RESOLVE to EVOLVE in 2025
Attending and joining an esteemed group of sponsors at the Serious Business annual conference in New Orleans was my distinct honor and privilege. What an incredible way to kick off 2025!
If you are anything like me, you’re still in the afterglow of Serious Business, 2025 in New Orleans. As usual, it was an enriching (and DELICIOUS!) experience.
I took away something meaningful from all the presenters:
Debra Neill left me reflective and emotional as she discussed how EVOLVING is deeper than mere change. She noted that those who’ve evolved have also experienced LOSS, which led to touching memories and a heartfelt tribute to industry icon Carol Augusto. It reminded me that greatness exists in both the significant and the small actions we take daily, and Carol was an undeniable force in the lives of many.
Alua Arthur helped me feel better about experiencing loss as a part of life and left me contemplating my legacy. She discussed how one’s legacy is often unknown until death, but we all have the power to choose. I’m actively choosing mine. Every day. How about you?
“Leaving a legacy is NOT optional. You’re going to do it.” - Alua Arthur
Andi Alleman’s discussion on the intersection of Inspired and Confrontational Action made me reflect on the importance of stepping outside my comfort zone to foster growth. Even though I don’t own a salon, I do run a business, and like many salon owners, I’m constantly seeking new ways to create and deliver value and, naturally, to grow.
“I can do nothing for you than work on myself. You can do nothing for me than work on yourself.” Ram Dass
Elizabeth Faye reminded us of the power of purpose and of being precisely where we need to be. I defined my calling. It was enlightening to express: “My calling is PEOPLE experiencing MOTIVATION.” What calling did you define? Elizabeth also spoke about how important it is for people to be heard, seen, and loved, and to acknowledge one another in meaningful ways. It was a valuable reminder to be present for others at all times and is an essential foundation on which Progressive Discoveries is built.
Light Watkins amazed me with his perspective on meditation and presence as, “the absence of worry and regret.” He suggests that the quickest path to fulfillment is being present in the moment. It's so simple yet powerful. I am working on letting go of my acquisitive approach to happiness. No more, “I’ll be happy when..." I’m embracing pro-fulfillment NOW.
So many others left an imprint; Rebecca Heiss reminded us that “we can have a stress response and NOT die”, Vanessa Fitzgerald encouraged us to take a nutritive approach to natural healing. Ben Nemtin encouraged us all to dream big!
One of the many lovely and enriching aspects of Serious Business is the dual focus on personal and professional growth, and there was a wealth of information for business owners and leaders to be met at any stage in their journey:
Gordon Miller reminded us “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” This is a profound insight into the power of expanding our perspectives.
April McDaniel and kopsa otte provided solid business advice on taxes, business growth, and goals, and their clear tax and business strategies benefited several attendees. The salon owner who attended with me appreciated those insights and plans to incorporate many of their ideas into her successful salon operations.
And Michelle Johnston, who engaged us with her conversation about the power of connection with self, team, and organization, resonated strongly with me. Yes, I agree, Michelle. The “Zoom Zombie” is real, and, “our disconnection is killing us.”
I attended Serious Business to recharge, reconnect, and address my personal and professional evolution for 2025. One key resolution for me is to revitalize past connections while forging new ones. I’m happy to report that this resolution is solidly in progress.
How about you? What did you take away from Serious Business and what have you resolved to evolve in 2025?
This insightful conference positioned us to EVOLVE our VISION, our SYNERGY and our BUSINESS. In short, we’ve been challenged to take ourselves and our businesses to the next level, UP. I’m always excited about doing this, but I sometimes get caught in the “muck” of possibility. There are too many things that should be done, that could be done, that should’ve been done. Forget about it. Let’s talk about moving beyond it all. Let’s talk about what has to be done to EVOLVE.
If you’re looking for inspiration, ideas or even instructions to jumpstart your workforce evolution for 2025, our team at Progressive Discoveries would love to help you turn your resolutions into results.
Get started by downloading our FREE Guide, “3 Low-Cost DIY Strategies: Build the Culture Leaders Want & Employees Love”. You’ll be glad you did.
Cheers to EVOLVING in 2025.
With CARE,
Janet Williams, Progressive Discoveries, LLC.
Progressive Discoveries guides companies to design a culture that works for everyone.
We offer programs that enhance people by building relationship intelligence (RQ), operationalizing psychological safety, and fostering people appreciation practices.
We motivate people with high-impact learning and development solutions and offer presentation and facilitation services that move people to evolve, grow, change, or decide with engaging and fun keynote, break-out, or strategic planning sessions.
Janet has deep roots in the beauty industry. She has served on the Board of Directors at Beauty Changes Lives, is currently a member of the Unite as One Cultural Intelligence Committee, and was the Director of the Aveda Institute in Washington, D.C.