Hey Reader,

This week has been a w-e-e-k. Between homecoming chaos (it literally rained on our parade) and the dentist breaking one of my kids' braces, I'm choosing to lean hard into the calm-before-the-Q4/end-of-year-storm.

I'm lighting my fall candles & hunkering down for the next couple of weeks to get my own business ready for it. Planning Q4. Mapping out marketing. Creating things ahead of time. Basically making myself the client for once and giving my little corner of the internet the full Mia Thermopolis treatment.

But first: the post-game tape. I preach this to clients constantly—before you decide what's next, look at what just happened. Pull the numbers. Figure out what worked, what flopped, what you'd absolutely do again, and what should probably never see the light of day again.

I spent the last seven newsletters writing a Summer Mixtape Series where I held up old-school business fundamentals to a world of AI, algorithms, and a new marketing trend approximately every 14 minutes.

It was one of my favorite things I've ever created, and basically I only want newsletters served to me on a silver series platter from now on. 😎

But also – I did NOT expect it to make me tear my business down to the studs.

Every week, I'd write about one of those old-school principles and notice something in my own business that could be clearer, stronger, easier. After five years with my head down in client work, I finally looked up and saw just how much my business had changed.

The version I was showing everyone else hadn't. So, I started pulling on that thread. I looked at who I actually love working with now. The real problems clients bring me. What five years has taught me they actually need—not just what they think they need. I looked at my offers, my messaging, my website, and all the little pieces I'd accumulated along the way.

And, well... One thing led to another. More on that next week. For now, I'll leave you with the burning question that's been leading the way:

What actually matters?

^^ Of all the things you could fix, change, add, post, rewrite, redesign, automate, or finally get around to... Which one would actually move your business forward? Hit reply and let me know.

Next week, I'll show you where I landed. 👀

​MADE IN PARADISE​ branding, copy and web design

​

P.S. I only have (2) client spots left for 2026. If there's something in your business you've been meaning to finally deal with—a brand that's fallen behind, copy you can't seem to finish, or a website you're tired of apologizing for—hit reply and tell me what's going on.

You don't even have to know what you need. That's my job. We'll figure out what actually matters first. Hit reply and lmk.

P.P.S. Did you miss any of the summer series? Bringing them back center stage for one last bow:

Track 01: Everybody talks​
Track 02: Wannabe​
Track 03: I want it that way​
Track 04: I'll be there for you​
Track 05: That's what friends are for​
Track 06: Don't you (forget about me)​
Secret Track: Oops, I did it again​

WEEKLY ROUNDUP

📖 READING: How I Built This podcast
📺 BINGING THIS: The Crown (for the 14th time probably)
​🍽️ IN THE KITCHEN: ​It's birthday szn in this house, which means a highly requested fave >> Best Lasagna Ever. The rest of the year, I take a shortcut and use the same recipe to make baked ziti—but my kids have VERY strong opinions that lasagna noodles trump all other noodles, and I only respect those opinions on birthdays. 🎂
​🔨 WORKING ON: MiP Q4 launches and promotions
​🖼️ SCREENSHOT SCRUB: