Melanie Bates * Ali Berlin * Tinamarie Bernard * Gabrielle Bernstein * Pauline Campos * Kris Carr * Leslie Carr * Stacey Curnow * Claire Delphine * Ophira & Tali Edut * Laurie Erdman * Jessie Fano * Laura Fenamore * Chris Guillebeau * Tami Kent * Danielle LaPorte * Sheena LaShay * Frank Lipman MD * Michael Mackintosh * Pamela Madsen * Mali & Joe * Joy Mazzola * Kate Northrup Moller * Lauren Nagel * Lissa Rankin * Karen Reynolds * Mike Robbins * Bernie Siegel MD * Wendy Strgar * April Sweazy *  Dana Theus * Sylvia van Bruggen * Monica Wilcox
 

Melanie Bates

"I own Pink by wielding a large mental scythe in order to clear away the mind brambles and mental briars along my path while trying to pay attention to the signs and showing love and compassion to those I meet along my way. Phew!"

Melanie is a writer, a nomad, a nondescript heathen, and a life-long student. Sometimes she is a Virtual Assistant to Powerful Women (and a Few Kick-Ass Men). Aside from assisting Lissa in the day to day of Owning Pink business, she's just taken on the role of Editor-in-Pink for OP and her tiny feet swim in the large shoes of Lauren Nagel - OP's former amazing Cap'n Editor Pants. She is also the creator & co-author of the website Femme Tales - Truth with Humor; a cozy little place where she resides with her best friend Monica Wilcox and which houses their creative non-fiction. More on Melanie and her blog archive here.

Ali Berlin

Ali Berlin, M.A. is a master life coach and spiritual guide.  She uses her own life experience and professional acumen to help people detoxify their thoughts and tap into natural wisdom. Intuitive, adventurous and compassionate, Ali hears the call for love through the deepest anxieties, secrets, shame and guilt. http://www.aliberlin.com/

Ali earned her master’s degree and coaching certification from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, her bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and has been a life and relationship coach for 12 years. She has lectured at Stanford University, Penn State and ITP, and has been featured on Montel Williams’ radio, Woman’s Day radio, In Style Weddings and Daily Worth. In 2010, she hosted Alive with Ali Berlin, a radio show that garnered over 70,000 subscribers in the first six months. Originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia, Ali lives in Marin County with her husband Ryan and their cocker spaniel Bixby Hugs. She loves words, mineral salt, conversations and divine interventions. Read Ali's blog archive here.

Tinamarie Bernard

"I own pink by holding up the mirror and learning to see my truth with a little t, and then bravely sharing what I discover to help others hear the wisdom of their own small still voice inside."

I believe that people are yearning for authentic connection, passionate and timeless lovemaking, and a sense of sacredness and play.  We live in a world, however, that has gone ‘sexophrenic.’ Sexual imagery abounds in our culture and media while behind closed doors we are experiencing loneliness, alienation, pain and infidelity.

There is good news: the hallowedness of sexuality is being rediscovered and reconnected and in the process giving those of us on this journey together a chance to eradicate shame and create heart-centered lives.

What enchants me? Anything that deepens emotional, physical and spiritual intimacy between couples. Sensual living, sacred sexuality, and eco-sexuality, the idea that our relationships can reflect the values of sustainability, are some of my favorite things as well. Feminism, erotica, sexual health and provocations about culture sneak in quite a bit in my articles and essays. More on Tinamarie and her blog archive here.

Gabrielle Bernstein

Recently featured in the New York Times Sunday Styles section as the next generation guru, motivational speaker, life coach and author Gabrielle Bernstein is making her mark. Expanding the lexicon for the next generation, Gabrielle is a #1 bestselling author of the book Add More ~ing to Your Life – A hip guide to happiness. In September 2011 Gabrielle’s launches second book entitled Spirit Junkie, A Radical Road to Self-Love and Miracles. She also just launched her new site GabbyB.tv.

Gabrielle was just one year out of college, when she co-founded the Women’s Entrepreneurial Network, a non-profit professional organization that connects female entrepreneurs. WEN started a local mentor program for young women, WEN Mentors, and is best known for its signature Gift of Service Exchange events. That same year, Gabrielle incorporated her own boutique public relations company, SparkPlug Communications. For the rest of Gabrielle's bio and blog archive, click here.

Pauline Campos

I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and friend, and a writer. I own my pink by embracing the crazy and admitting that most days, I wake up thinking I can balance it all only to be reminded that it's the crazy I have embraced. I own my pink by owning my imperfections.

Pauline M. Campos is wife to The Husband, mother to “Buttercup,” and has decided that it’s time to make peace with her cellulite after moving to the desert from Michigan where it’s always construction season.

She spent the first two years of her daughter’s life wishing the pregnancy weight off before getting serious, joining a gym, hiring a nutritionist, and jumping into social media full-force with her www.aspiringmama.com blog and her twitter accounts (@pauline_campos and @aspiringmama) because she has an almost OCD-like tendency to multi-task while working on her writing projects. Read more about Pauline and visit her blog archive here.

Kris Carr

Kris Carr is a best-selling author, a top motivational speaker, and kick-ass wellness coach. She is the subject of the inspirational documentary, Crazy Sexy Cancer, which she wrote and directed for TLC, and the author of the award-winning Crazy Sexy Cancer book series. Kris’ third book, Crazy Sexy Diet redefines healthy living as we know it. Crazy Sexy Diet is the ultimate diet and lifestyle game plan for wellness warriors seeking peak health, spiritual wealth and happiness. Carr regularly lectures at medical schools, hospitals, wellness centers, and universities such as Harvard. Television appearances include: The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, The Early Show, Today Show, Access Hollywood, Good Morning America and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Check out her website, crazysexylife.com for daily tips, articles and inspiration. Make juice not war! Read Kris's blog posts here.

Leslie Carr

“I own pink by being a proud feminist, and a supporter of women’s rights around the world.”

Stacey Curnow

"I own Pink by empowering women to honor their bodies and their bodies' messages. "

Stacey works as a certified nurse-midwife in North Carolina, and over more than 15 years her career has taken her from western Indian reservations to a center-city Bronx hospital to the mountains of southwestern Mexico.

She has been an enthusiastic student of positive psychology for years and applies it to her midwifery and life coaching practices with great success.

She is the creator of a thriving blog and many of her articles have been published in print magazines and online.

She lives in Asheville, NC with her husband, young son, and Ruby the wonder chicken. Read Stacey's posts.

Claire Delphine

Ophira & Tali Edut

Laurie Erdman

"I own Pink by practicing radical self care and inspiring others to honor their bodies and souls, so as to live our respective heart's desire." 

Laurie was walking her transitional journey from corporate day job to ceramic artist when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.  Motivated to not give up her dream of making pots on her 80th birthday, she tapped into her lifelong study of health, nutrition, and spirituality; assembled her support team of health professionals, guides and friends; and created a radical self-care program that is helping her reclaim her mojo.  Laurie admits that it is a roller coaster of a journey but takes delight in being alive and vital, even on days when she does not “feel” healthy.

Laurie has spent her life writing.  She has written on such diverse subjects as farming, food policy and employment rights.  In the last year, she turned her writing passion to her own art; growing her pottery blog where she shares her artistic process and discusses the spiritual sustenance she derives from working in clay. 

While grappling with her diagnosis, she was compelled to fill a void in the print and online world. Laurie was contemplating a new blog about her physical, emotional and spiritual journey with her uninvited guest (as she refers to MS). As she struggled with that decision, she received a sign from the Universe telling her "YES, share it and we will give you a loving community within which to help others." She now writes for Owning Pink about radical self care and her own messy journey to keep and maintain her mojo while living with her uninvited guest.

Owner of Claytastic Pottery and would-be writer, Laurie lives in Arlington, Virginia with her husband, Skippy the magical woodland creature (a.k.a. dog) and her growing collection of artful pottery. Read Laurie's posts.

Jessie Fano

I own pink by declaring my sexual self a full-fledged part of ME. 

Jessie is a typical suburban mom, wife, worker-bee. So much like everyone else, when her midlife awesomeness struck, Jessie went on a mission to clue other women into the fact that – just like her – through their sexuality lies deeper knowledge about themselves. There’s more to Jess than sex, lots more, but helping others Own Sexuality is her mission here at Owning Pink. To post freely, she chooses anonymity.  Her posts are explicit because talking around the reality of our sexual selves is part of how we own it. She’s owning it! And she invite others ready to own it to speak openly, honestly and without embarrassment about the role their sexuality plays in their whole being. Read with care and feel free to comment anonymously as well. Read to Jessie’s posts. 

Laura Fenamore

“I Own Pink by leading a full-scale, worldwide Body Image Revolution.”

Laura Fenamore, CPCC, is a gifted body image mastery mentor, celebrated lecturer, and beloved teacher of women worldwide. After battling with addiction, severe obesity and multiple eating disorders for most of her life, Laura released 100 pounds twenty-two years ago and has kept it off ever since. This journey led her to help women of all ages, lifestyles and body types to live more joyous, balanced lives.

Laura is the CEO of Body Image Mastery, LLC and she has authored several online books, including a 12-week course that guides woman out of the weight loss battle and into a new life rooted in health and self-love. She recently wrote Weightless: A Body Image Revolution, a memoir/self-help book currently in submission for publication.  

Laura founded OnePinky.com, a global online community that extends support and friendship for women who wish to change the way they feel about themselves and their bodies. She continues to work one-on-one with women through Body Image Mastery, and has a private coaching practice. She lives a healthy, joyful life of faith and gratitude in Northern California. Read Laura's posts.

Chris Guillebeau

Chris Guillebeau travels the world and writes for a small army of remarkable people at chrisguillebeau.com. For more than a decade he has modeled the proven definition of an entrepreneur: “someone who will work 24 hours a day for themselves to avoid working one hour a day for someone else.” From 2002-2006, Chris also served as a volunteer executive for a medical charity in West Africa before returning to the U.S. and starting the blog The Art of Non-Conformity. When not roaming the world on a quest to visit every country (151 down, 41 to go), Chris lives in Portland, Oregon.

Tami Kent

Tami is a women's health physical therapist, founder of Holistic Pelvic Care for women, and author of Wild Feminine: Finding Power, Spirit & Joy in the Female Body. She is passionate about cultivating the creative energy that is meant to run through all aspects of a woman's life–and draws upon hers daily in mothering three gorgeous sons and making her way in the world. Her goal is to teach every woman how to read the physical and energetic patterns of the pelvic bowl and restore access to the full range of creative resources–this beauty and wildness within. Find out more at www.wildfeminine.com.

Danielle LaPorte

Danielle LaPorte is the outspoken creator of WhiteHotTruth.com, which has been called "the best place on-line for kick-ass spirituality." She is the author of The Fire Starter Sessions: A Digital Experience for Entrepreneurs, and works 1:1 with entrepreneurs who want to rock their career while making a difference in the world. An inspirational speaker, and lead author of Style Statement: Live By Your Own Design, she has been featured in Elle, Body + Soul, Vogue Australia, Better Homes & Gardens, Globe & Mail, The National Post, The Huffington Post, Entertainment Tonight, and numerous talk shows, and was a news show commentator for CBC. Danielle is the former director of a Washington-DC think tank, where she managed a team of analysts studying global trends for the likes of the Pentagon and the World Bank.

You can find her on Twitter as @daniellelaporte. Read Danielle's posts.

Sheena LaShay

Sheena LaShay is energy manifesting in many forms. She is a writer, artist, siren, and dancer who expresses her authentic SELF through creativity, empowerment, sensuality, and spirituality. It is her hope to inspire you to be your authentic SELF wholeheartedly.

She loves learning new things, rethinking old ideas and exploring interesting concepts. That’s how she learned to film, direct, and edit her own videos.  To date her videos have been viewed over 250,000 times on YouTube. That same inquisitive nature is credited towards her learning photography, being certified in business sustainability and becoming an active student in the pole dancing community among many other interests and passions. Sheena has written blogs, articles, plays, poetry and short stories ever since the age of 7. She has 11 years of experience stage managing, directing, acting and writing for theater & other performing arts. 

Sheena is motivated by her past & the prospect of a limitless future. At the age of 16, she graduated from homeschool and received a full academic scholarship to college. She’s a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and is an active advocate in that field. She was raised in a cult and lived to tell about it.

When left to her own devices Sheena creates experiences & projects such as C.R.E.A.T.E. 2011 or she spends time reading any book that she can get her hands on. Right now she is on a journey to explore issues of sexuality and sensuality as it relates to spirit, nature, community and the arts.

Sheena lives in New York, writes for Vertical Art and Fitness magazine, travels as much as she can and is constantly looking for ways to create ritual and ceremony in her everyday life. You can find out more about her life, interests and calling by visiting her website or chatting with her on twitter and facebook. You can read Sheena's posts here.

Frank Lipman MD

Dr. Frank Lipman is an internationally recognized expert in the field of integrative medicine. He is the founder and director of the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in New York City, where for over 20 years his personal brand of healing has helped thousands of people reclaim their vitality and recover their zest for life. Focused on sustainable wellness – instead of quick fixes – he offers patients a customized blend of Western medicine with acupuncture, nutritional counseling, vitamins and herbs, relaxation techniques, physical therapy and bodywork. In 2010 he developed Be Well by Dr. Frank Lipman, a line of leading-edge supplements and health programs. He is the author of Revive: Stop Feeling Spent and Start Living Again and Total Renewal: 7 Key Steps to Resilience, Vitality and Long-Term Health. Visit his blog, follow him on Twitter or join his Facebook community today. Read Frank's blogs.

Michael Mackintosh

“I am owning pink by opening my heart and mind wide to the grace of life. I am here to ground in the joy and wonder that eternally exists and share this from the depths of my heart.”

Born in South Africa, Michael spent 18 years in Cambridge, England studying meditation, philosophy, fine art, design, health and well-being. He taught Raja Yoga Meditation and Personal and Spiritual Growth and Development in Cambridge for eight years, and co-founded Mood Foods, a thriving organic raw superfood chocolate company in Europe. He has traveled extensively throughout India, Africa, Europe, and the United States.

A profound interest in the sheer wonder of life since a young age has inspired Michael to pursue a lifestyle he calls “Living in Magic.” This involves a deep understanding and appreciation of all life as an interconnected whole, where everything from meditating first thing early each morning on the beach, to writing a book on Freedom, is an integral part of enjoying and increasing the Magic in his life. Learn more at www.livinginmagic.com.

Michael’s days are devoted to activities that dovetail exquisitely into his Living in Magic lifestyle. These include organizing and running trainings and courses in Spiritual Development and Living Your Dreams, composing articles on wellbeing and spirituality (many of which will be gracing the space of Owning Pink!), leading meditation classes & satsangs, conducting Gentle Warrior Retreats, giving spiritual business & marketing advice, hypnotherapy, recording transformational meditation CDs and lots more.

He is the founder of Divine Abundance LLC & Success Ultra Now LLC – both of which serve to help people take their lives to the next level. Michael is passionate about life. His mission is to help others live their highest potential with flawless ease and grace, and to help change their inner worlds allowing the outer worlds to flourish. Read Michael's posts.

Pamela Madsen

Pamela Madsen is a fertility/sex educator, blogger, author of Shameless: How I Ditched The Diet, Got Naked, Found True Pleasure and Somehow Got Home In Time to Cook Dinner... (Rodale, Jan 2011), and founder of The American Fertility Association. She is also a certified somatic sex educator with a coaching practice that focuses on sexuality, self image, and fertility. Her daily blog, thefertilityadvocate.com, is a breakfast essential for reporters, writers and policymakers.

Mali & Joe

Mali & Joe are the co-authors of the hottest new book on enlightened relationships. The Soulmate Experience: A Practical Guide to Creating Extraordinary Relationships (2011) is the result of eight intense years spent exploring what makes such profoundly connected relationships possible and, especially, how to sustain them.

Their greatest joy is inspiring others to bring more of the soulmate experience into all their relationships. They host The Soulmate Experience community on Facebook, where thousands of people support and encourage one another every day. They also co-coach singles and couples who are inspired to take their relationship experiences to the next level.

When they’re not exploring relationships, Mali and Joe are enjoying their other passions: swimming, yoga, mountain biking, and how to get the most life out of life. Find out more about them at www.TheSoulmateExperience.com. View Mali Apple & Joe Dunn's profile here.

Joy Mazzola

"I own Pink by staying present whatever's happening in my life, even if it's awkward, difficult, painful, or seemingly pointless."

After a profound year (well, lifetime, really) of transformative self-discovery, Joy Mazzola was certified by New Ventures West as an integral coach in 2010. Her professional background runs the gamut and includes almost a decade in the nonprofit world and a few ill-advised (albeit brief) stints in corporate America, which taught her that she really only thrives where love runs the show. She now works full time as a life coach in the SF bay area, gently helping clients turn toward the whisper of their own truth. Read more about Joy's practice here.

Writing has been the thread woven through most of Joy’s personal and professional life. She’s written and edited for guidebooks, newspapers, and other publications. Serendipity led her to meet Lissa Rankin at a writing workshop via their mutual teacher and hero, Nancy Slonim Aronie.

Joy grew up in a suburb of Boston, MA, and now lives in Berkeley CA with her partner Matt, cat Percy, and Chihuahua-who-thinks-she’s-a-cat Penny. She (Joy, not the dog) meditates, mediates, collages, paints, spills things, hikes, drinks tea, drinks wine, cooks badly but bravely, punctuates like a champ, hugs inappropriately, makes up words, overcommits, journals, yogas, travels, seeks, and loves. Read Joy's posts.

Kate Northrup Moller

"I Own Pink by laughing as loudly and as often as possible and telling the truth with as much love and compassion as possible. I own pink by owning my freedom."

Kate Northrup is a creative entrepreneur, seeker, and artist. In February 2011 she is embarking on an indefinite road trip called "The Freedom Tour" to teach and inspire people to create financial, emotional, and spiritual freedom. She created financial freedom for herself at the age of twenty-four, two years after graduating from Brown Univeristy, and is on a mission to inspire as many people as possible to do the same. Her belief is that if you free yourself up financially you can then be fully present to your true purpose on the planet and to making the world a better place. You can follow her travels at www.comebefree.com. Kate is also the CEO (Creative Expansion Optimist) of Team Northrup, a league of wellness entrepreneurs aligned with the work of her mother, Dr. Christiane Northrup. 

Lauren Nagel

"I Own Pink by laughing, loud and often."

Lauren is a writer, musician, dancer, educator, and adventurer (and is getting used to saying each of those things without having them sound like questions).  She earned a B.S. in theater and minored in creative writing at Northwestern University, where she also received the University Fellowship Research Grant for her study on the development of physical theater and dance theory.  Determined to balance the cubicle careers of the "real world" with her creative endeavors, Lauren used vacation days to tour with a reggae band, compose music for film and television, and write.  When it was clear that passion overwhelmed the confines of Human Resources, Lauren Pleaped (took a Pink leap of faith) and has been cubicle-free since 2009.

Lauren is honored to write for Owning Pink and to follow in Joy Mazzola's insightful and mojo-making footsteps as Editor-in-Pink.  Committed to singing loudly, dancing hard, and failing with gusto, Lauren is deeply grateful for the blessings of the Universe (even when they are &@#*ing painful).  She expresses said sentiments in her personal blog, Full of Grate Great, and also writes for San Francisco music site The Owl Mag.  As a member of Oakland-based arts collective The Getback, Lauren performs and teaches music throughout the Bay Area.

Lauren lives in Oakland,CA with her fellow Gabriel, dog Otto, cat Goose, fish (pl.) Michael Jacksons, and turtles Nick and Vanessa.  Lauren dedicates her ongoing adventures in Pink to the memory of her original mojo mentor and mistress of sarcasm: her mother, Susan. Read Lauren's posts.

Lissa Rankin

“I Own Pink by being ALL ME, ALL THE TIME and encouraging others to do the same. I believe we can all have mojo (MOre JOy) by stripping off the masks we wear and being authentic to the core of who we are.”

Lissa Rankin M.D. is the founder and guiding spirit of Owning Pink. As a practicing gynecologist, a nationally-represented professional artist, teacher, mother and author of the forthcoming book, What’s Up Down There? Questions You’d Only Ask Your Gynecologist If She Was Your Best Friend (St. Martin’s Press, September, 2010), Lissa models how to live a life full of mojo, meaning and authenticity. Read Lissa's posts.

Learn more about Lissa.

Karen Reynolds

“The way that I Own Pink is to speak softly and carry a Wu Shu broad sword.”

Karen has more than 20 years experience as a medical professional. She started her career as a registered nurse specializing in critical care work for Kaiser Permanente as both an ICU and Cardiovascular ICU specialist.

In 2000 Karen graduated from the Meiji College of Oriental Medicine in Berkeley and went into private practice in Marin County, California where she is co-owner of Balance Restored Center For Integrated Medicine.  She has completed numerous post-graduate studies including an extended internship with the venerated master acupuncturist, Dr. Miki Shima, OMD.

For the past ten years Karen has practiced acupuncture and oriental medicine with a specialty in women’s health, hormone regulation, fertility issues, functional endocrinology, and management of peri-menopausal and menopausal symptoms.

Using customized treatment plans, Karen has helped reduce the symptoms of peri-menopause and menopause such as hot flashes and night sweats, to improve chronic pain, to speed wound healing following post-traumatic injury or surgery and to assist both men and women with fertility challenges to begin families.

Karen is astate and nationally certified acupuncturist and has served on the California State Oriental Medicine Association (CSOMA) board and the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) national board. She is a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and serves on the Advisory Board for RESOLVE-the National Infertility Association.

Karen currently serves on the Editorial Board for The American Acupuncturist, the professional journal for AAAOM. SHE also has been a contributing editor and author for both the California Journal of Oriental Medicine and the American Acupuncturist.

She is a frequently requested speaker at acupuncture conferences and has presented for AAAOM and CSOMA. Read Karen's posts.

Mike Robbins

Mike Robbins is a sought-after speaker and coach.  He’s the bestselling author of two books, Focus on the Good Stuff andBe Yourself, Everyone Else is Already Taken. Mike has been featured on ABC News, the Oprah radio network, as well as in Forbes, Self, and Fast Company. He’s a regular contributor to the Huffington Post and Oprah.com and his books have been translated into twelve different languages. Mike is the former host of his own radio show, “Let’s Get Real with Mike Robbins.” He’s invited around the world to speak at a variety of venues, events, and for various organizations, including: Google, the Agape International Spiritual Center, Stanford University, the San Francisco Giants, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Wells Fargo Bank, and many more. He and his wife Michelle, along with their two girls Samantha and Rosie, live in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, visit www.Mike-Robbins.com. Read Mike's posts.

Bernie Siegel MD

For many, Dr. Bernard Siegel — or Bernie, as he prefers to be called — needs no introduction. He has touched many lives all over the Planet. In 1978, he reached a national and then international audience when he began talking about patient empowerment and the choice to live fully and die in peace. As a physician who has cared for and counseled innumerable people whose mortality has been threatened by illness, Bernie embraces a philosophy of living and dying that stands at the forefront of the medical ethics and spiritual issues our Society grapples with today. In May 2011, Bernie was honored by the Watkins Review of London, England, as one of the Top 20 Spiritually Influential Living People on the Planet. He continues to break new ground in the field of healing, supporting changes in medical education to “humanize” medical practice.

Wendy Strgar

"I own pink by cultivating sustainable intimate solutions to common sexual problems with Good Clean Love organic intimacy products and by teaching millions of couples nationwide how to maintain sustainable loving relationships."

Wendy Strgar is the author of Love that Works and founder and CEO of Good Clean Love. Her natural and organic product line is sold and endorsed by physicians nationwide.  Wendy is a loveologist who writes and lectures on Making Love Sustainable, a green philosophy of relationships which teaches the importance of valuing the renewable resources of loving relationships and family. A sexual health educator, her work is also featured on Care2.com, HufingtonPost.com, ElephantJournal.com, as well as several other green blogs including Intent, Hitched and Green Girls. Married for over 25 years with four teenagers, her daily life is the lab for her loveology work. She tackles the challenging issues of sustaining relationships and healthy intimacy with an authentic and disarming style and simple yet innovative advice. Her website www.goodcleanlove.com and blog www.makinglovesustainable.com has been nominated as one of the 100 best relationship sites on the web. Read Wendy's posts.

April Sweazy

Dana Theus

 "I own pink by believing that anything is possible when we dig down deep, reach up high and release everything else. I'm on a constant journey to create the future, discover more about myself and make the world a better place."

Dana is a business consultant, entrepreneurial leadership coach, wife, mom, spiritual seeker, traveler, Stonetosser and enthusiastic life explorer. She's also a wanna-be writer and Lissa Rankin's business partner at Owning Pink. Fascinated by our desire, need and talent to create - and change ourselves and the world in the process - Dana enjoys exploring all aspects of creation, especially the human drive to achieve success in all its various forms. One of her passions has taken her on a quest to discover the fundamental principals of Pink Business, capture them and share them. How better to serve our world than to evolve the process of creating wealth and value into a practice that spills over with heart and soul, enriching everyone involved? Read Dana's posts.  

Sylvia van Bruggen

“I own pink by embracing all that I am and all that I ever will be.”

Sylvia is a writer, poet, yogini, natural witch and digital artist. She loves to dive into any creative endeavour, whether it is spinning her own yarn, knitting her own socks, or creating something with quilt squares. In spring and summer you can usually find her in her garden, where she loves to grow her roses and beloved fruits and vegetables. She also enjoys going to the movies, and listening to a lot of styles of music on her constant companion: her iPod.

Her life began to transform when she discovered the work of Joseph Campbell. What he said about bliss resonated deeply within her. Ever since that moment "Follow Your Bliss" became her mantra.

Shortly after, she founded Simply Blissful, whose motto is: "Simplify your life, Increase your bliss." It is currently a blog offering tools to deal with clutter in homes and minds.

She believes that anyone can follow their bliss, no matter their circumstances or physical issues. She believes it is her path in life to help others follow their own bliss, find their passion and shine.

In this she feels blessed for having found Owning Pink. She loves to have a place to shine as the pink goddess she knows she is.

Sylvia is a dreamer. She finds that in her daydreams she discovers lots of ideas for new articles, blog posts, and fiction. It is still amusing to her that something that got her scorned as a child is now the main inspiration for what she loves to do most of all: writing.

Last year she developed a workshop on using your inner child in your writing. That workshop is now being made into a book. She also writes science fiction and fantasy under the pen name Tamlyn Leigh.

Her newest project is Creating Space on Squidoo, together with her friend Corinne M. Westphal. It is a group of lenses all focused on helping others create space in their homes, their minds and their lives.

She lives in a medium-sized town in the Netherlands with her husband and their two cats. Read Sylvia's posts.

Monica Wilcox

Monica’s spent a good chunk of her life with more imaginary characters than friends of the flesh.  These apparitions weren’t the cool kind who crept out of the shadows to play Barbies but the ones who hung out in the back of her head.  She’s carried the weight of enough characters, and their dismal situations, to fill the stages of Broadway for a full season.

In the meantime she was trying to live out her own story.  After graduating from University of Wyoming with a degree in psychology she worked for a therapeutic wilderness program counseling teenage sexual perpetrators before she worked as an educational/career counselor.  The highlight of that career came while working with injured American veterans in Europe.  She liked the job but deep inside, the stories and words were swirling, trying to locate the escape hatch. 

Three year ago, after a hard push onto the path of consciousness, little anecdotes centered around the synchronistic events and miraculous happenings that surround each of us every day started leaping from her typing fingers. Before she could help herself she had become a freelance writer, publishing in numerous magazines, websites and newspapers.  By the time her life-long best friend, Melanie Bates, talked her into starting a literary site together she’d learned that when it comes to your passion, it’s best not to resist; Femme Tales-Truth with Humor, was born.

Monica feels life is best when you hand your biggest dream over to the Universe, sit back, trust, then watch in utter fascination what it sends back.

Her family has recently moved to the Bay Area where she’s fighting for time to edit her novel while she enjoys the blissful hiking, biking, wine and a few fascinating characters; in the flesh and otherwise. Read Monica's posts.

Additional Contributors

Suzanne Bouffard * Lisa Brent * Sandra Carrington-Smith * Simone da Rosa * Susan Fox * Robin Frank * Megan Monique Harner * Leslee Horner * Shana James * Fred Krazeise * Lone Morch * Jon Rasmussen * Ryan Rigoli * Jennifer Shelton * Emily Simmer * Steve Sisgold * Matt Sloane * Heather Sobieralski * Jason Stein *  Danielle Vieth * Audrey Vitolins * Lakenda Wallace * Kim Wencl