I love this time of year, especially the opportunity to ask our members to reflect on the year we’re leaving behind. On our peer group calls this month, we shared our highs and lows for the year — our achievements, celebrations, and wins, as well as our mistakes, tough times, and losses, both personally and professionally.

None of us were prepared for how authentic, vulnerable, heartwarming and heartbreaking of a call it would be. This community has been through all of the lows over the past year — from entire teams leaving, to losses due to COVID-19 and other cruel diseases, to life transitions like our kids heading off to college. But as low as these lows were, the highs were even higher. From taking control of career paths and landing dream jobs to selling companies to discovering the benefits of meditation, the wins deserved multiple rounds of applause.

What astounded me throughout the call was the ability for this community of amazing women in retail to not only show up — on the call, at the office, and for your teams — but trust that their honesty and vulnerability would be met with love and support.

So this year for Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for the support you continue to show each other. And as the industry charges into the busy holiday season, I hope you’ll make time to reflect on your own highs and lows. I learned from our peer group calls (apply for membership here to join the next one) that it’s healthy to be a little bit vulnerable, to share your losses and celebrations, and know that you’re definitely not alone.

In gratitude,