In today's episode, we explore what it's like to: have a variety of interests and skills, take a mindful approach to social media (in a way that's more conducive to real-world connections), and remember that you can't be everything to everyone.

Brittany Fan is a graduate of the University of Virginia and a visual artist based in Charlottesville, Virginia. Having a love of all things creative, her practices include painting, photography, illustration, ceramics, floral design, and last but certainly not least, her pursuit of graphic design as a full-time designer at Journey Group, a design agency based in downtown Charlottesville.

Brittany finds inspiration in the natural world and in the themes of hope, renewal, and human connection. When she's not creating art, she's often found exploring places near and far, trekking up a mountain or through the woods, gathering people over a home-cooked meal, or tackling some house or garden project. She has served on the board of New City Arts Initiative, and is involved with several other arts and faith-based non-profits in the Charlottesville area.

Learn more about Brittany here, and follow her on Instagram @brittanyfan_art!

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Carrington is a lover & an artist devoted to sharing wisdom on harmonious living in the countryside. She earned her Bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and African-American & African Studies in 2018 from the University of Virginia. Her current work focuses on motherhood, mycology and metaphysics. Other than writing, you can find her foraging in the mountains with her family or baking a vegan cake. She is the owner of the vegan micro-bakery Chanterelle Cafe, located in Central Virginia.

Listen in as we explore what it means to take the blessings and challenges that come with life, be okay with others' opinions, and make work WORK for your life.

Learn more about Carrington here, and follow along on Instagram!

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Betsy Kraft grew up in Texas and moved to Virginia ten years ago by way of Colorado. After years in the hospitality industry, she pursued her passion for interior design and launched her own firm four years ago. Known for her personalized, client-focused approach, Betsy creates spaces that seamlessly blend style, function, and comfort.

This episode isn’t just about running a design business. It’s about learning to trust your gut, advocating for your worth, and giving yourself permission to not have it all figured out. Betsy opens up about her path to entrepreneurship, the challenges of balancing ambition with sustainability, and the importance of being honest... with ourselves and with those around us.

Learn more: www.betsykraftdesign.com
@betsykraftdesign on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest

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We’re told that running a small business is “hard,” but no one really explains how messy, humbling, and human those first few years can be.

In this conversation, I talk with Dannah Boston about the real behind-the-scenes of business ownership: the ugly first five years, the pressure of providing for a team, and the identity shift that comes with juggling life as a provider, parent, and entrepreneur.

Dannah Boston, the founder of The Esthetic Co, brings over 15 years of experience in the esthetics industry and a drive for results for all skin. With the support of her husband, they have a full house: three little humans, three dogs, a cat, 10 hens, and a rooster. When Dannah isn't working on the business, you can find her with her family on a mountain snowboarding in the winter, on a lake with the kids in the summer, or at one of the local wineries with friends.

Learn more about The Esthetic Co here.

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On this episode, discover how Ryan opened a vegan eatery, Botanical, amidst the challenges of the pandemic. You'll hear about the importance of community, the power of confidence, and the joy of creating a supportive environment for both staff and customers.

Ryan Becklund is the owner of Botanical in Charlottesville and Bar Botanical in Crozet, Va. Both restaurants are 100% vegan and serve a variety of vegan fare, pastries, craft cocktails, coffees, and uncommonly found vegan products.

Ryan lives in Crozet with her partner, dog, and cats (and usually a foster cat or two). She loves the challenging pace of the food service industry, becoming part of the rare community here in Cville, and spending her tiny amounts of free time with her friends and animals.

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Learn more about Botanical here: https://www.botanicalfare.com/

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This episode originally aired on Feb. 5, 2024. The show notes have been updated to reflect Yolonda's current offerings. Enjoy!

Yolonda Coles Jones is a visionary coach, healing-centered facilitator, homeschooling mama, and community-rooted leader based in Charlottesville, VA. She leads two distinct yet deeply aligned entities—each with its own purpose, structure, and offerings.

Through her LLC, Empowered People® Coaching & Consulting

(→ www.YolondaJonesCreative.com), Yolonda supports high-impact individuals, families, and teams in reclaiming calm, clarity, and confidence. Her offerings include:

• Calm Coaching™

• 1:1 Private Custom Coaching

• Parenting Support & Consultation

• In-Person Grounding & Clarity Sessions

• Workshops + Public Speaking for Conscious Leaders & Organizations

Empowered People® is built for those ready to lead and live with presence, purpose, and unapologetic self-trust.

She is also the Founder and Executive Director of The RESTORE Project, a fully independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit

(→ www.TheRESTOREProject.org), which offers trauma-informed, community-based care—particularly centering Black women and mothers in Charlottesville–Albemarle. RESTORE is a home for:

• Culturally responsive, mindfulness-based programming

• Restorative coaching and wellness pathways

• Community partnerships for healing, parenting, and collective care

Engage with Empowered People® (LLC)

→ Book a coaching package, clarity session, or workshop https://ycjcreative.as.me/

→ Invite Yolonda to speak at your event or facilitate for your group https://forms.gle/PV8n9t5mMXNLg4wW8

Engage with The RESTORE Project (501c3)

→ Donate to sustain participant care and community-rooted leadership https://therestoreproject.org/

→ Partner to co-create or fund healing experiences email: admin@theRESTOREproject.org

→ Participate if you’re local and aligned with the mission email: yolonda@theRESTOREproject.org

Follow Yolonda’s journey and leadership at @Yolonda_J on Instagram.

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Snail Mail is a brand specializing in hand painted stationery and products featuring Carrie's original artwork. The products she creates are rooted in the joys of our every day and bring a smile to many of the little moments throughout our lives.

Snail Mail's stationery line is painted by hand on 100% recycled paper, making each one unique to the customer while also being good for the earth!

Additionally, a portion of each card purchase is donated back to local organizations across Virginia helping to welcome our refugee neighbor, aiming to create more inclusive communities. Really and truly, Snail Mail's whole business is rooted in loving our neighbors without conditions.

Complementing the cards, Carrie offers recycled beer can ornaments, stickers, bandanas, art prints, and paint palette originals. She also has a wide portfolio of freelance work with folks like Dukes Mayo, James River Association, Independence Golf Club, and more.

https://cheathamsnailmail.com

https://instagram.com/cheathamsnail_mail

https://facebook.com/cheathamsnailmail

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Lauren is a UVA graduate and former elementary educator who spent 13 years teaching (in room 13) in Charlottesville before transitioning into roles as a private educator and a family assistant.

She now runs Curated Concierge, a thriving personal concierge business that supports busy professionals and families by managing the details of life. Her goal? To help her clients feel supported, reduce their mental load, and give them the freedom to focus on what they love.

From organizing homes to coordinating seasonal tasks, her services are designed to reduce stress and maximize joy. An advocate for asking for help and delegating tasks, Lauren combines practical expertise with a personal touch, always prioritizing connection and care.

Her newsletter, Curated Connections, provides a mix of relatable stories and actionable advice, making it a favorite among clients and followers alike. Whether it’s hosting friends and family at her home or sharing ideas on Instagram, Lauren believes in fostering relationships and building supportive networks. She's excited to share her journey as an entrepreneur and what it means to run a business built on helping others.

Website: www.ccbylaurensantana.com

Instagram: @ccbylaurensantana

Facebook: Curated Concierge by Lauren Santana

Newsletter: Curated Connections

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