5-Minute Friday
Financial Literacy, The Business Of Family, Less Plans & More Presence, Arm Art, And More
Hello All!
I Am Likely Somewhere Between Kyoto and Osaka…
As you’re reading this, the three of us—Jason (my husband), my daughter, and I—are on a train bound for Osaka. We’ve said goodbye to the quiet beauty of Kyoto and are headed straight into the vibrant pulse of Japan’s food capital. By now, we have likely racked up steps, matcha cups, and probably more than a few stories and lessons learned that I’ll be unpacking for weeks to come.
There’s something about traveling together—without the distractions, the phones, the meetings, the everyday noise—that brings your priorities into sharp focus.
This trip isn’t just a vacation. It’s a reset. And I hope this week’s edition inspires you to slow down, tune in, and live with a little more presence—wherever you are.
LEADERSHIP
Leading the Business of Family
We talk about leading in business, in teams, in movements—
But one of the most overlooked leadership roles?
Leading within the family.
Preparing for this trip has reminded me how important it is to honor the roles we each play. Jason and I lead differently—but both roles are essential. I lead in rhythm, in nurture, in logistics. He leads in vision, protection, peace, steadiness, and grounding. Neither is more important. Both are required.
When we stop trying to “do it all” and start leaning into our individual strengths, the whole family moves more powerfully. Because family isn’t just love. It’s an ecosystem. A business. A mission. And leading it well means knowing your lane—and owning it fully. Create roles NOT rules for the family.
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Intimacy Over Itinerary
We have a loose plan for this trip—booked stays, rail passes, a few bucket-list spots. But we also left space.
And in that space is where the whimsical moments can unfold. The most intimate moments in Europe last year were not in the TikTok top spots or the tourist guides, and I bet the same will happen this summer in Japan.
They will likely be on quiet backstreets in Kyoto, under lantern-lit walkways in Osaka, sharing matcha with my daughter and side-eye laughs with Jason when i know we are lost but he won't admit it.
We always say: “It’s worth the wander.” So much so that we have it tattooed on our wrists. This trip Lainee and I will likely add to our arm art and pay homage to this wander around Japan with a permanent stamp that reminds us to allow the day to show us what's possible when we let go of control.
Because when you over-schedule life, you leave no room for the unexpected.
And the unexpected is where intimacy lives. It’s where your relationships breathe. So here’s your reminder:
You don’t need another plan. You need more presence.
Let life show you what it’s been trying to reveal all along.
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Lainee Paid for Her Own Trip—and That Was the Whole Point
Here’s something I haven’t shared yet: Our daughter paid her own way for this Japan trip.
Flights. Food. Shopping. Experiences. All budgeted, saved for, and planned—by her. Why? Because I have made it a priority to raise a financially literate daughter. I gave my financial power away as a young woman and claimed, "I didn't understand"... "I am not good with money"... "I am not good at math or numbers".
Nope, that will not happen to my daughter.
Young people (young women especially) need to understand value, timing, trade-offs, and the freedom that comes from real ownership. The school system isn’t teaching them this. They’re still cranking out financial advice for an economy that doesn’t exist anymore.
Balance checkbooks? Memorize the GDP? Cool—but irrelevant.
What kids need to know is:
How to budget for real life
How to earn, spend, save, and invest
How to take responsibility for their choices
If you’re not teaching your kids about money, the world will. And the world doesn’t care if they’re free—it just wants them in debt.
Financial education starts at home.
And freedom starts with ownership.
FITNESS & HEALTH
Forest Bathing Is the Detox You Didn’t Know You Needed
We will be making time to walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. I am looking forward to the stillness, the sound of bamboo creaking in the breeze, and the light filtering in just right. In Japan, they call it Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing—an intentional practice of immersing yourself in the sights, smells, and sounds of the forest. No phones. No distractions. Just your body syncing back up with nature.
The science backs it up:
Lowers cortisol (stress hormone)
Reduces blood pressure and heart rate
Boosts immune function and mood
Increases focus and creativity
You don’t need a 90-minute hot yoga class to feel grounded. You need trees. Air. Space. You need silence that speaks to your nervous system. You deserve restoration, it doesn’t have to be earned—it just has to be chosen.
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
Travel Hugs: Because Sometimes the Airport Just Isn’t Cozy
If you’ve ever wanted to curl up mid-flight, mid-train, or mid-chaos, let me introduce you to my latest travel obsession: Travel Hugs.They're soft, wearable neck pillows with a hoodie-style vibe—perfect for sleeping, zoning out, or signaling “I’m not available for small talk on this flight.”
Compact
Machine washable
Ideal for trains, planes, and bamboo forest recovery naps
It’s like a weighted blanket for your upper body—and yes, I’m likely wearing mine right now:)
Always Have Courage,
Jen