A VULNERABLE LEADER
The Kailyn blouse
We wrapped up our first month of 2026, and I looked at the sales just now. We didn't get to even halfway to trend toward our million dollar goal for the year.
HOW WE'RE STARTING
At one point in January I had a good cry because there is a reality of what would happen if we don't reach at least half of the goal. First, our company wouldn't make it past August when the lease for the office here ends. Without an office, there's no interns. Without interns to delegate to, I don't have it in me anymore. Truthfully, I've outgrown my hustle muscles that I had when I was younger.
I'm thankful for our volunteers who are very devoted to cracking the e-commerce codes to get the numbers we need. I see that this company isn't really mine, but it's a community who wants to see the mission thrive.
Some positive news that can help offset shortcomings? We've figured out how to legally get our tariff bills lower. We'll soon find out if we'll have the 501(c)3 donation route too!
SOME VULNERABILITY
Our big meeting on Wednesday in the loft was awesome. I shared the strategies for this spring, and expressed my hope and gratitude. Then we split up and each intern was working on something. It took me back to my waitress era going from table to table to serve and check in. If someone had filmed our day on Wednesday, it would have been like an episode of Project Runway where I'm Tim Gunn providing praise and guidance to each table.
Thursday was overwhelming from that “waitressing perspective” because tables were waiting on me, and I rushed through. At the end of the day I received a text from one of the interns. She was filled with a humble self doubt, and told me she isn't sure she is good enough. It really touched me because had I not rushed through, she may have felt differently.
I sent her a voice memo back with a vulnerable heart posture. Another exchange back. I rejoiced because the ministry part is becoming tangible.
VULNERABLE LEADING
I recently heard of a soccer coach named Ted Lasso who led with vulnerability, not bravado. This creates opportunities where the people around him become more vulnerable instead of pretending to be invulnerable. Being vulnerable is not a weakness...because we all are!
Ted sounds awesome, but the leader I want to be the most like is Jesus.The mentor who shared about Ted also said of Jesus, “He had ultimate authority, yet He was radically vulnerable. He wept publicly. He admitted distress in Gethsemane. He asked His disciples to stay awake with Him because He needed support. Did this undermine His authority? No—it revealed the kind of authority He had. Not authority through domination, but authority through love and truth. When we lead with vulnerability rather than bravado, we're following the pattern of the gospel itself: God redeemed us not through overwhelming power, but through apparent weakness—a baby in a manger, a man on a cross. We create spaces where others can be known, be honest, be human, and discover they're loved anyway. That's not just good leadership. That's good news.”
Thank you for cheering me on in this. Very thankful for the 16 years so far, and the 16 interns that I've been trusted with. Your support has made this all possible.
Let's continue on to see how this year goes! Staying positive in that we will not only survive, but thrive too!
Love,
Katie
