the client that made me question everything

↓

She wasn’t my first client. But she was the first one who made me question if I was truly cut out for being a service provider.

I charged her $1250 for what should’ve easily been a $5K project. Red flag #1.

She critiqued everything I did, like I was some corporate employee, not a hired creative who knows her sh*t. Red flag #2.

And when I told her I'd be off the grid for my first ever real vacation, I made sure everything was wrapped up a week in advance so she had time to ask any questions prior.

You’d think I left her for dead.

I came back to a full-blown meltdown in my inbox.

Apparently, I was “unprofessional” for not offering customer support while on PTO.

Yes, Reader, Customer. Support. As if I’m Amazon.

I was so overwhelmed and already at my wits end with the disrespct this client had been showing me (that I dealt with because hey, I was young & dumb).

I spiraled into imposter syndrome instead of doing what I should’ve done: created stronger contracts from the start, stood my ground, and charged a fair rate for the work completed.

But that nightmare client taught me compassion. Not for her, but for myself.

After her, I tightened up my contracts. Added in (legal) clauses that protect me, and boundaries that save my sanity.

And I realized: compassion is not just a brand value you throw on your website to seem like you care.

It’s a way of working. A way of writing. A way of showing up for your people.

So now? Even in my emails, that value is baked in.

The way I talk to you, my readers, is to create a place where you feel seen and supported.

Because no one deserves to be disrespected just because you choose to take (well-deserved!) time off.

And that same level of compassion should be woven into your email strategy too.

🌊 What Compassion Looks Like In Your Emails 🌊

It’s easy to say your brand values connection, care, or community.

It’s a lot harder to make people feel that through what you send.

Especially if your current email marketing strategy is just "send emails when we are running sales so people will buy!".

Showing genuine compassion in your emails isn't just about soft language or skipping the hard sell (but there's certainly a time + place this helps!).

Instead, it's about the way you pace your sends. It's about the clarity you give around what people are swiping their credit card for. It's about the space you leave for real stories, not just polished pitches.

In fact, I'd go as far to say as it also includes how you protect your readers’ time and energy, just like you’ve learned to protect your own.

When your emails are rooted in values like respect or empathy, they simply land differently.

They don’t rely on urgency to perform. They invite people in, encourage them to explore, and make them feel seen. Rather than pushing people to act.

🛠️ Your 5-Minute Challenge 🛠️

Pull up your last 2–3 campaigns or an underperforming flow and ask yourself:

• If I were on the receiving end, would this email feel thoughtful or rushed?
• Is there a clear reason it was sent, or does it just check a box?
• Do the tone, pacing, and content reflect the way I want to treat people?

Pick one small tweak you’d make next time to better reflect your values.

And if you’re not sure where to start, or you’ve grown a lot since you first set your flows up, this is your sign to take a second look. 😉

Reading: The Outside by Stephen King -- I'm soooo close to finishing this one, but it is a big boy, lmao. I'm at a point where it's like... I can't tell if it's supernatural-related or just so science-y I don't understand it 😆

Listening: Oddly enough? Not much lately. I did hit Nashville last week, but idk if live music counts (but it WAS a blast!). And I haven't been listening to a lot of audiobooks because a certain someone has been keeping me busy lately. 🤭

Wellness Goal: Still on the "enjoying life" train as I have ooone last summer trip coming up the end of next week! (Flordia, here I come!). I can't remember the last time I traveled so much, but it's half the reason I started this biz!

Obsessing Over: I recently finished Ginny & Georgia, per my sister's recommendation, and it honestly wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Was it cheesy? Sure. But did it still make me feel things? Absolutely.

Want to win a free 30-minute strategy session? 👀

It's sooo easy, all you have to do is guess which prompt inside the free resource (that you should totally download now if you haven't yet!!) 52 Un-Boring Email Content Ideas inspired this email, and one random correct guesser will win it next week!

While I’ve got you here...

I'm building a free resource vault full of swipeable templates, email education, and answers to the “I have no idea what to write” moments.

Got a Q or content block you want me to cover? Hit reply and tell me. It might just be the next resource I hyperfixate on ;)

Also, I'm going to be in the car for hours next week (yes, again. lovin' all these federal holidays! 😆). So, if you’ve read any books lately that you couldn’t put down, I wanna know.

Preferably fiction. Preferably one that makes me feel something. Angry, sad, love-y dove-y, I'm here for it alllll.

Talk to ya next week,

​

​

​