Technically - I'm on spring break this week with my kiddos.

We've been going on hikes around the James River and Belle Isle here in RVA (we love having so many amazing trails nearby).

We've been working in the yard, mapping out new garden beds, and building a fire pit to replace the kids playset (now that we have teens, I'm doing my best to make this the house where all the kids hangout).

We've watched the entire new series The Residence on Netflix - highly recommend if you need a good binge show!

And of course, the moment you take a break from your business is when you start to get the most clarity about what's next.

I've been thinking about what I accomplished in Q1:

🌟 Completely updated the Fired Up & Focused Challenge​

🌟 Published 8 New Video Episodes of Promote Yourself to CEO and re-launched the YouTube Channel​

🌟 6 Instagram Lives sharing updates and insights as I'm helping my clients navigate the current changes in the world

🌟 Streamlined the tech stack to reduce over all expenses and simplify our operations

🌟 Updated several of the automated email sequences that go along with all the free resources I've created over the years

🌟 Hosted 2 CEO Retreats (one in Richmond VA and one Virtually)

🌟 Welcomed new members into The CEO Collective​

The thing I'm most proud of accomplishing? Taking a stand with bolder content on all my channels.

I have gotten more unsubscribes than ever before with episodes of the podcast and Instagram lives calling out fascism, tyranny, and the impact it is making on the small business community.

I've been told I need to calm down and that I'm overreacting.

I've been told "I liked it more when you didn't talk about political stuff".

And at the same time - I've seen a massive uptick in my email subscribers and social media following.

I now get emails every week letting me know how much my recent episodes are appreciated.

I've gotten multiple invitations for speaking and interviews based on my recent content.

And I've had several clients decide to work with me specifically because I've been standing up and calling out what is happening.

But I'll be the first to tell you that Q1 wasn't the easiest three months in my business.

About 25% of my clients have been directly impacted by this administration, so I've been in triage mode helping them navigate funding that they lost, contracts that have disappeared, and tariffs increasing their cost of goods.

Many more of my clients have been seeing the shift in consumer confidence slowing down buying decisions and changing what people are spending their money on right now.

It's a lot to navigate as a small business owner! And you shouldn't have to go through it alone.

So today, I'm breaking all my own rules and opening up my calendar for some 1x1 strategy sessions.

If you've been wanting some experienced eyes on your business to help you make CEO level decisions and prioritize your next steps, book a time in my calendar.

I'd love to support you!

Racheal

Racheal Cook Founder of The CEO Collective​ Host of Promote Yourself to CEO Podcast​ ​​​​​

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