Let’s get real about mental health and owning a business.

Illustration of heart-shaped brain made of colorful puzzle pieces, encircled by speech bubble, surrounded by stars

I was 17 years old when I had my first panic attack. The first thing I noticed was my hands going numb—a prickling-static sensation that radiated from my wrists to my fingers. Next: cold sweat, my heart racing irregularly, nausea, lightheadedness, the perception that my tongue didn’t fit in my mouth. It felt like my […]

9 things to do for yourself before you go back to the office

Business meeting occurring behind ajar glass door

In the months (years? decades?) since March 2020, we’ve all heard terms like “new normal” and “back to normal” more times than any of us can count. I don’t know about you, but I find it hard to imagine what “normal” even means anymore. What’s normal in a moment in history defined by change? Jobs […]

Intersectionality: what it is and why it matters for your business.

People sitting closely together, smiling, having a conversation, in a well-lit office space

What makes you, you? Is it your cultural heritage? Your age? Your gender? Your skin color? How about the language you speak? Or your sexual orientation? Or is it your political or religious beliefs? Oh, I know—maybe it’s your occupation, or your marital status, or whether you have children? Nope. The truth is, of course, […]

How to manage change and prepare for new technology at your law firm

Overhead view of group of people sitting at work desk with various devices and large change management map

Stay ahead. Improve efficiency. Eliminate busywork. Embrace technology. Easier said than done, right? Attorneys and law firms of all kinds would love nothing more than to streamline their practices and claim more time for themselves with tech tools—but making it happen isn’t always easy. Change can be painful, particularly when multiple stakeholders are involved. In […]

Encouraging remote employees to give back: lessons from DonorsChoose & Ruby

Blonde-haired teacher works with young students, blue DonorsChoose logo superimposed overhead

They say it takes a village to raise a child. That village includes not only parents, neighbors, and teachers, but also local businesses.   When I look back on my own childhood, small businesses played a tremendous role in my upbringing. My love for DIY projects began with trips to my locally-owned hardware store with my dad. My prolific reading habits are […]

How website speed impacts your leads and conversions

Digital timer counter on tablet

Speed usually seems like a luxury. When it comes to faster cars, faster shipping, faster computers, or faster service, we appreciate the time saved—but we don’t think of it as necessary. In most of those cases, the slower model works just fine if you’re willing to wait. The speed of your website, however, is much […]

Chat creates human connection and improves efficiency. What’s not to love?

A smiling young woman looks at her computer with one hand on the keyboard and the other holding a paper cup

Remember when picking up the phone and making a phone call was the only way to schedule an appointment, make a reservation, or book a flight? I know—it sounds prehistoric. Almost hard to believe that was once our reality.  Technology has transformed the customer journey, and self-service options are now prevalent in nearly every industry. […]

Making the connection: VoIP, your customers, and you.

Hands use a VoIP device

If you’re like most business owners, you have something of a love–hate relationship with your business phone line. On the one hand, you love being able to instantly connect with customers or clients. On the other hand, there’s the cost and hassle of maintaining the line—and ensuring a high-quality phone experience for everyone who calls. […]