Introducing the magnificent Nancy Mills!  I found Nancy Mills - founder of Spirited Woman - in my Sparkletopia sleuthing and was very happy when she emailed me to say hello after I posted a link to her colorful, action-packed website.  She is a whirlwind of energy and I am so happy to be featuring this interview with her! 

[February 13, 2008]

Tell me what you envisioned for Spirited Woman when the idea first came to you (and when was this?)
Christine, this is such a good question because what I envisioned and what has evolved have turned out to be two different things. I think that is what happens to many entrepreneurs. Here is the back story. For years, I was a freelance travel journalist. As fate would have it, in 2000, I went on an unexpected trip to Montana, and I stayed at this woman's home next to an Indian burial ground. At the back of her property was a large rock in the shape of a woman. When I commented to her that the rock looked like a woman, she said "we call her spirit woman." I looked at her and said, "This is what I will do for the rest of my life." The name just immediately connected to a deep place within me. She probably thought I was nuts. I resonated more with the name Spirited Woman than Spirit Woman, and then I sat down and wrote a manuscript. So the long-winded answer to this question is that the whole concept is based on a manuscript that I wrote. Even though it was written over six years ago, I just recently found an excellent agent, and the book is being seen by publishers. It's been a long road.

How does your original vision compare with what Spirited Woman is today?
When I wrote the manuscript "Spirited Woman" I knew that it was different. It wasn't a "how to" book or a "self-help" concept. It was a self-affirmation concept based on creative playfulness, empowerment and fun, written in a long-chant form. After I wrote the manuscript my goal was to get a publisher. That was it. But, I completed the manuscript right after September 11, 2001 and needless to say, no one was interested at that time in my concept. So, a very wise friend (who is also an author) said, "Why don't you turn the manuscript into a workshop? And see if the women will come. That way you will know if you have a concept that works." It was the best advice anyone has ever given me. I took her advice, started my first Spirited Woman Workshop in October, 2002 in Santa Barbara, CA, where I was living at the time, and that is how the vision started to evolve. In essence, I went from thinking of myself as a writer to being the Creator of the Spirited Woman Approach to Life and the founder of a women's community. It was very empowering to take that leap, but very scary too, because that is not what I had envisioned.

Spirited Woman offers social events, a community blog, a newsletter, workshops and more (wow!)...for someone who might want to dip their toe into the Spirited Woman community, what do you think would be the best first step?
Well, without a doubt, I say subscribe to our free e-newsletter. It comes out monthly and it will keep you fully entrenched in what's happening in Spirited Woman Land. If you live in the Southern California area (particularly Los Angeles) we have great monthly events that are very affordable. I urge you to take a look at the Events page on our website. Also, for those of you outside the LA area, I suggest that you find out more about our new Spirited Woman Groups that are beginning to form. We're in the process of going national. And please sign up for our Spirited Woman Circle!!!

[Erika Schickel, author of You're Not the Boss of Me:  Adventures of a Modern Mom]

Nancy, tell us about your popular Spirited Woman Circle Tele-Chat Conversation series with famous women authors?
I am so proud of this series you have no idea. This is our third season.  Most of our guests have been on Oprah, Ellen, The Today Show, topped the New York Time's Bestseller list and they've sold more than 20 million books!  The 1-hour phone Tele-Chats (which you can participate in from your home or office any place in the world) are a great way to talk with authors you'd probably never get a chance to talk to. They're revealing, fun and informative. This year, our eight guests range from Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of The Deep End of the Ocean (Oprah's first book club pick) to Southern Humorist Jill Conner Browne, known for all her Sweet Potato Queens' books and her enormous women's community. These chats are a great way to connect with other women and they're so inspiring. The series begins on March 4, 2008 with author Ericka Schickel and pre-registration is required. You can buy the entire series or individual conversations. I urge your readers to get all the juicy details here. It's so great.  As you can tell it really excites me. I moderate the calls.

Is there a moment in the life of Spirited Woman where you knew without any doubt whatsoever this was the path you were meant to be on.
As I said in the answer to the first question, I just immediately connected to the concept when I saw that rock in the form of a women. And Christine, at this point I would like to tell your very creative audience something from my heart and soul. When you feel something deep inside of your gut - no matter how challenging the road, no matter how rocky, no matter what - FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCT. So often we question our inner voice and believe it to be untrue. I am a firm believer that you CANNOT walk away from your passion. And that is one of the essential concepts of Spirited Woman.

What do the words "Spirited Woman" mean to you?
A Spirited Woman is unstoppable. She knows from deep within her that she is enough as she is. Because she is. She lives in the "Land of Enoughness" and is ALIVE with her spirit and passion. She is born a Spirited Woman. She does not have to become a Spirited Woman. Huge difference.

Share an idea/dream/vision for Spirited Woman that you are still eager to make real (unless it's top secret!)
Honestly, I dream of the day when "Spirited Woman" is published in book form. It would mean the world to me and hopefully to millions of other women.  And I dream of helping many more women in many more cities - IN PERSON on a book tour.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to spread her Spirited Woman wings wide?
Open your wings and fly. The biggest killer of movement is fear. Find a way to eliminate your fear, and my advice is to connect with other like-minded women. I believe that is one of the reasons why Spirited Woman is successful. It is a supportive, empowering community for women. As we like to say, "creative fun for inspired women." And we are all about "women inspiring women."

What do you do to rejuvenate your own Spirited Self in the midst of all your interviews, workshops and projects?
I read blogs like yours. Reading about creativity and creative beings relaxes me. I also love to read mysteries. They transport me to a place of intrigue (when I was a young girl, I adored the Nancy Drew Mystery series), and I love to cook. I find cooking to be very creative and relaxing and nurturing.

I so appreciate you taking the time to discuss Spirited Woman with me.  I am very excited about sharing this interview on Sparkletopia!
Thank you Christine, and may the Spirited Woman force be with you!!!