Making “the ask” has become a regular thing as a new board member for a children’s theatre, a Jewish educational nonprofit, and as a new business owner.

It turns out, your voice projects with ease, and the woo follows, if the ask is authentic and something you are truly passionate about – even if you’re an introvert. Makes sense, of course, yet I was still surprised by the confidence expressed in my own voice.

In some ways, it feels like an awakening, as though the clouds blocking the sun shifted and a bright beam of light shined through.

I’ve ASKed 20 or so businesses to support Blue Water Theatre Company.

Status: 1 out of 10 said yes

Feeling: driven

I’ve ASKed The Minnesota Cup for an opportunity at funding to expand my work in the community (my application wasn’t the quality I’d hoped to produce but I submitted with only 2 seconds to spare due to illness that swept through my family. I call it a win!🏆 )

Status: pending

Feeling: satisfied

I’ve ASKed Uncommon Goods to consider the sale of my Med Snugglers.

Status: denied

Feeling: unfettered

I’ve ASKed a clinic owner I attended graduate school with to sell my Med Snugglers and to correspondingly be a recipient of volunteer-made donations to give out.

Status: ignored

Feeling: disappointed

I’ve ASKed fabulous professionals to join an Advisory Board to assist my clinical and business planning.

Status: they said yes

Feeling: elated

I didn’t even ASK yet a former colleague offered to build the system that is supporting my messages of kindness because the work I am doing is meaningful to him. I will announce who very soon 😉

Status: it’s working!!

Feeling: there aren’t words!!!

I’ve ASKed FAIRE to allow my art and Med Snugglers into their wholesale site.

Status: they said yes

Feeling: investigative

I’ve ASKed a large psychiatric system to allow sales and donations of Med Snugglers for their patients and in their lobby.

Status: they liked them, but no offer to collaborate

Feeling: moving on to others

I’ve ASKed a publisher to take a look at a children’s book I’ve written and illustrated

Status: declined

Feeling: everything has its time

I have ASKed for funding through UPS for small business owners.

Status: no go

Feeling: grateful, as I’m up to my eyeballs in work

I’ve asked 3 artists friends if they’d like to participate in my company’s art donations, from reverse tie dye to woven baskets to pottery.

Status: they said yes

Feeling: loved

I’m going to ASK several local art activity shops to see if they would be interested in supporting my company by hosting volunteer and donation workshops in their spaces.

Status: stay tuned

Feeling: confident

It’s truly been a year of asks and I won’t stop asking until I find a way to reach as many young people as I can through volunteering, sales and donations. The act of creating is beneficial, the act of giving is beneficial, and being educated about how common mental health challenges truly are cannot be shared enough.

Want to join me? There are many ways. Don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s talk!

And if none of these things is your kinda thing, I’d love if you could encourage others to follow me on instagram or facebook. The more people who see the messages of kindness sent into the world, the bigger the impact!

Kindly,

Janessa