International Women's Day
How Expanders Illuminate Paths
Women are having a moment, and we’re here for it. From Beyonce to Barbie, Taylor to Tracee, women are expanding their empires while demonstrating the boundless potential of what can be achieved. On International Women’s Day, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the women who have expanded our world, showing us what’s possible when living an aligned life.
What Is an Expander?
An expander comes into your life to show you the art of what’s possible. They inspire us, igniting a spark within, prompting us to pause and ponder, 'wow, is that possible?' Often, we recognize a part of ourselves in an expander – a shared interest, belief, or starting point. They encourage us to envision a world of possibilities, leaving us awestruck, thinking, 'if she can do it, so can I!'
Expanders can be particularly helpful during moments of transition. As we reflect on where we've been and consider our path forward, an expander can light the way for a new path, giving us tangible hope for the future. They light the match inside of us, helping us reconnect with our creative flame while creating new pathways in our subconscious mind.
While we celebrate women everyday, today is the perfect day to celebrate some of my expanders on this journey to Matria:
Windy Chien: From Corporate to Creative Alchemist
Windy Chien
artist, author, speaker, sailor and entrepreneur
I came across Windy Chien in the early days of navigating my post-corporate life. After a long career at Apple, Windy followed an inner calling for creativity and alignment, memorializing her pivot from corporate to artist/entrepreneur in Year of Knots. After leaving Apple, Windy committed to a new hobby: learning one knot a day for a year. A growing knot collection turned into an instagram account, ultimately leading to the opening of her eponymous studio. Windy’s story lit me up. I didn’t realize it at the time, but she was expanding my world providing me — and my subconscious — proof of the beauty that comes from bold and aligned decisions.
Sara Blakely: Spiritual Business in Action
Sara Blakely
f
ounder of Spanx, self-made billionaire, inspirational figure
Sara Blakley’s story has inspired me in different ways over the years. When I started advising female founders, it was her determination & resilience in the face of wary male investors that did it. As I get deeper into our work at Matria, I’ve been drawn to her story again, this time for how she blends spirituality with business.
When I launched Matria, I got a call from my dad. “Congrats! It all looks great except…” He was grappling with one of our core beliefs: Business is a spiritual practice.
Sara has developed a strong sense of self often relying on her gut and intuition to guide key decisions. Her spiritual practice propelled her through various challenges and chapters while growing Spanx from a one-woman show to a global brand. My favorite Sara anecdote is one she shares on Simon Sinek’s podcast: she had the men in her business group asking for her guidance – the same men who were previously betting on her demise – after seeing the business results she achieved with her spiritual practice. Sara’s spiritual and vulnerable approach, including her habit of “consulting with the universe,” speaks for itself.
I knew that spirituality and our connection to the universe (God, source, or however it's best defined for you) was a huge part of how we coach at Matria. It’s been a huge part of my journey, too. Listening to Sara’s story was tangible proof I needed to move forward with confidence. Business is a spiritual practice - it's an extension of self. And Sara shows us just how abundant and magical business can be when we lead with spirit.
Celebrating Everyday Expanders in Our Coalition
Expanders come in all forms, and are often people in your orbit. Once we start ‘the work,’ the universe serves us with our own curated set of expanders. The members of Matria Coalition continuously play that role for me, offering countless examples of what happens when we get clear on our values and take aligned action towards our goals. From growing and nurturing their families to taking bold steps to grow their businesses, our members continue to expand on their journeys and inspire me to do the same.
Share your expanders
Women naturally bring so much into this world, and we continue to strive for more for ourselves, our families and our communities, inspiring others to do the same. Who has been inspiring you lately? Is it a new acquaintance you met, or someone you heard about on a podcast? We’d love to hear from you and continue celebrating women’s expansive stories during Women’s History Month.
