The Howells Group, Inc.

05/29/2024

Thomas led us on an adventure through Lucerne, Switzerland. We walked for hours, admiring the Alps and visiting the historic covered bridge. The cathedrals were stunning and reflected the Swiss involvement in the Reformed movement.@

05/24/2024

Switzerland is a wonder! The culture is so ordered and clean and very friendly. ( may have helped that our Swiss Canadian friend, Thomas,was guiding us and speaks Swiss-German! Stayed in a little house right in Basel with a garden, circa 1400’s. Walked along the River that was so clean you could see to the bottom… birds appear to equal the population of humans given all the birdsongs we heard!

05/20/2024

We’re finally here! After much planning and anticipation we landed in Paris Sunday evening.
Flights and travel plans have gone so smoothly- always an amazing blessing in today’s reality! Writing this from the train from Paris to visit our friend, Thomas Sanz in Basel Switzerland. A perfect day with sunshine highlighting old farm houses and a brilliant green countryside.

04/29/2024

Not long ago, Ecuador was a beacon of stability in a region known for political unrest and drug trafficking. But now, it’s become one of Latin America’s most violent countries amid a rise in organized crime. Many Ecuadorians are looking to President Daniel Noboa to turn things around. Carolina J...

04/26/2024

Good news: You can be a generous person without writing a bunch of checks. In fact, many of the most awe-inspiring and effective examples of generosity are gifts of time and energy, talent and love, custom-fitted to a specific need. Here are six gifts of time and attention that have the strong poten...

04/26/2024

Celebrating Nathan's birthday today was a bittersweet reminder of the love and loss we've experienced. We miss his presence, his laughter, and his brilliant mind. And we’re fresh with the loss of his grandma and our mother just last week.
But we take comfort in imagining him embracing his grandmother Shirley in the afterlife sharing stories and laughter once more. We are grateful for the 28 years we shared with Nathan and the 94 years with my mama, and we will continue to draw strength and inspiration from our precious time with them both. Hold your loved ones extra tight tonight…

03/22/2024

05/16/2023

http://thehowellsgroup.com/?p=1471

One woman's story on How to Take Your Bold Move. Listen to Karen's brief interview with professional, business builder and mom, Amber Simonsen and take away some great tips to apply!

One woman’s story on How to Take Your Bold Move. Listen to Karen’s brief interview with professional, business builder and mom, Amber Simonsen and take away some great tips to apply!

05/15/2023

Being a mother is such a complex and beautiful paradox… so challenging and yet awakening. An incredible experience and one that threatens to break you - and does break your heart many times along the way.
As a young woman I was afraid to consider being a mother.. terrified of failing a precious innocent child. It was one thing to disappoint myself - but yet another to impact one who would depend so much on me doing things well. Dear Nathan and Rachael; my precious children; I’m so grateful for the journey and all the wonderful, difficult things you taught me. About love, about failing and about continuing the epic journey to love well and learn along they way. I would never have it any other way and I’m indebted to all you taught me and continue to teach me still. I love you both with every inch of my imperfect being.
And to my mama- now 93. An eternal thank you for so much you instilled in me that is good and lasting. I love you.

04/20/2023

“Play” for me on Sunday was gardening in the PNW rain - under our patio sun umbrella! What’s “play” for you?

Please share your response and a picture from your own experience on what kind of play helps you thrive!

Read more here: http://thehowellsgroup.com/2023/04/play-will-help-you-thrive/

04/17/2023

Coming up THIS Friday 4/21! Opening for Mēagan Sky at Alberta Street Pub! We're on at 9PM with our full band! Grab tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/2zam9dx3

04/17/2023

Hope springs eternal for Portland gardeners….here’s how we get things planted even when it’s STILL raining… note the sun umbrella🤣

04/05/2023

We’ve asserted in previous posts that just “staying alive” as leaders isn’t enough - but constantly learning new dance steps is a necessity. How can we as leaders learn the “quick flex” step of releasing expectations? Read on!

As a first born daughter, Myers Briggs “J” type, and a business owner, I’ll admit I like knowing what to expect. But we’ve all experienced that today’s environment requires leaders to master the step of the “quick flex”: quickly letting go of expectations to thrive. Here’s how:

03/24/2023

Orcas Center Presents on Center Stage: Love, DEAN and Jacob Miller Saturday, March 25 at 7pm Tiered Ticket Pricing: $59, $29, $15 Orcas Center charges a $2 per ticket fee**Orcas Center’s Tiered Ticket Pricing is based on the needs of your family. The variant in pricing is not based on seat locatio...

03/24/2023

03/14/2023

Let’s face it; it’s awkward to learn a new dance step. No matter what the context. Here are 3 ways embrace the shift and become a beginner again...http://thehowellsgroup.com/?p=1427

02/28/2023

I admit it… I lived through the days of disco. Clingy outfits, John Travolta moves, and more than enough alcohol. The Bee Gees’ famous song was the anthem played at nearly every gathering.

But simply “stayin’ alive” for today’s leaders isn’t enough. Our series of blogs and posts over the next few months will explore how leaders in our disrupted world must learn a new dance step to go beyond minimal survival and actually thrive.

I admit it… I lived through the days of disco. Clingy outfits, John Travolta moves, and more than enough alcohol. The Bee Gees’ famous song was the anthem played at nearly every gathering.

02/26/2023

Jacob Jolliff grew up just south of Portland, OR. He was awarded a full scholarship to The Berklee College of Music in Boston in 2007. Shortly after graduating from Berklee, he won the National Mandolin Championship. In 2014, he joined the progressive bluegrass group, Yonder Mountain String Band. He...

01/17/2023

Anyone out there resolve in 2023 to be a better communicator? Most leaders I talk with (and people in general) respond with a resounding "YES!"
Here's a way to approach those tough conversations when you're feeling frustrated and angry with someone... and you're afraid your emotions will sabotage the conversation! Try this and let us know your results!

01/11/2023

11/28/2022

Grateful for a joyful anniversary weekend in Astoria… loved the Bowline Hotel, Fede’ Italian cuisine and the multitude of little shops and dinner with newlyweds Mike and Laurel Allen. Happy 46 years to us♥️

12/15/2021

100% of participants 3 years in a row said they would recommend ACCELERATE Leadership to other leaders and peers! We focus on mid-level to new managers gaining clarity, competence and confidence in their leadership and management style. Time is limited to sign your leaders up for ACCELERATE LEADERSHIP 2022. Email [email protected] for more information!

11/29/2021

Registration is open now for Accelerate Leadership launching mid-January of 2022! Accelerate Leadership is a proven program designed to increase leaders’ clarity, competence, and confidence, equipping them to be more effective and engaged as a manager of people.

Please connect with me personally to talk about this cohort experience and answer any questions you might have. Spots are limited!

https://bit.ly/AccelerateInfo2022