I'm a builder...I build things
How a Gene Keys reading is helping me make sense of this new chapter of life
Wednesday Wisdom
“You must believe in the power you summon, or it will not rise for you.” ~ Zora Neale Hurston
Morning Musings
You know that scene in Mean Girls where Tina Fey’s character says “I’m a pusher, I push people”? Yea, that’s me. As an Enneagram 3 Wing 2 (or Achiever Helper, for those who are unfamiliar with this particular personality test), pushing—or, as I like to thing of it, helping—people achieve their goals is kinda my jam. Though my little sister would probably say I definitely lean toward the pushier side. Hey, it’s the big sister in me, I can’t help it.
And anyone who’s ever shared a goal with me would probably agree. Whether you’re a friend and/or a coaching client, I’m going to do my darnedest to help you achieve your dreams. It’s in my DNA.
What’s also in my DNA is, apparently, being a builder, at least according to my Gene Keys profile (yes, another personality test…what can I say? I was the kid who loved all those quizzes in teen magazines). So Gene Keys, like the Enneagram, Meyers-Briggs test (I’m an ENFJ (Extraverted Intuitive Feeling Judging) personality, like Obama and Oprah, in case you’re curious), and Human Design (Generator over here 🙋🏾♀️!) is another popular personality test.
Now I know all this sounds a bit woo woo and, hey, I’m a yoga teacher—I love the woo. But there’s definitely some (okay, a LOT!) of truth in these assessments. My business coach
did a reading of my Gene Keys profile for her recent program, KNOWN, that literally left me in tears. Like, I legit had the pause two minutes in because I was crying and needed to gather myself before continuing.According to my Gene Keys profile, I’m a builder. And not in the physical sense (Lord knows I struggled to build the kids’ table and chair set for the bookstore ahead of last week’s open house 😮💨), but in terms of building things that don’t yet exist—like Zora’s Place and The Writing Well. This is what Gene Keys says about my purpose, or what deeply fulfills me:
Your inner purpose is to feel the sheer joy of life throbbing through you as you bring something totally new into the world. Whatever you do in life, no matter what it is, you have to do it in a way that has never been conceived of before. You are ahead of your era. By following your Life’s Work, you will catch the crest of a new wave that is emerging in the world.
Whoa! And it goes on to say that my life’s work, or what I’m here to do is:
…your real talent is for seeing life as an adventure. By living this way, you will not only feel alive but you will empower everyone whom you meet with a higher version of themselves. Above all, you must learn to trust in your own intuition to guide you along the way.
Yup, that tracks and it’s also validating af. I’m not even going to hold you—there have been MULTIPLE times I’ve questioned myself and my sanity in the midst of building out a bookstore in this economy. Is this the right thing to do? Does the world need this? Am I acting selfishly, or in the best interest of my family and community?
But getting this reading literal days before the open house at The Aux Wellness Collective, which included storytime at Zora’s Place, was reassuring. And seeing the community’s response to the bookstore thus far (in addition to everyone who has supported the crowdfunding campaign) has been overwhelming in the best way.
On Saturday, as I read books that featured Black and brown children as main characters to a small group of actual Black and brown children, my heart was full. We danced to songs from Gracie’s Corner and the kids colored pages from Puzzle Huddle, a Black-owned toy and puzzle company. Local authors came up to introduce themselves and our village (some of whom are pictured below) showed up and showed out.
I’ve been telling everyone that Zora’s Place is forcing me to live into the title of my first book, Stop Waiting for Perfect. I am quite literally building the plane as I’m flying it. It would’ve been easy to say oh, this isn’t ready yet (I’m not ready yet) before the open house. But I also knew it was a great opportunity to introduce people to the concept of Zora’s Place, a welcoming entry point, if you will.
I even told Jeff that we needed to have furniture before ordering the initial book inventory so that we could host events (and yes, I did get my burnt orange sofa, although not that orange sofa, IYKYK).
So all’s well that ends well. I’ve had a couple of people reach out to me for advice on building a bookstore and I’m VERY forthcoming about the fact that I don’t really know what I’m doing. But I’ve got my intuition, I’ve got my Gene Keys, I’ve got a life and business partner who is wayyy better with numbers than I am, and I’ve got my people (this includes all of you). And honestly? That’s all I need to get started. Thank you for being on this ride with me and I promise to return to non-bookstore-themed newsletters soon. 😉
Help Me (Re)Build The Writing Well 📝✨
I’m reimagining The Writing Well—what began as a community membership with Slack chats and weekly co-writing sessions—into a more intentional, yearlong experience for purpose-driven writers. Think: a sacred space to exhale, reset, and actually write—with structure, support, and soul.
Whether you're dreaming up your first book, returning to your writing after a long pause, or simply craving a creative rhythm that honors both your ambition and your humanity, The Writing Well might be just what you need.
But before I build it out, I want to co-create it with you. What kind of writing community would truly serve and sustain you over the long haul? What would make this experience feel like a full-body yes?
If you're even a little bit curious, I’d be so grateful if you filled out this short interest form 👇🏾
ICYMI
As a former reporter for my hometown newspaper, I have a soft spot for local journalism. So I’m super honored to share that the first media feature for Zora’s Place was in Evanston RoundTable. Much love and many thanks to reporter Carrie Jackson for such a well-written story.
And I also made my writing debut in Raising Evanston, Evanston RoundTable’s parenting newsletter, with a Q&A featuring the city’s most popular face painter, ‘Ms. Star.’
What I’m Reading
Why Your Brain Loves ‘Love Island’ (Okayplayer)
Former Girl Bosses Are ‘Leaning Out’ to Redefine What Ambition Looks Like (New York Times)
Shea Couleé enters the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Chicago Reader)
Now Hiring
Operations Manager for The Carmel Hill Fund
Marketing & Social Media Associate, Atria Books for Simon & Schuster
Development Associate for Block Club Chicago
Arts Program Professional for the Knight Foundation
Marketing & Communications Manager for New Moms
Director of Social Media for Her Campus Media
Analyst - Girls Opportunity Alliance for the Obama Foundation
Coordinator, New Work Exploration for The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
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Ooooh! I'm an enneagram 4, INFJ and a projector. ... A bookstore is necessary in any economy and especially during these times. Chiiile. And I'm glad you got your orange couch. :-)
As usual, you’re part of what has become my “Wednesday Friend Check-in!” I love how it’s all coming together and yet, I have another nudge on also not waiting for perfect!