(And a lot of patience and perseverance.)
When I began this endeavor to resurrect and RECREATE my blog, I had no idea how much work, attention to detail and HELP I needed to create this behemoth. I could never have done this by myself and was so fortunate to surround myself with the team I’m about to recognize and introduce you to. But first, allow me to share the backstory.
The Backstory
I started my first blog back in 2008 while living in Memphis and going through cancer treatment with my youngest daughter. Several years later, I started another one named Berit’s Bits. I wrote posts once a week for an entire year until life’s complications took over and I stopped writing. Writing is both a therapeutic and creative outlet for me. I’ve been wanting to return to it ever since I stopped. I had asked and offered to pay two of my adult children to help me revive my blog, but they have busy lives…and to no surprise, this didn’t happen. My problem (among many) is that I am technically challenged.
Then, last December, over coffee with my neighbor Shirley, I wanted to show her my original Berit’s Bits blog. Poof, it was nowhere to be found. How could this year of writings have vanished into oblivion? I was frustrated beyond belief.
I mentioned how utterly exasperated I was to my personal trainer, Ashley, during one of our sessions. Ashley’s the type of person who will dog something until she gets an answer. One of her mantras is: “If there’s a will, there’s a way.” She set out to resolve the mystery. My original Berit’s Bits site had expired, but she found elements of that blog on an archival site called the wayyy back machine…or something like that. I was crushed to accept that indeed the blog had vanished into the ethernet somewhere.
Ashley convinced me, the time to start a new blog is now.
Ashley’s finding my completely defunct original blog and encouragement propelled me to finally take action and hire a website designer.
Coincidentally, she had been building a developing a website for her new business. I’m pleased to introduce you to Ashley Graven:
Meet Ashley
Ashley Graven, RDN, CPT is a Registered Dietitian & Certified Personal Trainer who owns Flourish Health Company. Her personalized wellness coaching program helps women create habits that last.
Karen truly is the central collaborator in the creation of this website. She helped create the design, the visual identity, the organization, the logo and has functioned as a co-editor through each aspect of this project. I know after months of work, I am sick of myself in this space. I can only imagine she’s pretty sick of me too. But even through all the revisions, she has demonstrated the most even tempered, thoughtful, detail oriented guidance and expertise. It has been the most delightful experience working with her. She endlessly demonstrates creativity, calmness, kindness, patience and fortitude. I’m grateful for this time I got to work with her.
Meet Karen
Karen is a designer and creative developer with her business Design for the Arts. She supports people who are artists, community-builders, arts and nature program leaders.
Once I started working on the newly created BB Blog, I contacted my longtime friend and uber talented stylist, make-up artist and former Ford Model. I have known Terra for 20 years. She has stepped in with her make-up artistry to get me glamor-ready for so many occasions, and has done so for many of my family members as well. One of her mantra’s is: “Always aim higher than the arrow…” And she NEVER misses. Well, what can I say? We’re good friends and I love and adore her. Meet the famous and fabulous Terra:
Meet Terra
Terra Hinrichs is a hair and makeup stylist, model, and image consultant. She is also a hair and makeup master artist for CampBride.
And of course, I needed a top-notch photographer for updated headshots and to capture some lifestyle images.
Bill Tyler and his crew, along with his lovely daughter Sunni, shot for two days straight at my home amidst a team of 15 to 20 roofers whose work coincided with our photoshoot. For the creative work that Terra and I envisioned, we were fortunate to work with Bill who showed up with a tremendous amount of patience, flexibility, and sense of humor. Only a highly-professional, easy-going photographer could adapt to these circumstances. I’m pleased to showcase Bill’s talent which can be seen in many of the images of me throughout my blog.
Meet Bill
Bill Tyler is a Midwest-based lifestyle and portrait photographer who connects with images that evoke emotional appeal.
My photographer friend Kevin White has done photo shoots with me for various purposes over the last 20 years. Because of our past work together, he kindly assisted with final edits of Bill’s professional photos.
His talent is unparalleled but even more importantly, out of the kindness of his heart, Kevin took pictures for six Red Carpet for Hope Galas benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, starting in 2014.
Meet Kevin
Kevin White is a Minneapolis-based portrait, lifestyle, and fashion photographer.
I couldn’t have brought Berit’s Bits to life without the patience, kindness, talent and creative brilliance of these 5 individuals. I’m immensely grateful to each of them. And if you ever find yourself in need of their talents, I hope you’ll consider reaching out. I highly recommend them!