The Chic Executive Officers (CEOs) - My New Friends

Photos by Owls Eye Photography

Later today my house will be taken over fabulous women decked out in jewels. And when I say women, as in plural, what I really mean is there are going to be like thirty of us, in my little house, eating snackies, laughing over champagne (except me) and cake, and having a grand old time.

One of the reasons I joined Stella & Dot (if not a primary reason) was to make more time to see friends. And then also to make more friends period. I think back when I was in school or college it was easier to find time to see people and to meet new people. In high school you see them all the time in classes, or at football games, or social events. In college you are constantly meeting new folks as you bounce from one class to another. And you form your study groups and you grab lunch and its great. And then you graduate and you start working. And for most of us, this becomes all consuming. You spend at least eight hours at the office, plus your commute time, and then time at the gym, time cleaning your house, time running errands.... its easy to become a hermit and 1) not make any new friends and 2) never see the ones you do have.

When I signed up I figured it would give me more of an excuse to my friends. I'd have them over for parties, hook them up with free jewelry by hosting, and even meet some new ladies. I could make some new acquaintances at the monthly team meetings, and maybe make a new friend or two. But oh my gosh I SO underestimated how this would work. Every lovely, smiling face you see in these photos are ladies I would deem as "new friends". A few of them are people I knew before, but had lost touch with over the years; not someone I would text all the time and see each month (like I do now!). And a few of them are people I never would have met without S&D. And this isn't even ALL of them. This is like maybe 1/5th of the team I belong to and the one I am growing with the support of these pictured ladies.

If I were to summarize how this experience has helped me meet new people and grow as a person, I would say the following:

1) I am SO MUCH MORE outgoing about asking people to hang out. I do it all the time now! I offer to do shows for them, invite them to shows, or just plain say - hey, let's get together and do something! Before, this was really scary to me. I was fearful of rejection; in someways trying to ask a new person to be your friend and hang out reminds me of asking a cute boy in high school to go on a date. Oh the vulnerability of it all! What if they say no?! And you look like a LOSER!

2) I can host a party at the drop of a hat. I am always stressing to people that having friends over doesn't have to feel like a big event. You don't need to spend hours cooking, you don't need to go crazy with the decorations. Prior to starting S&D I was always stressed about having people over. I felt like everything had to be PERFECT. Now, I am like - have 30 people over on Monday? Sure! No big deal! Let me just vacuum real quick and throw out some artichoke dip! The real emphasis of entertaining isn't in your space. It's in having a good time with people when they get there!

3) I connect with people more. I stay in touch. I invite them over. I email, text, etc. to see how their lives are going. I realize how important it is to have a group of friends you can rely on and turn to and celebrate life with!

The team I lead is called the Chic Executive Officers, or CEOs. I came up with this name because I wanted something that reflected how each of us is in charge of our own business, our own happiness, and our success. I feel so grateful to have found these lovely women, and for all the new members of our team that continue to join us each day. We are growing strong, and we are all fabulous and fun ladies. I can't wait to see them later this evening as we celebrate the month of October with cake, a Photo Booth (I mean, obviously!), and good times! I am so fortunate to have so many great new friends!