My Costco Story

I love Costco and today, they loved me back!

Last year I was at a PTA meeting and one of the moms said she was worried that she’d gotten to the age where she shopped at Costco too much. Let me be clear…there’s no such thing. She mentioned some of the things she bought and I proudly declared everything that I was currently wearing was from Costco, down to my socks and underwear…I freaking love Costco and am proud to say it! I also love their Costco Connection Magazine and truly get giddy when it arrives every month. I have perused issues on many occasions and thought to myself how fantastic it would be to be in it….a pipe dream.

When my book came out, my good friend Michelle Garrett (the other MG who wrote, B2B PR That Gets Results) tweeted about it. Suddenly, I had an email from a journalist who was doing a piece on podcasts for…Costco Connection Magazine! I was interviewed back in January and had no idea when it would come out (last we heard, it was October) but this past Saturday, a good friend of mine from my aviation days texted me and said he was drinking coffee and seeing me in the magazine.

July 2024 Issue of the Costco Connection Magazine (I’m on page 33)

Today, my issue arrived and I’m truly pinching myself. I got the opportunity to share what podcast guesting can do for anyone with a brand or business. It’s all about the power of connection, storytelling, sharing your knowledge and getting to know others. Podcast guesting is for authors, artists, nonprofits, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, experts, business owners…everyone!

Here’s the funny thing…yesterday I got a Facebook memory reminder that it had been 9 years since I was laid off from my longtime corporate job. I’d be laid off a second time 3 years later. I had been in corporate aviation for over 18 years, but it was 5 years ago that I knew I wanted to do something else. What was that? I had no idea. I had no idea that I’d be able to say I’m a business owner, a podcast host, a published author and oh yeah, was just in the Costco Connection Magazine. I share this with you because I want you to know that if you feel there’s something else out there for you, then you absolutely can and should go for it. The sky is absolutely the limit!

I know that when you scroll through social media and see people who seem to be an overnight success or are able to make it because they have a big financial backing, it can seem like there’s no way you’ll be able to achieve something like that. I know it because I’ve thought those same things.

Let me change that narrative for you…I started in an industry I knew nothing about and launched my own business from scratch. I remember telling a group of local entrepreneurs in my backyard during a networking lunch that I hoped I could someday grow to get 600 Instagram followers. I taught myself how to use WordPress and built my own websites. I told myself that if I couldn’t get a traditional publishing deal, I’d self-publish. I gave myself a backup plan. We are a two income household, so while I launched my business, I also did some contract work on the side until I was up and running (and profitable to the point that I didn’t need contract work). I discovered what I liked to do and what I didn’t, so I pivoted along the way.

I truly believe that although it takes hard work and determination, if you want something, you can and will achieve it. I believe in you. I believe in the stories we share that demonstrate for each of us of what is truly possible. If a girl from Paradise can make it into the homes of 30M people this week…I believe that anything is possible!

Tomorrow, we celebrate with fireworks! Happy 4th of July and thank you for all of your support!