In the interest of not burying the lead, let me first say I graduated from the Appalachian Leadership Institute (ALI) on Wednesday. It’s been quite the journey, one that has taken the better part of the last year to complete. I’ve gone to sessions in six Appalachian states as well as D.C. We learned about community development, economic development, tourism, housing, healthcare, and other issues and opportunities within the region. It’s been the learning and bonding experience of a lifetime! If you have the opportunity to apply to future cohorts, JUST DO IT!
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Swamp Rabbit Trail Trip Report
I stopped by the Swamp Rabbit Trail in early December. I had been in nearby Spartanburg, South Carolina attending the Appalachian Leadership Institute (and also had given a keynote presentation at the Carolina Thread Trail Forum in neighboring North Carolina)…
Cycle Forward Celebrating 10 Years in Business
Cycle Forward is celebrating 10 years in business! It’s been a heck of a ride that continues to become more thrilling. Founder Amy Camp has built connections and shared ideas in communities far and wide and is eager to keep going. In the meantime, this is a milestone worth celebrating!
“Taking Heart” in Responses to Deciding on Trails
The final section of Deciding on Trails is titled, “Taking Heart in Trails.” A little over a month since publishing, I can say that I have taken heart in the positive response to the book.
Five Years in Business!
Five Projects of Which I’m Proud and Where I’m Headed Next Today, I’m celebrating five years in business. It’s been half a decade of hustling to make it work, of traveling around the U.S. and Canada learning from every last community I visit, and of pinching myself that this is the work that I […]
New Look and Message for Cycle Forward
I’m thrilled to share Cycle Forward’s new logo! I registered Cycle Forward as a business a little over four years ago. At the time, the focus was entirely on consulting trail communities on how to better connect to (and thereby benefit from) their trails. Since then, I’ve gone on to establish the nature-based professional coaching […]
Days like this
I’m going to share something with you. I cried about money today. I’m not a frequent all-out crier, although I do get teary-eyed from time to time. But this was a full-fledged cry of frustration and embarrassment. It brought to mind a similar incident last year at a Phoenix International ticket counter. I had missed […]
Collaborations catapult me forward
And make my work a whole lot more fun! Photos by Tori Stipcak of Victoria Irene Photography Most independently-employed consultants are acutely aware of the old saying “two heads are better than one” and a longing for the creative energy that comes along with sharing ideas with coworkers. Even in writing this post, I wish […]
Business Lessons from My Brother
One of the last conversations I had with my brother, Jim, before he died was one about our respective businesses. I had ideas on how he could professionalize his construction business of 10 years – things like a website and Facebook page. Sadly, we never got around to these things, not that I’m convinced he […]
Celebrating another wild year at Cycle Forward
Looking back and pushing forward You’ve probably heard the Mary Oliver quote, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” It’s a common question phrased so very beautifully. I was thinking about this yesterday morning as I looked out from my office window. Pittsburgh’s Frick Park is […]
