What’s your story for 2025

Let me hear your story for 2025.

I’m not a fan girl of resolutions so no pressure here.

But I LOVE a sticky story.

So tell me…

What was the moment or time in your life when you were unafraid? Rebellious? Undeterred? Spirited? Plucky? (ooh, I like THAT one!)

That time when you believed ANYTHING was possible. When you didn’t care what your hair looked like. When you took a picture BECAUSE it would last longer …in your photo album.

Back in the day when your “inner” voice WAS your voice. That voice who said, “Heck, Yes! (you were too young to curse) Let’s do it! I’m in! That sounds fun! What’s next?”

When you allowed yourself to imagine the possibilities.

For me back in the day, I was all about just hanging out for hours with a bestie, when we would spend the day imagining the characters we would dress up as, with whatever we had in our closets. That was it. That was the day.

Nah…time to move on from those dreams of who you wanted to be.

But wait...there is a wee bit of insight you might get from that kid in you.

That bolder voice inside you (or perhaps the voice of someone who believes in you) who says: “You can do that. Lead the discussion. Facilitate the panel. Be the guest speaker. Be the keynote.”

You CAN show up with all the gutsy, bold, undaunted, gritty, spunky spirit that is still very much a part of who you are and is waiting for you to say, “Yes, I remember you.”

That “inner” voice that was once YOUR voice. It’s still there. It’s dying to get out there.

Wherever you are in your journey, keep listening to the deepest most authentic part of you. Find those moments to let it bubble out. And connect.

It’s 2025. What will you say? How will you say it? Will you hold back?

Let me hear from the big bold you.

I’m all in and willing to listen.

2024 Wrap Up!

If you’ve ever been on a stage of any kind, you know you never get a chance to make a second entrance… but thankfully in life that is not true! 

At the top of 2024 I made a decision to grow Center Stage Connections… while remaining authentic to a core belief that drives me and a core value of my business…in spite of an increasingly pervasive screen- based world, we all still crave authentic human connection at work, at home, and in life.

 So, I boosted my skills on all the Behind the Screen business essentials—shout out to the amazing people at Rising Tide Capital—they are the real deal when it comes to helping entreprenuers build a business.

 SOOOO many webinars from many generous experts on navigating the tech, digital, social media world….and while I am far from a true believer, CHAT GBT has become my friend (but not the boss of me.) Lights, camera, action has taken on a WHOLE new meaning while storytelling and all the principles from the stage about presence, authenticity, curiosity, clarity, and engagement are the foundational core of my work

And speaking of the BIGGEST cool things…my husband (my Head Cheerleader who knows how to do the cheer thing because he wore a kilt at our wedding) and I celebrated our 25th anniversary this year… and I would not do any of this without them…I’ve appreciated their digital native advice: Mom, just post more consistently and you’ll get more traction.”  When they ask how I’ve been doing with my work and are really truly interested and want to listen…I see them becoming my friends and colleagues… who still appreciate the little mom things like a freshly made bed to fall into after final exams.

At some point, each of us will face a moment that we feel unprepared for… inadequate for, nervous about, frightened of, or perhaps even full on stopped in our tracks daunted by. When that unannounced moment arrives for our business world, for ourselves, or for those we hold closely, we simply must reach out and ask for help. I am glad I did and 2025 is looking bright for Center Stage Connections with guest speaking engagements and contract clients lined up and even a digital product making a debut!

I rely on people who trust me with some of their biggest fears and high-stakes moments. My journey in life, on stage, and as business owner fuel my empathy and drive my core belief that we all crave connection at work, at home and in life. You matter to me. Thank you for being a part of my world.

Friend, I wish you all the moments you imagine with loved ones as we collectively step into what’s next in 2025.

Behind the scenes at Center Stage Connections-Letter to a C-Suite Client:

Dear xxxxx,

The resonating common thread in your articulation of the work you have done is impact.  In discussing your body of work and where you are now, you consistently referred to your client or the community you were serving.  

 Are you connecting your personal why with the work you do now? You know, that voice from deep inside you that gets you out of bed in the morning to do the work ahead of you?

When I spoke of the "inside" work of professional development, part of that work is deepening your self-belief for connecting  in (conversations/presentations/pitches with high-level execs at Fortune companies). Your personal why might be where we need to start with our work together. I encourage my clients to never underestimate the pull and the power of what drives us to get up and work every day.  

Ultimately, you may not share your why stories with your clients or the executives you serve. However, identifying, sometimes re-writing, and harnessing the power of those stories that lie within you can be the difference maker in connecting what matters to you with what matters in the work you do. I have found this to be true for myself and the clients I serve. 

The "outside"  improvements on the "how" come with practice (rehearsal) of tried and true communication techniques and methods from the stage. Marrying the inside and outside work results in feeling and conveying more confidence, presence, and investment in those pitches and presentations.

I appreciate you trusting me with your goals and chchallenges and I look forward to working together.

Happy to be connected,

Julie

Behind The Screen

What are you doing behind the screen to keep it all rolling?

Thanksgiving has come and gone and the December holidays are fast approaching. It’s the time of year that I want to get all the things behind the screen of my business taken care of…free up my brain space for all the little moments coming when we take some time away from work…and just hang with family and friends.

 By the way—that “behind the screen” phrase—not my orginal.  I’ve had the good fortune of working with a business coach (stay tuned for some cool info on that later this month) who encouraged me to share a peek behind the screen with my inbox community (that’s you) about what I’m doing as a small business to…keep it all rolling.

 On that note—here’s a little something that you may not know…back in 2019 when I formed my business and founded U Gotta Hear This, LLC dba Center Stage Connections, I did what I learned to do from my life on the stage: say yes, go all in, stay focused, trust your mind/heart balance, and figure out what you don’t know as you go along.

Well, that last one about what I don’t know…that has been my 2024 focus. All the things about the business side of my business that were NOT top of mind in our home from 2020-2023 as we weathered job changes, WFH, Covid pivots (that pivot word—ugh) high school graduations during and post Covid, college away from home, college applications, another college far away from home…you get it.

SO….in 2024 I’ve implemented the systems, located the resources, found the people, asked for help, and made a plan for the days, weeks, months and years ahead. The things that need to be in place so that the moments when it all feels exhausting and uncertain, I can go to the plan (my to do list), take a breath (do some yoga every morning), and do the work (the marketing, the sales, the P & L spreadsheet…) and get it done one day at a time.

 But none of the plan matters without you. You are my behind the screen essential person. You have supported this Mom-owned Small Business and are still with me.  You matter and I appreciate you! I do my best to remember the clear plan and the good people. Because not every day is all good.

Not the day when you’re headed to Staples down NJ Route 10 for supplies for your speaking engagement. And one of those road raging New Jersey drivers (apologies to the Hubs and NJ family and friends but you know it’s a thing here) honks and rolls down their window to yell at you because you’ve God forbid SLOWED DOWN in front of them, put your RIGHT turn blinker on to signal a lane change, moved to the RIGHT lane (this is actually the moment where they gun it and call you not nice names), go around a jug handle, YIELD, keep turning,  stop at a light, wait, and then wait again for the LEFT turn arrow light, where you finally make a LEFT turn that’s really just a U-Turn onto the road you were on when you were yelled at because now you need to make the correct RIGHT turn that should have been a quick LEFT before that thing with the angry Jersey Guy... BECAUSE in New Jersey you are not allowed to turn left unless you first turn right.

 You knew there would be a story in here.

 All of this to say…there is a way forward and there are people out there who believe in you. They just may not be behind you on Route 10…

 2024 is not over yet, and this been just a tiny peek behind my screen….on how my small business keeps rolling.

You’ll hear from me one more time before the end of the year, and until then stay focused on the plan that’s working and the people who believe in you….and as always—you can reply here—I would LOVE to hear from you!

Podcast announcement

Retelling and sharing painful moments is never easy.

Yet.

When a 2024 People’s Choice Award Podcast asks you to be a guest, you say yes. Especially when this invitation collides with the moment a wise colleague who shares this quote from James Clear with me: “You can't choose your history, but you can choose the story you tell about it.” 

My interview and conversation with Jackie Tantillo offers a reminder for me and others who know, deep in our minds and hearts, that we are more than our past. We are more than the fear that holds us back. We are more than our origin stories. Each of us has within us the courage, presence, authenticity, and clarity to create the work and life that we imagine. 

Have a listen-and when you like, comment, and share with your networks we appreciate the boost!

https://shltmm.simplecast.com/episodes/a-sunny-disposition-in-spite-of-the-lingering-fear-with-guest-founder-of-center-stage-connections-julie-campbell-nB6D11xw