Boudoir for business
Back in mid 2020 I felt the stirrings of change within my business and almost overnight it became clear that my website needed, no wanted, a refresh. Generally that’s how I work. I feel the change coming and while it may take time, when clarity comes it’s usually very, very clear and I am ready to act.
What was first going to be a “face lift” turned into a major brand overhaul, which included hiring a business strategist to get clear on my unique offers, investing in a complete new web design and working with a photographer to visually capture a totally different look.
It wasn’t my intention to take new photos for this website - I wanted to keep my costs low and thought I could get away with using some shots from a recent retreat. But the more I sat with it, the more I realized that this approach didn’t feel fun, and it didn’t feel like it aligned with everything I teach around running a business intuitively.
Understanding desire
Recently I have leaned more and more into feminine teachings, especially in business. Most business trainings and coaches (even those who identify as feminine or even feminist) operate from a more masculine perspective.
A masculine approaches teaches more or less:
Here’s the formula for success
Here’s the structure to follow to get a certain outcome
Growth is linear (ie hard work equals money)
Focus on the outcomes you wish to achieve
Whereas a feminine approach teaches:
You don’t really know what you want (but the Universe does and will support you if you let her)
There’s no one path to success
Growth is cyclical
Focus on the feelings behind what you want
Living and leading from a more feminine place has been a complete shift for me… I’ve seen the positive impact this shift has had on my life and business, and also the lives and businesses of my clients who I’ve been sharing these teachings with.
desire is one way our intuition speaks to us. While you might not know exactly what’s best for you, your Higher Self does and it uses emotions (like desire) to point you to the people, places and experiences that are for your highest and best good.
Unfortunately this is not what capitalism and patriarchy teaches us. We’re taught to be wary of our desires, that pleasure is good but it doesn’t necessarily have a place in a business or in a boardroom, especially as a woman.
I used to follow the rules. I used to think hard work was the only road to professional success.
I now know that this is not the only truth, it's not the only way.
Following your pleasure can be an excellent business strategy.
Listening to my desires in business
When I first found my photographer’s work, I immediately knew I wanted to do a shoot with her. The images were stunning, captivating and beautifully feminine. Not in the magazine model or Instagram influencer way, but in the real woman in her body, in her power way.
As it came to light that my website wanted a bigger re-haul, I knew I would book Hannah to do my photos, which was a big step for me: this was the most I’d invested in photography, and I’d never done anything like this (BOUDOIR) before.
This was a choice I made from pure desire, and I’m so glad I followed that call of my soul.
The photoshoot ended up being an incredibly empowering experience. Not only was Hannah able to photograph the woman I am today, I also feel that she saw and captured the woman I am becoming.
And while I can’t yet tell you in dollars what the return on this investment will be, I already know it was worth every penny and every moment.
Also, the dollar ROI is not the whole point. I got so much out of the process, and the outcome was beyond what I could have hoped for.
A website is a projection into the world. It says this is the dream I see for myself, the dream I see for you and the future I see for the world.
So what do I see in this new site?
Magic.
Embracing the darkness.
A woman in her power.
A portal to a new reality.
Possibility.
Pleasure.
Freedom.
I hope you see all these things too.
An invitation for you…
Next time you have a decision to make, small or big, business or personal, I invite you to tune into your desires.
If this isn’t something you’re used to doing (or isn’t something you’re used to doing outside of the privacy of your bedroom), here are some questions you can use to connect:
What am I most inspired by?
What feels like fun?
How can I invite in more joy?
And take your next step from there.