We were lucky to catch up with Betsy Wiersma recently and have shared our conversation below.
Betsy, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
For 18 years I have dedicated my life to creating a network of 5000 women who were on purpose for good. We called it the CampExperience(tm) Network. And our motto is Go Good Have Fun!
In the 18 years, we raised over $1 million for 60 charities in our home state of Colorado and around the world. We looked for connections to women in Colorado and followed our dreams to help children in Nepal, women in Africa, children in Africa and hundreds of people in Colorado. The best part of these 18 years was the ripple effect of the good to the lives of the good-doers! People who have of themselves received to LOVE of others and felt good about themselves.
My lessons from a life dedicated to good include:
Just do it! No worries about the credit. Good goes on and on!
Find your tribe of like-hearted people and do good together
Enjoy the journey. Be Here NOW and stay present in the moment.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
A Note From Betsy: All about LOVE If you take inventory of the best times of your life and your best memories, my guess is they are experiences! When you attend a retreat or workshop, take a course, travel, learn, explore, grow, taste, and understand, you change every cell in your body. And as you rejoice, relax, achieve, conquer, gain perspective or master a new skill, you grow and open new possibilities for your life.
Experiences are the spice of a happy and joy-filled life. I am a happiness catalyst. And I focus on LOVE as a business and life tool. My focus is love for self, love for family and community and the belief that we are all part of the possible!
I have taken happiness as a focus for my work and play in the world. After 20 years of leading the CampExperience Network of women in Denver, Colorado, I am now focusing on my Art on Purpose brand. My brand includes inspirational books, card sets, blessing journals and now clothing. Every piece has positive energy and intention under the artwork made to uplift and inspire.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
As an artist, I just LOVE the look of happiness and personal style that I see with my Art on Purpose customers. Imagine that you walk into a room where you are feeling alone and unseen. Now imagine that you are wearing a colorful piece if Art in the format of a kimono or a shawl. Now your new friends in the room begin their conversations with a complement.
“WOW what a darling outfit! You look fantastic! Where did you get that outfit? And you have an interesting story about Art on Purpose, made by artist Betsy Wiersma with a purpose to uplift and inspire. Betsy believes that Art Will Save the World and her motto is Wear Art Be Happy!
I love seeing the LOVE of self that comes from looking good then feeling good!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
On March 21, 1983, 7 Seniors from Purdue University went snowmobiling on a snowy weekend night. Only 6 of the students survived a horrible snowmobile accident that left my friend Paul dead, and me in intensive care for 3 weeks. The doctors wondered if my brain damage would last forever AND if I would ever walk again. This was how I ended my college career.
Now at age 62, I have “enjoyed” a lifetime of rehab and two hip replacements. I will never wear a stylish high-heel shoe or participate in active sports. I stretch every day to save my life. And I know that every moment is a gift. And that in a moment, your life can change forever.
This experience at age 21 shifted my perspective and led me on a path of service. I value making a difference over making money. And I have FUN every day!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.betsywiersma.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betsywiersma/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betsy.wiersma
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsywiersma/
- Other: https://www.betsywiersma.com/boost-power-podcast Boost Power Podcast https://www.betsywiersma.com/underwired Underwired Podcast https://www.etsy.com/shop/WiersmaArtonPurpose Betsy on Etsy https://www.legaleriste.com/en/betsy.wiersma/products Art on Purpose Online Retail Store