On the podcast today, I'm joined by Courtney Bramlett, owner of The Good Sower, and the powerhouse behind marketing and operations at Scarlet Thread.

In this episode, we're talking about the alignment of resources—how you're investing your time, energy, and effort into the areas of your business that truly matter and will move you to the next level. Together, we are bringing a practical, grounded perspective on focusing your resources with intention so your business can grow without unnecessary overwhelm.

Get ready for a fun, insightful, and energizing conversation.

• Alignment of Resources to Strategy

• Prioritization of Goals based on company vision

• Focus resources and reduce unnecessary tasks

• Understand business fundamentals before implementing solutions.

• Budget for what is important.

• All resources should be aligned with the company strategy.

• Small steps in the right direction are better than none.

• Business investments need to be balance with owner's compensation.

• Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com

• LinkedIn: Michele Williams

• Email: courtney@thegoodsower.com

• Instagram: @Courtneybramlett_

• Website: The Good Sower

• Work with Me

• The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

• CFO2Go

• Metrique Solutions

Joining us on the podcast today is Sarah Trop, owner of Fun Cycled in upstate New York. By day, Sarah transforms spaces and furniture through thoughtful, sustainable design, and by night, she shares her creative life as a lifestyle blogger—she's truly fun to follow and watch.

In this episode, we're talking about upcycling—what Sarah lovingly calls Fun Cycling—and how intentional, sustainable design can bring a sense of peace into the spaces we live and work in. We'll also explore what it means to be good stewards of what we've been entrusted with, especially throughout the design process.

This conversation is creative, meaningful, and uplifting—and I know you're going to enjoy it.

• Repurposing

• Well-being

• Balancing home and health

• There is value in merging old and new items in design.

• It is important to balance home-making with hospitality and stewardship.

• Design can promote emotional and physical well-being.

• New challenges keep us learning.

• We were created to create.

• Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com

• LinkedIn: Michele Williams

• Email: sarah@funcycled.com

• Instagram: @funcycled

• Facebook: Funcycled

• Website: Funcycled.com

• Work with Me

• The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today

• CFO2Go

• Metrique Solutions

Joining me today on the podcast is Ceil DiGuglielmo, host of the Sew Much More podcast and owner of the Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library. Every year, Ceil and I sit down for an end-of-year business catch-up to talk honestly about what worked, what didn't, and what we've learned. We ask each other thoughtful, leading questions to get a real glimpse into work, life, balance, and how all of those pieces fit together.

Our hope is that as you listen, you'll reflect on your own year and maybe ask yourself some of the same questions. This year, we spent a lot of time discussing what it means to create space and margin in our lives—and the importance of checking in with ourselves rather than looking to a book, a podcast, AI, or anything else for the answers. It's about learning to hear ourselves think again.

• Margin in our calendar and business

• Client Expectations

• Retirement and Work-Life Balance

• Embracing Wisdom

• Family changes impact life and work.

• Client expectations are changing - wanting more for less.

• Clearing physical and digital clutter allows better focus.

• What are we building towards - what does retirement mean?

• Intentional time management is crucial to balance.

• Goal for 2026 is more time (margin) to think and process information.

• With the rise of AI we need to be careful not to outsource all of our thinking.

• Striving to be a cheerleader for everyone.

• Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com

• Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting

• Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL

• Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com

• LinkedIn: Michele Williams

• Email: ceilwdi@gmail.com

• The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library

• Podcast: Sew Much More

• Learn to Choose Window Coverings