This month’s Small Business Spotlight features my all-time favourite community: The Shine the Light Society (STLS!) Lead by the amazing Elizabeth Henson STLS is both a community and a group coaching program designed to help women who dream big and want to become industry leaders by building powerful communities around their brand. Filled with amazing small business owners who come together to grow and lift each other up – it’s really all about shining the light on others! By showing up to serve, we not only build our businesses, but change lives with the skills and services we offer.
We all need community. As small business owners, it’s easy to feel alone, like you’re in a little world of your own, running around (often like a headless chicken) doing your thing. John Donne accurately said “No man is an island”, but it’s even more true that “no business is an island!” Having a network of beautiful souls to be soundboards, “outside the box” thinkers, encouragers in the tough times, and help us celebrate the wins is so so important.
“… “No man is an island”, but it’s even more true that “No business is an island!”
This incredible community, has done all this for me and more. Migrating my business from Australia to the USA in the middle of a pandemic was a daunting prospect, but the amazing group of supportive, reassuring women not only helped me survive this move, but thrive! STLS and Elizabeth’s encouragement and coaching through mindset ‘blocks’ helped me overcome fear, show up with confidence and pursue what I love. STLS was instrumental in stopping me from giving up when times were tough and providing opportunities and connections I would never have dreamt of!
Today’s post is all about shining the light on the wonderful members of our community. Some of these beautiful people I have had the privilege of provide branding photography for as part of our STLS in-person meet ups. Let me introduce them to you:
Elizabeth Henson
Mentor for creative dreamers & overachievers; Leader of Shine the Light Society
Elizabeth helps women grow powerful communities around their brand, so they can have more impact on the world & grow their business. She created Shine the Light Society as a program to bring women together, cultivate massive community and ultimately have more impact, all with a focus on Shining the Light on real relationships that can leverage your success. You can follow Liz on Instagram or pop over to her website to learn more about her mentoring programs (www.elizabethhenson.co) 📸: Angie Janine
“The members of STLS truly inspire me each and every month. The way they show up for each other (like this blog!) is such a testament to the work that we do. Word of mouth referrals, business relationships, masterminds, and heart centered collaborations are what make this group unlike any other in the world! I’m so proud to lead these amazing humans, but the truth is, the membership started with them! I just hold the space, and what an honor it is! Thank you Cilla for putting this together!”
– Elizabeth Henson
Sam Jarman
Swank Surroundings – furniture refinisher & home decor
You might remember Sam from her feature within the Industrial Cottage small business spotlight! Sam Jarman is a vintage furniture refinisher who can help you redesign your beloved vintage treasures to fit your current lifestyle and aesthetic. She is spreading the message that vintage has value. You can see more of her incredible work on her Instagram or her brand new online shop where her vintage decor treasures are available to be shipped within continental US! 📸: Cilla Tuckson Creative
Jennifer Jayne
Marketing Strategist & Business Coach
Jennifer is a marketing strategist and biz foundations coach behind Jennifer Jayne Coaching. She helps passionate entrepreneurs monetize their content and create magnetic messaging with their core values. Turning core values into the foundation from which entrepreneurs can build and scale their dream business from is her specialty. Jennifer has built several successful blogs and businesses, the latest of which is Jennifer Jayne & co – a digital content marketing agency, delivering high-level content curation, social media management and virtual assistance to entrepreneurs and influences. You can hang out with Jennifer on Instagram, or pop over to her brand new website to find out more about how she can help you market with confidence! 📸 KLayne Photography
Diana Gordon
Family & Wedding Photography
Diana and her husband Daniel are a photography team specialising in capturing the timeless love of couples and families. They aim to provide unforgettable experiences to all of their clients and desire to help everyone build a legacy for future generations. They’ve been in business for almost seven years, growing it alongside of their family. If you want to know more you can send Diana a message over on Instagram or pop over to their website for more information. 📸 Michael & Laura Photography
Nelan Tagra
Mindset Coach
Nelan is a Mindset Coach for female entrepreneurs, helping to turn their dreams into reality with her 12 week “CEO Mindset Mastery” coaching program. She helps overwhelmed entrepreneurs to slow down and stop the hustle and transform to healthy and happy, so that they can feel aligned in their life and business. Pop over to Instagram to follow Nelan’s current adventures & entrepreneur life in Mexico with her new husband Juan, or head to her website for more information about her coaching program. 📸: Cilla Tuckson Creative
Nicole Thomas
Small Moments Photographer
Nicole Thomas is a Fine Art Documentary Family Photographer for families who love embracing every moment of their journey raising children. She will take care of you every step of the way, from initial phone call, to making sure your art is printed on the walls for you to enjoy everyday. You can find her on Instagram or on her website! 📸 Cilla Tuckson Creative
“I love the connections we make at Shine the Light Society and the encouragement to push our mindset boundaries” – Nicole Thomas
Chelsea Sherman
Website Copywriter
Chelsea is a brand and website copywriter who helps service-based businesses connect and sell with strategic, on-brand copy. She’s dedicated to helping her clients connect with their perfect-fit clients with their own unique voice, so they can grow their business authentically. If you’re struggling to find the right words, she’s the girl for you! She has some incredible tips to help you with your brand voice over on her Instagram or you can visit her website to find out more! 📸 Cilla Tuckson Creative
“I would not be where I am today in my business without STLS. In the past 2 years, I’ve learned SO much from Elizabeth and from the other amazing community members. Between coaching, think tanks and ongoing support, I’ve been able to improve my offers, increase my prices, and substantially grow my business. I’ve gained so much confidence in myself as an expert in my field, and you can’t put a price tag on that. And probably best of all, several STLS members are now some of my favorite clients and my best referrers! If you’re a creative business owner ready to take it to the next level, you need to be here.” Chelsea Sherman
Jennifer Redden
Orange Sky Wellness
Jenn is a Quantum Breath Activator who guides women to creating a new way of BE-ing in their life that allows them to make decisions with ease, end the cycle of self-betrayal and activate space to BREATHE in new possibilities into their life. If you’ve never experienced the power of the quantum through the breath, it is honestly transformational – Jenn will tell about it over on her Instagram. In Jenn’s own words “You are worthy of living your life at the highest frequency, free of fear & lack! Let yourself be seen!!” 📸: MojoPhotoCo
Shawna Fredericks
Photographer – Fredericks Photos & Films
Fredericks Photo & Films is a wedding photographer and filmmaker duo committed to capturing every detail of your wedding day. Whether it is capturing the moment as you read your personal vows or a father-daughter first look or simply getting your epic dance moves on film, we work together to preserve every detail. You can find us on Instagram here or pop over to our website for more information. 📸: Elizabeth Henson
“I love being a part of a community full of like-minded and inspiring women creatives! Elizabeth is an amazing leader and friend!” – Shawna Fredericks
Jessica Norrell
Process Strategist at Mozn Solutions
Jess is the owner and mastermind behind Mozn Solutions where she helps healthcare practises thrive with strategic project management solutions. With years of experience in the healthcare industry, Jess is the perfect project manager, helping clients optimize their practise so they can focus on patient care. Jess hangs out on instagram and her online home is: https://moznsolutions.com/ 📸: Kate Styles Photography
Kate Styles
Boudoir & Fashion Photographer
Kate Styles is a boudoir and fashion photographer specialising in magazine-worthy portraits for powerful women. She works to empower awesome women to own their beauty and power through photography, education and mentorship. You can see some of her incredible work on her Instagram here or pop over to her website for more info. 📸: Melody Smith
Kristin Watkins
Family & Couple Photographer
Kristin Watkins is a photographer based in Virginia Beach, VA. Whether you are celebrating a growing family, a new home, family being together or just a couple in a whole lotta’ love, she’s here to capture ALL. THE. THINGS! You can hang out with her on Instagram or visit her website for more information! 📸: Sarah Lin Photography
Alison McPherson
Coastal VA Realtor
Ali McPherson is a Coastal VA Realtor committed to helping you find your happy place in Hampton Roads & beyond. Whether you’re selling or looking to buy Ali makes it her personal mission help you every step of the way as your advocate, shoulder to cry on and person to laugh with. You can hang out with her on instagram at or find out more on her website https://alimcphomes.com/ 📸:: Elizabeth Henson
Erica Rice
Digital Consulting
Erica Rice is a digital consultant who specializes in website design, logo design, and the setup of online business and marketing tools for small business owners. Her passion is working with holistic wellness professionals as a way for her creative work to have a deep and positive impact on humanity. You can find her on Instagram or over at her website https://ericarice.com/ 📸: Cilla Tuckson Creative
“Shine the Light Society provides an opportunity to meet other creative business owners and bounce ideas with one another. It is a positive space of encouragement, motivation, and education to help move our businesses forward.” Erica Rice
Brittany Latimore
Artist & Calligrapher – Lines and Paint
Brittany Latimore is the artist and modern calligrapher behind Lines & Paint (and she made the Shine the Light Society’s new logo!) She helps small businesses bring their vision to reality through creative collaboration and a whimsical take on modern illustration for branding, merchandising and design projects. You can find her on Instagram or Facebook. 📸: Kelsie Shae Photography
Are you a business owner looking for community?
If you’re looking for a safe space to share your great business ideas, be encouraged in the lows, coached through your mental blocks and an uplifting place to celebrate your wins, look no further. This wonderful group of likeminded humans is here to cheer you on, connect you to others that need your skills and services, and ultimately push you to grow in ways you could never imagined.
We’d love to have you join us! Click the link below to find out more!
Even better – Elizabeth Henson is hosting a free workshop on ‘How to Get More Word of Mouth Referrals’ on the 31st March at 11am. Click the button below to join us (and if you’re reading this after the fact, you’ll be able to catch the replay!)
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