Relax Into a Refined Plan

A few deep breaths and an air of calm haven’t always been how I approach a new project. My early years were fueled by intensity and determination, backed by passion. These are helpful traits to access when entering a new chapter. However, a steady diet of intensity without a sprinkle of calm isn’t healthy. Like me, I’m guessing you’ve been there? I eventually learned that the addition of slow, peaceful moments is when the insights, ideas, and inspired planning come together.

It may seem ironic that allowing space to pause amid work schedules and commitments is what creates clarity. It’s true. Being open, moving lighter lets you write, think, and solve problems more clearly. Ease cracks open space for ideas to float to the surface.

This natural flow of ideas is what feeds your vision, whether it’s of next month or next year. The proactive choice to make time, focus on your future, and imagine what excites you draws you forward. And, when your day goes sideways, it’s your vision that brings you home, reminds you of your priorities, and the next step in your plan.

If you hold no vision, then you move at the whim of others. Your energy is drained by the lack of a cohesive thread or direction; it’s a road to nowhere. Don’t let reckless and random define your days. Instead, choose a relaxed approach to refine your plan and enjoy this next chapter.

If you're feeling the frustration of bouncing between what others think and dragging yourself across imaginary finish lines, it’s time to pause and take a breath. Refresh and reset. I invite you to join me in Dial Into Your Brilliance. It’s my new coaching capsule. I’m excited to be your guide as you define the next steps of your sustainable, fulfilling plan.

What if Your Vision Fits Your Life?

Are you holding on to your current life so tight that your dreams are slipping away? I talk to women who work so hard for what they have and think their only option is to choose between their dreams and the life they have today. What if it’s possible to create space, a world where you continue your growth and fulfillment, and savor what’s fun and fabulous in your life?

create a vision that savors the fulfilling, the fun, and the fabulous

There’s no magic wand required; it comes down to three things. Getting clear on what you want, defining next steps, and being devoted to your priorities.

Gaining clarity means first choosing your non-negotiables. What are the joys, the activities, the things that are the most important in your life? These elements remain a priority, and your body of work or business is threaded around them. Family gatherings, date night, dinner with friends, your art, journaling, reading, travel, long walks, etc. What is the life you’re creating?

Once you set your non-negotiables, you weave the work you love around these areas. This is the time to refresh and refine your plan. Write down the steps you want to take this quarter and add them to your calendar. Then, step back and take a look at what you’ve created. Does this schedule excite you, feel inspiring, offer you a chance to stretch and grow? Or are you exhausted looking at it? Be real. Move, extend, or change what doesn’t feel right in this chapter of your life. Your calendar speaks volumes, and as a smart, capable individual, you decide your timeline and path forward.

Lastly, being devoted to your schedule and to the priorities you’ve set makes all other decisions easy. It allows you to avoid temptations and time-wasters disguised as opportunities, activities that move you off track, and derail your plan. Because you take the time to get clear and make thoughtful decisions, you can say “yes” or “no” with confidence, choosing to stick to your plan and the exciting life you’re building.

As the CEO of your life, revisit and refresh your plan. Savor the fun and fulfillment with a vision that fits your next vibrant chapter.

Permission to Simplify

I heard a woman tell her friend that she was now in her late sixties and realized she didn’t want to work until 5 o’clock every day. It was a routine she had always done, and she decided to change it. When was the last time you took a moment to revisit your routine? This woman shared that she now works fewer days, and less hours. “I’ve earned it!” she declared.

Most of us entering what I fondly call the “seasoned and savvy” years were raised in an era of rigid job environments. Working from home wasn’t a real thing yet, and personal appointments? All squeezed into your lunch hour or after work. Sound familiar? I’ve caught myself in this pattern many times. It’s no wonder I hear so many women looking for a refresh.

Today, grant yourself permission to simplify. Instead of racing into the next project, take a moment to reset.

Notice how often your mind tries to turn back to old, ingrained work habits. While there is always more to do as a business owner, there is also more time than we tell ourselves. Watch how often your brain suggests that more work and more hours are the only answer.

This time, question your thinking. Redirect with one simple question: How can I make this easy? Your answers might surprise you. You can continue to learn and grow without the stress and pressure. Choose to simplify.

Here are examples of how to invite more ease into your plan:

• Can you expand your timeline by a day, a week, or a month? Not from the energy of procrastination or fear, but from a place of completing the details with a fresh and rested perspective.

• Can you launch your project in two stages instead of finishing everything upfront? This allows you to keep moving forward with flexibility.

• Who can help you? It takes a village.

• Do you need to fully bake every step in your plan? Or, can you begin with solid first steps and outline the rest? Tweak and update as you go.

As you explore ways to simplify, avoid letting your mind turn to thoughts of shutting the whole idea down or giving up. That’s not the point of a refresh. When you find yourself white-knuckling, limiting your creativity, or struggling to enjoy the flow of ideas, take a step back.

Adjusting your plan comes with the confidence of having a strong, centered foundation. It’s what I call dialing into your brilliance. Once you’ve dialed in to who you’re becoming and where you’re headed, every decision becomes much easier.

The Luxury of Letting Go

What if the key to our growth and fulfillment is letting go? Instead of adding more, what if we ease our grip and shake loose restraints?

We’re so used to piling on as a first option. Ask yourself, where are you holding back, restricting, instead of moving freely? Before you do more, release the limits you’ve placed on yourself. Are you staying silent when your ideas make a difference? Are you hiding your passions and skills, thinking they’re not quite ready?

Make space, move lighter, dream bigger.

When I look closely, I find there’s still plenty to release, like nonsense, for starters. I’ve also lovingly let go of relationships that live in lack, people who focus on the negative without a helpful idea or meaningful action in sight.

Moving freely means choosing topics and conversations that inspire you, owning your brilliance, and meeting with people who joyfully hold space for you and encourage forward momentum. It does not mean rigid perfection.

What if we let go of NOT speaking up? We invest time and/or resources in causes and organizations we believe in, and make our voices heard. Say what feels genuine, share your stories, which inspires another, and the ripple effect continues.

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.

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.