July Check-In: The "Everyone Else is Crushing It" Dilemma
in case you're feeling a little behind...
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We loveeee the idea of a slow summer. Less structured days, unplugged out-of-office vacations, and less stress about getting it all done. But all it takes is a quick scroll on Instagram to feel like everyone else is two steps ahead, and we start to question if slowing down is actually the right move.
If you have been experiencing a similar inner conflict, you're not alone. It feels nearly impossible to keep blinders on and avoid the comparison game thanks to relentless social media. But we’re wondering if maybe there is a way to channel this tension — even jealousy of others’ progress — into something productive.
Inside our membership, we had a fantastic Q&A with Kristin Kennedy, former Seventeen Magazine Editor in Chief turned content creator and brand strategist. When she was talking about her journey from editor to creator, she said she had been feeling a tinge of “jealously” towards influencers who were securing impressive brand deals and carving out flexible careers for themselves. She channeled this feeling into fuel for growing her own successful influencer platform. This takeaway stuck with us and we’ve been thinking about what we really want to go after for the rest of the year.
Th summer months are actually great for resetting and laying the groundwork for a strong finish to the year.
Here are a few places to start:
Q4 & Holiday planning: Yes, now! Carving out time to plan what you want and need to focus on this holiday season can help you get ahead and properly prepare for the busiest time of the year.
Your brand story: Feeling stuck on how to describe what you do or what sets you apart? Our free Brand Story Worksheet linked here helps you clarify your message so you can move forward with confidence and direction.
Content: If posting has been sporadic (or nonexistent), that’s okay. Get back on track by outlining 1 post a week for the rest of summer. Use our 14 post ideas to inspire some fresh ideas.
Summer is for slowing down, but not for losing sight of what matters. Use this season to get clear on your priorities and take one intentional step at a time. Keep reading for tools, encouragement, and ideas to help you move forward with clarity.
Kathryn & Carla
p.s. Please “heart” this post! It helps other small business owners and creators find it.
Download our free Brand Story Worksheet here.
What is Catching Your Attention, or Making You Jealous?
Write down what has been catching your attention lately, or even making you jealous.
Who do you admire?
What brand/person has been top of mind?
Is there something you want to be known for or doing that you aren’t already?
Is there a milestone you really want to get to that you can’t stop thinking about?
Consider using these reflections to refresh your goals and focus for the rest of the year. Note: make sure any new direction supports your top business goal(s) and won’t lead you down a tangent.
Post It Twice
Let’s make content easier for ourselves. If you notice that something you post performs well, like an Instagram Story, post it again as a carousel or Reel. Or, if you send out a newsletter or publish a blog post that people seem to love, repurpose it as multiple social media posts.
Also, look back at what you posted last summer — is there anything that is still relevant that you could repost? It might feel strange to you to share it again, but we promise: people have either forgotten that you posted it or they didn’t see it the first time.
We’re excited to spotlight new AYN Member Aziza Lyons, a talented jewelry & accessories designer and small business owner based in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Aziza was born and raised in India, where moving frequently across the country and the Middle East sparked an early appreciation for craft and culture. Her love of textiles was shaped by her mother’s work at a heritage textile company and inspired further by summers with her stylish grandmother, whose closet, filled with silk sarees, gemstones, and pashminas, became the setting for Aziza’s childhood fashion dreams.
After a brief acting career, Aziza moved to Cincinnati to pursue an advanced degree in Economics and later built a career in sales and marketing at a global consumer goods company. In 2024, she took a leap toward a lifelong dream and launched her eponymous jewelry and accessories label. Every piece of Aziza Lyons gemstone jewelry is made by hand in their studio, and all textile accessories are made directly in partnership with artisans based in Kashmir and Jaipur.
We are obsessed with her necklaces and we’re excited to support her entrepreneurial journey!
Follow her at @azizalyons and on Substack!
“I run an independent self-funded brand which means wearing multiple hats from CMO to designer to customer service. AYN Method is an incredibly comprehensive resource for anyone who doesn’t have the budget to retain a PR agency, but you get so much more out of it! I love the Brand Starter Kit in the membership library, monthly calls and community. Carla and Kathryn are a wealth of knowledge and I’m immensely excited for a full year with them!” - Aziza Lyons
Click here to be notified when membership doors open again and join our amazing group of up-and-coming small business owners, designers, artists, experts, content creators and creative entrepreneurs.
Reading:
We both have a long list of Substacks we read religiously. One thing we like to do is flag them under a Gmail label “fun emails to read” so we can enjoy perusing at our leisure after work hours on our iPads.
Just a few of our favorites:
Earl Earl by Laurel Pantin for fashion fun and wardrobe curation by a chic former magazine editor & buyer
Books + Bits by Pandora Sykes for books and culture recs & discussions
The Pollinatr by our friend Michelle Blaser for smart commentary on what is trending in the brand/marketing world (like Labubus)
Link in Bio by Rachel Karten for super helpful social media advice
Club Yolo by Yolanda Edwards for armchair traveling and city guides
Downtime by Alisha Ramos for style & book recs
Gander by Haskell Harris for fabulous finds from Garden & Gun’s style director
Listening:
Audiobooks checked out from our Libby app. Next up, Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty.
Following:
@kristinmkennedy, content creator and former EIC of Seventeen Magazine who shared awesome advice and industry insights with our AYN members. We love her style and real life mom moments.
What is on your reading/listening/watching list for Summer 2025? Let us know in the comments!
Thank you for this wonderful feature! AYN is a treasure!