Glow Notes-March ‘26 -Issue 3
March Reflections from GlowInto
March has already been a month full of connection, new ideas, and a reminder of just how much women are building in this season of life.
One of the highlights of the month was attending the Homes by Janelle Women’s Day event. I had the pleasure of sitting at a table with Megan Grandone from O’Fallon Area Living Magazine, Shannon Shores with Premier U, and Kimberly Beckley from Simplifying Beauty Salon, and the afternoon quickly turned into a wonderful mix of conversation, inspiration, and new connections.
The event itself was beautifully done. The room was decorated with such care, the lunch was fantastic, and the vendors brought an energy that made the day feel special. One booth that caught everyone’s attention was the “forever jewelry” station—delicate pieces that are custom fit and designed to stay on through everyday life, from showers to swimming.
More than anything, the day reminded me how many incredible women are out there building businesses, navigating challenges, and still finding space to pursue new ideas. I met Janelle and several members of her team, including her personal coach who flew in to lead an hour-long talk on coaching concepts that sparked some thoughtful conversations around growth and mindset.
One of the things she spoke about was how much fear quietly shapes our daily decisions. She highlighted three common fears that often limit the choices we make:
Fear of discomfort — which keeps people from trying new things and stepping outside their routine.
Fear of rejection — which can stop us from reaching out, sharing ideas, or putting ourselves forward.
Fear of failure — the one she noted has the biggest impact, often causing people to avoid opportunities altogether.
When you start to look at those patterns, you realize how much of our everyday decision-making can be influenced by those three fears alone. It was an interesting reminder that growth often starts by simply recognizing when fear is quietly steering the wheel.
March has also been full of smaller but meaningful connections. I had lunch with the lovely Shannon Shores to talk about potential collaborations for GlowInto. I attended a Little Black Book coffee connection and met several new women in business. I even managed to solve a personal problem—I finally found a new massage therapist after my spa closed a year ago.
On the wellness side, I also connected with Doreen from Studio Strong, where I’ve begun a weekly strength training routine. It feels good to invest in getting stronger again, especially as we move into the brighter months ahead.
And speaking of brighter months… spring is beginning to show itself. The trees are starting to turn green, the days are stretching longer, and Ruby will soon be riding in her little carriage as we begin into our neighborhood walks. After a long winter, the renewal of the season always feels like a small reset.
Looking ahead, GlowInto continues to grow. The interviews coming in have been thoughtful and inspiring, and I’m even exploring the idea of adding a Longevity page to the website—something focused on wellness, health, and the things that help women continue living fully through midlife and beyond.
One of my upcoming interviews is with Marjorie Moore from AgeSmart, and she shared something that stayed with me. In her work, she often sees how important connection is as we age. Maintaining friendships, building new relationships, and staying engaged with people around us plays a powerful role in our well-being.
What continues to stand out to me in every conversation is how women in midlife are evolving. Some are shifting careers. Some are rediscovering freedom after raising children. Others are building businesses, exploring passion projects, or starting entirely new chapters.
Even at networking events, I’ve noticed a pattern. A woman will introduce herself with her career—and then almost immediately mention the passion project she’s building alongside it. It’s a reminder of just how much women carry, create, and pursue at the same time.
So thank you for following along with GlowInto, and thank you to the contributing writers who generously share their voices and perspectives to help shape this platform.
Here’s to the renewal of spring and everything that comes with it.
I’ll see you in April.
— Jen
Another event I’m looking forward to this month is attending the MindsEye Gala with my niece Lacey, my sister Amanda, and my mom. The event will be held at the St. Louis History Museum, and this year’s theme is the 1920s World Fair—which means it’s a perfect excuse to get dressed up, meet incredible people, and learn more about the work MindsEye is doing.
For those unfamiliar with the organization, MindsEye provides resources and services for the visually impaired, and it has played an important role in our family over the years. I volunteer weekly with MindsEye by recording my own segment called Living at Home, and my niece Lacey participates in their blind sports reporting program. She attends major sporting events as well as college events at SIUE, providing sports coverage designed specifically for visually impaired listeners.
Lacey is now 22, but she has been involved with MindsEye since she was a small child, and the organization has provided so much support along the way. MindsEye is proudly based in Belleville, Illinois, and it’s always inspiring to see the work they continue to do in our community.
