tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57317420433510437262026-10-17T16:53:17.054-07:00Stories, strategy, and the little moments that matter.Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.comBlogger686125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-25053216401879670352026-10-05T11:03:01.784-07:002026-10-05T11:03:01.784-07:00

If you’ve worked in Marketing long enough, there’s a good chance you’ve been asked to rewrite a company mission statement.Maybe more than once.New leadership comes in. Priorities change. The company evolves. And suddenly we’re back in a conference room debating words like inspire, empower, innovate, community and purpose.Then Marketing does what Marketing does.We polish the language. We create

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-34107205191007218852026-09-28T10:58:04.020-07:002026-09-28T11:02:09.588-07:00

The first time someone said this to me, I was offended.I had just started a new job, and my new boss pulled me aside and gave me that little nugget of career advice.Fake it ’til you make it.Excuse me?I remember thinking, Does she think I don't know what I'm doing?Looking back, I'm guessing my body language was telling her that maybe I wasn't quite as confident as I wanted everyone to think I

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-91166963983227597052026-09-14T08:19:14.930-07:002026-09-28T11:02:26.588-07:00

I watched Sleepless in Seattle last night. And somewhere between the map, the letters, the radio show, and the trip to New York, I started thinking about following your heart.First of all, remember life before smartphones? Annie had a map.She wrote letters.She listened to a man on the radio and somehow felt a connection to someone she'd never met.And Becky, her best friend, basically

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-55526358055188218792026-09-11T08:26:01.381-07:002026-09-11T08:26:01.381-07:00

Twenty-five years ago this morning, I boarded my regular 8:15 a.m. United flight from LaGuardia to Denver. I made that trip all the time. Don and I were living in Connecticut. I was working for Einstein Bros. Bagels and traveled frequently to our corporate office in Colorado. Don worked in advertising in New York City. We didn't have Elli yet. What we didn't know, was that eight weeks later, on

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-42355678712463067262026-09-05T08:13:51.323-07:002026-09-05T08:15:57.914-07:00

There are some foods you forget five minutes after you eat them.And then apparently there is potato salad you remember for 30 years.We were invited to a Labor Day weekend BBQ today, and when I asked my friend what I could bring, she said, “A side dish.”Easy enough.They’re making burgers and steaks. Someone is bringing mac and cheese. There will be roasted squash, corn salad, dips, chips—all the

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-27691901632379149122026-08-04T15:28:42.822-07:002026-08-04T18:03:34.441-07:00

For years, I stood on a regular bathroom scale every single day. I watched the number go up or down, and called that "health tracking."It wasn't.After nearly a decade in the fitness industry, having free access to an InBody and several years coaching people toward better health, I finally bought a GE Smart Body Fat Scale to have at home.Apparently I've been measuring the least interesting thing

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-37646856969857233382026-07-30T12:14:31.146-07:002026-07-30T12:14:31.146-07:00

My life flashed before my eyes today. Again. It's the second time in a month.There's a busy intersection in Woodside that we cross every day to walk the dogs. A few weeks ago, the walk signal came on. We stepped toward the crosswalk when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a driver in the car to my left glance left, tap the brakes, and gun it right (without even looking to the right.)He missed us

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-231467934140525602026-07-29T16:01:04.508-07:002026-07-29T16:01:04.508-07:00

Last weekend we bought a bag of pears at the Pear Fair.As we were loading them into the car, Don looked at the bag and said, "There's no way we're going to eat all of these before they go bad."I looked at the same bag and thought..."We'll make a dessert and share it with our neighbors at Wine Down on Friday."Same pears.Completely different perspectives.Don saw fruit that might end up in the

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-25378795980737386482026-07-26T09:12:13.621-07:002026-07-26T09:13:48.104-07:00

Years ago, someone told me that if you wear pink on Monday, you'll have a better day and a better start to the week.Is it true?I have absolutely no idea.I've never looked for a scientific study. I don't know if psychologists have measured the mood-boosting effects of a pink sweater or whether wearing a rosy blouse increases productivity by 17%.But I kind of hope no one ever disproves it.Because

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-62317992853325270892026-07-25T12:37:52.843-07:002026-07-25T12:46:12.386-07:00

Shortly after we moved to Sacramento last August, Instagram started serving us ads for Ruth's Chris Steak House happy hour. A burger. A drink. Walking distance from our house from 4pm - 6pm.  One Friday we finally decided to check it out. We walked in around 5pm, looked around for the bar...and immediately realized every seat was taken. "Wow," we thought. "Happy hour must be popular." As we

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-56824876251885879492026-07-22T11:36:34.226-07:002026-07-30T08:30:24.095-07:00

What years of skipping breakfast, sugar cravings, and learning about food taught me about feeling like myself again.I remember pulling on my favorite pair of jeans one morning.I got them buttoned.Barely.Then I looked down.The dreaded muffin top.A few days later I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror...from the back.Where did those rolls come from?The muffin top had invited friends.And

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-61249709158813759812026-07-17T14:14:32.427-07:002026-07-17T14:14:32.428-07:00

One of the best marketing tools doesn't cost a thing.Well, maybe it costs a little. But it's worth the investment in a tank of gas.So, what is it?Leave the office.Go visit your stores. Walk your clubs. Spend time where your customers actually experience your brand.Watch what they do.What do they notice first?Where do they hesitate?Which team members create great interactions without anyone asking

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-16657234910837611252026-07-15T10:11:54.163-07:002026-07-20T15:48:45.602-07:00

Making friends as an adult feels hard. It doesn't have to be. Here's the whole system.Get a dogGo outside and walk. You will meet so many people. Dog people talk to dog people. It's basically a cheat code. A dog gives you an instant, low-stakes reason to stop and chat with a total stranger.Don't want a dog? Doesn't matterGo outside and walk anyway. Talk to the dog people. They're friendly, I

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-29748417126919904322026-07-14T08:05:05.437-07:002026-07-14T08:05:05.437-07:00

Last night I attended a Celebration of Life for a former colleague from my BevMo! days.Brian was our spirits buyer. He was also my self-appointed annoying brother—always teasing me, playing pranks, and finding new ways to make my job just a little more difficult...and a lot more fun.I left BevMo! in 2015.What surprised me most wasn't just hearing the stories about Brian. It was walking into a

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-38753478795439148952026-07-09T12:07:07.629-07:002026-07-09T12:12:04.308-07:00

A few weeks ago, my mom had been in the hospital for several days, so I flew to Surprise, Arizona, to stay with my 95-year-old dad.My parents live in a wonderful retirement community. Their apartment is small—one bedroom, one-and-a-half baths, a cozy little patio, and just enough room for my dad's books and all of my mom's holiday decorations. It's a constant negotiation. I slept on the sofa bed

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-9179926659713204882026-07-08T06:00:00.000-07:002026-07-08T09:18:45.935-07:00

Last weekend we went wine tasting at a winery where we've been members for years.Or...were members.One of the first things we've done since I lost my job is pause the extras. Wine clubs, subscriptions, little luxuries. They're wonderful when life is steady. Right now, they can wait.While we were tasting, the gentleman pouring our wine asked the question everyone asks when they're making small

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-24755012825132338212026-07-07T13:24:25.394-07:002026-07-07T13:24:25.394-07:00

Yesterday, someone said something kind.  "I hope you can enjoy this time off."He meant well. I know he did.But the truth?I can't.Not yet.When you're employed, it's easy to assume that if someone is laid off with severance, they've been given a chance to breathe. Maybe they can sleep in, catch up on projects around the house, take a vacation, finish writing their book (hint, hint!), fill

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-66077243760354531812026-07-02T10:20:54.077-07:002026-07-02T10:20:54.077-07:00

It started with a birthday gift. I found my husband the cutest American flag T-shirt at the J.Crew Outlet. (It was going to be the gift from the dogs to Don, lol.) It wasn't loud or flashy. The stripes of the flag were made from old wooden boat oars—a clever nod to summer, the coast, and Americana. I thought it was perfect to wear on the 4th of July.His response surprised me."I don't know if

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-86991935970342881392026-06-29T15:48:35.703-07:002026-07-07T18:10:43.769-07:00

Dolly Parton is opening a business to compete with Buc-ee's.I honestly didn't see that coming.Now, if you've never been to Buc-ee's, you're probably thinking, it's a gas station. A convenience store. That's where you are wrong. Oh so wrong.This majestic retail destination sits up on a hill and beckons you to go out of your way to get there. You are pulled to it like a magnet.My first

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-85524525119592629242026-06-26T11:53:19.973-07:002026-06-26T11:53:19.973-07:00

I went to an event a few weeks ago.One of the giveaways was this little crocheted duck.He came with a tiny sign that says,Waddle with purpose. Success is just around the pond.Cute.I threw him in my bag.When I got home, I set him on my desk.And that's where things got weird.Because of the angle of his face......he's looking up at me.Not straight ahead.Not at my computer.At me.Every morning, I sit

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com0Sacramento, CA, USA38.5781342 -121.494420910.267900363821155 -156.6506709 66.888368036178846 -86.3381709tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-67438846498364915342026-06-14T15:00:00.000-07:002026-07-07T14:55:03.083-07:00

A funny thing happened after I reached my goal weight. I changed my mind.Back in 2021, I decided it was time to get serious about my health. Like so many people, I'd picked up the "Covid 15" (okay...more like the Covid 13 in my case), and I wasn't feeling like myself anymore.I started a health program, lost the weight, and eventually reached 121 pounds.At the time, I thought I'd made it.That was

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-15036669999923807482026-04-06T07:42:00.000-07:002026-04-06T12:58:02.961-07:00

I recently visited my parents in Phoenix to celebrate my dad’s birthday. He just turned 95. My mom is 88. So, as you can imagine, things are moving at a slightly different pace.We spent a few days having nice meals, visiting with their friends, and helping them get a little more organized. My sister and I were only there for four days, but we decided this would also double as a light decluttering

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-80907609940628764242026-04-01T07:27:00.000-07:002026-04-01T17:18:58.601-07:00

There was a time when I took April Fools’ Day very seriously. Not in a “call in sick and pretend you’re on a beach in Cabo” kind of way—but in a very strategic, well-timed, just-believable-enough kind of way.Elli and Don were, for years, the primary recipients of this effort. They never saw it coming. Which, in my opinion, is exactly the point.So… Who Started This?Like many traditions we all just

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-81880513303663813042026-03-31T20:04:00.000-07:002026-04-01T07:05:15.545-07:00

There’s a certain rhythm to Mother’s Day. Reservations are made weeks in advance. Restaurants are full. Menus are fixed. The day moves quickly.And while there’s something to be said for tradition, there’s also something even more memorable about doing it differently.This year, consider staying in.Setting the table. Opening a great bottle of wine. Creating a moment that feels intentional, relaxed,

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731742043351043726.post-71508689615745113222026-03-29T13:05:00.000-07:002026-03-29T14:00:30.309-07:00

When Don and I first moved to California in 2005, one of the first wine regions we explored was Healdsburg. It is about one hour north from Mill Valley where we lived. Its quaint charm and amazing wine and food have kept us going back ever since. We love the varietals from this region, particularly the Zinfandel from the Dry Creek area, Pinot Noir from the Russian River, and Cabernet

Kris Mulkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852555527567136103noreply@blogger.com0Healdsburg, CA 95448, USA38.6081693 -122.870050910.297935463821155 -158.0263009 66.918403136178853 -87.7138009