Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Just 5 Things: Wynne Elder.



After some weird scheduling things with some of my guests, I had to put this series on hold for a few weeks. But we're back and there's a full month of great guests ahead for July. This month, we're hearing from some amazing women involved with Noonday Collection. I know I talk about it a lot, and that is because Noonday Collection truly is amazing. Amazing mission, amazing products, amazing leaders, and amazing community of people involved who support, encourage, and love each other really well!

So that's what I aim to share with you this month- the behind the scenes goodness of the Noonday community. We're kicking it off by hearing from Wynne Elder- one of Noonday's first ever ambassadors. Wynne was my Noonday secret sister this spring (I told you this community was amazing!) and it was so much fun to bless and surprise her every month. But she was also one of the big influences for me joining Noonday Collection. I have been following her blog for a long time and her words about making a difference and having fun as an ambassador played a big part in me deciding to do the same! With a heart for adoption, supporting others through infertility, and a seriously awesome sense of fashion- you will love hearing from her today.

Make sure, if nothing else, you read her response to number 4. And let's take her reminder to not feel guilty for letting others do things we think we're 'supposed' to do in order for us to do different things!

1. Give us your elevator speech. What's your go-to way to introduce yourself? 

My name is Wynne Elder + I’ve been married to my college sweetheart, Stephen, for almost 10 years. Together, we have two 4 year olds, Camp + Asher, whom we adopted from Ethiopia in 2012. I am a mama, creative, small business owner, passionate about community and creating spaces of connection + belonging for women!  

2. What has surprised you the most about being a Noonday Ambassador? 

The life long friends I’ve met for sure!  I started as an ambassador when I met Jessica + Joe at an adoption conference in 2010, and was excited about it being an opportunity to raise funds for our adoption and educate people on how their purchases really do matter - but in the process, I’ve developed so much as a person through the amazing friends I’ve met.  I also didn’t think I would have the opportunity to travel to meet our artisans in our African countries and see so much growth over the years in their lives and businesses. It’s all just been so fun and such a huge part of my story!   

3. What is one thing you say 'no' to (or hire out!) in order to say 'yes' to better things? 

Oh man, I am such an advocate of self care and saying NO to things that would take you away from things you want to always say YES to. So, I have someone come and clean my house twice a month - honestly, it saves so much time and also is giving someone else a job ;)  I think as women, we feel guilty for letting someone else do the things we “are supposed to do”, but there is great wisdom in asking for help!  Thanks to our founder, Jessica, encouragement - I also have a college girl who picks up my daughter from school once a week and stays for a few hours so I can have a full work day!  It’s hard to let go of those few hours of time, but I know I can be a better mom because of it! 

4. What would you tell your 10 year younger self? 

Oh goodness, I just actually spoke to a group of college girls about this very thing!  I told them they need to take advantage and take more naps! ha, but seriously - I wish I would have started to learn these “boundaries” better back then - letting my yes be yes, and no be no.  I told them something I learned from my friend Jen, when trying to discern if an opportunity is the right one - “if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no”.  I would tell myself that I can be everyone I want to be, just not at the same time - so enjoy the present moment, and don’t always be looking to the future!  You will miss these days! 

5. If you could only wear one Noonday Collection piece forever, what would it be? 

You are just getting me where it hurts- ONE piece forever….well, I do hold onto a lot of “vintage”pieces, and so I think I would have to say my annies feather earrings! they are a classic and I won’t ever let them go! 

Wynne, you are the best. Thank you so much for joining in this week!

Hear more from Wynne:

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