PinPoint Collective

Tidbit for your Day | Happy Friday! As our team looks ahead to our holiday break to wind down and recharge, we came across this fascinating piece in The New York Times about the resurgence of board game clubs. These gatherings are bringing people together in deeply intentional and joyful ways, tapping into something we often overlook in our fast-paced, tech-driven lives: the power of human connection. Board games aren't just about competition—they're about collaboration, strategy, creativity, and shared experiences. They remind us that some of the most fulfilling moments happen when we slow down, sit together, and engage with one another face-to-face. This holiday season, let’s take a page from the board game playbook. Whether it’s connecting with loved ones, finding time to play (literally or figuratively), or reimagining how we approach challenges and collaboration in our work and lives, there’s something powerful in the simplicity of being fully present. Our whole PinPoint Collective team is wishing everyone a restorative and joyful holiday season.

Tidbit for your Day | As we look ahead to our Co-Founder Stacy Morton Callighan coming back after maternity leave, we really appreciated Rachel Hills fresh, vulnerable, joyful, and very real reflection of her personal experience of being a working Mom in this Vogue article. "But the working mother, who exists somewhere in the middle? She rarely commands such a romantic narrative. Instead, she’s cast as the emblem of exhaustion: screaming into the ether, and crushed under the weight of challenges both systemic and deeply personal. These images are rooted in truth. The working mother does carry a heavy load, navigating systems designed for a reality that no longer exists. She balances work, family, and self in a world that too often feels indifferent to her needs. But to focus only on her struggles is to miss an equally vital truth: the joy that comes from holding two worlds in tandem, and finding pleasure and meaning in both."

Tidbit for your Day | In a content-saturated world, where attention is the most valuable currency, it’s not enough for brands to exist—they need to MATTER. That’s why we love this Fast Company list of 'Brands That Matter.' These are the companies that aren’t just selling products—they’re forging deep, meaningful connections with consumers by staying culturally relevant and aligned with the values of their audiences. In an era where every swipe brings a barrage of competing messages, these brands rise above the noise by standing for something bigger than themselves. It’s a reminder that true success isn’t just about transactions—it’s about building trust, fostering loyalty, and creating lasting impact.

Tidbit for your Day | The National Football League (NFL) announced a new partnership with Betches Media that aligns with their continued goal of growing their fanbase - this time focused on the female fan. "According to the league, this year’s Super Bowl LVIII game had a record-breaking increase in female viewership, with women representing almost half of the total audience." We aren't at all surprised by that stat and hope this partnership (and hopefully more in the future) isn't just about expanding reach, but also about evolving the conversation around women, sports, fandom, involvement, etc.

Tidbit for your Day | Despite women owning 42% of U.S. businesses, only 1.9% achieve $1 million in revenue. Forbes highlights this disparity and explores tools and strategies to help women entrepreneurs break through the multiple barriers in place. "This statistic is far too low and reveals a significant gap that needs to be addressed. Women entrepreneurs have the talent, innovation, and drive to build thriving, profitable businesses, but systemic barriers and limiting beliefs often hold them back." -  A Growth Mindset -  Scalable Systems - High-Value Offers - Strong Sales and Marketing Strategy -  Monitor and Measure Your Finances

Tidbit for your Day | Happy Friday! As we head into the weekend, our team wanted to share a practical exercise from the brilliant Laurie Santos. Laurie created the course, "Psychology and the Good Life", which holds the record for being the most popular course in Yale University’s history. Laurie has also created the podcast, "Happiness Lab", and offers a free course, "The Science of Well Being" on Coursera - there is clearly a reason she is dubbed the "Happiness Expert". The Exercise: Before making a decision, imagine looking back on it from the perspective of your future self. How will you feel about your choice in a week, a month, or even a year? This shift in mindset helps align your actions with your long-term values and happiness, rather than short-term impulses. Why It Matters: We’re constantly balancing the urgent with the important. This simple tactic is a powerful way to prioritize decisions that will bring enduring fulfillment—whether they’re about work, relationships, or personal growth. How are you making space for decisions that align with your future self?

Tidbit for your Day | As a female-led small business, this article from Fast Company struck a powerful chord. It highlights something we already know but don’t talk about enough: the entrepreneurial spark doesn’t fade with age—it sharpens with experience. Just to rattle off a few.... - Decades of Wisdom: With years of professional and personal experiences, women in this age group bring nuanced problem-solving skills and emotional intelligence to the table. - Resilience and Vision: These entrepreneurs often balance their passion with pragmatism, reshaping industries with purpose-driven ideas. - Rich Networks: A lifetime of connections enables them to find collaborators, mentors, and allies who amplify their journey.

Tidbit for your Day | Pin•Points That Matter Series It’s (supposed to be) the most wonderful time of the year! And yes, of course, we get to spend time with family and friends making memories that will last us a lifetime, but that’s also a ton of pressure. And as the data proved to us this month, that pressure exists stronger for women than it does for men. - 27% of women say they are able to relax over the holidays, compared to 41% of men – American Psychological Association, 2006 - 44% of women report an increase in stress during the holiday season, compared to only 31% of men – American Psychological Association, 2006 - 68% of women said they could have used more emotional support than they received in the last year – American Psychological Association, 2023 - 71% of people who feel supported by their community say they experience less stress than those who do not feel supported – Gallup, 2022 If there’s anything we take away from this data story, it’s how important it is to check in on the women in your life this time of year. Send her a note of appreciation. Lend her a hand. Give her a foot massage. Or just tell her you care, and that she’s doing great. Perhaps if we all leaned into a small act of kindness for the women we love, we can increase that first data point so MORE than just 27% of women can relax over the holidays this time of year.

Tidbit for your Day | As a female-owned small business, we’ve always strived to build a company that reflects our values—not just in the work we do, but in how we support one another. Our team is so excited for the start of the New Year, when our Co-Founder Stacy Morton Callighan will be back after a fully protected maternity leave, completely stepping away from work to focus on this incredible new chapter in her life. This moment didn’t just happen. It’s the result of intentional planning, teamwork, and a commitment to putting people first. We found Fast Company's article below refreshing because we certainly utilized similar tactics: Early Planning: From the moment we knew leave was on the horizon, we adjusted workflows, prioritized responsibilities on whether they were a 'must have' or 'nice to have', and then delegated those while empowering our incredible team members. Open Communication: We’ve fostered a culture where transparency is of the utmost importance. So, at all times in the planning, we ensured all team members communicated their needs and that everyone's situation was being addressed - not just the mama-to-be. Trust and Flexibility: We believe our team thrives when they’re supported, not micromanaged. This leave wasn't just about covering gaps—it was about showing that life’s big moments matter here and that our team and processes are more than up for the opportunity.

Tidbit for your Day | This year, women leaders have made strides in the workplace, but the challenges of breaking into the blue-chip C-suite remain persistent. A recent The Wall Street Journal article highlights both the progress and the gaps, showing that while women are leading in small businesses and rising in non-traditional roles, their representation in top-tier corporate executive roles still lags. "“We know we’ll be done with this when there are no more women-in-tech conferences or panels—when it’s just not a big deal” for women to be in charge, says Jennifer Dulski".