03/30/2024
Nearly ten years ago I was sitting on the upper deck of the Harbor Marina of East Hampton literally on the tip of the world in so many ways. I was there to have a Pinot Grigio and watch the sunset as the boats came in but a seemingly casual conversation with the owner of the marina planted a seed I’ve been ignoring and throwing theoretical dirt over since.
She asked me what my claim to fame was. Not what I did for a living. Not where are you from. “So, what’s your claim to fame?”
I need to back up here to say I loath busy work. Grinch level loath it. I also hate the life update questions and where do you see yourself in 5/10 years and what do you do for a living questions. Are you asking to steer the conversation to me first so you can go second? The hate for busy work definitely affected my education and life path. Nevertheless it landed me so far as being recruited to a very niche estate planning gig and being required to take a psych evaluation as part of the interview process. Estate planning is incredibly confidential and when you are working with movers and shakers that stir up and create markets, they have to know you are who you say you are and can be trusted especially when you are a part of the team making some of those moves happen. 500 Y/N T/F statements, timed critical thinking and problem solving senecios, math, vocabulary and essay questions (I almost withdrew my resume at this point. I would have if I wasn’t mentally drained from one of the biggest projects of my career at that time.) and an hour face to face with a psychologist later and, among other things,
✨I have no life goals.✨
I was offended. I got the job. But damn I was offended. And they hired me?! It was the truest insight that has never been said about me. He told me if there was a job opportunity at the zoo to feed the seals I would take it and be happy about it. And that’s true. I freaking love seals. I’d accept without blinking.
“So, what’s your claim to fame?”
“I don’t know.” Insert the cringy life update. “But that’s not my claim to fame…man, I don’t know! What’s yours?” I wasn’t irritated by her approach. I bet she gets some really great answers that lead to really cool conversations. I hope I have the guts to pop off with that question one day.
So here we are.
Goldie & Co., an ever-evolving umbrella that I’m using to encourage you where you are in life. Are you in your baseball mom era? I’ve got a sequin baseball tee for that! Are you in your teacher era? The one you dreamed of as a little girl where your siblings were your students and when they wouldnt listen were replaced with your baby dolls that didn’t talk back. 😂 I’ve got apple earrings for that! I get so much joy out of the “I’m volunteering at a beer festival for (insert organization). Do you have anything?” “My daughter is having a roller staking party. Do you have anything?” requests.
My goal is to offer quality, unique items that you are confident and comfortable wearing. I strive to find products that can be pulled out year after year for that holiday/season. I want you to be able to try the new trend without investing in it. I want to offer thoughtful gifts that bring as much joy to the gift giver as they do to the receiver, but don’t make you check your bank account before purchasing.
I have A LOT on hand mostly because the only outfits I ever planned in advance for myself had backup options. 😂 So, if the event is tomorrow and you are just thinking about your outfit or second guessing the options you have, I’m your girl!
All this to say: Welcome. Thanks for following and for being here in the early days of Goldie & Co. I thought this post should come before a really big 🎀 post that I’m working on. It has a lot of meaning to me and I hope you will find some meaning with it too. So stay tuned for that.
Not having life goals really just means I live for the day and I’m okay with that. In fact, I celebrate that.
“So, what’s your claim to fame?” I still don’t know and I’m not looking for it. Y’all can decide when I’m gone. But I’m not done giving you options.
xoxo, Courtney ♥️
