Welcome to Leveling Up with Lindsay, the podcast
where we dive into leadership, small business,
and everything in between. I'm Lindsay, your
host and the proud owner of White Puny Boutique,
a space created to empower women, build confidence,
and foster meaningful connections. Whether you're
an entrepreneur, a mom, a friend, or someone
just looking for a little inspiration. This is
your space to feel seen, supported, and inspired.
Join me as we share stories, strategies, and
a little bit of life's chaos while navigating
what it truly means to level up in starting a
business, relationship, and personal growth.
So grab a cup of coffee, get comfy, and let's
level up together. Welcome back to leveling up
with Lindsay. Today's episode feels really special
and really, really intentional. As we step into
a new year, I know a lot of people feel pressure
to reinvent themselves, to become a new version
overnight. And honestly, that's not what this
conversation is about. This year's theme for
us is new year, stronger you. Because whether
last year was hard, steady, or surprisingly good,
it shaped you. And if you're listening today,
it means you made it through something. You learned
something and you carried something and that
matters. I wanted this episode to feel grounded,
honest and motivating, especially for our white
peony community. So today I'm joined by Emily
and Autumn, not just as leaders at white peony,
but as women who have been walking this journey
alongside me. Today, we're talking about what
we learned last year, what we conquered, what
we're leaving behind and how we're showing up
differently, personally, professionally. and
as a business, as we step into this year stronger
than ever. So before we dive in, Emily and Autumn
are here with me and I'm so, so grateful. You
both play such an important role in White Peony
and I really wanted our community to hear from
you directly as we kick off this new year together.
We here, new year, new you. everywhere. We've
done it before in the past. Each year we have
our own little theme. We dive deep into what
resonated with us the year before and obviously
what we're stepping into. And honestly, that
new year, new you sometimes feels really exhausting.
Wouldn't you agree? I agree. That's not the message
we wanted to send at all this year. This is different.
So Emily, when you hear the phrase new year,
stronger you, what does that mean to you, especially
in the context of white peony? Yeah, to me it
means becoming more rooted in who you already
are, maybe choosing confidence over comparison,
alignment over hustle, and intention over perfection.
At YPONI, we're about supporting women as they
grow, not by fixing them, but about walking alongside
them in their journey. Yes, amen to that. Adam,
how about for you? I think it's about standing
taller, to be honest. I think it's showing up
exactly who you are, capable, strong, evolving,
but being really confident in the fact that you
know exactly who you are and you stay within
that alignment. I think this year, the strength
is quiet. It's something that you don't have
to prove to anybody. It's about just moving forward
confidently in yourself and others will see that.
Yeah. So you just said. moving forward with quiet
strength. I completely agree, but it's something
like, you know, not something maybe voice out
loud, but it's an internal overcoming that last
year you conquered the heck out of 2025 in whether
it's a small little way, a big way you had wins,
you had the hardest of your life, everything
in between. To me, it is standing so flipping
tall in what you believe in and your values that
you bring to the table. The quiet might be there,
but it is so obvious to every person when you
walk in that room. Going off that too, I feel
like so many people maybe found themselves and
now it's growing in yourself and maybe that's
the part about being quiet. You worked so hard
in 2025 to develop your values and things like
that and now you're growing off of what you've
learned last year. I agree. I think it's a lot
too of not having to prove yourself to anyone
else. I think when you think about that strength,
it's not something you have to say loudly in
the sense that you have to show anybody that
inner strength that you've developed, that confidence
you develop. It is a feeling that people will
feel when they see you. I agree. I love that.
I think being the idea of the new year stronger
you compared to the new year, new you is so different.
What's different there? Like in my opinion, there's
knew me. I think last year tested me personally
and professionally in ways I didn't think were
possible. Truly. Yes. And you guys can all speak
to this. One, I feel like new year new you means
you have to reinvent something or like become
something you're not or don't even want to be.
But people feel like new year new you kind of
means that. But I feel like stronger you is more
like showing up being consistent or setting boundaries
or being stronger in your identity. I agree.
Adam, you can speak to that. Yeah, I think part
of it too is I think a lot of the strength from
taking a step back instead of always a step forward
and kind of analyzing the true wants and needs
of who you are at this moment because I think
it changes and evolves so much that sometimes
we're stretching ourselves thin reaching for
all those goals when maybe your goal is to slow
down. Last year I think for me was really like
when there are times that push you to your core
when the universe tries to break you and every
which way possible you can either surrender and
say I give up. Or you find your string to move
forward. So this is not about restarting anything.
This is about looking back and reflecting and
being like, Excuse my language. If you have kids
listening, turn it down. I am a badass. 100%.
I'm here to get through this economy. I'm here
to conquer, whether it's wellness or financially
or, you know, a job change or a, you know, a
move. There's so many things that we have had
conversations with different individuals, whether
they're business or not. And I am done thinking
that we need to be better than what we were because
actually what I want you to believe in is who
you are as a person. Right now when you can stand
taller in what you believe in your values when
you can look in the mirror and be like I'm I'm
what are we all okay? This is gonna have to be
a bleep moment. I don't know if you can put this
out there So I'm I'm warning everyone that there's
gonna be a swear word coming. But what is one
that is such a mom thing? But what is one thing
that we will write notes to each other to like
give ourselves empowerment and strength What
is the one I still have it hanging on my computer?
Yeah, I think we have multiple from different
people. Can I say it do it? Okay. It says you
are awesome. Amen. Amen to that. Amen. I want
everyone of you individually who are listening,
if you come in and, you know, or at White Pony
or at an event with us, I want you to feel empowered
to say, I am awesome. It is no longer. I need
to. We're not a victim of our circumstances anymore.
I think that's. Partly, one of the things that
comes with that inner strength is we no longer
sit and take what the world is giving us. We
are charging forward in our own self. I love
that. And I think it's important. I do think
it's important to acknowledge where we've been,
right? We need to reflect. We need to look at
the good and the bad of everything that happened
the year prior. I think there's a lot of cliche
in this whole new year thing, of course. What
gives when it gives you permission to really
dig deep? Like why not have a new year stronger?
Why not come together and make this like a total
inspiration or motivation to kick off this new
year? But we have to look at what happened, right?
Good in the bad in the in between. We have to
understand what helped us. We have to understand
what absolutely did not help us. What last year
taught us as business, as leaders, and as humans,
right? So we do have to acknowledge what we went
through. On that note, I'm gonna ask a couple
questions here to the girls. What was proven
most important at White Pony Boutique? Yeah,
so actually I'm glad you gave me this question
beforehand because I was thinking about it and
honestly there's two words that came up and it
was clarity and consistency. I think what mostly
mattered last year was the clarity that we developed
knowing who we are, how we lead, what we say
yes to when things felt kind of inconsistent
and shaky, it kind of kept us grounded. But also
the other thing is the consistency in all of
it, systems, communication showing up, even when
it's uncomfortable or doesn't feel normal, I
guess, keep showing up every single day, I think
was huge. So over the last two years, it has
been a roller coaster. And I know that I can
speak to so many people. especially as entrepreneurs
who can say the same thing. The last two years
have tested us and I think worldwide it's very
clear that it's tested a lot of people and it
is so heartbreaking that I am now seeing different
businesses close again. And you know, this last
year, two years, we have been forced to pivot
often. In the beginning of this boutique, things
moved so quickly. It was like a bit of chaos.
And looking back, I'm so proud of. Is that in
two of the hardest years of our existence and
I hope to be What we did two years ago is I think
got a little emotional because of all the changes
and sat down, put our heads together. I think
we fought through with, I can say personally
me, I fought through with anxiety. I think this
year is different though. I think what we've
done each year that it has been hard is we have
gotten, actually I know we have gotten stronger,
but it's a different kind of strength that I
think we should be so proud of. It is a strength,
like Adam said, of figuring out individually
who we are and being more proud. standing in
that. Exactly. Don't you agree? I agree. Like
from what you said? And to piggyback off of consistency
I feel like yes there was moments of chaos but
overall consistency over chaos has really paid
out for us because we never lost sight of like
our purpose and our real mission for white peony
which is really cool and really like helped us
I think carry us through. I know. Consistency
there to correct me from wrong you guys can squash
me like a bug if you think otherwise. This year
amongst all of the craziness that's I mean you
guys I always say like, if I could sit down and
write a book about these years, I think it would
be incredibly eye -opening for so many people.
And I think they'd be like actually astonished
on the things. But considering what we went through
this year, I felt even less chaos than I ever
have before. I agree. In literally the hardest
year of our existence. This is the last time
I said, I always tell everyone, I say, we're
not going to have, we are, you know, we're going
into 2025. And it was like, we are not having
another 2020. I will not let us and we all like
rally together and then it got worse and then
it happened. So for me consistency in the highest
level was so incredible. Yeah. Staying rooted
in who we truly are as a business and like sticking
true to our values, even when trends are changing
and there's pressures to constantly change and
evolve, but we've showed up consistently not
only for ourselves, but our team, our customers
on the white peony community. And that's been
so huge. And every single time we put our heads,
every single time we meet, I love what you said
there because you're like not only for ourselves,
like we actually do hit that. checklist almost
every time we come together and pivot in a way.
So we're like, check us, check, check, check
our customers, check, check, check. And then
we also go through like, okay, now what can we
do in our community? And I feel like it's always
been like, we've always felt the pressure of
like pushing and hustling and it has felt chaotic
at times, but I feel like we've done a really
good job of slowing down, truly being more intentional.
Like it's been slower, but more intentional growth.
If that makes sense. Exactly. I agree. Autumn
question for you. What surprised you the most
last? year about our team or customers and how
we had to operate. I think again this one a couple
words just kind of stick out to me and even as
we are just talking resilience was another word
that I was like that is dead on and the loyalty
between not only our customers which thank goodness
for our loyal customers but the loyalty that
our own team brings to the table because honestly
with the way that things go if our team has heart
and you can see that and you can feel that it's
not fake it's not something you can just make
up because going through the hard times really
shows the true colors of your team and the heart
that they have and truly we all bleed white peony
yes and it's like it's heart and the passion
now if there's one thing we've said this time
and time again even as i've sat with each of
you to talk in as a group in our meetings I'm
like and I talk with my business consultant it's
wild because last year shook me a little bit
with changes this year I'm like this is like
a different kind of family I'm so freaking grateful
because we have come together like a sisterhood,
because if anything were to happen to any of
these individuals on my team, and vice versa,
and I know they would do the same for me, if
anything happened, it is like drop everything
and do whatever you have to do to help one another.
And I mean, you guys have to do that this year.
So that was that was proven to be real. But I
think, yeah. You know, Adam, with what you experienced
with Aaron's accident, I was expecting this,
but I think what that showed is how we have something
so unique because we can work, like we can show
up at work and we can do our work and we can
have different points of views and perspectives.
But like we come to work. and we're here with
so much passion in our mission, but then on a
personal level, it is like a different kind of
family that I am so grateful for. But when that
happened, Autumn, with you and Erin, there's
not one ounce of question from any one of us
that would have done anything different. And
I think for me, that was a really telling thing
because, you know, I think one of the most resounding
things that I heard after and during this accident
was about my place of work and where I work because
not only did they come together as my best friends
and checking on me, but They all swooped in,
everybody, to I didn't feel you guys just picked
up exactly what needed to be done without hesitation,
without question. And then as soon as I was able
to come back, you guys welcomed me with open
arms and it just flowed so easily. And again,
I think that's something you can't replicate
in a lot of positions and a lot of other businesses,
because a lot of things can be really transactional.
And sometimes you're just a number or just a
chair or just a body there. And here it is so
much deeper. than that. And that is something
that I can never take for granted. And I think
really I made it shine this year and prove itself
with our team and things like this. Erin, that's
enough. That's enough, Erin. But what I will
say is did that because we fully, you would have
done the same for any of us. Yeah. No, without
a doubt, without hesitation, without anything.
But the thing with what Autumn was saying and
how I'm feeling right now is we're so genuine
with this message the new year stronger you if
there's one thing that I advice for everyone
is like when you can be your genuine self like
we literally live here with the biggest hearts
with the most passion I one time at a previous
job was told I have too much passion and what
I'm doing like I shouldn't be so passionate about
my work and I finally found the people that Equally
move forward with the same type of passion and
I think when you can be genuine and who you are
and stand taller And you guys have shown me that
you've given me more confidence. There's something
so dang powerful in that so I think that's a
perfect kind of Revelation with all of this and
I think leading that way I think being here everyone
has that genuine heart that genuine feel I think
it also kind of shows and radiates to our customers
because they give us that same. And I think during
this too, when I talk about resilience and the
loyalty between us as staff and our customers,
our customers never disappeared. They still supported
us. as things shifted, they still leaned in to
us and I think for different reasons. And I think
that's what's really cool because again, and
we always say this, but I think this year more
than ever that we are more than a boutique and
we are more than just clothes. And I feel like
I've had more genuine conversations in the last
year about that with our customers than I've
ever had before. I agree. If you're thinking
right now, if you're listening and you're having
a moment in the car or whatever that is and you're
like passion, like I don't have passion for what
I'm doing or where I'm working. Find it, find
it. What fuels you. I know with the different
careers that I've had in the past, there are
things that I've loved within that, but it's
the stars aligned for me. I'm so grateful because
the stars aligned for me to take all the little
bits and pieces of what I loved doing in those
little moments. If I was questioned from someone
like, why are you doing too much of this or you're
too happy or blah, blah, blah. Guess what? It's
all come together here at Wade Beauty. So this
might sound cheesy. This might be very specific
to us. but what I challenge you as a business
owner is I want you to take a moment and I want
you to write down like what genuinely makes you
happy whether it's personally or professionally
and then I want you to take that list and think
like okay first of all what about my team like
how does this resonate with my team one two how
does this resonate with the people that I'm serving
my customers or my clients you have an opportunity
If you're a business owner to create a path that
works the most for you and your team, because
when you genuine authenticity, people like. It
matters in the universe response to that. If
you are a leader somewhere or working for somebody,
I challenge you to also make the same list because
I think it's very important to figure out, especially
now. You at work are not just going to work to
go to work. You are going to work to make a difference.
Whether you feel like that or not, I don't care.
You are. Period. Every moment matters. Exactly.
So you can decide, am I literally going to get
by my work day? Which honestly sucks. Sorry to
say that, but like you count the clock, you get
angry, you have animosity, blah, blah, blah.
You need to make a choice. Am I going to show
up and make an impact or am I just going to get
by and be miserable? And when you start asking
yourself these questions and instead of blaming
your workplace, instead of blaming your annoying
coworker, instead of blaming maybe an employee
who doesn't show up on time, you need to reflect.
in your own self. You need to make this list
yourself. I promise it'll come full circle. Yes.
Agreed. You know, we kind of touched on this
and there were definitely moments last year that
felt heavy in a lot of places. It would have
broke a lot of people. And I feel like we're
broke down, but we never fully like, you know
what I mean? But we did always lift each other
up and we stuck together and we had the same
values and the same passion for what we do. And
that really carried us through. And it was not
always easy. No, it's not. And it's not always
going to, but wow. Looking back, I'm like, Aren't
you proud? We were resilient. Yes, we were. I'm
freaking proud. This year in ways sucked. Yeah.
So bad. Okay, I didn't have a censored little
thing in the beginning of this podcast. It did.
It felt good to say that. That did kind of feel
good. Say it. Sucked and you know what? I love
you know Tara best friend Tara She says she hates
like that false positivity So if there's one
thing for sure, you know, everybody could probably
say it could be worse. I know it I know it for
a fact especially being on the indie foundation
on the board and doing the things I know it could
be worse, but it doesn't make what you're going
through Anything less important exactly right?
Yeah, so I've always been one to be like you
know. put on that tough shell and be like, I'm
fine. It's good. Sometimes you're not frigging
good. Period. It's okay. And that's okay. And
I think we've allowed ourselves to do that as
a team and then still move forward because when
you can hug and cry it out and maybe if that's
less extreme, I mean, the autumn years is a little
different. Emily too, you have had moments that
it's unbelievable, the strength that you carry.
And if we have time and we need to just release,
like we give ourselves that. When I think about
that, I'm a crier naturally and it used to be
something I was really ashamed of but it's something
that I think as I've grown to learn who I am
I think it's a really good quality for me because
I'm a person that can honor a feeling and then
I can move forward I think sometimes when we
put on this brave face because we think we're
helping ourselves or those around us it can come
out in worse ways, it can come out in different
ways that we didn't expect and I think sometimes
it's just okay to honor that feeling. Sometimes
it's okay to just give a good cry in the shower
because you have to release the emotion to be
able to move past the emotion and if you hold
on to it that's where you will stay. I think
we're more apt, all of us now, that we have been
honoring the feeling to be able to move forward.
I think a lot of us used to try to hold it all
in, be tough, be strong for each other, thinking
that that was helping or benefiting us, when
in the long run, you kind of prove to yourself
that it doesn't. And again, when we talk about
like, some days we're not okay, and that's where
the other person kind of lifts them up as they
go, because you know, you're going to be in a
spot like that at some point. And I think that's
just important to honor. this year especially.
I agree. Couldn't agree more. So that's a good
point, Autumn. Thinking back to last year and
what made us stronger is learning to let go.
Learning to let go. I love that so much. So what,
okay, let's think about this personally, professionally.
What are we intentionally leaving behind this
year as leaders and as a brand? Well, I think
kind of piggybacking right off of what Autumn
said is doing less, but doing it better. So I
feel like we kept trying to like keep up with
the hustle and the trends and stay ahead and
do 18 million things at once. And we were never
like truly honing in on the details or like what
we are really good at. You kept saying, let's
go back to the basics. Let's go back to the basics.
And so now doing less doesn't mean like we're
doing less. It just means like honing in and
being more intentional and being more detailed.
Like before if we did 20 things, now we're doing
eight things and the details in those eight things
are like extraordinary. And that's been hard.
I don't know, slowing down in a sense of like
not slowing down like we're doing less. I don't
know how to say it different, but like just really
honing in on the details and making things better
and stronger. More intentional. More intentional,
yeah. I think it's like slowing down. the tornado
you know what I mean like where you're chaotic
enough you're just you're ramming through you're
trying to push forward but like that's me I am
learning to be a gentle wind yeah they call me
Ferdinand and it's fine and I've owned it okay
yeah I'm good good in this inside but sometimes
just too much she's talking I'm like you're right
you said the tornado were slowing it down I was
like yeah I could feel they're burning oh stop
it I'm a gentle wind this year that's what I'm
I'm going for 2026. Just blowing in and blowing
out. Let me ask you this. We're slowing down
that tornado when we're kind of laughing about
this because of certain things. With that on
a personal level. What has worked and what hasn't
worked? Because I think the reason, correct me
if I'm wrong, you and I have had many, many talks
about this, but the reason for that chaotic tornado
is because you're trying to please everyone.
Oh, a hundred percent. Right? Yeah. You're trying
to make up for other people's emotions. You're
trying to please everyone. You're trying to make
things better. You're trying to - Everyone happy.
And yes, when you finally stand and you're like,
this is who I am, I am bleep awesome. I am bleep
and awesome. Yeah. And then it kind of changes.
Actually, everyone right now, if you're in the
car, if you're by yourself, please know children,
say that aloud. Yeah. F in. Yeah, it does feel
really good. Say it. Get a post -it note. I think
with that being said too, with wanting to please
everyone, I think I always think the word perfection,
like I always felt like everything needed to
be perfect. And to me, that just meant doing
all the things and doing it myself. And I think
leaving behind or what doesn't matter as much
is that perfection. It's not speeding through
life. It's not speeding through the motions.
It's not chasing every opportunity. I think we
also learn that we don't need to react. all the
time. We're always in a reaction mode, but coming
forward with intention first, I think is really
important because I think sometimes when you're
in that chaos of life and you're going through
the motions and you're speeding through, you're
always constantly just putting out the fires
and never feeling like you can actually slow
down and enjoy anything at that point. So I think
sometimes it's just that understanding and letting
yourself be okay with knowing that you don't
need to be everywhere and everything to everyone.
I think it's a big pivotal moment. Oh, I think
of that on a personal level. And it's wild. It's
wild. And it comes, okay, you know, I'm going
to turn 40 this year, very soon. Someone whoo
-hoo someone had said to me they said it's okay
40 isn't this I've never felt more healthy. It's
great. It's awesome I was like I actually could
care less about that number. What I want is peace
What I want is yeah to feel good and everything.
I don't care about age I don't care if you're
listening right now and you are in your 20s 30s
40s 50s or about I don't care But what I do care
about is what it's gonna take to step into my
power further and when I say that it sounds selfish
it is not it is literally when I say that I've
dealt you guys with with bottom said perfectionism
my entire life to the tenth degree like very
strong perfectionism it's come out and work I
worked through things and worked through it with
you guys in a different way my eyes have been
opened to what truly truly matters and to me
I don't know this last year Values like when
you have a team when you have a community with
all eyes on you when you have a huge family and
I just feel like There are so many eyes on you
and in the beginning you feel like perfectionism
or you're gonna fail Yeah, now it's like no hold
your role. Nobody's perfect and when you can
figure that out It's like a aha. Holy mind -blown
type, you know, nobody's perfect We're all honestly
under the surface trying to survive in some way
shape or form I actually do not get intimidated.
I have not from, and I think my grandfather for
this, from someone with the greatest title, if
you're a president somewhere. So that doesn't
bother me because I know underneath that layer,
underneath that surface, we're all trying to
survive. We're all this. And so for me, when
this equation started adding up in my head, perfectionism,
I'm like, you can do really great things with
slowing down and being more intentional and then
stop freaking questioning yourself. Man, when
you're like, I don't know. Did I do that right?
Did I make them up? Did I blah, blah, blah? I
don't know. Did I do that good enough? Did I
stop it? Not only does it not help you when you
can stand tall in what you believe in. And for
everyone, that's different. I mean, might slightly
be the same, but for the most part different.
When you can stand tall in that and when you
walk in a room and you're like, this is who I
am. This is what I bring to the table. The universe
will respond and you will give off the most beautiful,
powerful radiation. We've talked about that a
lot too. There's something so incredible about
that. So for me, perfectionism, bye. And I think
when you radiate that, that's the light that
people are drawn to and the right people. will
be drawn. So you might not be it for everyone
and you have to be okay with that because you're
something to somebody when you're your true self
and you radiate that light. That and when you
are something, I always say every single one
of us are all influencers, right? So like if
you're listening right now and you're like, I
could never be on a podcast. I can never stand
in front of camera. I could never, I'm not an
influencer. Like people don't look up to, yeah,
they do. Yeah, they actually do. I don't think
you understand. And I, literally this, I guess,
is what I'm going to shake into everything that
we do. If you're listening right now, there is
someone in this world, whether you like it or
not, that you are influencing in either a really
good way or maybe a not so great way. People
look up to you. I don't care what your title
is. I don't care if you're an expert or not.
I don't care how long you've been in a business.
I don't care if it's your day one or if you've
been there for 25 years. It doesn't matter. I
don't care if you have a big family, a little
family or a dog mom. You run a business. You
don't run it. It doesn't matter. You influence.
everyone and I think now is the year where we
need to understand that. When you walk in a room
it freaking matters. A lot of people are going
through a really hard time right now period and
we have been a part of so many stories that I
am so grateful for but it's heavy and what I
know is that when you walk into a room like right
now the new year and with different stores or
guests how you react in those moments it is going
to matter. You are influencing the room. So on
that note this year is not about changing who
we are. It's about refining how we show up, right?
Absolutely. So I'm gonna ask this amongst our
group and I think we all just kind of chime in
here because I think we have been so excited
to kind of kick start this new year. So how do
you see White Peony showing up different for
our customers this year? When I say White Peony,
I mean as a team, as a business, how we are going
to serve differently. And if you're listening,
ask yourself this question. Ask yourself the
same question as we're talking about this. How
do you see white peony showing up differently
for our customers this year? Two words that come
to mind for me are just bigger and stronger.
And it's funny because even reading those words,
I think the point is we don't show up differently.
I think the point is, is we keep being exactly
who we are with our customers because I think
that's how we got to where we are now is just
being authentically ourselves and connecting
with every single person that walks through the
door because I have met some of the most incredible
people, the most in -depth conversations for
those that have stepped through these doorways.
And I think that is where we grow. That is where
we are different. I think... being super intentional
with the people that walk in this door and realizing
every human, every story matters. Yeah. I think
for me, when I say bigger and stronger, it's
standing stronger in our beliefs and like white
peony, this is who we are. We're different. We're
more than clothing. We're this. But also when
you said intentional, when I say bigger in my
mind, I say we're bigger. We're showing a bigger
for you because like the moments we've talked
about being more intentional with our top customers
are the ones who engage with us, who really care.
Yeah. Going out of our way to connect. with them
in ways that actually matter aside from clothing,
right? And I feel like we meet women where they
are. You don't have to come in. You're not all
the same. You're not in the same spot. Maybe
you're having a good day. Maybe you're having
a bad day. But I feel like white peony consistently
has been a place that feels calm, welcoming,
and encouraging. People leave feeling good when
they walk out a space. You don't have to have
it all together, right? We've cried. We've laughed.
We've had all the feelings there. And I feel
like people are comfortable just being themselves.
And I feel like that's important to remind women
that we are there and we're going to continue
to be that for them. Don't you think like, so
we have been that, but if we're going to be bigger,
stronger for 2026, I think it's just standing
in that a little bit different, like more, deeper.
Is that a, yeah, deeper. So looking at 2026,
what excites you most about this new year? I'm
actually really excited for our team in general.
I feel like in this last year, a lot of us have
grown in confidence. I think a lot of us have
been more able to trust our instincts, trusting
ourselves faster, believing in ourselves more
to take on bigger roles, to take on tougher situations,
to take on tasks and new ideas with confidence
instead of just being nervous to speak our minds.
I think we've all grown and affirmed each other
that like we all have great ideas and things
that we bring to the table and every one of us
is so different that I'm really excited to see
where this takes us. I've talked to Emma about
this recently where, you know, within this last
year and learning all the things, I feel like
we've pivoted so much and we've learned to slow
down this year that I feel this fire burning
inside all of us. Like I can feel it, that something
just feels different. It feels more, I don't
know what the word is. It's like we're excited
to grow with intention. Like we have intention
behind what we're doing. We're confident in who
we are and it's really exciting. I don't know.
And it feels like movement. I feel like we've
been feeling kind of stuck emotionally and physically,
but I think it's movement of like there is something
bigger happening. I think we've proven to ourselves
this year. I think when we stand stronger, bolder,
wiser in 2026, it's that we have proven we're
more than clothing. When we talk about the details
behind the scenes and what we go through, I don't
think people understand actually everybody that
I've met as far as like business relationship,
like my team behind the scenes, not like, you
know, employees, but like people that like my
business consultant, my coding team, the whole
nine yards, I think blown away with what takes
place behind the scenes and I wish we could unwrap
that for everyone and maybe we will maybe that's
a good idea but I trust in us more than ever
yeah and I want everyone who is part of our white
peony community to also feel that same sense
if there's anything that we can help with it
is that now I want to touch base really quickly
This is getting a little bit long because we
could sit here for a long time. But I want to
touch briefly on the personal side because leadership
and life are so obviously connected. And it is
for us being a family. Emily, what did last year
teach you about your own strength? That would
be a better question. Yes, agree. To believe
in myself and hone in on my confidence and know
that what I say has a value. Believing in what
I say and backing it up with facts and knowing
that what I bring to the table truly matters.
And so I feel like I'm going to hone in more
on that this year and really like believe in
myself and what I bring matters and like being
behind the scenes in a sense for what I do. I'm
on my computer and like doing things behind all
the time. So like not always feeling like what
I'm doing does not that it doesn't have a value
because I know it does, but like showing that
it's paying off and like, I don't know, there's
like little things that little wins to me that
have really helped me see the success I bring.
And then it's not always immediate. Correct.
And I think that was hard to, you know, sometimes
to calculate or hard to feel when you are giving
your heart and soul. And that day you might not
feel it, but then you see something trigger something
else. And then that snowball effect, those are
the big, big victories. Huge, huge. And for you
to say that, like standing more confident in
what you're, you know, what you're saying. I'm
like, Emily, yes. Let's just give Emily this.
Oh, this is a good one. Adam, how has this last
year, how has it shaped how you support others
now going into 2026? I think it's going to kind
of like full circle kind of to the beginning
of what I was saying with more of the quiet leadership.
And you've always kind of talked about that,
that, and again, this, it doesn't mean that your
hands off. What it means is you don't have to
show anybody. proof of your worth, of what you're
doing, of your accomplishments, of your checklists,
of the things that you personally did yourself.
I think it's more leaning in and empowering the
team around you. making decisions in the uncertainty
and not having to wait for someone to approve
you or to make you feel like you're worthy to
do that or make that decision. I think that is
that quiet strength that I'm learning to dive
into. I always joke that I'm kind of like a dog.
I just need someone to tell me I'm doing a good
job. I just need to know that you like me. Just
please love me. But I think I'm learning to love
who I am myself and knowing that I am worthy
of it. And I work hard and I show up and I think
showing up for the team and just supporting them
in there. growth has been a big change for me.
And I'm still getting there, but I think I'm
starting to realize that. Seriously. I love that.
Thank you. Thank you. That was powerful. Thank
you. And I'm so proud of you. I can see it. I
can actually, it's crazy. Like as a best friend,
I have a team of women who are my best friends
and who feel like family. And a lot of people
are like, how do you do it? Cause that is hard.
Like a lot of people can't do that. I can though.
I can put myself. in a friend perspective at
a 30 ,000 foot view, how I always say it, and
I can do it as a leader or a business owner.
I really can. But on both levels, like listening
to what you both just said, like... You're a
proud mom. Yeah. I grew your little bit, little
hatchlings. No, no, no. But it makes me so proud
because also you guys could speak to the journey
that I've like, it got me emotional listening
to you guys. Cause I'm like, I am so proud. I
think, but I think before you say what you're
growing from, I think that is a really cool thing
is I think you've been breathing this confidence
in ourselves for a long time. And you always
talk about that is finding a person's strength.
as a leader and then you are nurturing that part
of them. So you see their strengths because like
there are certain things that I'm not good at,
that Emily's not good at and vice versa. I love
when Emily's strengths come out because like
I lean on her and I hope she can lean on me.
And I think it's really cool to support each
other's strengths and know each other's weaknesses,
not as a weakness, but as something that you
can depend on another person to help you through
in the business because it's not all in one person.
I think from the beginning, you've always breathed
really honing in and owning your own strengths
and really nurturing that part. I think what
got me super emotional is when you said that.
I think one of my biggest qualities is finding
strength in people because it's actually been
one of my biggest personal weaknesses. Let it
out. It's the day to honor those feelings. So
I think for me, growing up with perfectionism,
secure in different ways throughout, you know,
growing up in different ways and going through
your own insecurities and your own life and being
faced with people who question you and faced
with, you know, you're not good enough. There
were people in my life when I was young that
said that, not my parents, but outsiders and
you know, you feeling you got to prove yourself.
I think I look deeper than the surface level
because I'm like, I can see it in you. And I
think that's actually been kind of my own journey
at the same time. So for me against it all, it's
like, I feel so damn good to stand up and be
like yeah these are the hardest years of my professional
existence. I lost my father -in -law 13 years
ago and there are different things that I've
had throughout my life too, health and wellness
and career changes and everything under the sun.
But there's something about this last two years
that have tested me in ways and I'm like universe
and you guys have heard me say this. I know what
you're trying to do here. You're testing me to
bring out and I read this thing online and it
said, I have that like nasally. But I read a
thing that said, if you're a business owner,
it's going to test every ounce of your deepest
insecurities and bring it to surface because
you're going to face it head on in the mirror
and you're going to stand stronger. And I was
like, I'm called out. I'm sitting here listening
to you with a smile on my face because if I were
to say anything, I think Em would feel the same
way. I think you nailed it right on the head.
I feel like you nailed it right on the head,
but it's not having to prove yourself to anyone.
And I think for a long time, you were trying
to prove you belong here, that you're worth it,
and we're here to stay. We wanna be those things,
but I feel like... In this last year, you let
go of having to prove yourself anymore because
I think you're stepping into your own self -worth
and owning it. I agree with that. This year has
made me every part of my life. Yeah. Every single
part and going through the ups and downs like
even being a part of Aaron's accident with you
Emily gosh the conversation you had about the
people that you lost in your life I mean so much
it just all of this is just I'm like universe
the lessons that I have learned Over the last
few years are like profound and I think for all
the business owners that are listening to this
I think that's kind of and just as you're talking
about this. It's not just business. No, it's
not so when it comes down to it if you're listening
to this podcast and you're hoping to have an
epiphany just in your business, it's really the
root of your business is you. And I think being
self -aware, I think self -reflecting, I think
your entire life in the personal side and the
business side all dictate how you show up every
single day. Well, having a team with the same
values and the same passions. And when it gets
hard, you could run, but we all, they chose to
stick around and support each other. And yeah,
you know where I live. I'd make it like a foot
and you'd be like, I don't think so. I'd be dragging
you back. We got each other's back, that's for
sure. But most importantly, as we step, anyone
listening here, as we step into the new year,
if there's one thing that I want for you, and
I guess I would challenge Autumn and you to say
something that you'd want for our listeners to
take into the new year, is own who the heck you
are and what you bring to the table, period.
Autumn. I think that on the business side, I
think white peony isn't about pretending life
is easy. And I think that's what's really cool
about this conversation today. It's about showing
up as you are, being capable, you're strong,
and we're evolving. But I think, too, on the
personal side, I think I'm not trying to prove
anything this year. I think, again, that quiet
leadership part keeps resonating with me about
how we just keep moving forward, confidently,
quietly, but bold in the sense of knowing exactly
how we want to align and show up every single
day. For me, I trust what I bring to the table
now and that's not just professionally, but I
feel like that's in my personal life as well.
Not having to question why or anything like that,
but just knowing that what I bring has value
and I need to stand behind that. for anybody
listening, same goals. Absolutely. Yeah. It's
a hard lesson to learn. It's taking me 33 years
of my life. Yeah. And you guys, this is all like,
we're going to stand together and like, we're
going to have to keep reminding, you know, week
after week here. I think it is, it's kind of
like one of those, it's a muscle that you've
got to keep honing in on. You have to keep working
because it's not a natural instinct. Unfortunately,
our life and the surroundings are like making
us question our everything. We here as a team
are here to remind you and help strengthen. I
think too, I challenge everybody that is listening
to this to check us. This is not an episode that
you take for one day and change for a week. I
think this is the one where, like you said, we
keep checking ourselves. We keep showing up and
I think it's about checking in with each other.
I want you guys to keep talking about this episode.
I want you to keep talking about how maybe it's
affected you or check in with us and see how
we're doing with it. Because I think that's the
important thing is that if you don't keep that
consistency, that in with yourself or with others,
you can lose that drive, that motivation to push
you forward. And I think the cool thing about
this discussion now is the fact that if you're
listening to this, it's for a reason. And I think,
again, it's not to change who you are. It's to
stand taller with that. And I think every person
that walks in our door, I hope you feel that
walking in. I agree. Well, to end this, there's
one thing that we didn't really talk about and
something I learned. I went to my favorite massage
therapist in the whole entire wide world and
she goes, and we were literally getting so emotional.
like just opening up and releasing, talking to
one another. And she goes, Lindsay, did you know
this is the year of the snake? And I was like,
what? What does that mean? And she goes, this
is the year 2025 that you shed all the layers
that you do not need. Anything weighing you down,
anything. You shed those layers. And I said,
I've never needed someone to tell me that more
in my entire life. And do you want to know what
this next year, 2026 is the year of the horse.
Did you tell me Abby was? The fire. Oh, I like
that even 2026. I thought that year of the fire
and it's scary, but it could be really good.
Is a fire horse good? Oh, it's powerful. The
year of the horse, the fire horse moment. The
horse represents power with purpose, freedom
with direction, strength that doesn't need to
be loud, forward motion that doesn't need to
stop to explain yourself. The horse doesn't hesitate.
It runs because it knows its strength. Wow. That
really full circled exactly everything we just
talked about. Do you know horses are like my
favorite animal? Mine too! Okay, that is cool.
I like that. Besides my dog, I agree. As we wrap
up, here's what I want you to take with you.
You don't need to become someone new this year.
You do not need to erase last year. And you don't
need permission to trust yourself. Last year
didn't break you, it built you. And this year,
we're choosing to stand taller, move forward
with confidence and lead with intention in our
lives, in our work and in this community. Thank
you for being here. Thank you for walking this
journey with us, right ladies? And thank you
for being part of White Peony and leveling up
with Lindsay. New Year, stronger you. Mic drop.
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