sky and clouds with street sign that reads "Fresh Start Ahead"

Fresh Starts, No Regrets and a Big Decision: The Future of Engage The Room

Cliché as it may sound, Spring is a time to embrace growth, fresh starts, and new beginnings.

With that theme in mind, today I want to share a major business related decision, the future of this blog and what it means for you. Allow me to get right to it.

I’ve decided to shut down Engage The Room

After lots of yoga, meditation, journaling, hikes & beach walks, emotional healing, and lots of money spent on business, brand and marketing consultants (thinking that was the answer to fix my business) I finally admitted Engage The Room is NOT the business for me.

It never was. Engage The Room emerged as a response to external influences. It wasn’t a business I chose.

Instead, I’m starting a food business

Yup, you read that right. It’s an idea I’ve had for at least 10 years – to make and sell homemade (and great tasting) hummus (and possibly other Middle Eastern/Mediterranean foods) as a catalyst for promoting good health and human connection.

It’s fun, creative, and incorporates everything that matters to me and everything I’ve learned over the last 15 years. Plus it will be a good challenge because I know zip, zilch, zero about the food industry. (Luckily there are lots of people & resources nearby that do!)

Time to Leave the Safe Harbor

Whether or not it succeeds isn’t the point. What I don’t want is to regret never trying.

My husband is an amateur sailor and last Christmas a friend sent him The Little Blue Book of Sailing Wisdom.

The following quote is printed on the back cover:

Mark Twain quote about regrets and leaving the safe harbor

 

In 22 days I turn 49 which begs the question: If not now, when? Plus the idea’s been with me for 10 years already. So, I’m throwing off the bowlines and leaving the safe harbor.

And this blog? It stays with a slight tweak in focus.

The newsletter will focus on entrepreneurship and the creative life, exploring topics like…

  • Getting out of your own way
  • Handling change/adversities
  • Promoting and selling your work or ideas
  • Importance of networking and relationships
  • The creative process and taking (imperfect) action

I love writing, sharing insights and stories and the conversations it prompts.

Rather than write as an “expert”, I’ll write from my own experiences as an entrepreneur. I’m on the journey, too.

Your ideas matter

The last two years have been the kick in the pants I needed to disrupt the status quo. 

While my business will appear drastically different on the outside, the core belief that drives me remains the same:

The world needs you and your ideas.

That includes my ideas. (Talk about shedding formalities!)

So, should you or someone you know want to feel lighter, more in control and more confident putting your ideas into the world (whether you make money from them or they are for fun and enjoyment), you’re in the right place.

Time to adjust the sails, explore, dream and sample hummus. Much more to come!

 

Talk to me!

Do you have a creative or business idea that won’t leave you alone? 

What creative projects are you working on for fun or business?

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About the blog

Humor, stories, and insights, delivered 2x per month, to perform without the pressure.

Topics include mental health, work, human connection, creativity and more.

Discussion

2 Comments

  1. Odilia on April 1, 2022 at 7:55 am

    Wow Stacey! Good for you! I’ll stay right here reading because your posts have great energy and thought provoking messages. Looking forward to sampling this hummus!!

    • Stacey Shipman on April 1, 2022 at 8:01 am

      Hi Didi! wow, thank you so much for these kinds words! Means a lot, truly, as this is both an unknown & exciting time. I will let you know when the hummus is ready for sampling. Starting this weekend!

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