Dreams of an Aspirational Woman

“I want to come. Just let me ask my husband for permission.” This is what my Armenian friend said to me the other day, when I invited her to come to an event I was holding. In my town in Armenia, this is not an unusual thing to hear from married women, and often the answer is, “No, you can’t go.”

I left with her words ringing in my head, and memories of conversations I’ve had with this woman and other women in my town—conversations about ambitious dreams of going to University and joining the working world as a professional—desires that were ended with marriage and babies, and the expectation that the woman would stop wanting more than that.

Laura and I recently jumped over a fire, in celebration of spring, and in the hopes that our wishes will come true in the upcoming year.

I arrived home to an email in my inbox advertising an online course by Brendon Burchard, an expert in speaking, coaching, writing, online marketing, and leading seminars.

I am an American woman, and I can do whatever I want. I believe that. So, because I could, I jumped at the chance to better myself, to learn more, to aspire towards greatness, to do whatever I wanted, with no one there to tell me no. I signed up for Experts Academy.

I want to start my own successful business, and I feel like this is a step in the right direction, getting some additional knowledge under my belt. I am learning that I am already capable of so much more than I give myself credit for.

You think that only great writers can publish a book? Well, have you ever read a crappy book?

You think that only accomplished speakers can give a keynote address? Well, have you ever listened to a bad speech?

You think that only wise, experienced, credential-laden people can be coaches? Well, have you ever paid for bad advice?

You think that you have to know everything on a topic to offer an e-course? Well, have you ever been able to help someone out who knows even less than you do? Were they grateful???

Hmmmmmmmmm.

I know that what I can offer is of higher quality than the worst that’s out there, so if people are already paying for the worst, they would be thrilled to pay me for more value, right?

I think so.

There are tons of other women out there, already pursuing their dreams, who are my inspiration. Like them, I want to create a business and take it to the next level. Like them, I want to be willing to try something and see how it works, then change it to make it better the next time around. Like them, I want to offer myself and my abilities to others and see how I’m received. Like them, I aspire towards greatness! I hope to succeed and grow and learn just like them. 

I'm looking to the future, with the following women as my inspiration.

Now, I want to take a moment to recognize a few specific women who I know well and who I admire. I have been keeping an eye on them during my Peace Corps service and have watched them (and their businesses!) grow with time and perseverance. Without them even realizing it, they have been inspiring me from thousands of miles away. So thank you.

Ապրեք և շնորհավոր բոլորին

Great job, and congratulations to you all on your amazing work!

Heather Anderson
Post Road Vintage

Heather has been my friend for forever. In many ways, our lives are drastically different—she’s been married for more years than I’ve been lacking a steady job, and she has more kids than I could count on one hand if I was missing a finger (at least I think 5 is the current number). She has always been really into crafts, and awhile back opened her own Etsy store, selling handmade and vintage items. Then she made a blog about farmhouse decorating ideas, and her own online store, and has now branched out into selling a seasonal e-magazine, calendars, hands-on courses, and just rolled out a new e-course! This woman is incredible! I love reading about everything she’s up to, and I love the way she keeps it real. Throughout it all, she has kept her unique down-to-earth voice, and I admire her for that.

Heather makes homemade soaps, teaches how to make these mason jar soap dispensers, and also has pigs.

Brita Haapala
Brita Caroline Photography

I love Brita’s pictures and the story-telling that goes along with them. While I’m in Armenia, I especially love that she photographs a lot of people and places I know, and she captures their very essence, so I feel like I’m right there with her. She photographed my brother’s wedding, which I missed, and she got it just right, getting pictures of all the goofball moments in my family. (Click the links for 3 different blog entries from Brita about my brother’s wedding.)

These are some of the pictures taken by Brita on my brother's wedding day. This is my brother and his wife, a different brother, and one of my nephews.

Kaye offers info that is helpful even if you're not a military spouse.

Kaye Putnam
The Successful Military Wife

Kaye started out as a photographer in high school, and I always admired her photography skills. She has since married into a military lifestyle, and recently started a business helping other military spouses find ways to create portable businesses and create their own “massive success.”

She interviews other successful women to help tell their stories, and gives a lot of really good advice on how to start an online business. The products she’s selling are awesome: small business marketing consultation and small business/career accountability calls.

Loretta Ellenson
A Finn in the Kitchen

I don’t know if Loretta is making money with her blog just yet, but she’s heading in that direction! She loves to cook, and shares her amazing recipes with the rest of us, along with fun stories to go along with the main course. Every single one of her recipes makes me drool, and I asked her once to put together a meal for me that I could make in Armenia. She happily obliged, which was totally awesome!

Loretta is a Finn, and makes magic in the kitchen. You can't tell me your mouth isn't watering right now!

Lia Peterson
Vienna Glenn Photography

I don’t actually know Lia that well, but I know of her family and have been to see her mother once, for applied kinesiology (different story). Once I discovered Lia’s blog and photography business, though, I couldn’t stay away. I love that she takes amazing pictures, blogs on a regular basis, talks about subjects that interest me, holds photography workshops, and also does some video. She has a regular feature called Thrifty Thursday, which is also fun for me, especially since my wardrobe is severely lacking in beautiful things right now.

Lia's photography is amazing, and her lovely character shines through all of her writing.

So those are some of the women who currently inspire me. There are tons more, including those in my own family—my grandma, my mom, my older sister, my three younger sisters, and all four of my sisters-in-law.

Thank you, women of the world, for being wonderful and for being you!