You don't have to be COOL all of the time.

Everyone ticks. As a whole, many of us get along pretty well but sometimes we get caught up in thinking about the past or worrying about the future – which causes unnecessary pain. Every so often you need a good kick in the pants reminder to live in the moment and to appreciate what is around you right now. In this very moment, what happened yesterday, last month or last year doesn’t matter. RIGHT NOW- you have a blank slate and a fresh start.

As an entrepreneur willing to take a risk and venture out on your own, you are putting yourself out there. You aren’t afraid to be vulnerable. However, if you let it, one bad email or annoying social media post can throw you off for the whole day. Having said that, it is ok to feel what you are going to feel in that moment. Recently an entrepreneur told us, “It is OK to be vulnerable. You don’t have to be cool all of the time.” Just be sure to recognize that feeling, acknowledge it and keep going. If you find yourself thinking about it again, rinse and repeat.

There will always be people that don’t agree with you. Good! That means you stand for something. The best way around that is through it. Although easier said than done, focus on the good things that are happening. So much of what we do requires practice, as does the ability to focus on what is good right now. It doesn’t have to be anything spectacular. You can simply sit on your front porch and listen to the birds. Mindfulness seems like a cliché term nowadays, but there is some truth to its practice. Give yourself the time to just be.

Most entrepreneurs aren’t in it for the dollars. If you are willing to take a risk, have a good reason why. Find that one thing that excites you and turn any discomfort into motivation to keep your dream in motion. Doing so leaves you open to the critics, open to the risks, and open to self-doubt. That’s OK. Getting stuck in that cycle isn’t. Recognize and acknowledge the feelings don’t ignore them – but also know that right now matters, there is always something good, and what happened in the past is just that – it’s in the past.

“Human is as good as it gets.”  - Bobbi Duffy

Unfabricated Unwrapped

A year ago I had no idea what I was getting myself or my team into. Lets buy a green couch and turn it into something that has meaning! Not an easy task, that's for sure. As the idea started to take shape, so did the interest. Our first set of interviews were nerve racking. It was all new territory for us. But it wasn't long after the first set that we knew we had something special. It was that day that I joked about doing a live interview, and a year later, Unfabricated took place.

We're not event planners, that's why we hired Heather Akers from Akers2Grow. But we are visionaries. It didn't take long to find out that we all have a passion for taking an idea that was once nothing and turning it into a physical space that people were enjoying good food and good company in. We started the planning 6 months prior to the event. There were mood boards, samples, tastings, laughs, long nights and tons of details. Most importantly, there was passion and everyone involved was focused on the same goal - create a night that inspires people.

Let me tell you about the emotions leading up to one of the biggest nights of your life. The weeks prior I was scared, nervous, wondering if anyone would really care. Would months of hard work go down the tube or would we fill the house? We'd sell a ticket here and a ticket there. I was excited when we sold 10! There were days where nothing happened. No tickets. No planning. Then there were sprints where it seemed like it was all we were talking about. Something incredible happened then. Two weeks prior to the event, tickets started to roll in. 2 at a time. 4 at a time. Soon we were faced with the reality that people actually WANTED to be there! Why on earth do all of these people care about what I have to say? I'm just a small town girl, why me? The moment hit me when I had to make a call to Heather to tell her we were on the verge of selling out. And then we did. SOLD OUT friends. I emphasize that to show you that you can do anything. It amazes every time that if you put in the sweat equity and give life to that idea that brews in your head, it can lead you to incredible things!

As the room set up went up and the guests started coming in, I did a room check. Amber was smiling, Kassie was laughing, Momina was holding a conversation, my husband had a beer in hand and I was standing tall. At that moment I knew we had done it and all fear literally left my body. I left the main room a few minutes prior to the presentation, sat in Roy Pitz Brewery and reflected on the last 7 years of my business journey. I took a million deep breaths, downed about a gallon of water and then I saw Heather come in with her beautiful smile and say, "It's time." I walked down the hall, heart racing and then that beautiful tune to our videos came on. I watched how brave our risk takers had been in the past. I looked across the heads that filled the chairs. And when Whitney from Digital Bard said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, that is the Green Couch, and this is Laura Wallace!" the once sitting guests stood and clapped. My heart is racing writing this right now because I've never felt so appreciated and welcomed before in my life. Chills. 

The interview seemed like it flew by! I was so comfortable in spilling my gutsy that I could have talked for another hour or two! I guess we'll save that for the book :) I shared things that only a handful of people knew prior to that night. I shared difficult things, things that keep me going and did my best to pass on words of encouragement. You CAN do this. You were chosen to. If you're a risk taker, you were born that way. There's something special about you that is unlike no other. You have the ability to live a life that is beyond your wildest dreams!

I want to thank each and everyone that came out to support The Green Couch Project and myself last Tuesday night. It means more to me than I could ever express that you believe in the project. It means even more to me that you take whatever inspired you and apply it to your life to create happiness! If you're interested in being on the couch, visit our website and fill out a form here! We'll be choosing our spring candidates soon.

As a risk taker, naturally there's another chapter :) So what's next? 

The full length audio interview will be available on Friday, February 6th through the Apple iTunes store! Subscribe to our Podcast channel through the Podcast app! We'll be releasing past participant interviews over the next few months.

Brandstarter Pre-Orders are available now!

Designed for risk-takers, by risk-takers who have been through the same struggles as you, the workbook is your in-house strategist, giving you the resources to build a consistent and recognizable brand. Because we want you to succeed, we’ll include a 60 minute phone call with an expert to review your journey. This book is perfect for you if:

• You have an idea and are thinking about turning it into a business (no experience necessary!)
• You have a business and you want to refine your strategy, dig in a little deeper
• You want to take your business to the next level

Photo's by Melanie Anderson of Anderson Photographs - Thank you!!!

Celebrating Our Risk Takers

2014 was a pretty incredible year for a lot of businesses. I could list all day why The Worx Girls love what we do. One of our biggest passions is being part of someone else's dream on a daily basis. We work with risk takers, big thinkers and passionate, driven people that are excited about making a difference in their life and the lives of others. We get to ride along in the side cart of their motorcycle and help them visually navigate through the twists and turns of entrepreneurship. We watch their success story unfold as they take the thought that once scared them and turn it into a lifestyle that fulfills them.

In 2014 we were blessed to have branded over 40 new or growing businesses (you can see a few of them above). 40 companies that are following their dreams, boosting our economy, solving problems and creating jobs for others. They took the first step into living the life they want!

In addition, we launched over 15 websites, kicked off The Green Couch Project and expanded our office space (much needed!). It's been a beautifully busy year for The Worx Family!

We're constantly blown away by the innovative and amazing people that knock on our email doors every week. Here are a few that we're especially proud of:

Innovative, Inc. and NOVA Corporation both made the Inc. 5000 fastest growing private companies in the US list for 2014.

In addition, Innovative, Inc. has opened a second location in Frederick and continues to grow their dynamic team to serve growing IT needs.

Nova has created 170 new jobs in the past 3 years and was named the 2014 American Indian Business of the Year award.



Food Safety Training Solutions, Inc. has expanded their marketing reach with over 7,000 Facebook likes from 45 countries. Every month they email thousands of viewers from 8 countries to keep them informed on #keepingyourfoodsafe. They are Nationally training the hospitality industry on Food Safety and have worked with some of the countries largest corporations, such as McDonalds, Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts.




Nothing makes me happier than to hear a client say, "WOW. You made this real for me. This is something I can now show people instead of just telling them. I can't wait to use it!!" As an entrepreneur, it is easy to get stuck inside your own head. But when you partner with someone that believes in your passion as much as you do, beautiful things can happen.

Are you one of the passionate, big thinkers that we'll get to work with in 2015? I want to see your logo at the top of this page next year because that means you'll have taken the first step to change your life forever. Cheers to 2015 friends.

When your vision turns reality

A few years ago, I came across a lime green couch that I knew needed to be in my life. It seems silly that I would grow so close to a piece of furniture, but I'm a firm believer in following your gut-so we bought it. For a while it sat in our studio as a place for meetings, but as the years have passed I felt like it had a higher purpose. I have had ideas that never came to fruition, some that I thought were awesome, and some that were not. I always knew it would have something to do with helping people, but could never put my finger on it. One day it clicked after an impromptu brainstorming session with the Worx team. Risk takers spilling their gutsy is the purpose of the couch.

Late 2013 we started to develop the look of the brand. By the way, if you are a creative, or know someone who is, you'll know that creating your own stuff is the hardest. Quite frankly it's a pain in the rear. But when you hit that moment-ahhhhhh! The gates open, angels sing and the idea that was once lost in your head starts taking form-it becomes real.

Fast forward to just a few days ago. After six months of interviewing, filming, photographing, writing, designing, listening and inspiring, the website for The Green Couch Project went live. It's one of my favorite moments because everything you've worked for comes to life!

If you've ever poured your heart and soul into something, you know the emotions that come along with it. It's part of the deal when you're an entrepreneur. Here are some that I experienced, perhaps you can relate... 

• Excited!! Wow this is really happening!
• Scared. What if people hate it. What if no one cares?
• Fulfilled. This is something I've wanted to do for a lonnnnng time.
• Nervous. Now we have a promise to fill. There are expectations out there now.
• Happy. I love it! Every time I look at it I am filled with joy and peace.
• Anxious. I want to keep this momentum, lets keep moving forward!

All of these emotions and feelings are completely normal. I want you to know that you're not alone when you go from happy crying to scared crying within a moments notice. Starting and running a business is challenging. But notice that I did not mention regret. Were there hard times? Absolutely. Running Worx and creating a whole new side project is no easy task! But where there is passion and a vision, all things are possible.

If it's encouragement you're seeking today, I hope that the story behind The Green Couch Project is proof that it can be done. I encourage you to visit the site, listen to the stories and absorb the journeys of people just like you. 

If you're hungry for more, join the conversation by signing up for our newsletter and visiting the blog where the gutsy stories continue. Go ahead. #spillyourgutsy

Kick fear in the rear

Fear. What does that mean, anyway? Well, Webster says it's an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that something or someone is dangerous, or the feeling of anxiety concerning an outcome of something. There are fears of objects, fears of people, fears of the unknown. Today I want to talk about the fear of failure.

The fear of failure is something many entrepreneurs face. There's comfort in doing the same thing we've always done. You know how to do it, and it’s safe. Wait! (Insert screeching car tire sound effect...) If you keep doing the same thing won't you keep getting the same results? Ouch. That hits home.

I discovered a secret this week (make sure to watch the video above from The Green Couch Project). Fear can do one of two things for you:

1.     Drive your passion or

2.     Stall your success

Here's my challenge to you: Think about something that scares the heck out of you. I'm not talking about a scary movie or making a decision, or something that doesn't feel right in your gut. I'm talking about that big idea you have; the expansion of your business, hiring a new employee, moving your office, raising your rates, risking all you have to live your purpose. Get that uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach? Good.

Now, think past that fear. Stop looking at all the what ifs and the how am I going to's. What does your life look like when that dream, goal or passion is in place? Are you excited? Does it feel right? Are you happy?

That is the dream to act on, my friends. When you can see past the unknown and look into the future and visualize what life looks like when you've reached that goal; you're setting yourself up for success. Whenever fear tries to sneak back in, visualize that successful place:

· Make a collage of that vision

· Draw a picture

· Create a Pinterest board

· Verbalize it with your closest loved ones

· Write about the emotions in a journal

When you give life to a dream, you crush the fear. Negative energy cannot live where positive energy thrives.

Lets redefine fear. False Expectations Appearing Real. Fear only has as much power as we allow. False expectations. The “belief" that something is dangerous. See a common thread? We create fear! Acknowledge the feeling, then release it and focus on your life purpose. You have the power and drive to achieve anything and everything you've ever wanted.