Kristi Smith

I’ll admit it: when I started feeling strong again after months of health recovery, I went full throttle. I said yes to everything. Planned all the things. Moved fast — because I could . But that overcommitment? It was just a shiny new form of hustle. Gratitude in action, for me, meant stopping long enough to notice my own pattern — and to thank my body for whispering, “Not this time.” It’s humbling, but also freeing, to remember that sustainability isn’t a finish line — it’s a daily...

When you’re a rebel entrepreneur, accountability can sting. We value freedom, autonomy, and doing things our own way — until someone we love reminds us we’ve drifted from what we stand for. This month, I’ve been reflecting on how grateful  I am for the people who aren’t afraid to lovingly call me out. Those moments of discomfort? They’re gifts wrapped in truth. Gratitude in action looks like saying: “Thank you for seeing me clearly enough to hold me to my values.” Because sustainable...

Let’s be honest:  “gratitude” gets thrown around like confetti this time of year. But real gratitude — the kind that transforms your business — isn’t a list on a pretty notepad. It’s leadership in motion. It’s in how you pay your team fairly, even when it’s inconvenient. It’s in how you pause a launch because you’re listening to your body instead of your calendar. It’s in how you thank your clients not just for buying, but for trusting  you with their vision. Gratitude in action means leading...