Have a dream? Start a Girlfriend group!

Big or small, dreams are passionate goals that can transform our lives. And, the people who help us in reaching them, are indispensible mentors and cheerleaders. In many cases, girlfriends are the ones who help us see and reach our dreams. And, when you bring a group of girlfriends together, with the goal of challenging and helping each other, magical things can happen.

I know. Several times in my life, as I was following my entrepreneurial goals, I found (or started) a gathering of like-minded women to help each other. Shown here are a few of my WE (women entrepreneurs) group. Each have different skills, experiences, personalities and passions. Our dreams and businesses are diverse, but our friendship and support for each other keep us together and actively stretching ourselves.

WE meet monthly to discuss our updates, challenges, achievements and goals. WE hold each other accountable and offer grace if we were not able to achieve what we had hoped. WE listen, cheer, share, brainstorm and support.

Meet my WE girlfriends: Tina (top left) is the owner of Casa DeLorenzo - and makes exquisite custom pillows, as well as offering Interior Design Services. Jennifer is the Director of Beaded Hope - Beaded Hope's mission is to fight HIV/AIDS one person at a time by providing South Africans with the opportunity to earn an income, support their families and nurture their creativity while preserving age-old beadworking traditions.* (Jennifer - Sorry for the closed eyes photo!) Judy is a writer with lots of experience, promise and ideas for PublishSmart. Joyce (bottom right) is opening an online store of beautiful heirloom clothes and gifts for children - watch for HeirloomsToBe.com!

Do you have dreams? Aspirations? Creative ideas you'd love to pursue? You don't need to go it alone - bring along your girlfriends! Start a girlfriend group and dream together. Share the successes and struggles, joys and jolts along the way. But you'll love the company along with you on the journey!

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NOTE: Jennifer also 'stars' in our upcoming Girlfriendology video which should be posted early next week. However, in the meantime, she is offering a discount on BeadedHope.com for Girlfriendology girlfriends! Just enter "GOGIRL" in the discount code for 15% off until May 15th. Thanks Jennifer!

Spending time with Girlfriends - like Carrie, from The Diva Cast

At our girlfriend dinner on Wednesday night, my friend Judy stirred and stirred her mixed fruit. She had more pineapple than other fruits and she couldn't mix it enough to make it look, as she said, "interesting". That's kind of how it is with a girlfriend group. You need some diversity, some difference in opinion and age, women with different backgrounds and lifestyles. Combine these together and you definitely get interesting.

Stir up five fun, fabulous, forty-something females from Atlanta, GA and you get not only interesting, but you get life, laughter, love and all kinds of conversations. CARRIE RUNNALS, one of The Diva Cast, spoke with me yesterday for our weekly Girlfriendology Podcast.


The Diva Cast is a podcast with Carrie and her Diva girlfriends Sharon, Suzanne, Julie and Amy. They discuss real life issues like marital counseling and sex, and interview authors and experts on all types of interesting subjects. Listening in is like overhearing a really fun conversation at a nearby table in a restaurant - only this way you're allowed to laugh out loud and share it with your friends!

Carrie shares her passions with Girlfriendology - for her friends (Divas and others), her family and her love of writing and books. Recently she started Words-to-Mouth, a blog and complementary Internet talk show introducing readers to authors beyond the printed page. Even with her busy Diva life (being a mom, wife, writer, investor, Podcast Diva and now with Words-to-Mouth), Carrie graciously spent time with Girlfriendology talking about her girlfriends and living life with passion. Listen in - you'll love listening to Carrie!

So, like that fruit salad, mix up a bunch of your girlfriends together and see how interesting the conversation gets!

P.S. It was great to talk with Carrie because she has become a girlfriend of mine from finding Girlfriendology online and recommending Girlfriendology to friends, mentioning it in interviews, etc. (Thanks Carrie!) She demonstrates to me the beauty of female friendship - where we help each other. Just think how wonderful the world would be if we all supported each other with friendship, ideas, assistance! Go for it!

Girlfriend Get-togethers - time with friends

Is your schedule stretched to capacity? Overwhelmed with your To Do list? Exhausted just thinking about what all you have/need to do? Or am I the only one?

Right now I'm stressed. I want to spend time on Girlfriendology but I have multiple jobs right now - not including home responsibilities, taking care of the new pup, etc. I have to set boundaries on my time because it is just such a valuable, limited commodity at this point in my life.

This week was hectic at the job (and I haven't even taken down the holiday decorations yet!) but I knew spending Wednesday night with my girlfriends was a priority, no matter what. My girlfriend group was getting together at Paula's candle-lit home for a salad pitch-in dinner and to catch up on life. Ruth Sara was still in town which was perfect! Judy climbed up the street to make it. Joyce was new and Debbie was back after a hiatus. (Becky and Melody were sick - hope you're better soon! Tina is moving her dad this week. We missed you!)

Six women gathered around the table to share a meal and our lives. Connections were made (like Joyce and Debbie realizing they had a very personal connection at a funeral three years ago) and plans were set (future dinners together, running into each other on an upcoming trip, etc.). The food, a contribution 'salad bar,' was perfect for New Year's diets (even with all the treats Paula tempted us with!).

However the real nourishment was to our female spirits. We laughed, teared up, shared our frustrations, disappointments*, goals, secrets, joys. My stress floated away in the positive energy in that special home. It was a healing evening. A hopeful gathering. A female 'family' who do life together. And I don't know what I'd do without these caring, beautiful girlfriends.

Are you stressed? Dealing with life? Who better to 'do life' with than your girlfriends?! This month's Girlfriendology contest asks for your comments on Girl's Night Out events or just Girlfriend Gatherings. Please share. Your ideas and advice will inspire others. And think how much better life would be with less stress and more time with girlfriends!

* Caroline Cheshire of HealingBaskets.com shared great advice for caring for friends in her recent podcast with Girlfriendology. Listen in for advice on how to help your girlfriends deal with life and be the girlfriend to them you want to be.

Girlfriend Entrepreneurs Club - should you start one?

Tina is a interior/pillow designer. Judy is a techie and writer (with a talent for poems and being funny). Joyce is creating a shop for heirloom gifts for children. Paula and her daughters started a catering business. Helen (who joined us for the first time today) is working on a book and a new source of income. (Becky, "the Kitchen Goddess", and Melody, the Tupperware Manager Maven couldn't join us - but we missed you!) And, you know me, I'm dedicated to building Girlfriendology - a place for 'inspiration, appreciation and celebration of girlfriends.'

We're a diverse group - some are neighbors who've known each other for years, some are new friends and new entrepreneurs. We meet monthly to help each other grow our businesses and see our dreams become reality. And, to assist each other with challenges we struggle with, but also very much to celebrate our successes together.

WE ("Women Entrepreneurs," what WE call ourselves) met today to not only explore our dreams and businesses, but to discuss how our group can best benefits each of us. One part of our discussion this morning was men - should we allow them in the 'club?' It was a tough decision because we don't want to exclude other entrepreneurs who need a group to help them with their businesses. To be honest, I crave the unique strength, energy and support that I receive from women entrepreneurs - things that I very much benefit from and value. Nothing against men, but men and women communicate differently and, to me, it just seems to work best in an environment where WE 'speak the same language.'

Are you an entrepreneur or someone with a dream? Perhaps you should start a girlfriend club to help and hold each other accountable toward reaching your dreams. I'd highly recommend it as much for ideas and support as for the camaraderie and community. Not an entrepreneur? Start a Mommies group or book club, a group of girlfriends to go to dinner or bowling every month (or monthly GNO - 'girls night out'), a knitting night group or scrapbook 'sistas, take classes or experiment on gourmet recipes together. Just do life together. And who better with than your girlfriends?!

"Inspire, challenge and grow - with a girlfriends group," says life coach Debbie Lundberg

MBA, Author and Life Coach DEBBIE LUNDBERG talks with Girlfriendology on our most recent podcast regarding her philosophies on women. Starting out in a male oriented industry, she noticed women either supported each other to grow or held other women down. This initiated her life coaching (to primarily women, but also to men and organizations) as well as her active role in fostering growth in women.

She started a women's group - the Tampa VEGAs (for Vision, Experience, Growth and Appreciation) who encourage each other to grow, learn and be their best self. Their recent event, Choose to Inspire, inspired women to be empowered through organization of their home, meals, finances, life and spirit.

Come hear Debbie's advice for supporting other women, for starting a girlfriend's group and for making a difference in women's lives. Thanks Debbie!

Girlfriend Groups - do you have one?

I planned not to go to my girlfriend group tonight. My web guy was supposed to meet with me on some updates so I cancelled the group - then he cancelled our meeting. My friend Tina called me right after I got his email, while I was still extremely frustrated with him. (He hasn't been easy to work with! I knew I should have hired a woman!) She was going to our girlfriend group and talked me into going, even if I was late.

What a great thing that was! We laughed, caught up on life, had some wine, shared our lives. All the stress disappeared as the friendships (and laughter) brought me back to the good things in life - girlfriends, good friends, people who love you and whom you love. Life is good. Girlfriends are great.

Do you have a girlfriend group? What is the basis of it - an activity? Something you have in common? A book club or garden group? Croppers or knitters? Spinners or yoga goddesses?! Having a group of women to support you is vital to your happiness, stability, patience with other things in life and your self confidence*.

Thanks Tina for calling and for prompting me to come to our group tonight. (Thanks too to Paula for hosting! Becky for feeding! and Judy for sharing and for listening to and enjoying the Kris Radish podcast!) Let Girlfriendology know about your group. Why is it special to you? What do you recommend in starting a girlfriend group?

If you don't have a girlfriend group, maybe you should start one. Make 'no stress' rules and invite your girlfriends to bring others. I'm sure you'll find them the perfect way to de-stress your day. Share your thoughts on comments or email ideas@girlfriendology.com. And keep meeting. Keep inspiring. Keep appreciating and keep celebrating girlfriends. Life is good. Girlfriends are great. (Thanks Tina - and Paula, Becky and Judy!)

*Join our next podcast for information on how having girlfriends affects your self esteem. Any questions on this subject, please let Girlfriendology know!

Having great Girlfriends is as stylish as ... Heather Locklear?

On Wednesday evening at our weekly girlfriend group meeting, I announced that I needed a haircut but had no idea what to do. As someone who had long hair (that I cut myself) almost my entire life, I'm not well versed in how to find a good haircut much less how to direct a hair stylist. In fact, I've only paid for my hair to be cut about five or six times - in my life! I'm a novice and I severely needed girlfriend advice. And, knowing that I was planning to go back to the salon school where students cut hair, I wanted to give great direction in order to get a good cut.

Thankfully my girlfriends came to the rescue! Becky thought layers would help my hair curl. Tina even sent me this Heather Locklear celebrity photo as well as great stylist tips -point tips, no razor, etc. Other girlfriends also gave advice. Karen told me the right products to use to bring out the curl. Lisa warned about getting layers cut too short.

I cautiously presented the celebrity hairstyle to my stylist/student April. Would it be too difficult for a student? Could I expect a somewhat complicated cut for $10? And, would they think I was delusional and actually thought I'd look exactly like Heather Locklear when I left there?!

But, I felt like I had my girlfriends with me. I explained to April and her instructor that the hairstyle and advice came from my girlfriends. They understood and came up with a plan. A few hours later, I walked out with a very nice cut. I'm no Heather Locklear (it would take several million dollars of plastic surgery and a small miracle for that!) but I can't wait to go show my girlfriends. In fact, I'm going to see Tina this afternoon at her pillow shop. I'm sure she'll approve.

Sure, in the big scheme of things - haircuts are minor (well, kind-of!). Aren't you glad girlfriends are there for the little and the BIG stuff? Where would we be without girlfriends? Lonely, bored, poorly dressed and with a bad hair cut?

Girlfriends are instant face(and attitude)-lifts, as well as always making it a good hair day! Female friends reduce stress, make us healthier and happier. And, girlfriends are great for giving advice and for helping us through little and big life decisions. Be the girlfriend you want to be! Make your girlfriends feel special, loved and beautiful. You'll come out feeling as stylish as Heather Locklear, without those pesty paparazzi!

How clean does your house need to be for girlfriends?

Hmmm ... what are your thoughts? Do girlfriends feel welcome in your home at any time and in any condition? Do YOU feel comfortable with visiting female friends when you haven't mopped in too long to remember? Can girlfriends just stop by without warning?

My girlfriends are coming over tomorrow night. Yep, I'm blogging and Paula, Becky, Judy, Melody, Ruth Sara and Tina will be here this time tomorrow night. Yes, I could clean but I also know that they love me regardless of cobwebs and pet hair. (Plus I can hide some of the mess in closets and behind shut doors!)

Isn't it wonderful when you have female friends who are family? They can make themselves at home, know where the bathroom is and where to find paper if it runs out!

Invite your girlfriends over and don't worry about how clean things are or aren't. Girlfriends are meant to relieve stress, not cause it. Just enjoy your time together. You'll be so glad you did - and that you didn't need to clean after all!

Entrepreneurial Girlfriends & Reducing Stress!

Great things happen when you share what is on your mind and in your dreams with other girlfriends!

At our monthly entrepreneurial girlfriends group today, Judy confessed that her creative brain is always busy and she has LOTS of ideas for businesses she could start. (And, she's right!)

From someone who knows personally, creative women sometimes get overwhelmed with innovative ideas and an excess of dreams. And, add a busy life with a full-time job, family and trying to follow our dreams 'on the side,' and you can end up with a whole mess of stress!

Meeting with other girlfriends and discussing your ideas, challenges and dreams is therapeutic. It just feels much better to know that others struggle with the same things and that encouragement and feedback are offered with a loving voice.

Thanks Judy for sharing your dreams and for helping me on my way to mine. I look forward to being your girlfriend through whatever creative, entrepreneurial roads we follow. I feel better, lighter and more focused - thanks to you!

Do you meet with your girlfriends to discuss your dreams? If not, should you?! Add a comment if you have a dream you'd like to get input on from helpful, caring female friends or tell about girlfriend groups and how they've helped you. I bet your stress level is much lower because of your great gal pals!

* Sorry about the bad photo Judy! I'm just learning how to work my new phone camera! I'll get you another time! Check out Judy's blogs: PublishSmart and Blind Hog Press.

Girlfriends ... the umbrella of bad stuff?

I was completely honest with my girlfriends in our weekly get-together last night. (Yes, weekly - we are a priority and it is definitely worth it! THANKS Paula's (2!), Becky, Melody, Ruth Sara, Tina and Judy.)

It has been a tough week. Work is much more difficult than it should be and I'm desperately trying to get Girlfriendology (coming soon!) up and running - ASAP! My girlfriends are so supportive and loving. They are my cheerleaders and inspiration.

Right in line with our discussion on dealing with challenges and going through 'stormy' times, the clouds rolled in and the sky got really dark. As I drove home under a HUGE gray cloud, I could see clear sky in the distance. I just happened to be under the clouds at that moment but, like with my tough times, that would be temporary. And they helped me remember that.

Do you have a friend who you need be their 'umbrella' from the storms that life sometimes brings? Or, are you under a cloud yourself? Reach out to your girlfriends. Even if it rains on you or them, it is much more fun to be under an umbrella with a girlfriend who loves you.