Inspired Stories

Inspired Customer: Brené Brown

Brené Brown, who is all grown up now, is a researcher, and a writer of books and the blog Ordinary Courage.

Dr. Brené Brown sees connections between people as the most important part of her research and her life. She believes people are good, but the world is broken and the best way we can navigate through this discord is to reach out to each other. This is the reason Compendium products resonated with her enough to be featured on her blog Ordinary Courage: they are all about drawing people into relationships.

A wife and a mom, Brené is also a faculty member at the University of Houston. She meandered her way into that position, finishing her bachelor’s degree when she was 29 after she spent years exploring and enjoying life. Now, in addition to her family, her life is filled with researching and exploring the power of shame, authenticity and connection in our lives, writing books on these subjects.

Compendium products first came into Brené’s life when she was on vacation in Texas in a little shop called Gratitude. Her 10-year-old daughter found them first and called her mom over to see. Brené left with $100 worth of cards and books.

“I’m going to need a Compendium 12-step meeting,” she laughs. But a meeting isn’t really necessary, she says, because she enjoys being addicted to Compendium’s products and wouldn’t want to take even one step away from them.

Inspired Customer: Stacy Julian

Stacy Julian is founding editor of Simple Scrapbooks magazine and is the founder of Big Picture Scrapbooking.

Whether I’m developing a new online class, putting the final touches on a keynote presentation or responding to one of my five direct reports (ages 1 to 14) I need inspiration on demand—and I turn to Compendium.

Without fail, whenever I pick up a Compendium book I find perspective and clarity. I feel instantly respected—like I really matter, and what I contribute really matters, and I can basically do whatever I set my mind to. I need that perspective.

Click here to learn more about Stacy and Big Picture Scrapbooking.

Inspired Customer: Betty Kieler

Betty Kieler is an octogenarian who has more get-up-and-go than most people half her age, and spends her time making a difference in her community, and helping other seniors do the same as the founder and coordinator of Random Acts of Kindness in Lacey, Washington.

In virtually every one of our programs we have used Compendium books, cards or window cards to inspire people to join or support our cause. Compendium products are also the perfect way to reward and recognize volunteers or major donors in a very meaningful but cost-effective way.

We have used Compendium’s inspiring Lunch Mail cards to reward and recognize children who participate in our “Stories of Kindness” Writing Program. We have used Compendium’s Because of You books to recognize donors to projects that support children’s education and after-school activities such as. Boys and Girls Clubs and YWCA’s Girls Without Limits.

Compendium products create an aura of caring, of inspiration, and of excitement to everyone involved, and they are a treasure to both the giver and receiver.

Inspired Customer: Heidi Swapp

Heidi Swapp is a go-getter mother of 5 and a scrapbooking entrepreneur. She is the founder of Heidi Swapp Scrapbooking and one of the foremost design and concept leaders in the scrapbooking and craft industry.

That is I why I love Compendium books so much! Compendium books have found me at just such times in my life over the last several years, times when I needed a little reminder that I wanted to be more, that I have the capacity to do great things! And they’ve helped me look within myself with a hope and belief in those possibilities.

I remember the first Compendium book I found, about five years ago. I was at a time when I was feeling very dissatisfied with where I was, and had no idea how or what I wanted to change. I picked up Ever Wonder and flipped through just a few of the pages. I was stunned at how the simple, straight-forward questions were exactly what I needed to be asking myself. I would read the questions over and over again, evaluating each answer. And slowly, I was able to be honest with myself, redirect my path, and find just what I was looking for.

Then, as life went marching on, in its typical craziness, I lost focus again, buried in the everyday challenges, and forgetting what I wanted most, and what was most important. That was when the She book found me. It was sitting on a shelf in a little boutique, and I loved the color and look of the cover, and I knew when I saw it that I wanted it to be sitting on my shelf in my studio. I got it home and never even opened it. I just liked looking at it. It wasn’t until the middle of the night, some six months down the road (probably when I needed it the most), that I finally took it off my shelf and read it. I was overcome with emotion, and knew exactly what was missing, and what changes I wanted to make. I have since gone on my way sharing She with everyone I come in contact with! I understand the power there: the power that it reminded me that I have. It has done the same for everyone I have shared it with!

Of course, now I am a “Compendium junkie.” I own everything, love it all, and continuously reach for one book or another for inspiration, motivation and, above all, a reminder that “today is my day” and today I will “settle for more”!

Learn more about Heidi Swapp here.