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Four words that can put the fear of God into any professional: Send me your bio. That is, if you don’t have a one. Maybe you have a biography but it hasn’t been updated since that time you worked at that company, and even then you didn’t really like it.

I believe you should have a biography you love, one that sounds like you. When you read your bio, you should want to give yourself a high-five and bask in the glow of how awesome you are!

The trick about writing a bio for yourself is that most of us have a “don’t toot your own horn” filter. We often underestimate or downplay our most important accomplishments because we feel uncomfortable talking about ourselves.

In my experience writing biographies – for artists, entrepreneurs, executives, and everyone in between – I have found so much joy in helping people realise how awesome they are. Contact me to get started on your new biography today!

*high-five*

If I had a dollar for every time I have started a sentence with “My friend Ricky…” there would be a new pair of very expensive shoes in my closet right now.

My friend Ricky (cha-ching!) has a business called Elevated Academy. He and his partner Julia coach people in all aspects of their life – in their career, relationships, health and wellness – to help them discover their passion, their purpose, and live the life of their dreams.

How cool is that?

I’ve been lucky enough to get to know Ricky and Julia over dinner and late-night conversations, and in several coaching sessions with more to come. I can honestly say they have both been a guiding light for me into the new year. To share in their collective understanding of all things that lead our lives and how to make life better, has been one of my greatest gifts.

Elevated Academy may be the start of something special in your journey this new year, too. Click here to begin.

One of my favourite parts about working with artists is that I get to hear new music they’re making before almost anyone else. That also makes it hard to share the work I’m doing because it’s top secret stuff!

Based on the projects I had the pleasure to be part of last year, what I can tell you is, keep your eyes and ears open for new music in 2018 from Reeny Smith, T. Thomason, and Ben Caplan. All three of these talented songwriters make very different music – pop, rock, and folk – and it’s all totally fantastic in its own colourful way.

I made only one resolution in 2017: to read more books. Now that the holidays are here, I am happy to report that I accomplished my goal! Reading not only helps me to be a better writer, it expands my imagination and I learn new things about myself and other people.

I was heavy on the biographies this year with some spiritual inspiration and good old-fashioned comedy thrown in the mix. To join in with the festive season, here is a list of my top five favourite books I read this year:

1. Be Feel Think Do: A Memoir by Anne Berube
Anne Berube’s near-fatal car crash brought her closer to enlightenment, all of which she freely shares in this moving memoir.

2. Sick In The Head: Conversations about Life and Comedy by Judd Apatow
The title of this book cracked me up, and so did the stories inside. Judd Apatow is a producer, writer, and comic who has interviewed many, many comedians. This book is full of their very funny, often introspective, conversations.

3. I Can’t Make This Up by Kevin Hart
If you’ve ever wondered how Kevin Hart became so famous, you can read about his trajectory to superstardom in this comical biography.

4. The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer
Amy Schumer is someone who I picture myself hanging out with if I were a Hollywood starlit and lived in New York. Reading her book made me feel like I was catching up with a very hilarious best friend.

5. The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark Manson
I realised I give a lot of fucks about a lot of things I don’t really need to. I’m glad I read this book because now, not only do I care less about stupid things, I feel less guilty about it, too.

I’ve got my list of on holds at the library sorted for 2018. I’m looking forward to another year of wonder, joy, and laughter from reading books!

To say I’m thrilled to be working with Jenine Panagiotakos at Many Hats Workspace is an understatement. I’ve known Jenine for over two years now and it’s been exciting to watch her business grow from a seed of an idea to a full-blown operation. I’ll be providing Many Hats with monthly services that include creating company newsletters, social media posts, copy for marketing materials, and submissions for grants and awards.

What is Many Hats, you ask? It’s is a shared workspace, overlooking the Bedford Basin, offering entrepreneurs an accessible, affordable place to work while encouraging a healthy work-life balance. They offer private office space for resident members, shared workspace for coworking members, a studio and boardroom for rent, plus workshops and classes that are open to the public year-round. As a coworking member myself, I can attest to the many benefits that make Many Hats Workspace a fantastic place to be.

Ever since my friend Ricky Goodall at Elevated Academy suggested I write an ebook, I see them everywhere I turn – there are ebooks for every topic – even ebooks about writing ebooks.

As a writer, it’s exciting to explore the creative and informative world of digital publishing. Not just because I’m thinking about writing an ebook myself (stay tuned, 2018) but also because I’m helping other writers edit and proofread their ebooks. And THAT is a lot of fun. All of those hours I spent as a teacher marking papers, checking for grammar and spelling mistakes – I may have cursed my students at times but I’m thanking every one of them now.

When the words are on the pages (or should I say screen) where they need to be, I will be sure to post the link to the first digital publication I have the pleasure to be part of. The more I read the more I think everybody can write an ebook! Best of all, now you know somebody who can help you write yours. 😉

My friend Jennifer Faulkner wrote this ebook with her boss and our friend, Kyle Racki. Kyle owns a company called Proposify and Jennifer works there as the head of content. They are both brilliant and their ebook The Full Scale Agency is too.

Music Nova Scotia is a non-profit organization dedicated to the growth and development of music in our province. One of the ways they support our community and our economy is to offer investment for initiatives like artist development, business development and travel, live performance, marketing and – my favourite – mentorships.

I’ve had the good fortune to write many successful mentorship grants that lead to new music and new business being created. Early-on in her career, Ria Mae mentored with Rose Cousins; Jon Mckiel mentored with producer and engineer, Diego Medina at Old Confidence Lodge; and Nicole Ariana moved to Toronto for her mentorship with Tom Kemp at The Feldman Agency. My mentorship with Sheri Jones at Jones & Co. fuelled my career, and then I mentored Grace Russell on her journey to becoming a music publicist.

Whether it’s through a program like Music Nova Scotia Investment or an informal working relationship between an experienced and emerging professional, mentorships create new learning opportunities and best of all, new networks and connections among friends and colleagues within creative industries.

Full disclosure: I am a member of the board of directors for Music Nova Scotia – seven years and counting!

It’s the most wonderful time of year! Conference season is upon us and that means discovering new music and sharing new ideas about music business.

This past weekend I attended Nova Scotia Music Week and was blown away by the talent in our province, once again; there are too many stand-out shows to name. Except … I did see Quake Matthews for the first time in several years. His new song “Confessions” with Neon Dreams is destined for radio and will no doubt see his star rise even higher. One more mention, Alana Yorke, who beautifully combines lush synth arrangements with her steady, provoking voice to create an ethereal sound that stays with you long after the lights dim. I can’t wait to see her next live show.

The Women in Music conference was a great success. My friend and colleague Stephanie Purcell and I gave a candid keynote that was an absolute highlight. I was inspired by women like Heather Gibson, Executive Producer from the National Arts Centre and Henca Maduro, who operates New Skool Rules in Germany, because of their ambition to succeed in the music business, among many other women who took part in the conference.

I’m looking forward to next year’s rendition of NSMW, and until then, I’ve got my eyes set on ECMA in May 2018. Halifax, look out! It’s going to be a time.

This past week I attended Halifax Pop Explosion Music Festival & Conference as a fan and for the first time as a volunteer with their Accessibility and Safety Krew. HPX is close to my heart and this year (my 10th year and the festival’s 25th year) did not disappoint.

I saw Lido Pimienta‘s presentation at the Halifax Central Library, performances by Ms. Banks, Thrillah, and Jay Mayne at Reflections; Patrick Watson, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Yukon Blonde, and Dance Movie at the Forum MPC; Bambii at The Marquee; and Jon Mckiel at The Seahorse. And that’s only a small part of all the activities that took place.

The talent came through, the industry came out, it felt like the city was abuzz with music everywhere. Thank you HPX for all that you do, for artists, our community, and of course, the fans – just like me! And our friend Josh White here, crowdsurfing at an HPX show. Party on people!

Photo by Halifax Pop Explosion

At ECMA in Saint John this year I met with an inspiring entrepreneur named Laura Simpson. As a creative industry professional who operates not one but three organizations, working with and getting to learn from Laura these past six months has been one of my greatest gifts.

Which leads me to Side Door.

“Side Door is a curated digital booking and ticketing platform, used to create micro-concerts in homes and other private venues. The company is a partnership between Laura and two-time JUNO Award winning Canadian artist Dan Mangan. As a website and an app, Side Door is primed to disrupt the traditional music industry’s touring model for artists, live performances, and fan experiences.”

That’s the pitch, what do you think?

To me, Side Door is this cool tech company that makes intimate shows in interesting places for audiences who really want to see artists perform – happen.

You can read all about Side Door and join their network as an artist, host or a fan here. Then you’ll get their newsletter, too! Because it’s fun to watch a company grow.

Here’s a photo of Laura and Dan. See? Fun!