The Big Whisper Nº24 // The Originator Toolkit is here! + more <3

Artists are visionaries. We routinely practice a form of faith, seeing clearly and moving toward a creative goal that shimmers in the distance—often visible to us, but invisible to those around us.
-Julia Cameron

Hi, all! And welcome to those who are new to the list <3.

It’s been a while since I’ve written, mid-Spring to be exact. I’ve been heads down creating The Originator Toolkit, which I’m excited to share is now done, live, in the world, and ready for those to experience. More details about it in the Tool for Growth section below.

I’ve learned a lot from working on this project this year and I suspect I’ll be finding ways to weave those learnings and thoughts into content I continue to write and products I continue to develop for The Big Whisper. For now, all I can say is, I am so grateful for this project and the time I took to be fully present in working on it this year—the experience taught me how answers, ideas, and clarity arrive when you’re patient in the waiting.

To the journey,
Alison

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Entrepreneurs are artists

If you interchange the word Artists with Entrepreneurs in the opening quote of today's e-mail, the message applies.

In many ways entrepreneurs *are* a type of artist, and when we adopt this idea an opportunity presents itself—to change the definition of business altogether. Rather than business being a purely bottom-line endeavor, it can become an art form. Business can be a medium for expressing Truths and inspiring shifts—within an individual, amongst a community and throughout a system.

This piece shares three ways to think, to think like an artist as you build.

To build a personally fulfilling and impactful business think like an artist

TOOL FOR GROWTH

The Originator Toolkit

IT'S HERE! The Originator Toolkit consists of five self-guided sessions on Fear, Personal Strengths, your WHY, Vision and developing your Offerings.

It's designed to guide entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, freelancers, artists, and independents in doing the foundational inner work necessary to build a self-aligned and sustainable business. And was created based on insights from over two hundred early-stage entrepreneurs.

To celebrate the launch of The Originator Toolkit, Big Whisper e-mail subscribers receive 15% off the kit with code BIGWHISPEROG through December 31st.

Learn more about the kit

BIG WHISPER OF THE WEEK

Paola Mathé, founder of Fanm Djanm

“The truth is I’ve always been sure about the person I wanted to become. In some way, maybe I never had to find myself because I’ve always been me. And in many ways, 'finding myself' is my own version of 'becoming'. I’m always growing. I’m always challenging myself. But one thing always remains true. My name is Paola, and I just want to share my colors with the world.” -Paola Mathé

With her headwrap company, Paola Mathé is not only channeling her own strength and essence, she’s empowering other women to express and live theirs. Fanm Djanm literally means "strong woman" in Haitian Kreyol.

Paola is originally from Haiti. She founded the company in 2014 as a collection of eight headwraps, that she sold directly from her apartment in New York on the weekends. Since then the brand has expanded its headwrap collection—still made in Harlem—and also started a line of clothing and accessories, all distinguished by bold design and color.

Check out Paola's feed for boldness and headwrap inspiration

LINKAGE

What we've been reading and watching

Lauren Greenfield: How Capitalism Exploits Insecurities [video] via Vimeo

The Death of the Artist—and the Birth of the Creative Entrepreneur via The Atlantic

Deb Perelman’s Work Diary: The ‘Smitten Kitchen’ Is Open (Even When the Cook Is Sick) via The New York Times

Pump up the volume: Podcast apps keep pushing toward the money via Fast Company

The science of “vibes” shows how everything is connected via Quartz

THE WHISPER ABOUT THE BIG WHISPER

"Repost from @thebigwhisper with thanks and gratitude....I love how this graphic shows the effect our emotions can have on the actions we take."

WEEKLY WISDOM

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