Favorite Daughter LLC

Hello, fall. 🍂

The season of crisp mornings, changing leaves, sweaters that you regret wearing by 2 p.m., and convincing yourself that buying another decorative pumpkin is completely reasonable.

Happy first day of fall!

In case you missed it: My September blog is about making sure the rest of the year doesn't just happen to your business.

Because plans change. Businesses change. And something that seemed incredibly important in January might not deserve your time anymore.

But something else might.

There's still plenty of time left in 2026 to make progress on the things that matter. You just have to decide what those things are.

Don’t Let the Year Happen to You is up now on the Favorite Daughter website.

Give it a read, then tell me: What's one thing you want to make sure happens before the end of the year?

On the Front Burner is officially back from summer break tomorrow, and I'm kicking off the new season with Shelley J. Mathews Creative.

She's a violinist. An educator. A creative strategist. And someone who knows firsthand that a career doesn't have to follow one straight path to make sense.

Tune in for a new conversation about the twists, turns, and opportunities that shape the work we do.

🔥 On the Front Burner
📅 Tomorrow, September 22nd
📍 on YouTube

See you there!

Wishing a meaningful Yom Kippur to all who observe.

May this day of reflection bring peace, clarity, and a meaningful start to the year ahead.

Did you mark your calendar?

On the Front Burner will be back on Tuesday, September 22nd, with a brand-new conversation featuring violinist, educator, and creative strategist Shelley J. Mathews Creative.

We’ll talk about building a career that has evolved in some unexpected directions, how Shelley has brought together the different pieces of her professional life, and what she’s learned along the way.

I have a feeling we're going to have a lot to talk about.

📅 September 22nd
📍 on YouTube

Hope you'll join us On the Front Burner!

September is my birthday month, which always gets me thinking about the passage of time.

And somehow, there's now more of 2026 behind us than ahead of us.

Before you panic: I'm not suggesting another business reset. We've done enough resetting this year.

Instead, I'm asking a different question:
Knowing what you know about your business today, what do you want to make sure happens before this year is over?

That's the idea behind my September blog: Don’t Let the Year Happen to You.

I'm sharing three things I think business owners should consider as we head into fall—including why it may be time to dust off the holiday folder.

Yes, already. Sorry.

Read the full blog on the Favorite Daughter website.

We’re back!

After a summer break, On the Front Burner returns September 22nd, and I have a great guest to kick things off: Shelley J. Mathews Creative.

Shelley is a professional violinist, educator, and creative strategist whose career has taken her from orchestras and opera to performing with artists including The Who and Rod Stewart. Now, she’s in an entirely new chapter helping musicians and creatives communicate who they are and what they do.

In other words, her career path is one that has definitely not been a straight line. Which makes her perfect for On the Front Burner.

Over our summer break, we had time to rethink how we host these conversations. The good news is, you don't have to worry about missing the live stream, because we will now be posting the full conversations (and shorts) on our YouTube Channel!

Subscribe to us on YouTube and turn on our notifications to catch this conversation about creativity, career pivots, and figuring out what comes next.

Wishing a sweet and happy new year to all who celebrate Rosh Hashanah. 🍎🍯

May the year ahead bring you health, happiness, and plenty of reasons to celebrate.

Shanah Tovah!

25 Years.

♥️NY

Long ago, I learned that one of the best things a business can do is to invite a guest back.

I don't remember if I learned this in a college course or on the job, but it has stuck with me. It might seem like dated advice, but I believe, as humans, we want to feel welcome.

Here are some recent examples where it not only made me feel like a valued customer, but reminded me how simple this approach can be.

1. All Set Restaurant & Bar gives you your check with this paper wallet. Inside, you find information on their Saturday Pancake Party—I live about a mile from this place and that is how I learned about the Pancake Party (someone come with me!). It also included Happy Hour details and business cards.

2. Swift Running US is a new(ish) sneaker brand that is woman-owned and based in Columbia, MD. I met the founder, Pooja, as a mentor with SEED SPOT. A simple Thank You note in the box. They also sent a free pair of socks, but somehow it's the thank you that stuck with me! Also, the shoes are great if you're looking for a new brand that is reasonably priced.

3. I always stress when taking my 8-year-old car to the mechanic. I've been going to Far East Motors for years. The crew there is very helpful and they do great work. This time, they handed me this bag of cookies with a note thanking me and asking for a review. Risky, right? What if my review is bad?? But you gotta ask for reviews in this algorithmic world. I asked them, "Did you get a new marketing person?" They replied, "Yes! How did you know?" I just know.