Sparkling Sentiments (Notes that get noticed)

There’s no better way to set your message apart than with a handwritten note. As a business owner, coach, and human, I find thoughtful sentiments are a beautiful gift in this rushed, rambunctious world.

Simple in design yet powerful in impact, words of compassion and cheer shine brighter than any designer tag or trending toy.

The magic of cards and letters is often overlooked amid the tinsel and treats of the holiday season. Your wishes of calm, congratulations, or encouragement will melt the heart of any Scrooge in the bunch.

Today, I’m here to help you connect in warm and wonderful ways with family, friends, and clients. You’ll find tips for sending your most genuine message, and ways to add a dash of dazzle to your notes, sure to be saved and shared.

Short, simple, a kind sentiment.

One of the most common questions I hear is about what to say in a card. When the right words aren’t coming to mind, think: One moment, one memory, one message.

Decide on a single focus for your note. Reference an experience together that brings back fond memories, or meet them where they are in hard times, with a note of care. When cheer is the mission, celebrate the small and big wins - the trip, project, race, or business launch. It’s not how much you say; it’s the thoughtfulness that leaves a lasting impression. Watch this short video (Instagram reel) for more.

Dazzle & Details

Personalizing your note is easier than ever, with the addition of artisan tape, specialty pens, and unique stamps. Pick one option, or include them all (my choice, of course!).

Marker casings, like this black and white design from Sherpa, allow you to easily switch the pen color based on the season or event. It also makes it more fun to write when you have a little dazzle in your desk drawer! Frixion pens are another favorite, for their colorful, erasable selection.

A Creative Complement

Stamps are no longer a boring utility in the mail process. The colorful varieties available let you choose causes, occasions, and designs that are genuine to you. Accents like these, round button-like stamps, offer creative choices to complement your message. Be sure to peruse your USPS stamp choices; you might be surprised at what you find.

The Surprise Seal

If you receive a note from me, odds are good there’s tape across the back. You’ll find unlimited options to match a letter's mood and purpose. (Explore Washi tape if you need a place to start.) In my experience, the element of surprise (when you turn the card over) is always welcome. People love an extra touch that is fun and festive, or mirrors the contents. And, it’s an opportunity to highlight your personality too.

Whether it’s the holidays or anytime during the year, the few minutes you spend on a handwritten note will leave a lasting impression on the person who opens it.

Beauty: More than a view, it's your door.

Instead of looking at beauty as an ancillary concept, what if beauty is a key to elevated, creative thinking?

Consider this mindset shift: Defining beauty on your terms isn’t a frivolous exercise. When you place yourself in your premium environment, it invites, allows, and encourages you to think differently. Why? Because you’ve surrounded yourself with elements that are genuine and meaningful to you.

Don’t settle for the cluttered chaos of other people’s definitions. When you claim what beauty means to you, you're not living in the land of wishful thinking; you’re immersed in an environment that sparks your mind and raises the bar on how you think, move, and operate your business.

Here are tangible ways to use your definition of beauty to shift into your full potential. See how this concept can work for you and how it has evolved for me.

Define It
Define what it is you call “beauty.” You can’t absorb its magic if you haven’t identified what it means. What images, activities, or experiences inspire you, bring calm, and clear your mind?

For example, being outdoors is my definition of beauty. I’m not hiking the highest peaks; I’m the trail walker and sunrise stroller. It inspires me, helps me breathe deeper, and gives me a fresh perspective. I’ve been doing this for years and thought it was just what I did in my downtime.

Once you define it, seek to create subtle, simple, and sensational ways to weave this inspiration into your life. For me, it means candle scents in birch, pine, ocean, and other aromas fill my studio. Photos and artisan decor representing these scenes are displayed throughout my home and office.

Taking this step will allow you to find more joy, renewed excitement, and calming fulfillment. Consider how this powerful energy enables you to think differently in your work.

Pay Attention to Your Passions
What do you love to do when you’re alone with time? I walk each week in neighborhoods and parks. I’m up at sunrise to witness the serenity of daybreak, and I take a lot of pictures everywhere I go. I also value quality, unique print products; magazines (yes, the ones you hold), stationery, cards, bookmarks, journals. And, I write, I note what I’m thinking, jot down ideas. All the time. For years, I considered these separate from business. Until now.

When Beauty Meets Business
A few years back, I was taking photos outdoors for our artisan gift business at clients’ home properties. This activity sparked a connection with another long-held passion, a love of print elements. After years of this creative current running under the surface, the light bulb switched on, and I began experimenting. I could use these photos to create postcards as a thank-you gift for the homeowners. They could use them as notes to invite others to come and visit. Suddenly (Well, this took years to figure out!), I combined print, artisan gifts, and photos to create a product, a gift for others - a meaningful combination.

The door in my mind opened, leading to new product ideas and expanded thinking, events, and collaborations. Now, it allows me to stretch beyond focusing only on traditional business topics to a powerful blend of beauty, brilliance, and business savvy - more of what I truly enjoy.

Moving forward, you’ll see the impact of this combination in my quest to inspire and elevate seasoned and savvy women in business.

Ask yourself, where do you see beauty? What passions are you overlooking that can add excitement to your daily work? How might these create opportunities to impact your business bottom line?

Practice weaving the work you love around the life that fulfills you.

Photo examples of how defining beauty, owning my brilliance, and elevating my business savvy moved me toward new ideas and next steps. Visit the new Collection!

Opportunity Rewards Those in Motion

It’s tempting to wait for the approval, the likes, the confirmation, and then move forward. Most people can’t dream as big as you, can’t imagine what’s possible. What if you have to take the first step before the next door opens? 

When I launched a media business years ago to write about entrepreneurs and startups, it was before LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Other than word of mouth, there was no way for people to hear the exciting things that startups were doing - the clutch hires, the strategic deals, the angel and venture investments. Regional magazines and business journals were only writing about the big corporate news; they didn’t have the interest or ability to see the wave of local content coming, the innovation economy on the horizon. 

At the time, I worked for an organization investing in entrepreneurship and tech businesses. I pitched them on the idea of letting me write a weekly newsletter to distribute across the region - to investors, talent for hire, economic development leaders, and other founders looking for connection and inspiration. I was passionate about sharing the startups’ accomplishments and believed in the momentum this news would create across the region. The organization said no. So, I launched the business on the side, and eventually, I left my full-time job. Later, that same organization became one of my biggest advertisers. You know what they said, “Who knew?!” 

What if you see it now? What if it’s your vision that leads others? Don’t wait for those who can’t see what’s possible or don’t share your passion. Put the work you are called to do out there, share your ideas, talents, or products. Opportunities reward those in motion. Post the photos, tell your story, invite buyers and business. There are tons of ways to test the waters now. (The beauty of social media.) What’s one next step you can take today to move your dream forward? 

Navigating the Unexpected

How do you navigate change when the waters turn murky and the way forward shifts without warning? You’re more in control than you think.

Clients, colleagues, and friends are adjusting to unexpected changes impacting their lives in immediate and unpredictable ways. If you enjoy life long enough, this is part of the journey. I have been there many times.

I used to believe I had no control over this. Now, I know how I think about these challenges will either slow or speed the arrival of my next opportunity.

With time and intention, we add skills, resources, and different ways of thinking to our toolbox. These skills help you process situations with grace, self-love, and determination. Know that on the other side of uncertainty are opportunities and new beginnings. Keep moving forward.

As Duke women’s basketball coach Kara Lawson says, “We learn to deal with hard better.”

When you find yourself navigating change, drop these two skills into your mental toolbox to guide you to your next opportunity:

Look through the lens of possibility. Revisit your past experiences, capture your milestone moments, and turning points. Look with an eye on the lessons and skills you extracted from both the good and the grind. Write down each skill you gained. What happened, and what skills translate to your next chapter? (Resilience, calm in crisis, project management?)

Adjust your perspective, not focused on an industry, company, or employer. Note all you gained that is useful and sets you apart - communication, problem solving, team leadership, or something else? Craft your unique founder story (Read more on this here.), meaning your foundation story, whether you’re entering a new job, career, or launching a business. Tell your story of inspiration and growth. Be proud of what you’ve accomplished, overcome, and learned.

Adopt “yes, and…” thinking, create a path forward. Acknowledge that things aren’t great, recognize you’re in the midst of sadness or challenges, AND that you can take one step forward. Don’t stop at rehashing circumstances; add the “and” to finish with what’s next: And, I can call a friend for help, write the email, brainstorm ideas, or rest. It’s a subtle shift that makes a big difference. You’re not dwelling on the situation; you open a way forward. Catch yourself next time you’re tempted to stop at the crisis thinking, add the “and” to see how it pulls you forward.

This isn’t the time to shrink. Stay the course, be proactive with what’s in your sights that inspires and elevates your thinking. Learning to navigate the unexpected will lead to your next vibrant chapter.

Follow the Breadcrumbs

Rummaging around the shelves of a cozy bookstore in Middlebury, Vermont, I came across an old friend, Stephen King’s book, On Writing. I bought it for the second time.

I read this book at least 15 years ago, and loved it. Considering I avoid most Stephen King movies (I don’t like scary flicks), this was somewhat of a surprise. Once finished, I gave the book to my nephew, who was studying creative writing, and away it went. One line in the book has stayed with me all these years, “...the road to hell is paved with adverbs...” I don’t know why I remember it, but I think of it every time I’m tempted to use an adverb.

King refers to his book as “a memoir of the craft,” which is why I purchased it the first time. It’s not a biography, though he shares funny stories of how he developed as an author (writing at six years old!) and tales of surviving childhood antics with his brother. If you’re interested in learning more about storytelling or how this renowned author was “formed,” as he calls it, I highly recommend the book.

It feels like some kind of sign that On Writing popped onto my radar, again. I had just started reading The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron’s book, which has been mentioned to me several times. I bought it over a year ago and set it on the shelf, before plucking it off to take on this trip. I had no idea it was a twelve-week guide to uncover more inspired creativity. All I knew about it was the “morning pages” concept (which I love!). One week into Cameron’s book, I discovered On Writing again. What are the odds? My gut tells me these two things are connected. I don’t know where this all leads, but I’m willing to explore.

For those of you sifting through your creative interests, I say, follow the breadcrumbs. This could feel like a nagging idea that sticks with you, a recurring nudge, or something that pulls you to try. It may open new ways of thinking, a unique customer approach, or a different product design. One thing I do know is the value of following your intuition. Listen to your gut, take a step towards that nudge, and see where it takes you. (I’d love to hear what you decide in the comments below.)

Where Do I Find the Money?

At this year’s ASMS 2025 Entrepreneurship session, money and where to find it were among the top questions asked of our panel. Since I launched and ran two state innovation and funding programs during my career, I was asked to join this panel. As a result of that experience, I’ve seen dozens of academic founders come and go.

With so much interest in this topic, I’ve highlighted the actions of successful academic founders and teams who moved through the programs (including life sciences) - those who got off to a fast start, attracted early funds, and built momentum. (Even if you’re not a faculty or student entrepreneur, most of these concepts will apply to you, too.) While this is not an exhaustive list, it represents the energy, thinking, and determination required.

It would be great if venture investors would write you a $5 million check to kickstart your brilliant idea. However, as a first-time entrepreneur, you can choose to lose time waiting for that check or roll up your sleeves and take control of your narrative.

It’s time to skill up and get scrappy.

ASMS 2025 Entrepreneurship panel - Jennifer Hammaker 2nd from left, (Red & Rugged), Jarrod Sandow (Ion Optics, Inc.), Oliver Rinner (Biognosys), and Craig Asher (OMX Ventures), with fantastic facilitation by Lindsay Pino in the pink (Talus Bio) and Paula Burton (Mass Dynamics) on the far right.

Instead of asking an investor for $5 million, break down your milestones or goals into smaller chunks - what can you accomplish with $250K or $500K to chip away at meaningful milestones? Who will trust you with $5 million (or $100 million) if you don’t know what to do with a quarter million?

Apply to pitch contests aligned with your goals. $50K is better than zero, and you can get more than just a financial boost. A pitch contest will force you to practice telling your story in 3 - 5 minutes - in cohesive, business language. You’ll use this skill forever!

Anyone without a PhD should be able to understand your innovation - and easily explain it to a friend! You’ll meet plenty of valuable advisors who are not well-versed in your specific area, but who can assist, if they understand what you’re doing.

No one buys (or invests, or opens doors) when they are confused by your message.

Research the people judging the pitch contest. Have the panel members built financially successful businesses, exited, and/or invested in companies in your space? If so, they likely have connections and experience that can accelerate your journey. This may be the easiest access you’ll ever have to these people.

Find a pitch contest that understands visibility (earned media) and promotes participants across social media, their newsletter list, and on LinkedIn. Will participating help get your name out there so investors, advisors, and industry thought leaders can start reading about you?

Look for specialty grants in your focus area. Research grant options available inside your university, typically $50K - $100K funded by a former successful academic, alum etc.

Find out if funds are connected to a regional, community-based, or campus-affiliated incubator - typically around $25K. How can you access these funds?

Find your state’s top innovation and entrepreneurship organization. (For example, in PA, it’s Ben Franklin Technology PArtners, and in MD, it’s TEDCO.) This is an organization typically funded by the state whose mission is to take earlier risks in order to build a thriving innovation ecosystem or community. (These are not policy-making organizations; they do not replace a bank, nor do they award free money for foolish ideas.) They may have an early-stage non-dilutive grant option (and yes, there will be paperwork if awarded, so get over this issue before you apply.) Funds are often in the $100,000+ per award.

Make friends with your tech transfer office (TTO). Investors and corporate partners call them first. Whether you need a patent or not, you want your TTO talking about what you’re doing and why you are one to watch. Keep them informed and give them a reason to champion you.

Apply to a regional NSF I-Corps program. This gives you more pitch practice in front of industry professionals. Blow the doors off the required business appointments to separate yourself from the pack. Learn how to ask questions and how to listen openly. Make the most of this program.

Get people talking about you. Demonstrate your willingness to do what it takes: piece funds together, build momentum, create buzz, and gain visibility. These are things you can do right now.

With the above effort, we watched teams and founders consistently clear the first financial hurdle of $250,000 - $500,000. This combination works if you’re willing to put in the effort.

Is this hard work? - in addition to your day job of lab time, teaching, grant requirements, etc. Yes. Welcome to building a company. It is not for everyone, and it’s okay if this doesn’t interest you.

For those called to this life, know it’s a long game. In addition to a potential financial payoff, it is the pride, fulfillment, and accomplishment of learning to put your skills, vision, and technology out into the world, into the hands of people whose lives are positively impacted. No matter the result, you are learning, growing, and acquiring valuable skills.

Fuel Your Foundation

It’s not just the warm breezes and sunshine that highlight this season; summer invites you to indulge in quieter moments as you fuel your foundation.

The shift in weather, the relaxed schedules, and the impulse to travel encourage living in vivid color, leaning into creativity, and following the urge to open the doors and explore.

It’s no coincidence that the midpoint of the year arrives in sync with such a luxurious season. Nature offers us the chance to radiate new energy, refresh our thinking, and rejuvenate our plan for moving in a chosen direction.

Here are 10 distinct ways to savor the season as you cultivate your path forward.

Routines that Radiate

1. Rise and recharge - decide to step outside to watch the sunrise or sunset at least once a week this summer. Nature’s canvas does not disappoint.

2. Shift one Zoom call or meeting to a walk, be in motion while you motivate, learn, or listen.

The OOH! Effect

3. Free valuable mind space by moving all that cluttered thinking Out Of your Head (OOH!) onto paper. Start each week by writing down the challenges, ideas, and questions that fill your brain. Without judgement. Yes, all those consuming thoughts you keep rehashing. Review each one on paper and ask yourself: Is this true? Is this something that needs to be handled now? Decide to delegate it, delight in doing it, or delete it. Watch as fresh creative ideas and clear thinking come rolling in.

Bloom from Beginning to End

4. Note your top three priorities to start each day.

5. Name three wins (big or small) each evening before lights out. Teach your brain that good things are happening every day. Look for the evidence.

6. Highlight the details of one memorable, positive experience from each week in your journal.

Nourish Your Network

7. Connect with a different colleague, collaborator, creative, or funny character in your life at least once each month. Liven things up with new faces over coffee, lunch, or drinks.

Summertime Sizzle

8. Pour in what nourishes you, from books and podcasts to festive beverages. Read Brianna Wiest’s The Pivot Year or The Life That’s Waiting; her strong, soulful words will nudge you to keep going. On a hot summer day, try a glass of Athletic Brewing’s spirit-free Ripe Pursuit in Lemon Radlar. This zesty beer will wake up your taste buds!

9. Clear out. Good riddance to stale thinking, habits, or people in your life who no longer support your dreams and ambitions. Clean house in all ways and create space for your summer sparkle and success. Pick one today and begin the purge.

10. Capture the colorful. Snap those beautiful photos of the flowers, parks, beaches, and mountain views. Fill your memories with what delights you. Keep these pictures for your future book, your fabulous client emails, or postcards of inspiration when the weather or your mood needs an influx of sunny disposition.

Make the most of this opportunity to breathe in more basking, reflecting, and laughing. Then allow this energy and fresh thinking to turn into ideas and next steps for a fabulous finish to the year.

Your Train is Leaving the Station

What’s the energy you create in meetings and conversations? Are you in motion, excited about where you’re going, sharing your next steps?

I love riding the train, especially the moment it pulls away from the station. That’s why I equate the energy of successful founders with the “All Aboard” mentality. People can join you on this fabulous journey or choose to watch you go.

Customers, future clients, and business colleagues feel the energy of someone on the move. No one wants to be left behind and miss the chance to be part of something fresh and exciting.

Don’t get stuck thinking there’s only one way to spark momentum. While stories of client sales make for great sharing, there are other ways to attract interest in you and your business, especially in the early days.

Here are five examples (other than sales) of how to generate the vibe of excitement around your new business.

1. What upcoming events are you attending? Is the event full of interesting speakers who are intriguing, inspiring, and not easily accessible? Who will you meet? Will you be learning new skills, ideas that you can’t wait to share to assist customers?

2. Are you posting valuable content? Are you writing an amazing blog or sharing video tips, steps, lessons that add value, a new experience, or a new way of thinking for your customers?

3. What new products are coming? Share your excitement for the next product you plan to launch or a recent addition. How is the product different from the competition, and how does it aid your clients? What unique features does this product offer?

4. Have you been asked to speak? Being asked to speak or host a workshop adds credibility to you and your business. By speaking on panels, as keynotes, and in workshops, you demonstrate that others value your knowledge, skills, and experience. Make the most of the aligned opportunities.

5. Are you attracting new vendors or partners? What will this new talent bring to your existing products, services, or events? Share what’s fresh, exclusive, or one-of-a-kind about this new business partner or vendor.

In the early days of business, it’s all about the energy you bring to the table. When you’re enthusiastic about your plan and the path you’ve created for yourself, others will be too, and sales will follow.

Magnify Your Momentum

What causes the biggest delay in making sales as an entrepreneur? It’s hiding behind screens. 

In the early days, when you’re trying to build traction, old-fashioned shoe leather is the ultimate tool, and it’s one many try to avoid. We trick ourselves into believing that social media will drive sales, and for the majority of solopreneurs, especially those new to the role, it doesn’t happen. 

The benefits of human-to-human meetings are unmatched. You learn a ton of valuable information when you see their expressions, hear their questions, objections, and gauge their enthusiasm. This priceless insight informs a wealth of areas, including your messaging, content, and product development. 

One strategy that’s worked for me is to begin with a single geographic area, one immediately around you. Start where you’re known and already have connections. Networking is easier in familiar territory, as it allows you to meet future customers in person and return for follow-up appointments. It’s also efficient. 

While it’s tempting to hide behind your screens, don’t be fooled into relying on social media and the noise it creates in your head, not to mention the time it takes. Step into the field, lead with you, your passion for helping customers solve a pressing problem, and your enthusiasm for your product or service. 

As you move through these client interactions, you can then post on social media what you learn, where you go, and what’s happening behind the scenes—a beautiful blend of online and in-person. 

This is how you magnify your momentum. You meet contacts, expand your connections, fill your knowledge toolbox, like a domino effect, opening one door and then another.

Dial into Your Brilliance

Defining your brilliance creates a fabulous energy that puts you in control of the day and your future. How often do we get thrown off track from the morning’s mission? When that happens, how do you rally your reset?

Imagine turning the dial back to your brilliance each day.

Some say they don’t have time to think about this, but I ask, how can you not? When you avoid turning your internal dial to its success setting, you lose time, energy, and impact. By focusing on how you want to show up, you stay on point with essential business and commit to actions that accomplish your goals - not someone else’s.

When we let others decide our strengths and savvy, we're at the whim of the day and their opinion of what’s best for us. That’s when less appealing options take root. Anxiety and distraction creep in while our energy drains. Don’t let others trim your colorful, unique advantage and hinder your growth.

Take a moment today to choose the words that describe you at your best. Pick three words that resonate with your success setting. How do you define your best self as you build and stretch? It may be words like determined, calm, creative, powerful, elegant, or unstoppable. Or something completely different - the point is, you make the choice.

Ground yourself in the truth of what makes you bloom, and nurture this declaration daily.