The Unscripted Wake-Up Call | October 2025

Dear Friends,

We have a special treat this month! Our Marketing Manager, Casey, felt compelled to share his story with all of you. Month after month, Casey reads, edits and makes these monthly letters look “pretty” for all of you. This month, he’s sharing his perspective being ‘behind the scenes.”

Here’s Casey’s story …

I was running on empty, and I paid the price.

My professional life crashed on the heels of a deep personal crisis: a messy breakup that coincided with moving into a new home I thought we’d share. Dealing with the devastation, I quickly defaulted to being a professional victim instead of a marketing professional for the local real estate company that had just hired me. I knew what I should have been doing, but my state of mind kept me from doing the job. When I was finally let go, I wasn't surprised. It was a fair business decision that I completely understand.

That moment wasn't a firing; it was a fierce wake-up call. The pity party was over. It became a fight-or-flight situation: I had to get my life together immediately, or I would lose everything I had just acquired. My mindset shifted out of necessity, forcing me to open myself to new possibilities, a pivotal move that eventually led me to start my own marketing business and partner with Rica.

The Lesson of Inner Mastery

This crash-and-burn experience taught me the single most critical lesson: the quality of your work is an extension of your state of mind.

Like any artist, a grand portion of professional performance is tied to the mental state during creation. You can’t expect to create trust and confidence in clients when you are consumed by scarcity and self-doubt. The key lesson I learned, the thing that separates amateurs from professionals, is that the state of mind we hold is ultimately within our control. It's not enough to have one good outcome. It takes practice and a commitment to maintain a mastery of your inner state so you can consistently perform for your clients.

Rica and the Authentic Brand

This insight is why Rica’s coaching on authenticity and building Standards resonates so deeply.

She teaches us that success doesn't come from memorizing generic scripts; it comes from mindful listening and the courage to show up as ourselves. Every month, I read her "Letter of the Heart"; a vulnerable slice of her own human lessons, and I'm reminded that we are who we think we are.

Rica’s philosophy is that your brand isn't defined by your logo, fonts, or production value; your brand is what your clients feel when they interact with you. By extension, I’ve learned that my state of mind dictates how I represent myself, and it is responsible for the trust and confidence others feel when they work with me. Thank you, Rica, for showing me how to build a business that is both successful and fundamentally authentic.

The Power of Sharing Our Stories

We all have moments that shake us awake, moments that remind us who we are and what we’re truly capable of when we choose growth over defeat. My story is just one version of that truth. Each of us carries lessons born from challenge, resilience, and renewal, and when we share them, we create connection, understanding, and inspiration for others who might be fighting their own quiet battles.

So this month, I’d love to hear from you.

What’s been your unscripted wake-up call? What lesson reshaped the way you live, work, or show up for others?

👉 Share your story with us, because together, we’re not just building brands; we’re building authenticity, courage, and community.

With love & Optimistic Heart,

Casey