We were lucky to catch up with Teri Day recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Teri thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

On some level, I stumbled upon this idea. But at the same time, it’s been a throughline for my entire working life. Prior to my current business, I had an online gift business where I curated gift boxes with products sourced from women-owned small businesses. While growing that business, I did a lot of networking and also spent time getting to know many of the women whose product I carried. I even met other small business owners online. I heard their stories of overwhelm, loneliness, and lack of support and it caused me to want to do something about it. These are women who are passionate about what they do. They make beautiful, high-quality products but are often overlooked because people go to larger brands – often brands that are of lesser quality! I wanted these women to see the success they deserve, and I wanted to be a part of that. Since I was a little girl, I’ve always wanted to be rich WITH my friends. I’ve never wanted to find success by myself – there’s no fun in that. Collective success, collective growth, and collective wealth is what I believe in. I want everyone to have a seat at the table. There are many people out there who provide services to support these women – teaching them different marketing and organizational tools. But I didn’t see anyone being the business bestie. From retail jobs in high school and college, to my 30-year corporate career – I have found that I am really good at fine tuning and helping people focus and get things done. I’m also a natural cheerleader. I love supporting others and helping others see the value in themselves. I like to get in the muck with others to help them achieve. This is why I’m a mentor instead of a coach. I employ coaching strategies but I also get in the weeds with my clients to help them get out of it. My approach includes breaking through blocks while getting things done. I keep my clients accountable to both their business and themselves. I love what I do and I have found that my clients are always shocked by just how much I provide. I feel good when I am able to help others succeed.

Teri, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I spent 30 years in the corporate world of commercial property management. I started as a file clerk while in college and worked my way up to a senior executive position, where I became a leader in the last companies I worked for. In those roles I worked with many small businesses, on the landlord side. This gave me a perspective some don’t have as I worked with them through the ups and downs of their business and got to know so many of them. I had a special appreciation for the hard work and dedication, and I was able to see where some had success and where others struggled. I also led individuals and teams and helped them learn, stay on task, and grow. I was always the kind of leader who shared all of my knowledge. I never worried about someone taking my place – there’s a place for everyone.

While in my corporate career, I launched Lovely Days Gifts – an online gift shop selling gift boxes with products sourced exclusively from women-owned small businesses. They were all products you can’t find in big box stores or major online retailers like Amazon. I eventually left my corporate career and focused on the gift business. My corporate career was no longer fulfilling and to be honest, it became a toxic environment. Although I chose to leave, I felt forced out – I could see my future and it wasn’t what I wanted. I could’ve retired there, but my life would’ve been stressed and miserable.

While growing my gift business, I started to get to know so many amazing women entrepreneurs. I listened to the stories of these women and heard how solopreneurship can feel isolating. It’s easy to be discouraged when you’re doing it all alone. I have been fortunate in that I’ve always had a tribe of women who understand. For me, goal setting and accountability was a game changer. I could clearly see the difference between when I was using my resources vs when I wasn’t. I knew I could help these women, and more – I WANTED to help these women. I started with two different beta groups. The first taught me a lot, the second was very successful. I was able to prove to myself that what I believed I could do, I could actually do.

The reality is that I started uplifting women in the corporate space, continued it in the gifting space, and am now doing this in the role of mentor. A role I’ve played in all stages of my working life. Many of the same goal-achieving tools I use now, I used in the corporate space. They are tested and proven.

Now I get to spend my days supporting women, uplifting women, and living my dream while I’m at it.

A Collective is a cooperative enterprise. As an adjective it’s “done by people acting as a group”. I created Lovely Days Collective because it’s about collective growth – not doing it alone. There are a few ways I do this. One way is through 1:1 Mentorship. Whether it’s a 90-minute strategic session or a 5-week container, I work with women in a 1:1 setting to help entrepreneurs focus on 12-week goal setting and strategic planning. I focus on earlier stage entrepreneurs (new business to 5-years). Why does this matter? Many women struggle with balancing their big dreams and daily demands. Often they need support with achieving clarity, and accountability. I help simplify the process, provide structure, and stay focused on what moves the needle. I understand that as creatives, we have a million ideas and want to do them all. I don’t suggest they don’t do them all – but I do help them find a way to do it all strategically.

I provide practical tools and strategic support to help women entrepreneurs go from overwhelmed to clear, confident, and taking action. Here’s how:

-The 12-Week Goal Tracker: Inspired by the 12-Week Year, this tool helps you break down your Big Audacious Goals (BAG) into manageable, actionable steps so you stay focused and make real progress.

-The Weekly Focus Sheet: Because some weeks require extra structure and intention to push through and get more done.

-Strategic Mentorship & Personal Accountability: Because having a plan is one thing but sticking to it is another. I provide the guidance, strategy, and accountability needed to stay on track and keep moving forward.

I also run a 12-Week Cohort—a small, intimate group of women entrepreneurs working on individual goals within a supportive community. This cohort runs only twice a year:

-At the beginning of the year to start strong and set the foundation for success.

-Toward the end of the year to finish with intention—either prepping for the holiday season or getting ready for the start of the new year.

It includes weekly check-ins, powerful tools, and real support to keep you accountable and motivated.

I take a holistic approach to mentorship – it’s not just business. It includes mindset shifts, goal alignment, and clarity. I have a background in leadership and problem-solving (over 30 years of it; I started leading when I worked as the manager of a frozen yogurt shop in high school). I’m mentored and trained countless professionals and my corporate experience gives me a strategic edge.

My approach is curated to each client – I don’t overwhelm with options, instead I provide the right tools and support for success. Every resource, from the 12-Week Goal Tracker to strategic mentorship, is designed for clarity, impact, and ease of use.

What I offer is a true collective, more than mentorship and tools. I’m building a space where women feel seen, supported, and empowered. Everything I do is based in community, accountability, and rising together.

I’m super proud of successfully pivoting from corporate to running a purpose-driven business-a business that fills my cup and also the cups of others. I love seeing how my mentorship helps boost and transform women’s confidence and focus.

What I want people to know is that I get it. I’ve been in their shoes – whether it’s navigating a male-dominated corporate space, leaving that space and starting something new… again and again… or even learning how to balance life. I’ve lived many lives and I’m ready to share those lessons to help someone else.

My programs and mentorship are designed to help women succeed without burnout. It’s not just setting goals – it’s about achieving them. I believe in rising together. When one woman wins, we all win. Collectively – we are better and stronger together.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have had to pivot several times. First, from corporate America to solopreneur. And then again from my first business to now. I’ll talk about how I pivoted from my gift business to my mentorship accountability business.

As my gift business started to grow, I was able to see the trajectory and understand what would be needed to expand in a way that would lead me to the financial space I desire. Along that path, I started to dislike the business. The mission of the business – I loved! I loved supporting women, lifting them up, meeting them and getting to know them. That passion never left. But everything else became harder and harder. Not because I couldn’t do the work – but it became drudgery to do. I wasn’t excited to show up for myself every day. My mood started shifting. I started the Collective while the gift business was rapidly growing.

I was able to show up for the Collective – which had no income, yet I struggled to do it for the business that was starting to finally see a return.

I knew I wanted to leave the gift business behind and focus on the Collective. But I was scared. What would people say and think? I left this fancy career and now I’m flighty? Am I no longer stable? I have a son to take care of.

I gave myself every reason to not follow my dreams.

As I was going through this, I found out my brother had cancer. It felt like I was in freefall. It forced me to consider life in a different way. Things can change in an instant. He is fine now, but his journey helped me shift my perspective. Life is short… and I keep getting reminded.

After a successful beta group for the Collective, I knew what my path was. I knew that I needed to pursue this with all I had in me. And I knew I had to do it my way. I needed my energy to go there, which means releasing anything that was just a heavy weight on my energy.

So, I made a decision. I was leaving the gift business behind. It didn’t matter that I had unsold product. It didn’t matter what people thought. What mattered was how I show up for myself. What mattered was doing what I know to be right. Doing what my soul was calling me to do.

I updated my website, all of my socials, started building the back end and made the shift. It’s been the best decision. The opportunities that I’m getting since making that first decision have been endless. And I don’t know if I’ll have to pivot again, but now I won’t be so afraid.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I thought being comfortable was a positive. Maybe there are aspects that are true. But being comfortable will also leave you stuck. Being willing to be brand new over and over is where the real magic is. Being comfortable living your life with complete authenticity – which will often be uncomfortable, is the best way to live.

I was comfortable in my old job. Steady paycheck. I could do the work in my sleep. Job security. But that comfort came with a constant grind and fight to be respected, heard, and appreciated. That comfort kept me playing small.

No, being uncomfortable is what got me here. Daring to choose me. Being bold enough to make decisions that others didn’t understand. Walking away from what didn’t serve me. Doing so many things scared.

Being comfortable isn’t the goal. Moving past discomfort is the way. Doing things scared is the path to freedom and success. Taking that first step, and then the next… that’s the goal. Because truly, the destination is in the journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lovelydayscollective.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovelydayscollective/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-day-cpm-real-estate/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LovelydaysCollective
• Other: TikTok: @lovelydayscollective

Image Credits
Marcus Jackson Photography Pink Salt Photos Hazel Luna Nat Visualz