Bernadette Smith 2/28/25 Bernadette Smith 2/28/25

5 Things / Strategic Play

I'm competing in an LGBTQ pickleball tournament today and slowly finding a queer pickleball community here in Chicago. I played five times this week; I had plenty of time with no keynotes on the schedule. Entrepreneurship brings uncertainty but it also brings the privilege of freedom – if we accept it.

Bernadette Smith 2/21/25 Bernadette Smith 2/21/25

5 Things / Sticky

I had a sales call this week that reminded me exactly why I built the Inclusive 360 assessment – and why I keep showing up. This fintech company isn’t backing off from DEI — they’re all in.

Bernadette Smith 2/14/25 Bernadette Smith 2/14/25

5 Things / A Shortcut

I gave a speech this week where I talked about my divorce and how the distraction led to mistakes at work. Because I didn’t tell anyone, I never gave them a chance to be understanding or empathetic.

Bernadette Smith 2/7/25 Bernadette Smith 2/7/25

5 Things / Stories and Data

This is not the first time my business has been negatively impacted by the political climate. I learned some things the first time, so I’m hosting a free workshop to share these lessons and empower you to speak confidently about DEI. Please register and forward this opportunity to anyone you think may be interested. The replay will be available to registrants if you can’t attend live.

Bernadette Smith 1/31/25 Bernadette Smith 1/31/25

5 Things / Self-Compassion

A number of folks reached out to me this week to thank me for shining the light on good vibes. It’s hard. Many times recently, I could feel my heart racing and my stress level rise, and then I realized that it was from doom-scrolling on social media. I put the phone down. Pick it back up. Pick myself up off the floor. Thank goodness I have pickleball as an outlet.