A Little Woo, A Lot of Wow: Why Every Woman Needs a Weekend to Reset

I spend a lot of my life surrounded by women.

As Executive Director of Brave Women Project, I have the privilege of hearing their stories, celebrating their wins, watching them navigate transitions, and seeing firsthand just how much women carry.

Careers. Businesses. Families. Relationships. Aging parents. Community commitments. Volunteer work. Health. Finances. Goals. Other people's needs.

And somewhere in all of that, we are supposed to find time to think about ourselves.

Not just take care of ourselves. Hear ourselves.

Recently, I spent two days at Let's Glow: Ignite & Rise, a retreat hosted by Tanya Chaney of Chaney's Natural.

There was a little "woo." And there was a whole lot of WOW.

I journaled. I listened. I reflected. I learned. I laughed. I had conversations I wouldn't have had sitting at my desk answering emails.

And I came home thinking every woman needs to block out a weekend like this.

Not someday. Put it on the calendar.

Getting Away Isn't the Same as Going Away

We take vacations. We take girls' trips. We go away for weddings, conferences, sporting events, family obligations, and work.

But when was the last time you went somewhere specifically to reconnect with yourself?

Before we can radiate, we need to realign. Before we can realign, we may need to reset. And before any of that, we must reconnect with the woman underneath all the titles and responsibilities.

That requires space.

Angela Patete, Kym Gable, Jennifer Davis, Tanya Chaney, me, and Jennifer Thayer at Let's Glow!

I Came Home With Questions, Not Answers

And I think that's a good thing.

One conversation explored character versus capacity. Capacity represents our options, but our values help us choose among them.

That hit me.

At this stage of life and leadership, many of us have more options than we once did. But just because we can do something doesn't mean we should.

Another conversation, led by Kym Gable, challenged us to think about the difference between making an impact and leaving an imprint.

There's a difference.

Impact can be measured in numbers, accomplishments, awards, revenue, attendance, and results.

An imprint is what remains with another person because you were there.

That conversation also included something I won't forget soon:

Be a story listener before you become a storyteller.

For someone who has built a career around messaging and visibility, that's powerful. Being visible isn't only about having something to say. Leadership also requires knowing when someone else's story needs the room.

Inner Identity Meets Outer Expression

Sunday was much more about movement! Melissa Hancock brought us dance alchemy. And Angela Patete’s session felt like a spiritual awakening.

That's part of what made these two days work. Not everything had to fit neatly into a leadership-development box.

Some things were intellectual. Some physical. Some emotional. Some spiritual. Some were a little "woo." And some made me think, Wow. I needed to hear that.

Ready to Block the Weekend?

If you read this and thought, “I need something like that,” there’s an opportunity coming.

Brave Women Project is proud to be a partner for The Capacity Collective, a two-day women’s wellbeing experience happening October 23-24, 2026, at Wilson Lodge at Oglebay with Reyné O'Shaughnessy.

And its message feels especially fitting after my own retreat experience:

What if there isn’t anything wrong with you? You may simply be living at capacity.

Over two days, women will have the opportunity to step away from the demands of everyday life, ask honest questions, better understand what may be happening in their bodies, and explore evidence-based ways to reclaim their energy, health, clarity, and joy.

No fads. No quick fixes. No pressure to become a new version of yourself.

Maybe the woman who needs your attention most right now is the one who has been taking care of everyone and everything else.

Block the weekend. Give yourself the space. See what happens when you stop living at capacity long enough to hear yourself again.

Get all the information:

https://www.bwp.life/the-capacity-collection

xoxo ~Kel

Kelli Komondor is the Executive Director of Brave Women Project and can be reached at kelli@bwp.life.

Asking for a Raise: How to Advocate for Your Worth

A recent article highlighted that women continue to earn significantly less than men on average. While systemic change is still needed, there are also steps you can take to advocate for yourself and your career.

Knowing your worth—and focusing on what you can control—is incredibly important. Asking for a raise can feel intimidating, but with thoughtful preparation, you can walk into the conversation feeling confident, prepared, and empowered.

There’s an old saying: “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” While hard work matters, recognition doesn’t always happen automatically. Sometimes, you have to ask for what you’ve earned.

Here are six strategies to help you prepare.

1. DO YOUR RESEARCH

Before requesting a raise, understand what your skills and experience are worth in today’s market. Research salary ranges for your role, industry, experience level, and geographic location using multiple reputable sources, such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Glassdoor, and PayScale. Having market data strengthens your case and demonstrates

that your request is well-informed rather than emotional.

2. DOCUMENT THE VALUE YOU BRING

Your accomplishments are your strongest negotiating tool.

Keep an ongoing record of your achievements, including measurable results whenever possible. Consider maintaining a spreadsheet that tracks metrics such as:

• Revenue generated

• Costs reduced

• Time or processes improved

• Projects completed

• Customer satisfaction improvements

• Performance recognition or awards

• Certifications completed

Don’t overlook contributions that aren’t always reflected in numbers. Mentoring new employees, volunteering for company

initiatives, leading committees, or strengthening workplace culture all add meaningful value to your organization.

3. LEAN ON MENTORS AND COACHES

You don’t have to prepare alone. Reach out to trusted mentors, senior colleagues, or professional coaches for guidance. They can help you evaluate whether the timing is right, identify strengths you may have overlooked, and provide honest feedback on your approach. Practicing your conversation with someone you trust can also boost your confidence before the meeting.

4. PRACTICE YOUR PITCH

Preparation builds confidence. Write down the key points you want to cover, including your accomplishments, market research, and the specific salary increase you’re requesting. Practice saying your pitch out loud several times. During the actual conversation, nerves can make it easy to forget important details. Rehearsing beforehand helps you communicate your value clearly and professionally.

5. CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIME

Timing can make a meaningful difference. Schedule a dedicated meeting rather than bringing up compensation in passing. You want your manager’s full attention and enough time for a productive discussion. Also consider your company’s current circumstances. Budget planning, performance review cycles, or periods of major organizational change may influence when compensation decisions are made.

6. BE PREPARED TO NEGOTIATE

Not every conversation ends with an immediate “yes”—and that’s okay.

Stay positive and professional throughout the discussion. Your manager may need time to review budgets, consult leadership, or evaluate your request. If the answer is “not right now,” don’t let the conversation end there.

Ask thoughtful follow-up questions, such as:

• What specific goals or performance metrics would position me for a raise?

• When would be a good time to revisit this conversation?

• What additional responsibilities would strengthen my case?

These questions demonstrate initiative, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to growing within the organization.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Advocating for yourself isn’t selfish—it’s an important part of career growth. While no single conversation can eliminate the broader gender pay gap, every well-prepared discussion is an opportunity to ensure your contributions are recognized and appropriately valued.

Know your worth. Prepare thoroughly. Speak with confidence. Be brave.

And remember: if you don’t ask, the answer will always be no.

~Kaitlyn Leininger, CFP®, CEPA®   

Financial Advisor Belice Leininger Private Wealth of

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

Beyond the Numbers: The Cost of Self-Doubt

When I read this article stating that women continue to earn more than $12,000 less annually than men, I couldn't help but wonder…

How much of that gap is measured in dollars, and how much is measured in confidence?

Now, before anyone misunderstands me, I'm not suggesting women are responsible for the gender pay gap. There are systemic issues that deserve attention. 

But I also believe that there's another part of this conversation that deserves just as much attention: how our experiences shape the way we see ourselves and our worth. Our belief in ourselves. One statement from the article especially caught my attention: the gender pay gap exists at every education level and widens significantly as women get older and advance in their careers. 

As someone who is over that "magical" age of 50 and someone who never earned a college degree, that statistic hit differently. I have built a career that I am incredibly proud of. I've earned certifications, accepted leadership roles, served on boards, and built relationships that have opened doors I never could have imagined. Yet, there are moments when I walk into a room and question whether I belong there - not because I haven't earned my seat, but because someone once made me question whether I had. 

Throughout my career, I've worked for leaders who have inspired me to grow, challenged me to think bigger, and gave me opportunities I may not have pursued on my own. I've also worked for leaders who did the opposite, and their words still live rent-free in my head many years later. Comments that made me question whether I was experienced enough, smart enough or even, ready enough.

Those experiences don't simply disappear. They can quietly follow you into meetings, interviews, leadership opportunities, and yes, even salary conversations. 

As I reflected further, I found myself then wondering… 

While no single factor explains the gender pay gap, What if part of the solution is also changing the conversations we have with, and about, women? 

The article provided us with statistics. My hope is that we never lose sight of the people behind those statistics. Every number represents a woman, a career, a conversation, and a moment where someone either found the confidence to advocate for herself or was made to question whether she should. 

When women know their worth, we are more likely to advocate for it. And when we help other women recognize theirs, we don't just build confidence, we build a future where every woman feels she has earned her place at the table. 

~Kelly Moore Community Impact Chair, Brave Women Project AVP, Business & Community Development, cfsbank 

​Ordained Wedding Officiant and Storyteller, Moore Love Enterprises

Board President, ​Leadership Washington County