Meet Saya Hillman

We recently connected with Saya Hillman and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Saya, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

I often get questions around how I’ve built the life I’ve built and the specific question, “Have you always been this way?” where “this” is usually connected to being confident, positive, gregarious, risk-taking, proactive, with a large network, and with direction.

Absolutely not!, I haven’t always been this way.

Ages ten to eighteen, I was a mute, sad, lonely wallflower who cowered in the shadows, scared to have and share opinions, wishing life was different, wishing I was different. When you’re a poor, chubby, towering, non-white kid with a single parent who didn’t shave her legs, believe in health insurance, or have a driver’s license, you feel abnormal.

I was born visible; we all are. As babies and toddlers, we cry and scream when we want something, we make our needs known, we don’t worry about what others are thinking. Then in elementary school, we’re still mostly blissful dumdums but we start to notice when others get picked first in gym and who gets invited to birthday parties and who gets Valentines Day shoe-box cards. Come middle school and high school, caring what others think and negative self-talk take front and center, and many of us—me—begin to step backwards, into the wings, into perceived safety. Some stay there and become muted, hesitant, invisible adults. Others go the other way and begin to re-emerge in college or young adulthood and perhaps even end up center stage, hogging the spotlight and the microphone in the best way possible.

Luckily, I went the latter-way. Give me allllll the mics.

The re-emergence began as I transitioned from Evanston Township High School (ETHS) senior to Boston College (BC) freshman, when I considered changing my name from Saya to Alexis. Saya stood for everything that was different and wrong; Alexis was the epitome of normalcy—white; rich; two parents; skinny; had a car; lived in a house—and thus by extension, of good. Insert roll of eyes at society and history and (wave of hand) that’s contributed to this warped and wrong perspective. I thought, college. Blank slate. No one knows me as the outsider I’ve been my whole life. I can be Alexis.

I didn’t change my name. Something happened when I got to Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, perhaps the most white, Irish, Catholic place on earth outside of Ireland. A biracial Ukrainian-African atheist, I stuck out. But people began to treat me as exotic, bohemian even. A friend looked at me, after we had been friends for awhile and incredulously exclaimed, ‘Wait, you don’t have a nose-ring?! You seem like you have a nose-ring.” What had been daggers in my self-esteem and ability to self-love turned into reasons people would encircle me at a party and introduce me as “cool” and “interesting.” This was when I began to realize that dark can metamorphosis into light and that having dark makes light possible.

A 180 from childhood, middle-aged me views myself as a gift. I believe what I have to offer is needed, wanted, and quality, professionally and personally. I speak up and insert my thoughts because I think they add to the conversation. I incessantly promote my how to products, my consulting, my speaking, my events, my newsletter, my courses, because yes, they pay bills, but also because I think they help others; I genuinely believe your life is better after you Saya’ify yourself. As the kids say, I have receipts.

I learned to bring the best parts of childhood to adulthood. I engage in play for play’s sake. I don’t over analyze. I focus on the now instead of the past or future. I’m curious. I don’t judge self and others. I’m ok with sucking. An 8 year old doesn’t respond to “Do you want to to go to the park?” with “Maybe… What’s everyone else wearing? I don’t have a North Face jacket, I’ll need to get that first. I’m not up on the latest games everyone is playing, I should go observe first. Is there a video I can watch on park-going?” They just go to the park.

I don’t compare myself to others. It’s exhausting, pointless, and 99% of the time does nothing but make me feel bad about myself. But yes, I also compare myself to others, cause, duh, I’m human. I just do it a lot less and no longer in a lasting, hurtful way.

I embrace fear and use it for good. When I wanted to run a 5K but was nervous because I’m chunky, I instead registered for a marathon—3 miles, 26 miles, equally scary, why not go all out? And now I can say I’ve run three marathons. When I wanted to be a Broadway star even though I lack all broadway star skills, I created a way for me to get a standing ovation from a sold-out, paying audience of 250 for “bad” dancing.

I’m confident, even when I’m not. I often have no clue what I’m doing or what I’m talking about but I exist within a “Take me or leave me, this is who I am” bubble which positively leaks into every area of my life.

Confidence is the trait to which I’m most attracted and in which I put most stock. In friends, peers, clients, romantic interests, people I admire… Even if they’re confident, especially if they’re confident, in not knowing something or being out of place. Say “I don’t know” with your whole chest, you’re my favorite. Whatever you can do to build confidence in yourself, do—it makes you a goodness magnet.

For me, developing confidence and self-esteem came down to I was boring, uninspired, listless, and sad when I lacked confidence and self-esteem and I didn’t want to be boring, uninspired, listless, and sad. So I took a baby step towards change. And another. And another. And saw that not only did I not die nor experience other negatives, counterintuitively, when I did the hard, scary thing, life became easier and I became the person I had always wanted to be.

I stopped trying to conform and be someone I’m not. It’s laborious to not be yourself.

With my transition from ETHS senior to BC freshman, starting with the financial-aid I got—scholarships for being Black, Jewish, tall— a change came in the glasses I wore, from “My life would be better if something was different” to “How can I make what I do have work for me?” This was when I saw the infectious power of transforming what in the moment feels to be a darkness—sadness, embarrassment, fear—into a source of light—positivity, inspiration, strength—and it became my mission to empower myself and others to shine.

People often ask me for tips on keeping one’s head up and on plugging along. One of the simplest yet most impactful actions is to keep a goodness folder, digital or analog, for yourself that’s filled with sources of pride, confidence, and joy. An analog or digital space to house self-goodness where you can go for confidence, a pickmeup, and for potential content (blog, newsletter, speaking, teaching, marketing…). What I call a Smile File: screenshots; copy & pastes; links; photos; typed out musings… Whatever goes. Whenever I’m having one of those days, I peek inside my folder. It never fails: “Ohhhhhh yeah. I can do this… | That’s why… | I *am* fabulous…” Seems silly that something this simple works but it does. Adulting Tip: Reminder to not only keep goodness but to organize it in a way that it’s easily found. The last thing you want to encounter is a need for goodness being met with stress and angst because you can’t locate said goodness. Being the minimalist, app-lover that I am, I’m all for digitizing goodness and dumping it into a notes app. But if you wanna manila folder or scrapbook or bullet journal your letters and photos and such, you do you.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

You know all those things that are THE WORST? Being asked to share an interesting fact about yourself. Being asked what you do. Small talk. Networking. Dating. Cleaning. Sales. Self-Promotion. Public speaking. Pricing. Saying no. Saying yes. Setting boundaries. Making asks. Never-ending To Do Lists. Going places solo. Sticking out. Taking risks. Doing things that scare you. Doing things you’re not good at. Doing things you have no business doing. Doing things you don’t want to do but have to. Death. Reply All misuse…

I make those things less worse. I make adulthood enjoyable.

I’ve run Mac & Cheese Productions℠ since 2004, a lifestyle business that models and offers positive adulting and increases life fulfillment and ease through building connection: to others, to opportunities, and to self. Think adult kindergarten, adult summer camp…

The two offerings that put me on the map—Minglers and Fear Experiment—both had the then unheard of requirement that you participate solo as a way to remove New Kid angst—everyone’s the New Kid—and to remove security-blanket comfort. When you participate with people you know, you’re less likely to challenge yourself out of the comfort zone.

Minglers: As a no pressure way to meet others, guests come solo to a lightly facilitated, couches and armchairs, low volume curated playlist, be yourself amongst others being themselves hang-out. Aka how I met my husband.

Fear Experiment: As a way to form community, challenge themselves, and encourage growth, strangers learn a “scary” art-form (dance, improv, acapella, Broadway, or storytelling) and perform in front of a sold-out theater. 14 iterations have netted 350+ participants and 7000+ audience members. Have you ever witnessed a standing ovation for middle-aged, fearful amateurs? It’s a magical adult recital.

The poster child for living an idyllic, perfect fitting-life, I inspire groups and individuals to take charge of their lives and to learn, grow, and become even more delicious versions of themselves. Through events, courses, keynotes, workplace facilitation, products, consulting, writings, and community, Mac & Cheese helps adults redefine “success” and design their lives to best fit whom they see in the mirror — to design their Life of Yes℠.

An Evanston, Illinois native, Montessori and Boston College graduate, Chicago Girlie 4 Life (even when I don’t live there), and new Winston-Salem resident, I’m a sad, mute wallflower turned joyful, self-assured wildflower. One of Chicago Magazine’s Top 20 Singles, Chicago Tribune’s Top 100 Innovators, and Brazen Careerist’s Top 20 Professionals to Watch, I’ve been featured in Forbes and the New York Times, and am a TEDx speaker and an in-progress (fingers-crossed) memoirist.

I’ve traveled to all 50 states and 21 countries, fostered 18 puppies, and am responsible for 7 3/4 couples (ask me about the 3/4 when we run into each other) including my own couple-hood (going strong since 2010).

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. I build quality community
2. I’ve transformed “networking” from a dreaded, awkward, soul-sucking obligation to an enjoyable, goodness-producing, life-affirming adventure
3. I unapologetic-ally know myself, love myself, and think highly of myself—while being able to easily and willingly list flaws, mistakes, and stumbles—and design my life to fit me

I had a difficult time meeting people when I moved back to Chicago post-college. Er, people I’d actually want to friend, date, see ever again… I also hated the traditional ways of “getting out there” — networking events, singles events, drinking-centered events. I felt uncomfortable, that I had to wear a mask, that people were constantly looking for someone better to meet. I couldn’t wait to get home and usually wished I had never gone. When I recognized how unhappy I was and pinpointed the primary reason, it had to do with community (or lack thereof). The hardest real world change for me was going from constantly running into familiar faces and being a part of groups where I felt wanted and valued to being an invisible speck floating anonymously through adulthood. It was Childhood 2.0.

Six choices completely changed my adulting trajectory from “Sigh. What is my life?” to “Pinch me! What is my life?!” —

One) I became experience focused, not results focused

I used to do things “to meet a guy” “to make a friend” “to get a client.” Which usually would lead to self created pressure, stress, and disappointment. Even if I had a good time. If I didn’t meet THE ONE or find a bestie or give out a business card, I felt like I had failed. When I started doing things for me and for the experience — a venue I wanted to check out; a skill I wanted to learn; an artist I wanted to support — that’s when I started getting dates, friends, clients. Because I was being myself. Worst case? I’d experience an experience and the outcome was just a good time doing the thing. Best case and usual case? That + a cherry on top of meeting people who turned into relationships.

Two) I began going places solo

This began when I wanted to go to something but couldn’t find anyone to accompany me, so I didn’t go. Cause I was worried I’d look like a loser. I vowed to never again not do something because of not having a +1. Half the time I think you ask for accompaniment not necessarily because you want to hang out but out of fear of being judged. Going solo is a great way to meet new people, especially in a party-type setting; you go with a group of friends, you stand in the corner and talk to them all night. It’s hard to go without a security blanket but I’ve never ever ever regretted it. Whereas I’ve totally regretted not going. And regretted inviting someone.

Three) I learned how to get good at conversation and how to be a magnet whom people are drawn to and want to keep in their lives

I give and take. No one likes someone who dominates a conversation; no one likes someone who says nothing.

I ask and answer questions thoughtfully. I know that specifics, to give and to ask, are gifts. We often think no one cares where we grew up, where we went to college, why we prefer the Brown Line over the other El lines, that you have a strong opinion on beds being in the corner after age 25. I care. When you’re specific with me, you’re not burdening me, you’re giving me a gift. Specificity is a gift. When I share my specifics, people clamor to talk to me, introduce me to others, remember me, and stay connected to me. I’m not talking “I climbed Mt. Everest” “I’m a MacArthur Fellow” specifics; I’m talking your favorite Trader Joe’s item and what app you use for your To Do List specifics.

I posses self awareness. I’m aware of talking too long, too much about myself, that someone seems ready to stop talking to me. I’ll give them an out, I’ll excuse myself. Additionally, I’m an advocate—“Bob, I saw you had something to say…” Or “Sue, I’d love to give others a chance to jump in…” I’m not afraid to put on my facilitator hat to pull others in or to move on from a mic-hog.

I make people feel good. I make them feel seen, heard, appreciated, valued, and safe. I remember names and details. I bring up universal topics—like how hard it is to make friends as an adult or to figure out what you want to “do” in life—and share vulnerability and solutions around the topics. I get whomever I’m talking to to “Me toooo!” I show my imperfections. I share stories and experiences, the good and the bad. “I don’t have any friends; I’d like more friends” won’t make you a loser, it’ll make you someone who resonates and whom I want to hear more from and support. I write thank you emails and even better, thank you handwritten cards.

I have friendly body language. When I started speaking professionally, I immediately witnessed how tortured people look when they’re not on, when they’re passive, when they’re listening. They look like they’d rather be anywhere else. I’m sure this is where Resting Bitch Face got its name. Consider the next time you’re listening to someone, at a conference, at a party, on a Zoom, what is your body language communicating? What are your actions communicating? You may not be bored but do you look bored? Unfriendly? Unapproachable? People feel that, remember that. There are so many physical things you can do to be friendly (smile; nod; stand up; uncross arms; leave a spot in a circle for others to join; eye contact; not look at your phone or over my shoulder…).

I pay attention to what others do that make me feel comfy and warm, or awkward and wanting to run the other direction, and replicate (or not).

I solve universal problems. I create win wins and win win wins; my favorite scenario is when you need something and I can refer a thing or person to help you with that something. I provide value without barriers or asking for something in return, e.g. my Service Provider Referral List, my “Ways to get out there that don’t suck” List, and my newsletter in which I try to follow the 75/25 rule, with at least 75% of content about not me.

Instead of getting annoyed when I’m asked “So, what do you do?”, I find enjoyable ways to answer that inevitable question.

I excel at dropping nuggets about who I am and what I do, that usually lead to others driving the conversation, asking me tons of questions including “What’s your website? Are you on Instagram? Do you have a card? How can we stay in touch? How do I sign up?!”

I’m memorable. I went to a Chamber of Commerce event where the main lesson I learned was when doing elevator pitches or intros, especially if there’s a gaggle of you, find ways to stick out and talk about yourself in a way that’s helpful and resonating. The primary difference between people I wanted to talk to after and ones I didn’t? It had NOTHING to do with what they do and everything to do with their charisma, energy, eye contact, voice projection, and if they valued themselves or put themselves down. You know that voice and tone we use when we’re apologizing for taking up space, breathing, having an “uninteresting” job… if you don’t think you’re interesting and fabulous, I’m not going to. The executive director of the Chamber commented after I shared, “Oh boy, who wants to follow that?” I ran out of business cards. The only one to do so. All I do is talk with authenticity, passion, volume, and self-awareness. I talk with confidence – fake-confidence. Anyone can do that.

Four) I began to live “Be the change”

I grew tired of hearing myself complain how hard life is. In all the ways. When I realized that it’d be a really long, horrible existence if “Adulting sucks” was how I existed and decided to create the goodness I sought, magic. I started throwing events I’d want to go to. I stopped caring about what was “right” or “normal” or “traditional” and took paths that felt good to me. I stopped caring what others thought. I ceased the excuses why I couldn’t and found the reasons why I could. I admitted I was making fear-based choices, choices that kept me on the sidelines, watching and planning and researching and dreaming but never doing. I began to do.

Five) I embraced all of me, even the parts I was ashamed of

Stretch marks. Lack of friends. Renting instead of owning. Not being a size two. Not having a significant other. Complicated family’ness. Not making six figures. An abnormal childhood. As soon as I stopped hiding these parts of myself and letting them keep me from doing things, that’s when counterintuitively I became more confident, more comfortable, happier, and for lack of a better word, more popular. I shared via social, blog posts, newsletters, storytelling, conversations. The amount of “Me too! I feel less alone! THANK YOU for sharing!” I get is astronomical. Vulnerability is not weakness. It’s strength. Strength that others respond to. That resonates. I love to shout my wins and my losses. I have never regretted showing my darks or my lights.

Six) I know myself and act accordingly.

I know what I value and what’s priority to me. What matters and doesn’t matter to me. What I like and don’t like. What I’m good at and what I’m bad at. What I should do and what I should delegate. What I want and don’t want.

I don’t care about things I don’t care about.

I don’t get in my own way. I don’t surround myself with others who get in my way.

I practice commonsense. I aim for more of what fits me, makes me happy, gives me life; less of what doesn’t fit me, stresses me, gives me hives.

If someone asked me to share things I love, interesting things about me, “fun facts,” I’m able to easily rattle off a bazillion bullet points (and could care less if you think they’re fun or interesting).

I know that who Today Saya is is different than Yesterday Saya. I give myself permission to change.

I have, communicate, and enforce boundaries even if they cause bristles or raised eyebrows, e.g. going no contact with my mom or not sharing my phone number on my website/business cards or only accepting cleaning clients in a certain radius cause long commutes aren’t how my cleaning crew wants to spend their time.

I know what the most important thing for me in life is, my compass, my North Star—quality of life—and make every decision rooted in “Will this get me the quality of life I want?”

I trust myself and my instincts.

I put myself first.

I, and no one else, am the architect of my life. I realize it’s up to me. I don’t look to others for validation. I’m not codependent; I rely on myself. I know what’s sacred to me, I know what’s triggering to me, I know what success is for me.

My way isn’t right; it’s right for me. The key is finding the way that’s right for you. Which’ll take time. Stumbles. Oopsies. Revision. And to be proactive. Take action. Not just shrug at life and say “That’s how it is.” You always have the power to change something, even when it feels like you don’t.

Show yourself grace.

Know you’re not alone.

Embrace all of you.

Lean yes, instead of no; I’ll try instead of I can’t.

Take a baby step. And another. And another.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

I recently moved Chicago to Winston-Salem, sight unseen, knowing no one. This is many-level terrifying.

Personally, beyond things like leaving a 2% mortgage rate and only ever living in deep blue big cities where I could walk and public transit everywhere, how does one make friends at the ripe old age of 46? Like, REAL friends? I mean, I know how, it’s my job and talent. But oof, still quite the time-warped “How do I do this?!?!” return to sixth-grade cafeteria me. I’m oh so grateful for Husband so I don’t also need to dip my toe in the dating-waters. All the empathy and cheerleading for those of y’all swimming!

Professionally, as a 100% word of mouth business, how does one succeed when you know zero mouths? How does a word of mouth business built on referrals and an expansive network succeed in a connection-less new location?

Will my unfiltered, chatty, share’y brand and personality mesh with a more reserved culture?

After being the popular kid for the past twenty-plus years in the sense of knowing everyone and being able to easily get anything, from venues to registrations, sponsors to gigs, service providers to invites, record-scratchhhhh—starting over time. The analogy I’ve used for years to soothe others that I get how they feel—standing in the middle-school cafeteria, nervously gripping their food tray as they scan the room for a friendly face and a wave over, feeling devastatingly alone—now applies to me.

I’m having to be my own client. I’m having to get out there (even when I’d rather stay home). I’m having to believe in myself (even when the negative internal whispers are loud). I’m having to say yes and figure it out as I go (even amidst “Will anyone come? Will all my work pay off? Will I be able to pay bills?” butterflies).

But, I’m doing it. And having fun even in the few and far between cringe moments of awkward conversation, bad facilitation, absent self-awareness and etiquette, roaming eyes focusing on not-me making me feel you’d like to exit our exchange, “This isn’t what I hoped for…” outings because the blips are learning experiences and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Not to mention they make me grateful for myself and my offerings and my people.

Ways I’ve “got out there” in the four months in my new city —

YMCA (including group fitness classes)

Community Day x2 | Flywheel CoWorking

Foolish Mortals Improv show x3

Don’t Tell Comedy show

Sunset Salutations (community yoga)

Richard N. Davis Minority Business Scholarship | Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. (provides a year of Chamber of Commerce membership)

Winston Welcomes Women | REACH & Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. (1 on 1 dinner)

Volunteer x2 | Hot Mess Express (women led nonprofit that serves women with no judgement through cleaning and organizing)

Womenpreneur Wednesday x3 | HUSTLE (co-working)

Connect Her: Entrepreneurs and Business Owners x2 | REACH (industry meet-up)

synHERgy: Business Group Coaching for Women | HUSTLE

Volunteer | Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors

Silent Book Club x2

Leadership Winston-Salem’s Community Coffee x2

Evening in the Atrium (concert)

Dabble Art Bar

Piedmont Pops (concert)

Dash game (minor league baseball)

Camel City Supper Club x2

Face to Face Speaker Forum

Conversation & Ideation | Flywheel CoWorking (meetup for early-stage entrepreneurs, innovators, and creative thinkers)

Meeting x3 | West Salem Neighborhood Association

Co-working Day | Winston Girls Club

Meetup | Winston-Salem Ambassadors

Walk | Winston Girls Club

Trivia x2 | Fiddlin’ Fish, Radar Brewing

Reciprocity Ring | REACH (collaborative networking)

Collage Night | WS Queer Craft Club

Listening Room | Muddy Creek (concert)

Grief Hike | Mourning Feather Doulas

Woof Walks | Forsyth Humane Society (walk shelter dogs)

Tour & training | Forsyth County Central Library (learned how to use the meeting spaces and about the variety of resources)

LIONS Referral Group | Greater Winston Salem, Inc

The Pink Couch: The Transformational Power and Legacy of Female Leadership | REACH

Audiowalk | Bookmarks

Meeting | Forsyth County Democratic Women

Parade of Homes (preview of new home construction and remodeling)

No Kings Protest

Tour | Mixxer (community makerspace)

Meet & Move | REACH (casual walk-and-talk)

Ghoul Moon Festival

Soup, Bread, & Broads x2 (monthly private home gathering)

1 : 1 Orientation | Greater Winston-Salem, Inc.

1 : 1 Welcome | Greater Winston-Salem, Inc.

Community Craft Circle | ArtShac

Improv workshop | Arts Council

Ride Like a Fish Social Group Ride | Beersngears (bike ride)

Synergy Referral Group | Greater Winston-Salem, Inc.

SpeedFriending | Greensboro Parks and Recreation

Tour | Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts

Tour | Metalmorphosis

Summit Referral Group | Greater Winston-Salem, Inc.

Small Business Networking Night | Winston Girls Club

Visitors Day | Greater Winston-Salem, Inc.

Comedy Special (variety show)

Writing Group | Winston Girls Club

Creative Networking Night | The Cmpnd

THRIVE 2.0: CoWorking Wednesday | High Point Chamber of Commerce

Blood donation | Red Cross

Black Friday Free Gift Exchange | Mothership Studios

Yogammunity (community yoga)

Meeting | Forsyth County Democratic Party

Volunteer | REACH & Second Harvest Food Bank

Member Meeting | REACH

Building Meaningful Relationships Through Professional Networking | Greater Winston-Salem, Inc.

Holiday Support & Candle Making | Mourning Feather Doulas

[If an always evolving list of ways to get out there is something you’d like to have and keep in your life, bookmark my Lists Page. The Life of Yes℠ Resources Table has a “getting out there” tab where I share recommended ways to adult. https://macncheeseproductions.com/lists/ ]

Not listed are the activities Husband did on his own (including being selected to an improv team; so proud!), our countless meals out, shopping excursions, and open houses where we made concerted efforts to chat with servers, business owners, and realtors, and the countless one on one coffees, drinks, Zooms, & calls which I now for the most part no longer do cause phew!!!, the calendar didn’t have room for running Mac & Cheese, personal and professional gatherings, time with Husband, or downtime, and I was exhausted. To keep space for myself, I’m now focusing on group’ness rather than individual’ness.

There’s more riskiness in my new life.

In Chicago, I had a live-work space so was able to host offerings whenever I wanted, within moments of wanting to host. No venue scouting. No logistical back and forths. No having to work within someone else’s parameters. No price consideration. No tech issues. No non-ideal setups.

Some of my offerings require a lot of upfront work and money. When I offered these offerings in Chicago, I had already amassed a following. I didn’t worry about making back my investments (time; money; etc.) or if people would sign up.

Do I subscribe to my own Life of Yes℠ mentality and just do it? Just have faith? Just know that things will work out even if they don’t go to plan, even if I don’t know what “work out” looks like? Or do I take the time to rebuild and re-establish?

In this time of starting-over, new kid nerves, I have heaps of hopes —

I hope doors will open and goodness will fall in my lap.

I hope to be in the room with the people who’ll hire me and share me and need me and like me.

I hope to be the person whose name you say when I’m not in the room.

I hope my risks pay off, and then some.

I hope to bring aboard more corporate sponsors who see the value of what I do, e.g. the multi-year sponsorship I had with Clif Bar, who provided in-kind and monetary support of Mac & Cheese offerings, which increases visibility, credibility, and my ability to focus on creative and smaller profit endeavors.

I hope to have more of a name outside Chicago and my established circles. I’m ready for the thing that’ll household name me (my book?!).

I hope to be known in Winston as I was in Chicago: the community builder, the adulting whisperer, the inspiring speaker | Accessible Oprah, Chicago’s Fairy Godmother, and Lois Weisberg 2.0. (Lois Weisberg was the first Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for the City of Chicago (1989-2011). Her NYT obituary was titled “Lois Weisberg, Chicago’s Cultural Connector, Dies at 90.” The New Yorker wrote a piece “Six Degrees of Lois Weisberg,” penned by Malcolm Gladwell, who also included her in his book “The Tipping Point.”) Can I be given parallel Winston-applicable monikers?

I hope my seed planting blossoms into friendships and clients and opportunities and and and…

I hope Winstonians reap the same Mac & Cheese goodness Chicagoans reaped.

I hope to re-create the scenario I strive for most, a win-win-win, where my quality network expansion, support of small business peers, and joy-discovery will expand others’ quality networks, support of small business peers, and joy-discovery.

I hope for things I don’t even know to hope for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://macncheeseproductions.com/
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/sayahillman
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/macncheeseproductions
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sayahillman/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/sayahillman/
• Other: https://bsky.app/profile/sayahillman.bsky.social
  https://sayahillman.substack.com/

Image Credits

Angela Garbot
Rich Chapman
Rogelio Gamez