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

In today’s episode, we're jumping into the exciting world of project management in both the public and private sectors!

These two areas might seem worlds apart, each with its own unique vibe and expectations. But don’t worry! They also share a ton of valuable skills and strategies that you can use no matter where you are.

Whether you're thinking about switching careers, working on projects that combine both sectors, or just want to get to know how your peers operate, this episode is all about giving you the clarity and confidence you need to navigate it all like a pro!

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

Today’s episode is about something most of us face, even if we rarely talk about it: Imposter Syndrome, that nagging inner voice that says:

“You don’t know enough.” “You’re not qualified.” “Who do you think you are?”

Sound familiar?

Whether you're new to planning or leading major regional initiatives, imposter syndrome can creep in quietly and derail your confidence if you let it.

But here’s the good news: You can quiet that voice. You can name it, challenge it, and most importantly, lead without it.

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, we're talking about job transitions. The moment when you ask yourself,

"Is this still the right place for me?"

And if the answer is no…

"How do I make a move without burning out or burning bridges?"

Whether you're contemplating your first big shift or just feeling that quiet nudge that something's no longer aligned, this episode is for you.

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, we’re focusing on something that challenges so many of us: how to speak up, push back, and be heard without losing our sense of calm, clarity, or professionalism.

Whether it’s in council chambers, stakeholder meetings, or one-on-one with a supervisor, our ability to communicate with authority is not just a skill; it’s a form of leadership.

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

Today, we’re diving into something foundational to every career journey: mentorship.

Whether you're just starting out in land use planning or have been in the field for decades, the right mentorship can elevate your confidence, open doors, and clarify your path. So in this episode, we’re exploring how to find mentorship, how to build lasting mentor relationships, and how to become the kind of mentor you wish you'd had.

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