Hello, Reader,

I traveled back to the US last month, in part to see friends, family, and colleagues, but mostly to go on a weeklong road trip with my parents to Oregon. I brought my thirteen-year-old daughter with me, and we had a meaningful, memorable trip visiting relatives in three cities: Salem, Medford, and Klamath Falls.

In about a week, I’ll head out for some more travel: through Portugal and Spain, with a week in Bilbao (Basque country), then central Portugal for some mountain time at Serra da Estrella. After that, I’ll head to Cincinnati to see my sister and meet my new niece.

Life today is so different from seventeen years ago—even five years ago.

When I was newer in business, I took almost no time off. When I did, I worked too much—checking email when I should have been resting. Taking calls when I should have had boundaries.

I don’t fault my younger self; she was ambitious (I still am!) and hustling toward her dreams. But that said, I am so glad to be in a place where I can take so much time off to live my life on my terms.

Europe has been good for me. I saw businesses shuttering for weeks, even months, every year. I saw families leaving the day after school ended, heading for multi-month adventures. And I thought: Why can’t I do that?

And I did. I started small, with three weeks. Then four. And now I take roughly seven to eight weeks off in total each year—as my business grows. It’s not magic; it’s intention, strategy, and dedication to both work and life.

I work hard, but I enjoy my life immensely. And I still pinch myself remembering the small Idaho city I grew up in, and the life that felt ordained, not chosen.

Today and every day, I choose this life. And I hope the same for you.

Public Speaking Advice to Ignore, and What to Do Instead

Join Misty Megia, Krista Apardian, and guests for a live conversation you don't want to miss.
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If you've ever prepped for a talk, a pitch, or a big meeting and felt weighed down by "rules" that didn't quite fit—you're not alone. So much of the public speaking advice out there is outdated, generic, or just plain wrong for how real leaders actually communicate.
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We are sitting down to talk honestly about the speaking advice we're ready to retire, and what actually works the stuff that helps you show up as yourself, connect with your audience, and say what matters without overthinking every word.
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Whether you're stepping onto a stage, leading a team meeting, or building your voice as a thought leader, this conversation is for you.
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​Grab your coffee and join us live this Thursday at 12 p.m. E.T.​

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“Writing a Book to Grow Your Coaching Business”

“If writing a book has been sitting on your list for longer than you’d like to admit, you’re not alone. For coaches and leaders, a book feels like the thing that will finally make everything click. The credibility. The clarity. The clients. And according to Stacy Ennis, bestselling author, book coach, and speaker with 17 years in publishing, that instinct is right. But the way most coaches go about it is where things go sideways.”

​Listen to the full interview here.

From the writer’s room

How to leverage your IP to scale, with Pamela Slim ​​Listen now →​

Finding your voice, with Adassa from Encanto ​Listen now →​

The business of being a writer, with Jane Friedman ​​Listen now →​

The author’s guide to a brand photoshoot ​​​​Listen now →​

How to Use AI Ethically and Legally in Your Book-Writing Process ​​Read more →​

Watch Book Writing Advice on YouTube! ​​​Watch now →​

Happy bookversary to client, Kristen Luke!

Three years ago, client Kristen Luke published her book Uncomparable: The Financial Advisor’s Guide to Standing Out Through Niche Marketing.

How the book has impacted me

Writing my book has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my career. Taking the time to put my thoughts down in a way that helps financial advisors grow their businesses has been incredibly fulfilling. It also became the starting point for OnNiche®, the first program I’ve been able to scale inside my marketing agency. People who read the book are already a great fit for the program, which makes selling it so much easier. I give the book away for free to anyone who wants it, and it’s brought in a steady stream of leads. On top of that, I still earn a few thousand dollars each quarter from book sales.

How my book coach helped

There’s no way I could have written something this good without a book coach. Learning how to outline and structure the book properly saved me so much time and helped me avoid a lot of mistakes. It was also great to have clear steps to follow so I always knew what to do next. And having referrals to editors and publishers meant I didn’t have to spend hours researching—everything I needed was already there.

💫 Your writing inspiration

💡 Writing tip: In writing, consistency and discipline are way more important than talent and skill.

I played varsity volleyball and ran long-distance track growing up. And as an athlete, I did a lot of drills, especially in volleyball. Those drills were often boring and exhausting, but come game time, they were the reason I could show up and play my heart out. My body worked almost automatically, with little conscious thought, to pass, set, and spike.

I teach my book coaching clients the skill of book writing, yes—but I also coach them on lifestyle design, helping them integrate writing into their lives. Consistency and discipline are the ticket to making your author dreams happen. And you can do it!

Writing is similar. You must show up regularly. You must train the brain to write through consistency. Over time and with consistent habits, the brain forms new neural pathways that enable your brain to access flow state.

💭 Writing quote by Paulo Coelho

“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”

Let's connect!

That’s it for this month! Have suggestions? Want to say hey?

Hit reply—I love hearing from you!

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