Becoming Girlilla | May Book Club

I get so excited about sharing inspiring stories with you!

This month of Mother’s Day (May!) I have a really lovely one. “Becoming Girlilla” by Jennie Smythe, Founder and CEO of Girlilla Marketing, mother and breast cancer warrior.

Like all success stories, it’s full of failures - which we like to call “set backs” because it sounds less painful. But Jennie has known the pain of uncertainty, the loss of her estranged father, she’s valiantly fought breast cancer, and stood her ground in an industry that can easily knock you over.

Becoming Girlilla highlights how resilience, authenticity, and passion can make a meaningful impact both online and in real life as Jennie candidly shares her path to success, full of sometimes surprising and oftentimes laugh-out-loud moments. Along the way, she’s navigated an industry that often underestimated her, fought through personal and professional hurdles, and rose to the top of her field.

A digital marketing trailblazer, Jennie’s memoir—Becoming Girlilla—is the unfiltered, inspiring story of her rise from unlikely beginnings to digital marketing powerhouse. Her experiences at Elektra, Disney’s Hollywood Records, YAHOO! Music, Warner Bros. Records, Clear Channel and more led her to launch her own Nashville-based firm, Girlilla Marketing, following a deathbed conversation with her estranged father.

Becoming Girlilla isn’t just about one woman’s resilience—it’s a call to embrace change, unleash potential, and make a positive impact in the world.

Order “Becoming Girlilla: My Journey to Unleashing Good - in Real Life, Online, and in Others” for someone who could use a little inspiration in their life - maybe that’s YOU!

Discover more at Becoming Girlilla and sign up for the newsletter HERE
Join @GirlillaMarketing on Facebook / Instagram / LinkedIn / TikTok / Online
Follow Jennie Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook

Jennie lives in Nashville with her husband, and their two children.

Once Upon A Climb | January Book Club

Another year behind, another year in front of us, and undoubtedly we all have goals we’d like to achieve in the coming months. My book club choice for January might help!

“Once Upon A Climb” by New York Times best-selling author, Jennifer A. Nielsen, has been called “insightful and motivating.”

It’s for anyone and everyone who might be looking for guidance on how to reach the summit of their own personal dreams.

Jennifer is a well-known novelist and keynote speaker, inspiring countless attainers. She’s compiled her hard-earned life lessons, advice, and insights for achieving individual success into five steps for all who dare to dream — and make those dreams reality!

Her five steps include:

1. Gear up. Yes, you'll need confidence and courage, but ice cream is also on the list.

2. Choose your climbing team carefully. You'll need someone to guide you, someone who can support and bolster you up during those hard stretches, someone to train you, and someone to cheer you on.

3. Choose your route. Not all trails go to the same summit, so make sure to plan accordingly.

4. Cross the crevasse. When faced with something that appears impassable, hold on, call on your climbing team, and find the courage to move forward.

5. Reach the summit. It's important to celebrate both the journey and the destination.

Once Upon a Climb is like having a heart-to-heart with your personal life coach--someone who has been there, wants the best for you, and is cheering you on. Jennifer's motivating wisdom and thought-provoking insights can inspire every dreamer to put one step in front of the other, no matter where you are in your personal quest.

ORDER: “Once Upon A Climb”

Year to year my goals change to align with my priorities, sometimes the focus is more on career, sometimes family matters take center stage, or a farm project has been conceptualized and I need to figure out how to make it happen. Often all of the above and several more challenges must be tackled!

Balance is key, and that’s where I need help. I’m going to look at “Once Upon A Climb” to help me sort through my “To-Do” list, so it becomes more of a “Ta-Da!” list by the time 2024 is in the rearview!

DeVon Franklin | "Live Free: Exceed Your Highest Expectations"

I’ve been a big big fan of all things DeVon Franklin for a long while now. That’s why I can heartily recommend his new book, “LIVE FREE: Exceed Your Highest Expectations.”

As you may already know, DeVon Franklin is an award-winning film producer, NYT bestselling author, and motivational speaker. He was a guest on my podcast, LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah, along with another one of my favorite people, Chrissy Metz, after directing the heartwarming, faith affirming, film, BREAKTHROUGH. And before that, I was fortunate to have a small, (ok tiny… ok, teeny tiny) speaking part in THE STAR the sweet animated film he also directed.

DeVon is committed to uplifting global communities through entertainment and has leveraged his 20-year Hollywood career and experiences to become a leading authority on inspirational personal and professional development with millions of followers worldwide. Perhaps this is why Variety Magazine named him one of the "Top 10 Producers to Watch,"

DeVon is also the author of multiple bestselling books including THE TRUTH ABOUT MEN, THE SUCCESS COMMANDMENTS, THE WAIT (co-written with his wife, award-winning actress Meagan Good) and PRODUCED BY FAITH.

His highly anticipated fifth book, LIVE FREE: Exceed Your Highest Expectations was just released this month!

He helps teach us how to live free from unnecessary stress and anxiety and lead happier lives by learning to set our own expectations rather than accepting those imposed upon us.

Everything DeVon touches is full of lessons and wonderful advise helping us live more joyful lives. This one will be on my night stand for a long time to come. I want you all to get a copy, and heed the advice he sets forth within! I can assure you that any advice DeVon has to offer is positive, powerful, and empowering, and nothing but good things will come of you following it.

Pick up your copy through DeVon’s own website: LIVE FREE