posted on June 18, 2024 - 3:41 pm by Heather DeVine

How are you doing managing the stresses in your life and with maintaining compassion? There are 3 key indicators for you to do a self-assessment to see where you reside on your empathy health, also called the 3 A’s of Compassion Fatigue. The ABCs of Compassion Fatigue are Awareness, Balance, and Connection.

Non-profit and service-industry work is exhilarating when you feel like you are making a tangible difference in your community. Compassion fatigue results when there is a loss in your ability to nurture effectively when catering to others’ physical and emotional pain. Often, the demands of service-oriented industries can take a hit on our energy levels and the risk of burnout is real. Executive Directors and limited staff members have to wear the hat of many different roles in an organization and run on limited funds and time to make critical services available. The work is meaningful but the pressure can be intense if not effectively managed. If the distinction between another person and yourself becomes blurred and the emotional pain of the other is taken on as one’s own, you could be at risk for fatigue. If not effectively managed, compassion fatigue can have negative physical, mental, and emotional repercussions.

Many service providers and caretakers don’t realize when they are facing compassion fatigue. The condition can be surrounded by feelings of helplessness and powerlessness with patients or family, reduced feelings of empathy and sensitivity, feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by work demands, feeling detached or numb, and loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy.

Rebuilding Empathy: Combatting Compassion Fatigue. Image of therapist and a client.

Do You Know How to Manage Compassion Fatigue?

Compassion fatigue affects everyone. The trick is finding a meaningful way to anticipate and work with the fatigue that will enhance your ability to combat it. We’re here to bring awareness to the most important step in any position is to take care of yourself. To heal the healer reinforces the fortitude needed to get back to the demands of work by incorporating the ABC’s of compassion fatigue: Awareness, Balance, and Connection into our regular routines.

Awareness

Building awareness of and taking action is the first step needed when recentering yourself in responsibilities. Your ability to attune to when you are out of sync is key to knowing when to take action and make a needed change. Your awareness skills will grow the more you recognize when your compassion is waning thin. ****Take a moment to step back and breathe. In. Out. In. Out. Is there any tension in your body? Taking intentional moments throughout your work day, on days off, or when with others – take your minds off of the demands and find where sources of stress may lie; whether they be physically with tension throughout your body or mentally with distractions and disruptive thoughts and get curious with the sources of stress.

Balance

Is your day a never-ending list of demands? Effective planning can help you find a balance between what can stay and what needs to go from your priorities in a day. Write out a list of everything that requires your presence in a day and write a secondary list alongside this to how you will ‘balance’ out the responsibilities on your plate to stay grounded through your every day. Finding balance can be as simple as stepping outside in the middle of your work day and taking a moment to be present with beautiful surroundings.

Connection

Isolation has started to dominate our existence in the past few years. From the pandemic to streaming subscriptions, it has become more convenient to enjoy the comforts of home. Rather than venturing out and forging meaningful connections with people in your community, people often opt out. The discomfort it takes to find a routine outside of your home is well worth the relationships you gain. There are so many people to meet with different backgrounds and views on the world. Even from the comforts of home, we often remain disconnected and distracted. Spending meaningful time with the ones we love is where we can find the most empowering healing.

Rebuilding Empathy: Combatting Compassion Fatigue. Image of tired doctor sitting on the floor in a hospital hallway.

Live Empowered in Your Compassionate Roles

Keep the 3 ABC’s of Compassion Fatigue front of mind as we roll into the busy summer months. Remember to foster awareness, find balance, and build connections in your life to stay above overwhelm. Your ability to find a manageable pace of working with stressors will impact how you show up in your community. Sharing the tools to combat compassion fatigue will help us build more resilient communities and empower our non-profits to thrive!

Need an effective management plan for your non-profit marketing? Transcend Ideas would love to support your organization. Let’s get coffee and discuss the compassionate messaging goals for your organization.

Meet Heather Devine, Principal

Posted on February 12, 2024 - 9:00 am by Heather DeVine

Meet Heather Devine, the principal and visionary behind Transcend Ideas. Heather brings over 15 years of expertise in digital media to all the clients she serves in the Jackson Hole community. She loves supporting small businesses and national and local non-profits in their goals of strategic messaging, website layouts, and marketing solutions. Heather helps propel these businesses forward with thoughtful design strategy and compelling storytelling. She shared a bit about herself in this Q and A.

Meet Heather

1. What prompted you to start Transcend Ideas and what are your hopes for the future with the company?

I started Transcend Ideas with the desire to help small businesses and nonprofits amplify their meaningful messages through marketing and branding services. I’ve worked with businesses and nonprofits now for 16 years and with every year that passes I feel pride and excitement to help them succeed.

2. What company is a dream client or what would be a dream marketing campaign to work on?

A dream client to me is one that trusts in us, willing to try new things, and is passionate and excited about their mission and vision.

3. What’s a bucket list item you’ve held off on completing for years and when do you hope to complete it?

A bucket list item of mine would be to speak on a TEDx stage. I have a real passion for connection. I think one day sharing my story will be deeply satisfying and hopefully help a young person on their path some day.

4. What small object in your house means the most to you and why?

A journal that my husband and I have together. We write in it to express our love and appreciation for one another. And another journal that at the end of each year, as a family we tape in memories we’ve collected throughout that year. We reflect on memories together and look back with love and gratitude.

5. What advice do you have for small businesses looking to amplify their messaging and brand?

Keep at it if your heart is in it.

6. What hobby or skill do you have that has influenced your career the most and how?

My greatest skill is working with people. I love listening and I also love helping.

7. Where do you go to pull inspiration for work and your personal life?

I gather information in the form of podcasts, conversations with people, movies, webinars or workshops, and books.

8. What’s your favorite life lesson you’ve ever learned and held on to?

My greatest life lesson is to “give yourself grace.” You won’t get it right all the time, in fact the misteps are when you learn the most about yourself and your journey forward. That applies to any path you walk, whether it be parenthood, marriage, friendships, business, everything.

9. What are you grateful for? What are you hopeful for?

I’m grateful for the team I have at work and at home. We are nothing without the people there to support you a long the way. Thank you to my husband, Mike and my son, Elliott and our dog, Sadie for loving me, my flaws and all. Thank you to Brennan and Rachael for making my life easier.

10. What are you proud of right now? Could be a personal accomplishment, big or small.

I’m proud of how far I have come to step into my power. I am 40 now, woo-hoo! With this new stage in my life I can honestly look back and show compassion and love to myself. I’m grateful for every day I get to wake up and live.

Want to meet with Heather and get insight on your small business or non-profit project? Reach out now to schedule a time to meet up and discuss over coffee.

Heather’s other great love is her nonprofit, People Spread Love. Give a listen to these two podcast interviews where she talk about why this community/heart-centered work is so important to her.

Nov 7, 2023
From Pain to Purpose: Heather DeVine’s Vision for People Spread Love
You Only Go Once Podcast

Meet Meredith Runkle Olson, Copywriter

Posted on September 7, 2023 - 2:58 pm by Heather DeVine

Meet Meredith Runkle Olson, who has joined the Transcend Ideas team offering her copywriting skills. Meredith helps amplify our client’s messaging through thorough research and thoughtful and relatable writing. She shared a bit about herself in this Q and A so you may get to know Meredith in her own words.

Meet Meredith Runkle Olson, Copywriter

1. Where do you hail from? Where do you live now? And how did you come to be there?

I was raised in Maryland but I moved out west for undergrad at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mt. I absolutely love mountain sports and the pace of life here so I doubt that I’ll ever move away! I currently live in Jackson and have called it home for seven years.

2. What do you like to do for fun?

Hiking, trail running, biking, any type of water sport, volleyball and soccer.

3. What do you do in your role with Transcend Ideas? Do you like knowing your work helps others? And what areas are you most passionate about?

I am currently a copywriter. I’ll do anything from blogs to social media posts to editing. When I know that my work helps others it makes me want to work even harder. I’m passionate about conservation, the environment, social justice, finances, history, and public policy. I’m the nerd who goes to museums on vacation!

Meredith Runkle Olson

4. What are you grateful for? Big or small?

Jesus, my husband, our baby girl, Helen, the state of Wyoming, family, friends, and the amazing public lands here in the U.S. (There’s so much more but I’ll leave it at that)

5. Do you have any office mates? Animals? Partners?

My favorite office mate is my seven month old baby, Helen 😉 I’m currently a stay at home mom (the best job ever!) and I work part time as a copywriter. My husband works in town and tries to come home on lunch breaks so that all three of us get some quality time together. No doggos, although Helen LOVES animals.

“When I know that my work helps others it makes me want to work even harder.”
Meredith RUnkle Olson

6. What are you looking forward to this Summer?

I’m trying to train for a big trail run in the grand canyon so I’m looking forward to running in the Tetons or the National Forest this summer. Ooo, I can’t forget the people’s market, grass volleyball in May park, and outdoor concerts. There are just so many things in Jackson! No matter what I do, I love to show Helen my favorite spots and activities. My pace of life has dramatically changed since having a baby but I’m learning to love every day and be thankful for the little things.

Image of Meredith Runkle Olson in the Tetons. — Meredith in the Tetons

7. Do you have advice to a business or organization that wants to connect with their community and customers these days?

It’s simple, ask the people what they want.

8. For whom do you feel responsible?

I feel the desire to raise Helen and other children we have, in a healthy way. I want them to love nature, eat healthy, stay active, love others, serve those in need, and learn how to be mentally tough. Plus, I definitely feel responsible for the environment. At the rate that the whole world is going, our future generations won’t experience what we do. I want to help our communities focus on sustainable practices in every realm of life. I also want my children to understand finances. Most people my age were never taught how to avoid debt, wisely invest, budget, live frugally, and think about life in the long term. I want to change that for my family. Most Americans have out of control spending habits and I refuse to be a part of that.

9. What are you hopeful for this year?

I want to fully embrace being a great mom! It’s such an important role. I can pursue other things later in life but I can never get back this precious time with my baby. That being said, I still want to be active and show Helen how my hobbies and passions are important to me.

10. What are you proud of right now? Could be a personal accomplishment, big or small.

My husband and I are debt-free (besides a mortgage), I did all 42 miles of the Teton Crest Trail in a single day, and even though I decided not to go this route, I studied hard and got into law school with a great scholarship, and I created life.

Meet Rachael Kennedy

Posted on August 7, 2023 - 3:37 am by Heather DeVine

Meet Rachael Kennedy, who has joined the Transcend Ideas team offering her project assistance and web skills. Rachael helps amplify our clients through technical adjustments to websites, SEO work, social media and more. She shared a bit about herself in this Q and A.

Meet Rachael Kennedy, Project Assistant & IT Support

1. What do you like to do for fun?

I love going on long drives to look for wildlife with my family. Whether we are birding, finding moose, bears, or other large mammals in the Greater Yellowstone. Grand Teton has been one of my favorite places to get great animal pictures. In May, we will see how many brand-new baby bison we can get photos of in Yellowstone. We are looking forward to trying to find some burrowing owls at the start of the summer, too.

2. What do you do in your role with Transcend Ideas? Do you like knowing your work helps others? And what areas are you most passionate about?

I help with marketing, SEO, and website work. I love serving people with technology – it is a field that has many barriers to access and can cause a lot of frustration when things don’t work as anticipated. Taking a load off of people in any small way is rewarding. I’m passionate about front-end work on websites, or UX/UI design. Making navigation across a website for a user as simple, intuitive, and beautiful as possible is a great challenge on every project.

3. What are you grateful for? Big or small?

Connections and community. I find it in a hundred small places now – chatting and laughing in the line at the grocery store with someone about my kiddos, FB groups, family group texts or potlucks, and community events. Maybe especially since Covid, I feel like the world needs each other more than ever and I’m grateful for the beautiful communities I’m a part of.

4. Do you have any animals?

I don’t have any animals, there are too many allergies with my siblings and extended family to have ever had a pet with fur. I have a wide assortment of tropical houseplants that have become my second babies though 🙂 My favorites are the alocasias and calatheas.

"Technology has a lot of barriers to access and can cause a lot of frustration when things don't work as anticipated. Taking a load off people in any small way is rewarding." - Rachael Kennedy project assistant, IT support graphic.

5. What are you looking forward to this summer?

I’m looking forward to all the dreamy photoshoots of my babies. The one I’m most excited about is taking my daughter to the lavender fields in Utah for her 4th birthday photos. I still have to decide what I will do for my son’s pictures for the summer – it’s always fun to figure out the perfect setup.

6. Do you have advice for a business or organization that wants to connect with its community and customers these days?

Make your values apparent through your messaging. That’s the fastest way for a potential customer to resonate with your brand. Sharing what you value cuts through a lot of noise.

7. For whom do you feel responsible?

My two darling kiddos <3 They are hilarious and already have their independent little personalities shining through. My daughter is the vibrant, busy socialite, and my son is the laid-back California smile and happy-to-hang-out guy. Both of them bring me so much joy!

8. What are you hopeful for this year?

I want to be more creative in the quiet moments, trying for a few more photos or sketches with the babes during big art messes, laughter, and exploring the world. Telling our stories in more ways and with more mediums than I have done in the past and digitizing assets as I do. This has to be one of childhood’s most magical times, and I don’t want to miss or forget a thing.

9. What are you passionate about?

There are so many complex problems in the world. The problem I seem most drawn to is coming up with economic initiatives for small and rural communities. Access to opportunity has a lot of ripple effects and touches on so many other problems our world faces. Finding ways to cut through conflicting/distracting messaging by building authentic and impactful websites and marketing campaigns that will make a difference in the world is something I think about a lot. Building great relationships and telling a great story – isn’t that the goal of any beautiful life 😉

10. What are you proud of right now? This could be a personal accomplishment, big or small.

I’m in the building routines stage with kiddos right now – when they ask for something in a patient way or don’t have a tantrum when they have to wait, I swear the entire world just stops to enjoy the peaceful moment with us. I want to try a few other things like colored boxes for toys and a visual schedule to keep building on their independence, but it’s all at a great place right now and I’m content with where we are at.

Have you met Meredith? She’s also on the Transcend Ideas team and she is now a new mommy! 🙂
Have you met Brennan? She’s our copywriter and illustrator always ready for adventure.

Are you excited to learn more about the team and look into working with Transcend Ideas on your next project? Let’s get coffee!

Meet Brennan Hussey, Content Creator

Posted on July 19, 2023 - 2:04 pm by Heather DeVine

Meet Brennan Hussey, who has joined the Transcend Ideas team offering her copywriting and illustration skills. Brennan helps amplify our client’s messaging through thorough extensive research, curiosity, and thoughtful writing. Her illustrations bring a new flavor to our client’s marketing campaigns and for that we are grateful. She shared a bit about herself in this Q and A so you may get to know Brennan in her own words.

Meet Brennan

1. Where do you hail from? where do you live now? and how did you come to be there?

I grew up in Kansas City & Savannah GA, respectively. So therefore I’m a Southerner without a Southern accent. I still say Y’ALL because ‘Y’ALL means ALL’ 🌈

After college, studying Advertising and Communications at UGA, in the best music town in the country, Athens, GA – I migrated out west to be in the mountains. ⛰️ I’ve since lived in Jackson Hole, Idaho, Alaska, and now call Denver home. <3

2. What do you like to do for fun?

FUN?! Oh yeah, I have it.

I live to cook & eat and especially love spending way too much on ingredients for an elaborate meal that will take me over 4 hours to complete. This, friends, and a nice bottle of Chenin Blanc is my idea of the perfect night.

I make an effort to spend as much time outdoors as possible – snowboarding, hiking, biking, playing tennis, & going on hot girl walks around the neighborhood. Cue Tina Turner in the Airpods -may she rest in power.

As a Sagittarius Sun – I’m an absolute walking cliché because I’m a travel addict. The minute I was able to make my own money, I started collecting stamps in my passport. I value how much understanding it has given me about the world around me.

And I LOVE anything to do with art whether that’s creating my own, listening to music, reading books, or indulging in tv and film. Give me all the art. Above anything else. Always.

3. What do you do in your role with Transcend Ideas? do you like knowing your work helps others? and what areas are you most passionate about?

I wear a few different hats for Transcend Ideas as a Content Creator.

First and foremost, I do work as a Content Writer which is a little more in-depth than it sounds. For blog posts and other content, I conduct detailed research, interview experts when needed, draft concise articles, carefully edit, upload it to the client’s CMS, arrange the layout, and amplify the SEO for maximum visibility. There’s a lot to it!

I also work as an Illustrator and Designer which includes drawing custom illustrations, designing event posters, visual content for social media, logo design, and even entire branding campaigns.

I also help collaborate and brainstorm with Heather on working concepts for clients and coming up with new marketing ideas and strategies. We work and communicate really well together and share healthy constructive feedback with one another. I really value her voice and appreciate that she also values mine.

And of course, I like knowing my work helps others. It’s one of the reasons I do what I do. As a writer, I cannot fathom doing anything but speaking my truth and sharing that with others.

My passion burns for a variety of topics. Cross-country skiing, yes. Girl empowerment, absolutely. Renewable energy, but of course. How to identify noxious weeds, bring it on. That’s one of the reasons I make a marvelous content writer, I can get excited about pretty much anything. And we all know excitement can be contagious.

4. What are you grateful for? Big or small?

BIG: The past year has been a year of asking for help. I’m so grateful that my requests have been answered. I feel so supported by my partner, friends, and family. I will always be grateful for that.

Small: ice water, tinted SPF moisturizer, Spindrift seltzer, boiled peanuts, T-Swift, vibe lights, Squishmallows TM, TikTok

5. If your house was on fire and you could save 3 things, what would they be?

Let me preface this by saying, I don’t have any pets (yet). I’d probably grab my Monstera plant, a piece of framed art, and the box of cards & memories I keep under my bed.

6. What are you looking forward to this summer?

Getting out into the mountains and seeing some live music outdoors. Oooh, also seeing the Barbie Movie that comes out in a few weeks. But would you hate me if I admitted I’m secretly pining for fall? 🍂

7. Do you have advice to a business or organization that wants to connect with their community and customers these days?

I think something that is oftentimes overlooked is not engaging with community members of all ages and demographics. I think we, as a society, can get locked into our own little bubbles and echo chambers. As a millennial, I’ve often felt overlooked by older generations. I don’t want to do this to the younger generations. I want them to know that their opinions matter. So to businesses and organizations, I advise you to cast a wider net and stay open-minded. The wisest among us know they don’t know everything.

8. What can you not stop talking about right now?

Station Eleven. I’m obsessed. It’s a limited series on HBO MAX. After I watched the show, I gobbled up the book it’s based on. It’s a post-apocalyptic story done differently than anything I’ve ever seen in that genre.

9. What are you hopeful for this year?

I’m on a journey of building upon my portfolio and building up my self-confidence. These two things are interconnected and I’m putting the needed work into nurturing them both. And, yes I’m feeling hopeful about it. I’m trying to remind myself to stay hopeful on down days as growth is not linear.

10. What are you proud of right now? Could be a personal accomplishment, big or small.

Learning how to say NO and protect my peace. I don’t feel like our society values this as much as it should. Looking out for your health and well-being is important. Learning to say no to things that will not serve us can sometimes feel counterintuitive. But always listen to your gut. The Olsen twins say it best, “NO, is a full sentence.”

Contact Transcend Ideas today to get Brennan busy working on an illustration or design project for your company!

Forbes: Empathy Is the Most Important Leadership Skill

Posted on July 1, 2023 - 11:24 am by Heather DeVine

Empathy Is the Most Important Leadership Skill

I knew Empathy was a trait that helped better more relationships in all aspects of life. I’ve seen the difference it makes in mine. When the pandemic hit in 2020-21 I felt disconnection and I needed a periodic check-in with my team. A “how are you?” rather than diving right into work stuff became critical. I personally wanted my colleagues to care about me as I cared for them and their well-being.

Forbes recognizes the positive impact of empathy on innovation and retention. Studies show that empathetic leaders create engaged and productive teams. By considering others’ thoughts and feelings, leaders can connect on a deeper level, foster trust, and inspire empathy in return. This leads to a more compassionate and successful work environment.

“Leaders don’t have to be experts in mental health in order to demonstrate they care and are paying attention. It’s enough to check in, ask questions and take cues from the employee about how much they want to share.”
Forbes article on Leading with Empathy by Tracy Brower, PhD.*

Stress is a pervasive state and data suggests it is an affect by the pandemic and the ways our lives have been turned upside down.*

Empathy by the Numbers

42% of people have experienced a decline in mental health
- 67% of people are experiencing increases in stress while 57% have increased anxiety, and 54% are emotionally exhausted, 53% of people are sad, 50% are irritable, 28% are having trouble concentrating, 20% are taking longer to finish tasks, 15% are having trouble thinking and 20% are challenging to juggle their responsibilities
61% of employees reported with empathy leaders were able to be innovative, compared to 13% of employees with less empathic leaders
76% of people who experienced empathy from their leaders reported they were engaged, compared to 32% who experienced less empathy
57% of white women and 62% of women of color said they were unlikely to think of leaving their companies when they felt their life circumstances were respected and valued by their companies

As a leader in the community I know how important it is to engage in empathy. From the receiving end it feels good to be seen and heard. On a Board of Directors we engage in similar behavior with a check-in before we begin to discuss anything on the agenda. If any of us are feeling low or drained, the camera doesn’t need to be on when we meet virtually and if they need to leave early we honor that with understanding and compassion for one another.

**Listen to a two part Podcast on How Empathy Can Bridge Connection**

Empathy Fosters More Empathy

I’m a cheerleader for empathy marketing. When we engage with our audience in a way that they need and want, you are likely to be more engaged with us.

It’s clear that empathy should be a trait intertwined with leadership. It starts with caring about your team, and your community.

Cognitive empathy – Consider someone elses’ thoughts (“If I were in his/her position, what would I be thinking right now?”)

Emotional empathy – Consider someone elses’ feelings (“Being in his/her position would make me feel ___”)

Empathy is the most important leadership skill because it enables leaders to connect with their team members on a deeper level. Strong leaders understand and share the feelings and perspectives of their employees. They can make more informed decisions and create a supportive work environment. By demonstrating empathy, leaders foster trust, enhance collaboration, and inspire loyalty among their team. Ultimately, this drives higher levels of productivity and success.

Empathy fosters more empathy.

How Empathy can Bridge Connection

Posted on April 15, 2023 - 9:05 pm by Heather DeVine

Listen to my interview with Kaeyy Noella on her The Love Talk Wall podcast. I introduce her to “empathy marketing” and how I show up with Transcend Ideas. I introduce (in Part 2) how “empathy” makes up the key ingredient of People Spread Love.

How Empathy can Bridge Connection

Part 1: Empathy marketing can be a powerful tool for small businesses looking to build stronger relationships with their customers and differentiate themselves from competitors. By putting the needs and emotions of customers first, small businesses can create a more loyal customer base and drive long-term growth.

“Empathy” is a key component to how I show up in many places in my life. I recognize human connection is what we all strive for in this life. When we feel heard and understood we can profoundly connect.

“The Clubhouse app helped me find my voice.” I jumped on the app with curiosity and met these strong women entrepreneurs. They encouraged me to step into Transcend Ideas. And I’m eternally grateful for their strength in their belief in me. And made me believe in myself.

Part 2: My audio cut off as I began introducing the brand. I continued the introduction of People Spread Love in Part 2. I introduce People Spread Love and my journey starting a movement in 2015. First, with becoming a 501c3 non-profit organization. The organization empowers community members to write notes of love to those facing adversity all over the country and world. This brings us back full circle to the power of empathy and how it can facilitate human connection.

Kaeyy asked me about self-love and I told her a story about how I recently fractured my knee skiing. I touched on how grateful I am, even more so after getting hurt.

Listen to Part 1 & 2 of the podcast interview and let’s connect!

👋How to Use Clubhouse app to Build Trust & Relationships

Posted on March 24, 2023 - 12:49 pm by Heather DeVine

Have you heard of this thing called “Clubhouse?” I hadn’t until my friend Vanessa told me about it back in February 2021. She showed me the app while many of were in “lockdown” during the COVID-19 Pandemic. I am thankful she invited me to join this audio app world because it opened up so many doors for me for my personal growth and my confidence. The seed plantedin me a passion for entrepreneurship, making lasting connections, building relationships, learning new things, discovery, building connection, and much more. I know I am singing in “high hopes” for an audio app. It’s not the technology itself, it’s about the intentionality of the app that fascinates me. Learning how to use Clubhouse App to build business relationships is key to maintaining a competitive advantage today.

Just imagine, joining an audio space, every room you join you quite literally listen in on a conversation. You can listen in, chat in the chat box, raise your hand to join the conversation, use gifs or emojis to engage with the conversation if you are unable to open your mic and speak.

The Clubhouse app has several advantages for forging connections, including:

Authentic Conversations: Clubhouse is designed for audio-based conversations. These can create a more authentic and personal experience than other forms of social media. Users can join conversations with like-minded people from around the world. This provides an opportunity to connect and build relationships with people they may not have otherwise met.
Focus on Community: Clubhouse is built around the concept of community, with users able to create and join clubs based on shared interests. This can help users feel like they’re part of a larger group of people who share their interests, leading to a sense of belonging and connection.
Opportunity for Thought Leadership: Clubhouse provides an opportunity for users to establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry or niche. By participating in conversations and sharing their expertise, users can build their personal brand and attract new followers and connections.
Accessibility: Unlike other social media platforms that rely on text or video content, Clubhouse is an audio-based app that can be used while on-the-go or while doing other tasks. This makes it easy to join conversations and connect with others, even when you’re busy.
Serendipitous Connections: Clubhouse’s “hallway” feature allows users to join conversations they may not have otherwise known about, providing an opportunity for serendipitous connections and conversations.

Overall, the Clubhouse app can be a powerful tool for forging connections, whether for personal or professional purposes. By joining conversations and clubs based on shared interests, users can build relationships with like-minded people from around the world, establish themselves as thought leaders, and create a sense of community and belonging.

Clubhouse Famous

Clubhouse celebrates individuals and groups of influencers on the app by honoring them with a black and white Clubhouse icon for the app. My friend, Zee Zee Williams, pictured in the middle, was featured with two other incredible women. It made me so happy to see her featured, she’s one of the many people I’ve met on this app that celebrates women (which I love).

How to use Clubhouse app to build relationships

Clubhouse vs. Twitter Spaces

I haven’t been able to replicate the same Clubhouse vibe in Twitter Spaces, there just seems to be a difference in nature. Still, I am still a believer that community is where you make it. It takes time to build relationships and trust even online. Although the hands have changed to Elon Musk, Twitter can be a tool that can help create change. Change is something that so many communities desperately need.

Audio apps have become more popular these days in order to engage in conversations about anything under the sun. Conversations exist for knitting, networking, singing, comedy, the latest news, support groups, mental health, community building, meditation, etc.

Here are some key differences between the two:

Availability: Clubhouse is currently only available on iOS devices. Alternatively, Twitter Spaces is available on both iOS and Android devices. This means that Twitter Spaces has a wider potential user base.
Size of User Base: Clubhouse currently has a smaller user base than Twitter, but it is growing rapidly. Twitter has a massive user base, with over 330 million monthly active users. This could potentially give Spaces an advantage in terms of exposure.
Discoverability: Clubhouse’s “hallway” feature allows users to easily discover new conversations and join rooms. Twitter Spaces currently relies on users sharing links to join conversations. This could make it harder for new users to discover and join Spaces conversations.
Moderation Tools: Twitter Spaces has more robust moderation tools, allowing hosts to mute, block, or remove users as needed. Clubhouse is still developing its moderation tools, which could lead to potential issues with harassment or abuse.
Integration with Other Platforms: Twitter Spaces is integrated with the larger Twitter platform. Spaces allows users to easily share and promote conversations. Clubhouse currently has limited integration with other platforms, although this could change as the platform evolves.

Overall, both Clubhouse and Twitter Spaces have their strengths and weaknesses. Clubhouse’s focus on community and discoverability, paired with Twitter Spaces’ wider availability and robust moderation tools. This could make both platforms useful for different purposes and audiences.

Investing in Intentionally

With anything worth spending your time in, it is wise to be intentional with the amount of time you dedicate to activities. I find it worthwhile to stop and ask yourself, “What am I getting out of this?” If the answer is: “connection” and that’s what you are striving for, Hallelujah! If the answer is the opposite, like: “it’s a waste of time.” Even realizing, “I’m not sure I understand how to forge connection here.” It’s okay to stop if you’ve already gave it some time and energy to engage on stages. Put it down. I personally take breaks in spacing that take up more time than I can dedicate. It is worth coming back to places I know where a community resides and get back into it if it is serving a purpose in my life.

How to Use Clubhouse app to build relationships and trust — How to use Clubhouse app to build relationships and trust

Meet Mimi Langley

Mimi lives in North Carolina and rocks Clubhouse rooms! I wanted to add her amazing resources on her website to guide you in Moderating in Clubhouse with her variety of Ebooks and Workbooks. She’s so thoughful, she’s a sweetheart, so gracious, she’s fun and silly and we love her!

What Does Mimi Say

Follow Mimi on CH

Non-profits: Heart-centered Marketing Message

Posted on February 27, 2023 - 6:47 pm by Heather DeVine

Heart-centered Marketing Message

I have a soft spot for non-profit organizations. I am in a unique position, both with experience working with non-profits marketing and as an Executive Director of a human services non-profit; there is much to learn and grow from sitting from both of those different perspectives.

Non-profit organizations are asked year after year: “what’s your ‘why’ and how will you show up to impact your community?” These questions are crucial because it keeps them on track and helps avoid mission creep. “Mission creep” is often used to caution against stepping too far beyond the organization’s mission statement. When non-profits remain focused, the impact can be so significant, measurable, and sustainable.

Non-profit Organizations with Heart

When I say “heart-centered,” I mean a genuine drive to connect and serve a need in the community.

Authentic non-profits with heart-centered messaging can magnetize supporters, donors, and volunteers to back their efforts. I attend workshops regularly, so I stay energized with how to connect to the community through the non-profit sector.

As a marketer, I am always curious about how to show up better and communicate the message effectively. Without the audience’s curiosity and willingness to adopt new pathways, we will most certainly miss significant opportunities. Ask yourself, “do I have a heart-centered marketing message?” Often I hear non-profits feeling that sense of stale messaging and the same old, same old, but the best way to avoid that stagnation in my mind is to have an outsider’s perspective.

Just ask your audience

Also, do not hesitate to ask your audience what they need or want. Not one person will be a key to your success, but the community as a whole can grant insight. Ask them, “how can we serve you better?” That simple question can allow the community to share in their mind what they need, and you can benefit from their feedback so your organization can continually serve and adapt to the identified need.

“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”
Albert Einstein

Random Acts of Kindness Week

The heart-centered work is timely, as Random Acts of Kindness Week (Feb 12-18) was just a few weeks ago. I have a soft spot for kindness campaigns myself. RAOK Week reminds all of us to be kinder every day. We don’t necessarily need an annual dedicated week, day, or month to be kind to one another. This little nudging reminder is just what many of us need.

I follow closely with national projects like Random Acts of Kindness Foundation and more localized efforts like Kindness Wyoming, which prioritize kindness. This is the second year I have participated in Kindness Wyoming’s Kit, where they send you ideas on how to show compassion for others. The kits are helpful and adaptable for households, workplaces, and classrooms. Now that’s what I call: heart-centered messaging!

Some takeaways:

Ask yourself: “why.”
Ask yourself: “how.”
Stay curious and keep learning – attend non-profit workshops
Be willing to adopt new pathways
Ask yourself: “do I have a heart-centered marketing message.”
Bring an outsider in to help gain a new perspective

This heart-centered messaging can pull in the interest from the community because that feel good connection can make all the difference. These tips also pertain to for-profit businesses because a business with heart, that’s always a good thing!

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