Author Archives: Julie Porter

I’ve told the “Books” story before, but I will tell it again quickly. As I was reading on the beach one summer, I was approached by my son’s friend who was like a son to me. And he knew me well. “Mrs. Porter are you reading Hemingway, Wilde, Austen, Shakespeare,” he asked. My response, “No, Jimmie. Thanks for that though. I am reading mindless trash.”

I mean no disrespect for the authors who are so incredibly talented. Books like Happy Wife, Broken Country, Atmosphere, OMG … just to name a few. Reading these books this summer on our annual family Gulf Shores, Alabama, trip definitely reduced my stress. But there were a lot of the other things I didn’t realize they did too.

Benefits of Reading

Happy Wife is set in Winter Park, Florida, which was my son’s — and by default my — home away from home for five years. Definitely an enjoyable read in familiar territory.

One book that kept me saying, “Yes. Oh, you go girl,” and a couple of other things because it coincidentally blurred into my work life was, Sunny Side Up by Katie Sturino.

As a start up that then turned into an extraordinarily successful brand quickly with an overly participatory investor, the main character, Sunny, pivoted. She realized her brand strategy and core customers were no longer at the core of her brand.

Finding Inspiration For Life and Work From Books

Thinking about this book lead me to write this blog. Successful start-ups and their business leaders always understand the following as they build and grow their companies:

  1. Investment — Successful business owners and leaders understand they need to invest in their brand launch AND beyond. It is not just launch and be done. It is the continued investment over time that ensures success. So, make sure to run numbers before your launch. Do you have the capital to launch AND continue marketing? What is your true number to both launch and sustain this brand? Bootstrapping can cause a few negative effects, so be aware:
    • Slower growth which equals struggling to scale
    • Increased personal financial risk if the business stagnates or fails
    • Intense workload leading to burnout and sometimes health issues, which we have seen first-hand recently, of the entrepreneur. Hustle smarter not harder. Which leads to number two.
  2. Team Members — How much time can you commit to this business? Some of our start-up leaders are working full-time jobs at other companies. But their hearts are somewhere else. Ask yourself this, start-up leader: If you are keeping your day job until this business takes off, do you have the support team in place to fill in the gaps?
  3. Branding & On-going Marketing Support — We have waxed lyrical about these subjects before. The fact is that the fictional character Sunny got it. She built a brand based on a brand vision and ultimately stayed true to its mission and values. In addition, she consistently communicated with her best target after the product launch. Are you putting on-going support in place too?

Learn a Lesson From Fictional Characters and Real Business Leaders

Books can be blessings. Even mindless trash. Reading provides personal benefits like increased vocabulary, reduction of stress and enhanced cognitive functioning. But, as you can see, reading books can also translate into business learnings and idea generation at the same time. Happy end-of-summer reading, y’all!


Over the last few weeks, business owners and leaders have contacted us to assist with search engine optimization (SEO) initiatives. Two companies were working with agencies and noticed their results month over month were decreasing. They asked us to do an audit of activities and give a recommendation.

Two businesses were looking for a SEO partner. The leaders of these companies were brilliant business leaders running successful companies. However, upon further discovery, their budgets didn’t meet their expected outcomes.

Success Can Be Realized With SEO and Paid Digital

Be aware that there is a minimum threshold for advertising spend as well as agency management of campaigns, campaign creative and content development. We found that there was little understanding of this by business leaders. Education is needed.

A quote from a recent prospect that floored us for many reasons, “We were blindsided by our agency shutting down. We have had the last five companies end up like this agency, a 3–6 month ramp up and either the company evaporates or the person that was with the company quits.”

And the last bit that was most alarming, “The agency said if they ever closed their doors their plan and progress will be easy to transfer.” If this is ever in any contract with an agency partner, y’all, please don’t sign. Walk away. Walk away fast.

SEO Initiatives Are More Complex Now For Several Reasons

SEO is constantly changing, so approaches need to pivot too. Here are some of the more recent developments in SEO:

  • AI-driven search:
    • Google’s AI Overview (AIO) and other AI-powered answer engines provide direct answers and summaries. This means users do not have to click through to websites. And click-through rates (CTR) have declined. Expertise and Quality: Expertise, experience, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) are now king. AI-driven search engines prioritize high-quality, authoritative content that demonstrates.
  • Voice search: This is increasing as well as visual search means new strategies and skills that some agency teams are lacking.
  • Saturation of content: There is no lack of content on the internet. Unique content that aligns with user intent is critical.
  • Established brands: These companies have massive advertising budgets. They dominate search.

At Front Porch, we start with your brand architecture. A brand is shaped by three primary factors: who you are, who you aspire to be, and how your audience perceives you.

We Believe in These Pillars For Successful SEO Marketing

Consistency: Consistency and clarity across every touchpoint strengthen brand equity.

Collaboration: Collaboration with our clients is paramount. We are at our best when we work alongside you in your business and understand what is happening in the day-to-day business.

Communication: Timely communication and turnaround will be important to make our partnership successful.

We Recommend Fewer, Deeper Strategic Tactics

You have limited resources — time, money, etc. We understand that. That is why less is more. Deeper focus on fewer marketing initiatives results in business success. This is a proven, tried and true methodology that ensures success in the long term. But with limited budgets and fewer initiatives, the momentum could take longer.

However, if you provide us with a budget and that budget won’t result in success in the initiative you are proposing, we will tell you. We won’t invest your money knowing there will not be the return expected.

Be Prepared for SEO of the Future, Now

The SEO industry is experiencing significant transformation. Find a partner who is embracing AI. Also, make sure they provide the highest quality and unique UX experiences and content. Last but not least, don’t invest in this strategy if you don’t have the budget to compete.


As a marketer, I cannot remember the last time we blogged about ourselves. That is not the purpose of this communication or our usual MO all the way around. But this topic should be shared for learning, as well as I could really use some feedback from this trusted community on being a marketer.

Networking as a Marketer

I joined a new networking group in October of last year. One of our amazing partners who jumps in on graphic and website designs had been gently nudging me to just go to a lunch to learn more. When learning this group meets weekly, a two-hour commitment, I was unsure. How could this fit into all the current professional and personal things on my weekly to-do list?

And I finally attended a meeting. I loved the energy and people in the room. The structure of the meeting was impressive. I was all in after auditing one or two more meetings. Being focused on paying it forward and referring business leaders and owners to like-minded business leaders and owners has always been inherently at my core. And come to find out, this is what this group was all about. What?!?!

Focusing on Relationships as a Marketer

This new networking group of mine is laser-focused on relationships. Plus, there is an abundance of accountability. And accountability is a great thing as well. Home service providers, commercial and residential realtors and mortgage professionals and marketing folks who provide singular services like graphic design, promotional materials and video production have found this group to be of great benefit.

So again, I find myself in a group that I love. I have provided many referrals. And a few folks have provided referrals to me, but I have heard time and time again, “I am not sure what Front Porch Marketing does.”

I had the opportunity to present to this group last week. My team was amazing and created an information sheetwhich you can download here — for me to pass out at the presentation. We also produced note pads as swag, as well as cookies. Food is one of my love languages, as you may know.

Continuous Improvement as a Marketer

During the meeting, I was at home and at ease presenting. Talking about my family, and how previous work experience led me to start Front Porch Marketing. I spent time discussing what makes us different, our services and shared two client examples. The majority of the audience was engaged. However, two or three business owners were frowning and bored. I did something wrong. I didn’t practice what I preach.

At Front Porch Marketing, we partner with business leaders and owners who want to build strong brands. They recognize a full-service branding and marketing partner provides them value and focus to working on their business instead of in their business. But these leaders know marketing isn’t a one-size-fits-all. And all marketers are not the same.

This leads me to how you can help. Please comment on this blog post, or email or text me and let me know what makes Front Porch Marketing rock for you. Let me know how I can communicate our value proposition in a more meaningful way. Thanks in advance, y’all!


During the Eras Tour, every time there was rain, Taylor Swift, one of the greatest entrepreneurs in history, called it a lucky concert. My daughter and I attended the last show in Miami. And it rained.

For so many reasons, I was not a fan of rain. But that night Taylor Swift said, “So we are obviously having a very, very special, unique kind of concert tonight, and that is the kind of concert where it just rains the entire time. That’s what we affectionately refer to as a rain show.”

She went on to inform us that, “This night, tonight, was the very last opportunity we possibly could have on the Eras Tour to have a rain show because every stadium from here on out is indoors.”

And my daughter and I were there. One of the top 10 memories and experiences of my life. An experience when my perspective changed. Thank you, Taylor.

Take This Opportunity

Throughout the last few weeks in Dallas, it has rained.

Sometimes those rains were torrential downpours. Some questioned whether in person meetings should be had. If event dates should be changed. And so on.

At Front Porch Marketing, we are fortunate to work with clients and entrepreneurs who recognize the blessings of rain and what opportunities it signifies. Lucky rain means new beginnings. New opportunities. Fresh starts.

Here are some examples:

  1. The stock market. Our clients in the financial industry are stead fast in their actions and spending more on marketing due to the opportunities and shifts in the market. As well as capitalizing on the acquisition of smaller firms by larger ones.
  2. Commercial real estate. While this industry continues to be a challenge, we have two clients that are rockin’ new opportunities. One is using the time to further define their brand and opportunities. Another is finding inspiration in some of their down time to create a new business concept and opportunity.
  3. A business-to-business company has identified a unique opportunity to enhance their core offerings. And it is ecommerce driven, as well as outside of their core expertise — offering branded merchandise.
  4. A nonprofit that wants to further establish itself, and grow beyond its founder. The organization engaged us to refine its mission and define its brand architecture and then rename the organization and develop its identity. From there, we will build a marketing plan to communicate its core offerings to its best target.

Making the Most of the Rain

What are you, as a business owner, entrepreneur or business leader, going to make of a rain show?

Rain or shine, our tenured, passionate and steadfast team, is “enchanted to meet” and work with brilliant business owners who are weathering the storm.


hand holding a lightning bolt

At Front Porch Marketing, we are grateful to partner with brave, smart, tenacious and passionate entrepreneurs and business leaders on their branding. New, existing and former clients have come to us in the past few months as they are starting new businesses, bolting on to existing businesses or rebranding their current business or organization.

Delivering on Branding

Our best and most successful clients understand the power of their brand. At every touchpoint, they are delivering on their vision, personality, positioning and affiliation.

For existing companies as well as new ones, it is important to consider these things.

Most Important Aspects of Your Brand

  1. Your name. It is the first interaction people have with your business or organization. It may be by word of mouth. It could be from a social media post. Or it could be in a conversation with a colleague or friend. This could be a deciding factor if someone wants to engage with your brand, buy from you, be a part of your community. Is it distinctive, easy to say and spell? Weak names are not memorable. They create confusion and limit appeal.
  2. Brand architecture. Having powerful brand messaging that encompasses conviction, consistency and connection with these three attributes is critical. This will set apart a weak one from a strong one. If these aren’t defined internally, how can external stakeholders engage and trust in your business or organization?
  3. Logo. Does your logo communicate your company’s personality instantly? Are the colors reflective of your brand? Does your logo have longevity? Does your logo need a refresh to stay relevant?
  4. Usage guidelines. We see a lot of companies and organizations that don’t have these defined. Any creative work needs to be on-brand. Whether you are executing creative internally or have an external partner, logos in color and black and white, fonts, brand colors, tone of voice, icons, images, need to be defined upfront. Remember, this helps visually communicate who you are at every touch point and is critical.

Why? Getting all these right at the get-go leads your brand to success verses struggle.

An Example of A Strong Brand

A great litmus test for organizations recently shared with us is Locks of Love. This is a case study for brand alignment. Kudos to them! Locks of Love is a nonprofit that provides hair prosthetics to children. What personality and feelings does its brand evoke? How have they incorporated their brand beyond their logo?

What if the organization had named themselves Children’s Hair Prosthetics of Florida? Makes you want to go hmmmm.

Audit Now and Build This Power

Take a moment this quarter to audit your brand. Is it doing the job you need it to do? Can it be optimized or leveled up? Set your revision plans in place now to continue the rest of the year with a stronger look, a stronger voice. Build your network, your customer base, and your future sales on this important marketing foundation.


We’re 14 this year. And I admit it. In addition to being an entrepreneur, business owner, mother, wife, volunteer, brander and marketer, I am a “Swiftie.” However, there are a few things I disagree with powerhouse entrepreneur and musical genius Taylor Swift on. One of those things is that indeed, “At 14 there is so much you CAN do.”

Front Porch Marketing Started Rockin’ 14 Years Ago

As I reflect on the years since founding Front Porch Marketing in March 2011, there is so much in which to give thanks. We have had and continue to have the support of many people, in business and life. Mentors, current and former clients and team members, advocates, friends, family members and I could go on and on. I am so grateful and humbled for each and every person who continues to rock our Porch.

Without further ado, to y’all who have been with us since the beginning, in the middle, jumped on the Porch recently and those to come, I share these things.

14 Branding, Marketing and Business Must-Haves and Guardrails for 2025

1 Branding

Know what your brand should be. How is it relevant to your target? Does everyone within your organization know what your brand stands for? Your internal team should be convicted. Your brand should be creating emotional connections. Consistently communicate your brand at every point of contact with all your audiences. This has been our foundational message to clients for 14 years.

2 Marketing Plan

“Failing to plan, is planning to fail,” said Benjamin Franklin. Have you created your marketing plan? Did you stick to it? Are you reviewing your goals, targets, strategies, tactics, budget, etc. quarterly? How is your ongoing measurement compared to your goals?

3 Client and Customer Insights

Talk to or have an agency partner your current clients. Identify strengths and weaknesses. Gather feedback. Discover new opportunities. Enhance customer experience. Validate marketing and sales strategies. All of this results in stronger relationships.

4 Website

Audit your current website. Is the creative on brand? Are you using SEO to make your site more visible in search? Does your content answer customer questions? Does it have a strong Call to Action (CTA)? Are you monitoring and measuring analytics?

5 Strong Creative

This sets you apart from competitors. When someone within your organization wants to drive creative ideas based on what they like and then another person wants to DIY creative, you are diluting your brand. Show you are established and have professionals working on your brand. This is not the area to bring in-house unless you have a creative director who has a graphic design designer or creative team. Hard stop.

6 Interesting and Personalized Content

Are you listening to your clients or customers? Is your copy concise? Is it compelling? If you have engaged your office manager, or person on your team with an English degree, etc., to write your content, how is that working for you?

7 Organic Social Media

Organic social content is more relatable and real. Consistency on social media is paramount. We know a consistent organic social media strategy drives results.

8 AI

How are you utilizing AI? What drives us crazy about it is when a client says just post this using AI to generate content. Nope. Not. Humans still matter. But there are ways to complement what you are doing and improve efficiencies by using AI.

9 Paid Strategy

How can you amplify your organic social? Want to engage potential clients or customers? With limited budgets over 14 years, we have found multiple ways to leverage paid digital advertising strategies to achieve goals.

10 Sustainability

For long term business success, people, profit and planet must be woven into your business and marketing strategies. Sustainability does matter. Your team cares about it. Your clients and customers will remain loyal to you because of it. How can we help with this?

11 Pivoting and Testing

Marketing isn’t a one size fits all. Try something. Make sure it is on strategy and on-brand. Analyze it. And if it is working, amplify it. Do more of that. This strategy of pivoting and testing has been working for our clients for 14 years.

12 Video

A simple video marketing strategy can cut through the clutter. Video doesn’t have to be over produced or over-thought. You don’t have to necessarily entertain. Be you do need to be helpful, on-brand and meaningful in your video messaging.

13 Sales Support

Sales and marketing go hand-in-hand. What are you or your sales support doing together to drive leads? We have some tried-and-true ideas here — that we’ve successfully deployed over the last 14 years — and would be happy to have a call with you to share.

14 CRM

A simple customer relationship management system (CRM) helps maximize interactions and engagements with all audiences. There are many more benefits. We would love to set up a call to wax further lyrical here. Call us.

14 Years is Just the Beginning

To all business and nonprofit leaders who have considered all these must-haves and guardrails for 2025, kudos to y’all. Let’s keep doing more of that! And, on this our 14th year, please know Front Porch Marketing folks, “You’re Still the One.”


Cheers to February 2025 and the marketing investments our clients are focused on in this new year.

Last year was weird. If it wasn’t for your business or brand, please share. Because this weirdness has been a topic of conversation with our peers, industry leaders and current and prospective clients. From a business to business and business to consumer standpoint, sales were all over the place.

And, not stating lightly, the weather had its impacts in 2024. We are forever grateful to work with amazing leaders and businesses who suffered significant impact from weather disasters. From droughts to fires and hurricanes and everything in between.

Even now in 2025, we have some clients questioning what is happening in their industries and why. Trends are bucking historical performance.

Here’s What We Do Know About Marketing Investments

Starting Front Porch Marketing in 2011 was a calculated risk. The labor market was weak. There was low consumer demand. And unemployment was high. However, this entrepreneur took the leap. If you can do it now, you can make it anywhere was the mantra.

This year is harkening back to that time. Not an economist nor do I play one on TV, but this time and space feels familiar.

Strategic Marketing Investments Our Clients Are Leaning Into in 2025

  1. Brand architecture is the guidepost. This creates internal conviction. Brands must concentrate on this internally before communicating externally.
  2. Brand storytelling is paramount. This builds trust. It builds awareness. It will have a lasting impact.
  3. Evaluating existing star clients or customers. What brought these rockstars to your business services or products? Where did they come from?
  4. Marketing tactics that garnered return in the past. As business leaders and entrepreneurs, it is easy to chase the newest shiny object. But don’t forget the marketing truths. The numbers don’t lie.

Want to sustain or grow your business? Invest more in branding and marketing.

So, I leave you with this dear readers: Creative, collaborative problem-solving has been and continues to be golden. Leaders and the right marketing partner can navigate the most complex of challenges together, making successful marketing investments for growth. With agility and innovation, the sales will follow.

Stay true to your brand and as a business leader, be real. Use your brand architecture as the guidepost. If it isn’t defined — for heaven or the universe or whatever — call us and let us help.

Embrace change. The growth mindset and calculated risk taker will see topline growth. With your eye on the prize and thoughts on what we have shared here, no matter what is going on in our economy, your business will succeed.


The narrative of your brand storytelling and messaging builds an emotional connection with customers and clients — and should not be overlooked. This is a powerful marketing tool you can use to differentiate your brand from your competition, and so much more. Once upon a time can grow a brand from a garage band to a full symphonic orchestra. From a video on a phone to a full-fledged blockbuster movie, and happily ever after.

Strengthening Brands Through Storytelling

Recently, two new clients reached out to us to strengthen and grow their brands. These two leaders — one a mid-sized manufacturer and the other a non-profit founder — realized their vision and mission weren’t being articulated strong enough. Their narratives were powerful, but were not being communicated in the most impactful way both internally and externally.

And these business leaders knew Front Porch Marketing would activate their superpowers to propel their brands to realize business results. These results included internal alignment, engagement, increased brand awareness and increased revenues.

Over the holidays, I was reminded of the power of storytelling by watching movies and listening to music.

Storytelling Connects Us Using Music and Movies

Courtesy of my daughter’s prompting, she and I enjoyed watching movies and listened to great music over the holidays, among other things. These experiences always remind me of the power of brand storytelling. And the success so many brands have had by doing it well.

Memorable Storytelling From Past to Present

“Let’s go to the movies, Annie,” to quote the great Daddy Warbucks. Growing up, my parents took me to musicals at The Muny and The Fabulous Fox in St. Louis, Missouri. One of the many shows I saw was Annie. My middle name before I got married was Ann. My mom thought it was cute to call me Annie any chance she could.

Wicked … the movie vs. the musical? From an early age, I was hooked on The Wizard of Oz. It could have been the ruby slippers. Who doesn’t love a good shoe? I cast myself in the garage version of The Wizard of Oz. I still can recall most of Dorothy Gale’s lines. But I had no idea what happened before Dorothy followed the yellow brick road. Whoa, there was a lot. And thanks to Wicked the musical I know the story behind the story. It was genius storytelling.

And, then came the movie this year. And it was only part one. Sign me up for part two right now. And kudos to all things Wicked the movie. The actors, the sets, the music. All of it.

Stories I’ll Remember From This Year

Red One, I thought it was brilliant. Who doesn’t want the Rock and that Captain America to save Christmas? An E.L.F. — Extremely Large and Formidable — operative joining with the world’s most accomplished tracker. As well as all the other special forces for the tooth fairy and other mystical creatures. To quote Jimmy Fallon, “Come on, bud.” So good.

And, the explanation of the North Pole? “Beam me up, Scotty.” The North Pole is a much cooler place than I ever imagined — such imaginative storytelling in this movie. The portals in the toy shop! I told Audrey I was going to start working at one. She didn’t think that was a good idea. And as far as Santa’s reindeer go, this is the only movie that I can recall that portrayed them so well. They are true forces of nature. That movie was a master class in storytelling!

Oh, and of course, Taylor Swift was a highlight of our holiday experience this year, again due to my daughter. She brought Taylor’s music back into my life. Also, thanks to my sweet girl, we have a forever memory of attending The Eras Tour in Miami, Florida. Um, excuse me for this but, “It was rare. I was there. I remember it.”

Telling The Right Story Endears Audiences

Taylor Swift is the GOAT of storytelling. She somehow connects with both an 11-year-old and a, cough, 50- something adult, in similar and different ways. Long live her words, music, talents, vision, inspiration and engagement. She is the epitome of bold, memorable storytelling.

If you are in doubt, listen to The Tortured Poets Department, which much to my daughter’s chagrin I sometimes call The Tortured Poets Society, because of my age (Dead Poets Society). I am sure the great Taylor Swift knows the magic of this movie, and realizes the impact that it had on a generation.

Waxing lyrical about brand storytelling and messaging through the lens of my holiday happenings seems like a great way to start the year on a positive note. I hope this idea of storytelling resonates with you too. If so, let us know. Or, share it with a business or nonprofit leader you know who wants to grow their businesses beyond a garage band.


Dear business owners and leaders we feel you — it’s almost the end of the year. You might feel like you are running out of runway to do all the things before 2024 closes. But don’t panic! Here are a few pointers to help you prioritize and set your business up for success next year.

Marketing Planning at the End of the Year

Need a short list of what to do to start your next year in marketing off right? From a marketing perspective, check these off the list:

  • First, set your marketing goals.
  • Then, define strategies to align with those goals.
  • Next, define or redefine your target client or customer. Remember, you are probably not your target audience, and your business cannot be all things to all people. Focus is key.
  • Make sure content strategy for January is defined. Outline your content calendar to get a jump on organizing and posting when the holidays end and work begins again.
  • For social media and blogging, develop your copy and create the visuals for your posts now, and get them queued up and ready to go January 1.
  • Email marketing for January means developing your content now, and the creative that is aligned with the content so you’re ahead of the calendar and know what to focus on for January content.
  • Overall, other marketing initiatives are worth considering. What worked this year and what other new ideas do you have for 2025? Think about where you need to be marketing-wise in the coming year.
  • Set your marketing budget. Initiatives you have planned for 2025 will be determined by this. Remember, don’t waste anyone’s time on the next big idea or initiative if you are not willing to invest what it takes to accomplish that idea. Budget for your marketing as accurately as you can now.

Rev Up for Beginning-of-the-Year Business at the End of the Year

From a business perspective, have you done these things? Getting your business ready for 2025 involves your whole team. First, get them onboard with your business plan and then show them how it relates to them with these three tips:

  • Share your Q1 priorities for the business and calendar them with your team.
  • Set a team kickoff meeting in Q1 to set the tone for the new year.
  • Focus on strengthening company culture with this kick off meeting and other types of team touchpoints, activities and communications.

Now Look Forward to A Great New Year of Success

The new year will be bright. Strap in and get things done. But you can do it. The Front Porch Marketing team is here to help. Let us make 2025 the best year yet for your brand and business.


Gratitude is so important to me. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays for many reasons including celebrating all in which I have to be grateful. The Porter house plans for the day are football, family and of course food. My son is home which fills my heart. Daughter has signed on as the cruise director for the day, planning fun activities, as well as helping create the tablescape.

My kids always roll their eyes or sigh when I remind them to say please and thank you. These days it seems underrated. To me, gratitude is of the utmost importance.

Gratitude Should Be Expressed Every Day

Recently, a member of my new networking group was celebrating his birthday. He stood up and thanked everyone for the birthday wishes. Then, he proceeded to pass out dessert to everyone in the room. He shared for his birthday that he gives presents to those who have impacted his life. I was stunned. I also was moved at such a selfless gesture and one that I have yet to experience in my life.

Noted, and will be practiced by me annually from now on. Beyond that, I am so thankful for that experience. And I feel very blessed to have that person in my life now. I will be better learning from such a genuine, thoughtful and selfless leader.

Counting My Many Blessings and Giving Gratitude to Them

Personally, I am grateful for my children who wow and challenge me in a good and interesting way almost every day. Plus I have so many Texas and Florida people that lift my family. Thank you to y’all.

In addition, my friends are the best. First, they continue to put up with me. Second, they support me when needed as well as continue to show up whether in the background or foreground.

The Front Porch Team rocks. I don’t know what I did to work with brilliant, collaborative, kind and thoughtful people every day.

I am grateful for our rockin’ clients. Front Porch is only as good as our clients. And ours are outstanding. We have so much gratitude for them as they continue to collaborate with us and allow us to do our best work.

And, then there are our former team members and clients, who continue to engage with us. They keep sending us referrals. Also, they lend support in more ways than one.

Also, don’t know what we would do without our mental health peeps. Wow. I know my kids and I have the best. So thank you for taking care of us.

Last but not least, nonprofits in our community are making a true impact on many fronts. So much gratitude goes out to them. Most recently, for the magic that is The Hope Party benefiting the Grant Halliburton Foundation. The foundation’s work is a critical solution to the mental health for North Texas’ youth.

There are so many things I could drone on about that I am thankful for, but alas I am keeping in mind, dear reader, that your time is limited.

This and Every Thanksgiving, What Are You Thankful For?

We would love for you to share where your gratitude lies this Thanksgiving holiday. I am grateful for so much including those of you reading this blog post. Thank you to each one of you. And Happy Thanksgiving!