August: The Month of Happiness, Family Fun, and One Very Spunky 9-Year-Old
The month of August often sneaks up on us. It arrives just as summer starts to wind down and we begin to feel the tug of fall responsibilities. But before we jump into the back-to-school bustle or Q4 planning, August gives us a much-needed gift: a whole month dedicated to happiness and family fun.
Did you know that August is officially Happiness Happens Month and Family Fun Month? That’s right—30 full days set aside to soak up the joy, be playful on purpose, and find delight in the simple things. Whether it’s poolside laughs, late-night ice cream runs, or spontaneous backyard games, August invites us to lean into the good stuff.
And for my family, we have an extra special reason to celebrate this month.
My middle granddaughter—our bold, bright, and endlessly energetic girl—is turning 9 years old. We lovingly call her Spunky, and not just because of her fiery personality. That nickname was earned the day she came into this world. Her arrival was anything but ordinary. She made it clear from the start that she was going to do things her own way, on her own time, and with a whole lot of flair.
Spunky’s entrance was a little dramatic (to say the least), born at home, and completely unforgettable. She came into our lives like a spark—tiny but powerful, full of fight and joy, and determined to make her mark. And that hasn’t changed in nine years. Spunky is a one-of-a-kind light in my life.
She embodies what Happiness Happens Month is all about: choosing joy, even when things are hard. Laughing loudly. Dancing when there’s no music. Asking big questions. And reminding all of us that sometimes, life’s best moments are the unplanned ones.
Family Fun Month also feels more meaningful when I look at it through the lens of being a grandparent. Fun isn’t just about big vacations or packed calendars. It’s about slowing down and savoring the ordinary—morning pancakes, silly faces at dinner, sleepover giggles, or chasing fireflies just because.
Spunky reminds me every day that happiness doesn’t always look polished or perfect. Sometimes it’s messy, loud, chaotic—and completely wonderful.
This August, I hope we all find the time to celebrate those kinds of moments.
Let happiness happen. Let fun find you. Let yourself stop trying to make everything “Instagram-worthy” and just be in the moment. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, watching your kids squeeze the last drops out of summer, or simply grateful for a bit of sunshine and quiet, this is your month to lean into what makes life joyful.
And if you need inspiration, just find a 9-year-old with a spunky spirit and a big heart. They’ll remind you exactly how to live it.
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Introducing Founders ASCEND — because visionaries deserve support, not just survival.
Founders ASCEND is a bold new initiative from The ASCEND Collective, created to champion, support, and elevate entrepreneurs—helping Founders succeed and thrive with tools, mentors, networking and more!
Whether you’re launching a tech startup, building a business from your trade, or turning lived experience into innovation, founders need more than funding—they need a foundation. 🔹Coaching and readiness
🔹 Access to resources, mentors, and networks
🔹 Blogs and events
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At Founders ASCEND, we meet entrepreneurs where they are and walk with them as they grow. Because when founders thrive, so do families, communities, and the future of work.
If you’re a founder—or if you believe in the power of entrepreneurship to change lives—join us.
This isn’t just a program.
It’s a movement to support those who will build and lead our future.
Entrepreneurship is often described as a journey, but let’s be honest….
Founder’s Note: What This Season Is Teaching Me
Every season of entrepreneurship has its own lessons. Some are about scaling. Others are about slowing down. Right now, I’m in a season of both.
For years, I operated in go-mode. As a founder, corporate business woman, military spouse, and mom of twins, there was always something to juggle- building Spouse-ly from scratch, supporting fellow business owners, launching new ideas, and doing my best to show up for everyone around me.
But lately, something’s shifted. I’ve realized that growth doesn’t always have to mean more. Sometimes it means different. More intentional. More aligned. More joy-filled.
I started Spouse-ly to help military and first responder families create income streams that actually work with their lives, not against them. And I still wake up everyday excited to help our vendors get seen, grow their sales, and feel proud of what they’re building. But I’ve also learned that building something meaningful doesn’t require sacrificing every personal moment along the way.
The same goes for the entrepreneurs I get to support through my Build, Launch, and Thrive online course + business bestie consulting.. I used to think success was all about how fast you could grow. Now I know it’s about building something that actually fits your life. Something that doesn’t burn you out but lights you up.
This summer has reminded me how important it is to unplug and be present. I’ve prioritized walks, real conversations, and moments where I’m not rushing to the next thing. And surprisingly, business hasn’t suffered. It’s grown stronger. Because when I show up as a whole person, I’m a better leader, mom, and mentor.
The messy middle of entrepreneurship is real. There are seasons when it feels like you’re giving everything and not seeing the results yet. But trust me, those seeds you’re planting are growing, even when you can’t see it.
So wherever you are in your journey- launching, scaling, or pivoting…I hope you know this: You don’t have to do it the way everyone else does. You don’t have to choose between family or business, rest or ambition, peace or profit. You can design something that holds space for it all.
This isn’t the season I expected, but it’s the one I needed. One filled with more laughter, more balance, and a deeper connection to why I started in the first place.
And if you’re looking for support while you figure out what your next season looks like, I’d love to be in your corner. Helping others turn their ideas into income whilehonoring the life they want to live is what lights me up most.
