I joined Ryan at Collective Mind Technologies 7 years ago, when our daughter Lucy was 4 months old. I took a leap into the unknown, leaving my job at Denver Academy. I was very happy there, but it was the right choice, so I could spend more time with Lucy and support Ryan. Once I joined CMT, with my background in film, we grew to add our creative services side. Here’s what I learned over the last 7 years at CMT:
Stick to what youβre good at.
You canβt be good at everything. Lean on your partners, team or hire experts to help.
Donβt give up.
Entrepreneurship isnβt for everyone. It requires a ton of perseverance and grit. Especially with a new baby and through a global pandemic. But if you really believe in what youβre doing, you must keep going. It will pay off.
Trust yourself.
Definitely listen to the experts, but if you have a strong gut feeling, trust it.
Trust your team.
It can be scary to transition to having other people take over your work. But itβs a necessity to grow your business. And you need to bring people in that you can trust. And they might even be more experienced than you, which is a good thing.
Choose your hard.
There is not one right way to do things. There are always trade offs and hard things to deal with, whether you work for yourself or have a job. Even though being an entrepreneur is incredibly challenging sometimes, it also gives me the freedom to make my own schedule (for the most part), and spend a lot of time with my awesome kid, Lucy. It’s worth the challenges.
A brand video is more than a polished piece of content, itβs a strategic asset that communicates who you are, what you stand for, and why it matters. In a world of short attention spans, video is one of the most effective ways to build trust, create emotional connection, and clearly articulate your value in just a few moments.
The purpose of a brand video is to tell your story in a way that feels authentic and human. It aligns your messaging, visuals, and tone into a single narrative that can be used across your website, social media, sales conversations, and recruiting efforts. When done well, a brand video helps differentiate you from competitors, reinforces credibility, and leaves a lasting impression with your audience.
The value is simple: clarity and connection. Prospects understand you faster, clients feel more confident in choosing you, and your brand becomes more memorable.
Most businesses rely on a growing stack of software and technology tools, but over time, those systems can quietly become bloated, outdated, or misaligned with how your team actually works. Thatβs why regular system reviews are critical.
Start by looking at all the systems you currently pay for. Subscriptions add up quickly, and itβs common to find tools that are underused, duplicated, or no longer needed.
Next, review whoβs on the user list. Former employees, contractors, or inactive users often still have access. This isnβt just a security concern, itβs also a hidden cost that shows up every month.
From there, back up important data and deactivate accounts as needed. This ensures nothing is lost while tightening access and eliminating unnecessary licenses.
The result? Real cost savings and a cleaner, more secure tech environment. A simple systems review can free up budget, reduce risk, and make sure your technology is actually supporting your business instead of draining it.
