
I’ve worked with Arlyn over the course of a few different Mastermind Groups and have seen an evolution and unfolding of her imagination and skills that reinforces why I do this work. I’m not sure if everyone has the 20-20 vision to see the artist inside the corporate headhunter, but I am blessed with that talent.
Fortunately, Arlyn gave me the opportunity to challenge her creativity. I’ll never forget her surprised, awed and excited reaction to an early homework assignment: Come to our next session with 100 swatches of knitting patterns you’ve created. It unleashed her inner artist, took away any judgment about her work since volume was the desired outcome, and put her into action mode, something she’d been resisting. You know, that analysis paralysis thing.
Arlyn was wearing this same cool knitted scarf as seen above and in the video (click on her name to see Arlyn live) when I remember her telling me she was having growing pains in her business. She wondered when they would end. “When you stop growing,” I reassured her.


12 comments
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February 26, 2009 at 8:08 am
Andrea Deinstadt
Thanks for that Jane- so is that what we’re experiencing- growing pains?! How do you know the difference between that and a misstep? – morning hugs to you…
February 26, 2009 at 10:37 am
Diane Lohman
Arlyn- Congrats on releasing your inner artist!
All the best- Diane
February 26, 2009 at 1:27 pm
kare Anderson
Seeing that photo was like getting a glimpse of my first homemade carmel – I wanted to have it right now.
February 26, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Judy Cuddihee
I wonder if you would please put me in touch with Arlyn Young. I too am an artist who does creative knit work….er, play. I would like to network with Arlyn and share our passion for knitting the wild and wonderful….and selling them. As an act of faith, I had hoped to attach my latest creation, just to tempt her, but I see there is no place to do that in this format.
Thank you for your help Jane and I hope this can be added to your growing list of positive connections you have made between people. Judy Cuddihee
Judy Cuddihee
133 Howard Avenue
Ansonia, CT 04601
c121253@yahoo.com
(203)734-3933
February 27, 2009 at 9:58 am
janepollak
@Andrea
Great distinction! They’re pretty similar. Using Arlyn’s scarf as an example, say she prices it at $295 and no one buys it. That’s painful. So, she re-tags it for $79 and she sells tons, but isn’t making any profit. These are all pieces of the learning curve, and they can cause pain because it hurts to have no sales AND it hurts to work hard with no profit. Missteps? Yes. In entrepreneurship (and everywhere else I look these days), we’re all just making it up. If there were one volume entitled, The Answers, the business world would be a very different place.
February 27, 2009 at 9:59 am
janepollak
@Diane, Kare and Judy
Thank you for affirming Arlyn’s art and direction!
February 28, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Barb Silverman
My beautiful brave sister, it is a wonderful thing to see you creating what is within your heart. You have a great gift and a phenomenal talent. “Do what you love and love what you do” this is what is living is all about. Success will follow.
March 1, 2009 at 5:32 pm
janepollak
@Barb
Thank you for this comment.
March 2, 2009 at 10:46 am
Arlyn Young
@Brave Artists, and Bloggers
Thank you so much for your beautiful words of encouragement, courageous inspiration, and love. We have a lot to learn from each other. One thing I know for sure, we are one in this magnificent journey and I feel honored that you took the time to be a part of mine.
March 2, 2009 at 10:58 am
janepollak
@Arlyn
BRAVE ARTISTS says it all. Thanks!
March 7, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Diane Overton
Way to go Arlyn! And to all the remarkable women I’ve met through Jane. How blessed are we to have the courage and guidance to change and become all that we can be, doing what we love, and living wonderful lives as a result! Thanks Jane for sharing all the inspiring stories! Diane
March 7, 2009 at 6:58 pm
janepollak
@Diane
Thank you!