Several months ago, I entered the EforAll Cape Cod Business Accelerator Program. The Accelerator is a free, one-year program that provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. It provides all of the building blocks for self-belief. The workshop and classes were safe harbor where vulnerability wasn’t a weakness, but shared scars of the entrepreneurial journey. EforAll became more than just mentors, business models, and spreadsheets; it was a community, a hand outstretched amidst the maze of self-doubt.

I entered the program lacking confidence, but together we built and navigated the uncharted waters of market research, and braved the waves of weekly progress check-ins. We fine-tuned our visions and our goals, but we moved forward - together. And in the end we emerged self confident entrepreneurs. EforAll wasn't just a program; it was a rite of passage. It was a testament of the boundless power of human potential. The power of self-belief.

Beneath the quiet dawn of a December day, I joined other oystermen in Popponesett Bay, raking the mud for the winter bounty. Our unspoken camaraderie reflected a deep bond to the sea, a bond woven through generations by this time-honored Cape Cod tradition. More than mere harvest, it's a celebration of nature's rhythm, where the cooling winter waters heighten the unparalleled flavor of the oyster. This seasonal ebb and flow of the ocean’s gifts continues throughout the year, from the spring's surge of fish to summer's shellfish symphony and autumn's sweet bay scallops. Each bite, a connection to the land, the people, and the sea and a reminder of the timelessness of the relationship.

Eating local seafood isn’t just a culinary experience, it's a journey to the heart of a place. It is a celebration of the region's unique flavors, and a testament to the interconnectedness of people and their environment. Each bite of fresh, locally caught seafood, acquaints us with the place where it was harvested. We can taste the distinct minerals of the waters where the animal thrived, the briny tang of the local prey it consumed. The flavors of local seafood are deeply intertwined with the stories of the people who harvest it. We can hear their voices in the stories behind the dishes, their knowledge of the sea and its rhythms passed down through generations. In each mouthful of local seafood, we connect not just with the place where it was caught, but with the people who depend on it for their livelihoods, and the environment that sustains it all. It's a reminder that we are not separate from nature and place, but an integral part of it.

Perfectionism promises us success, happiness, and fulfillment. But it’s a liar. Perfectionism is a trap that will ultimately lead to failure and disappointment. It prevents us from taking risks, exploring our full potential, and enjoying the journey. Embracing the principle of ‘getting to good enough’ we let go of perfectionism and open ourselves up to a more authentic and fulfilling life. We learn to appreciate the beauty in the ordinary and to find joy in the journey, even when it’s not perfect. We accept our imperfections, celebrate our progress, and move on to the next challenge. The imperfections in our work are what make it interesting. They're the tales that tell us about ourselves and our journey. Each piece of original art tells us a story - an imperfect one about the artist, their art, and what happened during its creation.

As an artist with a young family, I get a lot of work done in the early morning hours when the house is quiet. I long for the solitude and focus that these moments provide. The solitude, however, can sometimes be overwhelming, especially during the winter months when I have less in-person interaction with customers and followers. Solitude can be the breeding ground of doubt. In these moments, I find myself feeling grateful for the people who support me, including my family, friends, fans, other artists, and the larger creative support network. I appreciate all the people who play a role in supporting my art, and I recognize that you are an integral part of my creative process. Thank you.