Future Here Now: July News You Need

Sorry for checking out a little. I had a situation that started with some nasty bug bites and turned into an out of control systemic allergic reaction. After a few false starts and a couple of days in antihistamine- fueled zombie land, I think we’re getting back on track. As the kids might say, #gingerproblems. Please send good thoughts to my husband for having to smear nasty petroleum jelly goo on my back about every three hours for several days. He can barely stand lotions.

I will get back to the regular posts tomorrow, but a few items I wanted to bring to your attention first.

1. Thanks to everyone who came out for the Future Ready Business event on June 27. We had a blast! The livestreams of the talk and our Future Ready Business Leader discussion are still up on Facebook. Fully edited video of the talk and discussion are in development and will be posted in all the places soon.
2. You might have seen some neat videos on your social media this past week of me showing you great examples of community revitalization in Springfield, Ohio. That day was a blast. We followed up with a podcast interview telling the story of Springfield’s rebirth, which will drop soon. If you’re not catching these videos, you’re missing a lot! Find them on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. And if you’re interested in developing materials like these for your own community, let me know.
3. I am currently booking talks and workshops for this fall/winter and for 2025. There are options for nearly any group, topic and budget. And as a reader of this newsletter, you get a 15% discount! Send me a message at della.rucker@wiseeconomy.com to discuss your options.
4. Somehow in the haze of itching I finished the last bit of the first draft of Don’t Screw Up Your Project, my new book/workbook designed for anyone who finds themselves running a program…. and doesn’t want to screw it up. I am really loving the style and direct tone of voice. It’s like the advice I wish I had (and certain others who have run programs I’ve dealt with had). If you want to be one of the draft reviewers (fame, immortality and your name in the acknowledgements), send me an email or Substack message. If you want to make sure you get notified when the book is published, sign up here.
5. My husband, Dave, is completing his certification to be a life coach and needs to get 20 free sessions under his belt in the next 2 months. He’s good at it. Check him out and get a time slot for you or a young person in your life at drlc.coach.
6. Some of the organizations I work with are in early talks on a new conference event to help Black- and minority-owned small businesses find the help they need to scale, created jobs and increase wealth. If you’re interested in being on the mailing list, sponsoring or helping, email exec@goodhood.foundation.
7. I’m shifting my first post of the week for Substack subscribers from Monday to Tuesdays for at least the balance of the summer, since so many people take long weekends this time of year. My weekly postings on LinkedIn and Medium will move to Wednesdays. Just in case you’re setting your watch by me (never a good idea) (does anyone still set watches? Nevermind.)

Thanks. May the rest of your July be happy, revitalized and relatively itch-free.