Today’s episode addresses a topic that many of you have inquired about: Should you become a certified planner, and how can you successfully pass the exam if you decide to pursue that path? Whether you’re considering the AICP certification, are mid-career and uncertain about its value, or are already signed up and feeling overwhelmed, this episode is designed for you.

We’ll cover:

• What certification means for you, your career, and your paycheck
• Who it’s right for (and who might not need it)
• What it takes to pass without losing your mind
• Study tips, tools, timelines, and the myths to ignore

Join Kris Valdez, an award-winning land use planner and entrepreneur, as she dives into the challenges and strategies of navigating regulatory processes, running a one-person firm, and balancing business growth with environmental responsibility. In this Land Use Planning for Women Planners episode, Kris shares her journey, lessons learned, and actionable steps to help professionals and entrepreneurs successfully tackle land use and business challenges. Whether you're a developer, consultant, or business owner, this episode is packed with insights to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Open Space Preservation: History and Practice of the Colorado Front Range

Remember Me? Getting Your Home-Based Business to Stand Out in an Over-Marketed World

Hey everyone! In this episode, we're diving into a topic that often gets talked about in hushed tones but rarely named outright: Career sustainability.

How can we stay in our fields long enough to truly make a difference without burning out? It’s not an easy question! Planning for our careers can be complicated—it involves emotions, politics, and for many of us, it’s deeply personal.

But to really stick around long enough to mentor others, change systems, and make a positive impact on our communities, we need more than just determination. We need a solid strategy, a strong support system, and sometimes, a little time to recharge.

So, let’s chat about ways to keep our passion alive while making sure we don’t lose ourselves in the process!

Join Kris Valdez, an award-winning land use planner and entrepreneur, as she dives into the challenges and strategies of navigating regulatory processes, running a one-person firm, and balancing business growth with environmental responsibility. In this Land Use Planning for Women Planners episode, Kris shares her journey, lessons learned, and actionable steps to help professionals and entrepreneurs successfully tackle land use and business challenges. Whether you're a developer, consultant, or business owner, this episode is packed with insights to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Open Space Preservation: History and Practice of the Colorado Front Range

Remember Me? Getting Your Home-Based Business to Stand Out in an Over-Marketed World

In this episode, let's chat about something many planners find tricky: managing up. This simply means building a strong, positive relationship with your supervisor, even when you don’t always agree.

Maybe your boss doesn't fully get the planning process, or perhaps their feedback isn’t clear. They might be busy, not communicate enough, or just be a little hard to understand.

But managing up isn’t about changing them. It’s about showing up in a way that makes you effective, respected, and sane. Let’s explore how we can do this together!

Join Kris Valdez, an award-winning land use planner and entrepreneur, as she dives into the challenges and strategies of navigating regulatory processes, running a one-person firm, and balancing business growth with environmental responsibility. In this Land Use Planning for Women Planners episode, Kris shares her journey, lessons learned, and actionable steps to help professionals and entrepreneurs successfully tackle land use and business challenges. Whether you're a developer, consultant, or business owner, this episode is packed with insights to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Open Space Preservation: History and Practice of the Colorado Front Range

Remember Me? Getting Your Home-Based Business to Stand Out in an Over-Marketed World