Lydia Gillis Photography

Joining Polka Dots Powerhouse has been a game-changer for me! This incredible community of supportive women has not only helped me build meaningful connections but has also elevated my personal and professional life in ways I never imagined possible.

From networking events to collaboration opportunities, Polka Dots Powerhouse is where I found a tribe that truly believes in lifting each other up. It's more than just a community; it's a sisterhood where we celebrate each other's successes and navigate challenges together.

If you're looking to be part of something amazing, I can't recommend Polka Dots Powerhouse enough.

Click the link on the comments to learn more and join us on this empowering journey!

Use code JULYDOT for $50 off your registration.

Planning to join us for our upcoming Live and Grow Business Planning Retreat but looking for flexible payment options? We've got you covered!

We are offering a Payment Plan option: now you can spread the cost over 3 monthly installments to fit your budget.

As an added bonus, get 1𝟎% 𝐎𝐅𝐅 when you use code 𝐁𝐈𝐒𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍25 🎉 Don't miss out on this opportunity to invest in your business's future without the financial stress.

Ready to secure your spot? Clink on the link on comments to learn more and reserve your place today!

Meet Nina!

Our guest speaker for the Live and Grow Strategic Business Planning Retreat.

Nina Anderson is a seasoned entrepreneur who broke away from the corporate world in 2008 to embrace a lifestyle centered on freedom, flexibility, financial security, and enjoyment. In her early days as an entrepreneur she just like many of you encountered challenges in balancing business ownership with her personal life, leading to moments of feeling overwhelmed and creating self-doubt. Realizing the need to step out of her comfort zone and assume the role of CEO in her business, Nina implemented strategic daily routines, time management techniques, and streamlined processes that eliminated the need to constantly reinvent the wheel while also building her confidence, focus and efficiency. This transformation propelled her business from surviving to thriving, prompting her to assist clients in crafting tailored plans that align with their business objectives and personal aspirations."

Nina is also recipient of the Presidents Overall Achievers Award through WineShop at Home, Business Woman of the Year through Colorado Business Women and the Worldwide Impactor Award through Polka Dot Powerhouse.

Nina’s tagline is to “go from being overwhelmed to organized in 90 days or less”. Because when you have a plan, all things are possible .

Link to register for the retreat on comments.

Use code BISPLAN25 for a 10% discount.

Technology and I have a love-hate relationship! 😅 It turns out technology has a wicked sense of humor, and it's been playing pranks. For the last few days, I’ve been having issues with the link to register for the Business Planning Retreat. Thankfully, the issue has been solved! 🙌

To make it up to you and as an extra apology for the tech trouble, we're offering you a 10% discount on the retreat. Just use the code BISPLAN25 at checkout. This coupon expires July 3rd, so act fast!

We want to make sure you have enough time to snag that special rate without any more tech shenanigans. Can't wait to see you there! 💼✨

🌟 Live and Grow Strategic Business Planning Retreat 🌟

Join us for a four-day immersive, empowering, and transformative experience crafted specifically for women entrepreneurs aiming to elevate their businesses.

At the retreat, you'll gain:

✔️ A clear and actionable strategic business plan tailored to your goals.

✔️ Enhanced leadership and decision-making skills.

✔️ Practical tools to manage and grow your business effectively.

✔️ Increased confidence and motivation to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams.

✔️ A supportive community of women entrepreneurs who understand your journey.

Don't miss this opportunity to take your business to the next level! 🚀

🔗 Link in comment.

𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫

I am a true believer that having a healthy life style affects everything you do. There for it’s important that before we do anything, we take a pause and evaluate how we are doing mental, physically, emotionally. How is our relationship with ourselves, family, friends and yes money and work. Your business is a significant part of your life, but it’s essential to consider your personal vision as well. Getting clear on what you want for your life will help you align your business goals with your personal aspirations.

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬:

Align Personal and Business Goals: Ensure that your business objectives support and enhance your personal goals, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Consider areas such as health, relationships, personal growth, and leisure.

What do you want to achieve in your personal life this year?

"Starting your own business without a plan is like setting out on a road trip without a map. 🗺️ A well-crafted business plan is the GPS for your entrepreneurial journey, guiding you through the ups and downs, ensuring you stay on course towards your dreams. Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned pro, taking the time to outline your goals, strategies, and financial projections can make all the difference. It's not just paperwork; it's the blueprint of your success. ✨ I'm curious: Have you updated your business plan this year? Leave a comment and let's discuss the paths we're paving towards our goals!"

Wouldn't it be lovely if we could bottle up special memories and uncork them just at the moment we want to recall them, unfaded and unchanged? I wish I could bottle up the exhilarating moment when an entrepreneur sees their vision come to life for the first time — that spark in their eyes, a mix of pride, joy, and a sense of accomplishment, as they realize what was once a dream is now their tangible reality. If you could bottle just one memory, what would it be? Leave a comment and share that pivotal moment.

🌟Registration for Live and Grow Strategic Business Planning Retreat is officially open! 🌟

Live and Grow Strategic Business Planning Retreat is a four-day immersive, empowering, and transformative experience crafted specifically for women entrepreneurs aiming to elevate their businesses.

At the retreat, you'll gain:

✔️A clear and actionable strategic business plan tailored to your goals.

✔️Enhanced leadership and decision-making skills.

✔️Practical tools to manage and grow your business effectively.

✔️Increased confidence and motivation to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams.

✔️A supportive community of women entrepreneurs who understand your journey.

Link in comment.

Having a successful business year requires a clear vision, a strong connection to your purpose, and a strategic approach to your goals. Today on the blog, "Four Steps to Your Best Business Year"

Four Steps to Your Best Business Year - Four steps to your best business year. Embarking on a journey to make this your best business year requires a clear vision.

🎉Last Call To Join The Waitlist For Strategic Business Planning Retreat! 🎉

Early registration opens tomorrow and you don't want to miss early bird pricing and special bonus.

Join me and a community of women entrepreneurs in Breckenridge this October!

Live and Grow Strategic Business Planning Retreat is a 4 day
empowering and transformative retreat designed exclusively for women entrepreneurs who want to elevate their business.

What You'll Gain:
A clear and actionable strategic business plan tailored to your goals.

Enhanced leadership and decision-making skills.
Practical tools to manage and grow your business effectively.
Increased confidence and motivation to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams.

A supportive community of women entrepreneurs who understand your journey.

Leave the experience feeling refreshed and confident, with a clear roadmap and action plan to tackle your new business goals with the support of me and a community of empowering women cheering you on!

https://lydiagillis.myflodesk.com/busplanningretreatwaitlist

If you were to attend a retreat would you rather attend....

A: Friday-Monday
B: Sunday-Wednesday
C: Monday-Thursday

Join me and a community of women entrepreneurs in Breckenridge this October!

🎉You're invited to a Strategic Business Planning Retreat with Live and Grow Retreats in October in beautiful Breckenridge in Colorado! 🎉

Live and Grow Strategic Business Planning Retreat is a 4 day
empowering and transformative retreat designed exclusively for women entrepreneurs who want to elevate their business.

What You'll Gain:
A clear and actionable strategic business plan tailored to your goals.

Enhanced leadership and decision-making skills.
Practical tools to manage and grow your business effectively.
Increased confidence and motivation to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams.

A supportive community of women entrepreneurs who understand your journey.

Leave the experience feeling refreshed and confident, with a clear roadmap and action plan to tackle your new business goals with the support of me and a community of empowering women cheering you on!

Sign up for the waitlist to have access to first to sign up, early bird pricing and special bonus.

https://lydiagillis.myflodesk.com/busplanningretreatwaitlist

Join me and a community of women entrepreneurs in Breckenridge this October!

🎉You're invited to a Strategic Business Planning Retreat with Live and Grow Retreats in October in beautiful Breckenridge in Colorado! 🎉

Live and Grow Strategic Business Planning Retreat is a 4 day
empowering and transformative retreat designed exclusively for women entrepreneurs who want to elevate their business.

What You'll Gain:

A clear and actionable strategic business plan tailored to your goals.

Enhanced leadership and decision-making skills.

Practical tools to manage and grow your business effectively.

Increased confidence and motivation to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams.

A supportive community of women entrepreneurs who understand your journey.

Leave the experience feeling refreshed and confident, with a clear roadmap and action plan to tackle your new business goals with the support of me and a community of empowering women cheering you on!

Sign up for the waitlist to have access to first to sign up, early bird pricing and special bonus.

https://lydiagillis.myflodesk.com/busplanningretreatwaitlist

I am thrilled to share some exciting news with you all—I am embarking on a new chapter in my business: My journey as a retreat host! This endeavor has been a dream of mine for quite some time, and I can hardly contain my excitement as I take the first steps toward bringing Live and Grow Retreats to life.

You can find more information and to sign up to the waitlist on my blog.
https://blog.lydiagillis.com/embracing-a-new-adventure-my-journey-as-a-retreat-host/

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉

We're thrilled to announce the Beyond the Barracks Summit, a FREE online event for women who have served in the military! Join us from June 10-14, 2024, for inspiring stories, practical advice, and a supportive community.

👉 Sign up now and be part of this empowering journey: https://theaprilchilders.com/beyondthebarracks-lydia

Last Call for Rising Tide Community Headshot Event.

I still have a few slots open for today so if you need new headshots or branding photos click on the link below for more information and to book your session.

https://lydiagillis.myflodesk.com/rising-tide-minis

My cup is so full! One of my favorite things about being a photographer is having the opportunity to meet so many amazing people. Connections with people (like YOU) mean the world to me and my business.

How about you? What fills your cup (or bottle) to the brim?

POLL: are you a pessimist or optimist?

Let's face it, keeping your chin up can be a Herculean task, especially when your morning starts with spilling tea over your keyboard right before an important Zoom call - talk about a sign from the universe you should've stayed in bed, right? But when I'm teetering on the edge of turning into a human thundercloud, I just remind myself that I'm as unbreakable as a Nokia phone. Seriously, the best thing about being me is...well, being unapologetically myself – clumsy tea spills and all. And hey, that’s your superpower too!

So, spill it – are you team or team ?

ps I guess I lied to some ladies last week because I am finding out I have more than one pink dress! HAHA!

Did you know: Some people can HEAR colors? Wouldn’t that be awesome?! I don’t have that ability, but if I did, I bet I would see the color turquoise when I heard the sound of waves crashing on the shore, and soft pink when I heard the gentle hum of a morning sunrise. What colors do you think you’d see if you heard certain sounds?

I'll admit, I’m no Plato, but here’s my philosophy on success: "Winning doesn’t always mean being first." Sometimes, it just means you found a parking spot in front of the restaurant you're visiting."

What profound statement do you live by?

Comment below!

There is plenty in my life that I’m satisfied with, but there’s always more I can strive for. Right now, I’m hoping for more international travel, collaborations that take my business to the next level, and creative opportunities to push my boundaries! I know none of this is going to change overnight, but I’m sharing out loud on social media to give me an extra push. What about you, friend? What do you want more of?

Happy Weekend!

This weekend and the next few days you will find me soaking up as much sun and knoweldge as possible at the Inspired Retreat in Nashville. I can't wait to see old friends and meet new ones. To be surrounded by like minded entrepreneurs who want to be inspired, challenged and grow.

Cheers to the weekend!

I say forget fitting in; our quirks make us masterpiece material. Who's with me in making "flawlessly flawed" the new glam shot? Drop your favorite "I'm a masterpiece" emoji below and let's start a movement of real, raw, riotous authenticity!

What makes a rich man worry and a poor man hope?

They say, “this too shall pass.” I know the endless tech challenges I’m facing won’t last forever. So I’m taking each moment as just that—a moment. Everything is only for a season, and I’m doing my best to keep pushing through the tough times.

What season are you in?

Share your story in the comments!

I’ve heard it said that it’s not happy people who are thankful, but thankful people who are happy. So in the interest of amping up today’s happiness quotient, I’m calling out three things, right here, right now, for which I’m grateful:

1. My husband for loving me in my perfect mess.

2. In the midst of my stress and chaos there is also growth and transformation taking place.

and

3. The fresh hydrangeas on my desk that put a smile on face.

Now you!

What are you thankful for today?

Ever heard that fearing failure is like being scared of a surprise growth spurt? Yep, those awkward stages can be brutal. So here’s the tea: I went all in trying to nab a dream project and ended up with a big ol' "thanks, but no thanks" - pretty much the creative world's way of saying we're breaking up, but online.

Did I wallow? Okay, maybe a bit. But then I found out resilience is my new favorite flavor (move over, mint chocolate chip) and tweaking my approach was kinda like finding a secret level in a video game. Who would've thought a flop could teach me so much (and spare me the extra calories)?

Alright, your turn: Ever had a facepalm moment turn into a fireworks of wisdom?

Drop your story below - let's celebrate our "oh no" moments turning into "heck yes" breakthroughs together!

We can all benefit from an extra dose of motivation every now and then, right?⁣
⁣
And the Internet seems chock full of clever little quotes about it. My current go-to is:⁣
⁣
“Everything you want is on the other side of fear” Jack Canfield
⁣
Share your favorite in the comments below—we can all use a little push!

****ONLY 3 SPOTS LEFT****

Branding Mini Sessions

Date: April 16th
Time: 10 AM to 2 PM (20 Minute Session)
10 Digital Images
One beautiful location in Golden

Mini sessions are perfect to get some updated photos but can't dedicate the time or money for a full brand session.

You will walk away with stunning images to elevate your social media presence, use on your marketing and promotional material, update your website, and so much more.

For all the deets click on the link below.

https://lydiagillis.myflodesk.com/brandingminis

Are you in need of new content? Updated headshots? Need more visibility online?

I have exactly what you need! ❤️

Personal Branding Mini Sessions are here join the VIP Wailist to get first dibs, early bird pricing, and bonuses.

This is the final call to join the waitlist!
https://lydiagillis.myflodesk.com/minisessions

The waitlist to my BRANDING MINI SESSIONS is open.
I will be hosting the mini sessions in April in the Denver Metro area.
If you want to be the first to find out all the details including:

✔️ First to Sign Up
✔️ Early Bird Pricing
✔️ Special Bonus

Join the waitlist to have access to the VIP Branidng Mini Sessions. There is no commitment by signing up to the waitlist.
https://lydiagillis.myflodesk.com/minisessions