77. Year In Review: 2020

“I think you realize how much you need to have people that you love. It’s not as much about them loving you – it’s about you needing to love people.” 

chadwick Boseman

It’s finally time to toast to 2020… or at least review it and toast to the new year coming in! I am always excited to invite my good friend, Ashley Knight, back to the T&T mic, especially for our annual “Year In Review Cast”! There was a lot to cover this year, as you know. We dive right in on Jan 1 with our first alerts of what is now COVID-19, followed by repeated events of racial injustice, the run to the 2020 Presidential Election, the loss of many great, varsity humans this year including Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Chadwick Boseman, and so much more. It was very interesting to see the timeline of events on paper, proving that the year really did start off tough and it only got more intense as we went on. We are truly in unprecedented times, scrambling to be better, do better, and evolve as best we can- as fast as we can. Ashley and I discuss the timeline of events one by one, noting the overarching themes of the pandemic(s)- the virus AND systemic racism as a whole. I always aim to keep the podcast and conversation as positive as possible, but more importantly real. This conversation drips with the unfortunate realities of 2020 and while not-so-uplifting, it’s critical we acknowledge the truth in what is and isn’t going on so we can do better in the future. Ashely and I do find some silver lining in the mix and we end on a gracious note… after all, it’s about resilience. Bring on 2021!!!


Highlights:

Breakdown, breakdown, let’s hope we break through. Goodbye 2020. Systemic racism, COVID-19, The Presidential Election. Trump, Biden, voting. Racial and social justice. The loss of many great people this year. Sexism, business and the reoccurring theme of powerful men taking full advantage. Light at the end of the tunnel. TEQUILA.

Ashley Knight:

Ashley Simone Knight is an Esthetician, Model, and Colorado native. She started modeling when she was 20 and gained her experience in the growing Colorado market. She has been an Esthetician for the past 6 years and has recently evolved from working at various spas and salons to starting her own business. Ashley loves balance: Caring for others as a Skin Care Therapist, imparting all of the lessons she’s learned to others who are navigating life in her industries, as well as dancing and singing karaoke

@theashleysimone

@4youeyesonlyesthetics

76. Reinvention

“When the going gets tough, the tough reinvent.” 

-RuPaul

2020, whoo… what an opportunity 2021 is to reinvention ourselves on all levels! This is an incredible conversation with power boss, Kathi-Sharpe-Ross! We dive into many angles of life’s opportunities, setbacks, business adventures, personal developments and failures,  and how every moment is a new moment to reinvent yourself one small step at a time. Kathi is the president of THE SHARPE ALLIANCE, she is a brand and lifestyle marketing guru who’s made a living out of shaping and advising corporations and brands on how to forge their path in the world. Kathi is also the author of, “STOP! I Want to Get Off: The Guide to Reinventing Your Life.”, which we discuss today and she has a podcast coming soon! This is an incredible conversation for anyone at any stage that is looking to make a change, no matter how big or small, personally or professionally. Have a plan and know that the plan will change, tis’ life☺ More importantly have great people and coaches around you can support the journey- we are here for you, and you us! Cheers!


Highlights:

Breakdown, breakthrough. Community, support, ambition, commitment. Work hard, play harder. Adjusting, flexibility, staying on the trend setting tip. Greatness is a daily choice. Business is relationships, personal relationships.. are relationships. Everything is how you treat people, including yourself. Reinvention. 


Kathi Sharpe-Ross:

Kathi Sharpe-Ross owner and founder of THE SHARPE ALLIANCE brings more than 20 years of industry experience to a well-rounded agency and diverse client base. From corporate brands to entertainment properties, Sharpe-Ross has extensive expertise building businesses and brands through corporate and entertainment marketing, sponsorship, branded entertainment, new media initiatives, strategic and tactical campaign development, event production, merchandise and licensing, retail promotion and public relations.  The client mix includes Fashion, Entertainment, Real Estate, Retail, Content, Brands, Sports, Music, Media & Digital, Cause Related, Film Festivals and Grass Roots Events.

Prior to founding THE SHARPE ALLIANCE, Sharpe-Ross owned SHARPE Public Relations and Marketing for 15 years. Based in Beverly Hills, with affiliate offices in New York, Paris and Hong Kong, the agency represented a diverse client base spanning various industries. Sharpe-Ross took a two year hiatus (2002-2004) from running her own business to head The Leverage Group (now GroupM ESP, a division of WPP), a global marketing consulting firm, as Executive Vice President and head of its west coast office. Under her leadership TLG developed campaigns for: Smashbox Cosmetics, LA Fashion Week, Warner Strategic Marketing, Kathy Smith, Quincy Jones’ Global “We Are The Future” concert, Broadway Video, TD Waterhouse, Sony Music, Redken, Lava Life and more.

Over the last 15 years, Sharpe-Ross has worked closely with the real estate and retail marketing world – developers, their investment groups and major mall companies including Juno Property Group, Triple Five and Taubman Centers.  THE SHARPE ALLIANCE has consulted in areas of media valuation, strategic partnerships, sponsorship, revenue generation, marketing and brand strategies that further enhance and cultivate brand partnerships for both the real estate projects, their assets and the brand objectives of Fortune 500 companies.

Sharpe-Ross’s industry experience and keen business savvy has shaped THE SHARPE ALLIANCE into a highly respected name within the business community and across a wide array of industry categories.
Sharpe-Ross sits on the Advisory Boards for THIS NEXT, FILM YOUR ISSUE/WHAT’S YOUR ISSUE/EVERYONE MATTERS and CURE DUCHENNE.
She is proudly married to her high school sweetheart and is the mother of two fabulous teenage boys.

www.TheReinventionExchange.com

IG & Twitter: KathiSR 

Facebook: Kathi Sharpe-Ross or The Reinvention Exchange 

LinkedIn: Kathi Sharpe-Ross or The Reinvention Exchange

75. Channeling Your Inner Dolly Parton

“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”  

-Dolly Parton

The team is in full force today- we have Madonna AND Dolly energy coming to the table. Pack a helmet and a note pad!! I am pumped to welcome Kourtney Thomas, a self-discovery facilitator for women, to the T&T mic. Kourtney has raw, authentic, passion for her clients and business, leading by example and sharing her own trials and tribulations- like her inspirational hero, Dolly Parton. We unpack Kourtney’s journey thus far and how her learnings can be applied come 2021 for us all. We discuss priorities vs. goals, mindset, and how we can do a better job approaching life and what we want out of it, in general. With a new year comes a new mindset, here are some ways, tips, tricks, inspirations, on how you can better prep yourself the blessed year ahead… and everyday starting now:)


Highlights:

Questioning a better way. Breakdown, breakthrough. Dolly Parton. Cats, dogs, and being human first. Business and not needing to scale. Priorities and knowing what your “enough” is. Self-care, mindset, mind shift. Being your own authentic brand, no matter what. Balance and approach. 


Kourtney Thomas:

Kourtney Thomas is on a mission to help women find their own inner Dolly Parton. Through guided self-discovery work and coaching, she helps women see themselves so they can trust themselves in every choice they make for their bodies, lives, and businesses. On the daily, everyone needs the blunt (but kind) reminder that the only “right” way to do something is the way that works for YOU. With her background in fitness and life coaching, Kourtney has a gift for understanding all kinds of people, building instant rapport, and saying what she means without being mean. She helps women cut through the fluff to the conversations that matter. There aren’t confetti cannons around here, but there’s a whole lot of grit and growth. When she’s not coaching, Kourtney enjoys bicep curls and hiking fueled by cake in Denver, CO, where she lives with her husband, dog, and two cats.

www.kourtneythomas.com

kourtney@kourtneythomas.com

@kourtneythomascoach 

74. Botox

“I don’t really believe in marriage; now Botox on the other hand, that works every time.” 

-Samantha Jones

We are in the shallow end of the pool today! Which is ok- turmeric AND tequila folks, today is a tequila day… aka Botox! I joke about Botox on the show all the time, it’s real, I use it, but it is also a great punch line for many things. We work to keep all doors open at T&T and I have received a ton of questions around Botox (… of all the deep things we talk about lol #loveit). So today I am breaking down what Botox is, when and why you might want to get it, what to know before you do, and some other tips, tricks, and 411 around Botox to address as many questions around the topic as possible. Getting Botox is a vanity play, hence the shallow end of the pool, but the real baseline convo is about addressing the internal before the external. I am all for treating yourself and making any external changes you might want to make, however, please make sure to unpack all (or as much as you can, as the process never ends:) the internal turmoil prior to investing in the external upgrade. You can put a bow on anything and make it “better”, but if the product in the box or the internal is off, it will far outlast any outer stamp or pretty pieces we put on to mask it. The inner beauty really does shine though. Prevention is extension, in all cases. Health, wellness, and tequila… cheers!! #balance


Highlights:

Botox. Who, what, where, when, why? The quick 411, do I need this? The internal vs. the external. Botox vs. fillers. What to know before you go. Questioning a better way. Vanity, self-love and all things in-between. Transparency in an influencer world. Strategic partnerships. Inner glow. 


KO:

Not a doctor! AND 10+ years Botox enthusiasts. 

Also, experienced and innovative marketing professional with 18+ years’ experience in brand development and management and particular expertise with integrated marketing strategies, strategic territory management and relationship building. Broad based background encompasses heavy experience within highly competitive athletic apparel, CPG, and event markets. D1 Top 20 athlete, 3X Capt. (lacrosse). CrossFit Games Athlete, 5X (team), CF Games Affiliate Cup 2nd place 2011< FUN. 

@Madonnashero

@KOAlliance

@CRSLAX

@Turmerictequila

73. Boundaries

“No is a complete sentence.” 

-Anne Lamont

The holidays are A LOT, 2020 is A LOT, family (year-round) is A LOT. The conversation around boundaries and self-love/care has been coming up again and again so I knew we have to bring it to the T&T mic.  I am pumped for today’s conversation with my good friend and boundary PRO, Clare Sorbon. Clare is a former D1 athlete, corporate professional, one of 5 siblings, and all-around varsity human. This year has been a year of its own, but the holidays in general are very stressful and filled with pressure and expectation. I wanted to unpack why we commit so hard to these traditions if it is so much hard work and likely not that healthy for us? We don’t need one more thing working against us in 2020, ha. Clare and I discuss family, tradition, and the evolving process of continued self-reflection/growth it takes to keep these things that mean so much to us in positive light and experience. We discuss the importance of space, grace, and self-protection. It’s ok to take a holiday off or use your voice and say a relationship or situation is no longer severing you (family, friends, career etc). We agree that family is the most important thing, hence all the more reason to have the tough conversation and understanding that while things are changing and we are evolving, we all need to protect our own magic for the greater good and we need to step back when we need to step back. Clare and I cover questions you should ask yourself when deciding if relationship/situation is serving you or not, the importance of core values and knowing your true self,  and working to universally understand that each person’s experience is different- even when you’re related. The holidays are a joyous time, let’s work to keep it that way, even if it means evolving some of these traditions and rules that we cling so tightly to- change is a good thing!!


Highlights:

Evolution, self-love, and boundaries. Knowing when to cut ties and protect yourself, your heart, and your magic. The holidays, tradition, expectation, and change. Space and grace and balancing it all. Family, friends, perspective, and the hard cut off. Questioning a better way. Hard choices to make a good long-term decision (for all). 


Clare Sobon:

Clare is the Development Officer at Denver Contemporary Art Museum.  She attended and graduated from Belmont University with a Bachelor of Science, Public Relations/ Marketing. Clare was a D1 thrower competing for Belmont.  Clare looks to network and create an inner circle of strategic professionals within industries of development, marketing & entertainment management. Favorite quote: “Watch me work” Bozoma Saint-John 

@finna_bclare 

@mca_denver