Stories are one of the most powerful ways to learn because they allow us to understand at a deeper level. One of the most important things an business owner can do is help their clients win and so we wanted to create a space where the community can learn from each other’s experiences of how they’ve helped their clients succeed.

Akiko Thayer

As a Certified Leave Management Specialist and parental leave expert, I help mothers maximize their maternity leave. Recently, I worked with a client who managed to take 10 months of job-protected leave.

Understanding pregnancy and parental leave rights is extremely confusing. Navigating maternity leave comes with having to learn the complex interaction between federal (FMLA) and state leave laws. Surprisingly, employers are not obligated to educate employees on these rights, leaving the burden on the employee to understand, request, and utilize them. Read more>>

Lesley Sherman

So this was actually my first client ever as digital marketing consultant. He invented a completely new product in a really niche market and he had, for all intents and purposes, close to zero sales. He’d been operating his brand/business as a side thing for almost 8 years but between invention, production, and manufacturing, advertising had been little to none with no success and therefore sales were extremely low. He also had a very low budget. We started with only tiktok advertising, that’s where he found me, and because his product is a very visual product – you need to be able to see what it does to really appreciate it. I started the tiktok account completely from scratch and started advertising with no previosuly tested creatives or content. I created content, ad creatives, tested the material, and optimized his campaigns on only $1000/mo. (which is extremely low). It took a little over 3 mos but after running the campaigns with my advertising strategies and doing a deep dive into his website to discover what could be improved I was able to get his sales to a place where he could support my fees, his advertising costs, and turn a significant profit. And it kept improving from there. Not only was I proud of myself for this achievement starting completely from scratch with his company, but needless to say he was pretty happy too. Read more>>

Roxy Kelemen

I’ve been in this industry for nearly 30 years, and one of the key things I discovered early on—probably before it became the norm—was the power of training real estate agents. Whether they were seasoned professionals or new to the field, I realized that by educating them, I could be the type of title rep who truly contributes to their success.

I remember one particular day in Vista, at what was then called the Krikorian Theater. We had about 300 agents gathered for a training session. As I spoke, I could see the realization dawning on their faces—they were beginning to understand just how powerful their marketing efforts could be when combined with a little imagination and creativity. Read more>>

Erika Hewston

As part of my textile business I take on custom orders and repair work. I have found these to be some of the most meaningful pieces I have ever worked on as an artist. These projects range from wall hangings to match existing decor, to handwoven ties for wedding parties, to repairing long loved handmade quilts passed down from generation to generation. Although everything I create is handmade, this provides an extra special opportunity to use my skills in a way larger companies cannot do. The emotional response when someone realized they can continue to use a quilt their grandmother made for them is so human and beautiful, and I am glad that I can help make that a possibility. Read more>>

Kim Nguyen

During a pop-up at ShareTea, a bubble tea shop in Beaverton, OR, I met a lovely couple intrigued by my Asian-inspired scents. The wife picked up my ube scented candle and was overwhelmed by the feelings and emotions it evoked. She shared that she had recently moved to the US from the Philippines and was feeling homesick. The scent took her back to a time when she made an ube dessert with her family. As a candlemaker, it touched my heart to witness this kind of human connection. Even as strangers, the scent of the candle connected her to a special memory and created a bridge of connection between us. My favorite stories from customers often start with, “This scent reminds me of…” These moments reaffirm why I do what I do. Read more>>

Lilith Diringer

Success Stories: Streamlining Travel with ChargeHolidays

Success Story 1: Jazz Musician

For musicians, organizing a tour can be a logistical nightmare. Typically, they have to rely on a single, overworked individual to manage all the details. One band member might need to rent a base at the concert hall, another wants to bring their family along, and a third insists on having a separate room. ChargeHolidays simplifies the process by collecting all the necessary information, sharing and uploading booking confirmations and other important documents in one tool, making it easy and comfortable for everyone involved. Read more>>

Oscar Amuz

Once upon a time there was a group of children with autism who discovered in football a way to express themselves, connect with others and overcome their own limits. These children, initially faced with challenges in their daily lives, found a way of escape and personal growth in sport. Read more>>

Gabriela Encina

Case Study: Clara’s Journey Towards Self-Discovery and Empowerment in Expat Life