We had the good fortune of connecting with Monica Toomey and Lila Lazarus and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monica and Lila, how do you think about risk?
HOW DO YOU THINK ABOUT RISK? WHAT ROLE HAS RISK TAKING PLAYED IN YOUR LIFE AND CAREER:
Risk is the heartbeat of entrepreneurship; it’s the adrenaline rush that fuels innovation and propels us forward into uncharted territories. As entrepreneurs, our relationship with risk is about embracing opportunities, walking towards what we’re afraid of, not walking away. Journaling helps you work through that. If you want your life or business to be what it’s always been, avoid risk.

For us, risk-taking has been integral to our life and career journey. We view risk not as a hindrance but as a catalyst for growth and progress. It’s the willingness to step out of our comfort zone and venture into the unknown. From launching our first startup to making crucial business decisions, risk has been a constant companion. Of course, risk involves failure, but it’s through calculated risk-taking that we’ve been able to turn challenges into opportunities. We like to fail forward.

How we respond to failure defines our success. It’s about being unafraid to think differently and explore new horizons. Some of our most rewarding achievements and relationships have stemmed from taking risks.

Even journaling is a risk. You may see sides of yourself you don’t like or that are challenging. But the healthy path is to face those challenges. Journaling, especially a prompt-based journal like Morning Matters, helps you see things more clearly and learn from what makes you uncomfortable instead of avoiding it.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We’re not just in the business of journaling; we’re in the business of transformation. What sets us apart is our commitment to empowering individuals to navigate life’s uncertainties through intentional reflection and exploration. Our journey began with a shared passion for personal development and a vision to create a journaling experience that transcends a blank page and makes it easier to jump into journaling. It hasn’t been easy; like any entrepreneurial venture, we faced numerous challenges along the way. Navigating the complexities of product development, website development and graphic design was tough, and we are still figuring out SEO and the constant technology advancements.

Each obstacle presented an opportunity for growth. We overcame these challenges through perseverance, adaptability, and a relentless focus on our mission. We found a rhythm when we heard how the journal has helped people along the way. Resilience and determination are the cornerstones of success. What we want the world to know about Morning Matters is that we’re more than just a journaling company; we’re a catalyst for transformation, guiding individuals on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If we have a best friend visiting, we love to put a Morning Matters Journal on the their pillow. That way each day can be super intentional. We’ll start our mornings with a journaling session, setting the tone for our adventures ahead. We’ll probably get in a yoga class at Evolve with yoga guru Cinda Lark. She’s amazing.
Mornings will find us fueling up with delectable breakfasts at local favorites like Ellen’s in Sylvan Lake or The Congregation in downtown Detroit, a church turned cafe and bar. Then it’s time for adventure! We’ll kick things off with an exhilarating kayak journey down the scenic Huron River, soaking in the tranquility of nature. Another day will see us waterskiing on one of the picturesque lakes that dot Oakland County, reveling in the thrill of skimming across crystal-clear waters.

Downtown fun will include stops at the nations #1 art museum: The Detroit Institute of Arts. And then there’s Hitsville… to see the start of Motown or a stop at Shinola to see the beautiful watches coming out of Detroit. Depending on the time of year, we will definitely catch a Tiger’s or Lion’s game.

Detroit has become a foodie town, so we’ll make a point to explore new dining hotspots— we’ll indulge in the diverse culinary offerings of Metro Detroit, but definitely a special stop at Mezza in Orchard Lake for mouthwatering Middle Eastern cuisine.

Evenings will be reserved for unwinding over cocktails on the pontoon boat, enjoying a comedy show at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle or catching a musical at the Fisher Theatre Downtown.

And we would remind them to bring a passport, because the best views of Detroit come from Canada just a tunnel away.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Our shout out is to Mel Robbins who inspired us to create and launch Morning Matters.

The seed for Morning Matters was planted when Mel spoke at an event about the importance of morning routines and using tools like prompt-based journaling to create a better day. We have always loved journaling and seen the benefits, but we also knew firsthand how difficult it could be to stay consistent. Prompt-based journals give the user a question to answer instead of staring at a blank page. For our journals, each prompt serves a specific purpose and is age appropriate.

Mel consistently speaks on her podcast and various media outlets, to the importance of journaling and morning routines. And we couldn’t agree more. This is a topic that will never grow old and we put our own spin on it to help others. We know we must be doing something right because we are constantly hearing back from our customers about the change our morning routine involving journaling, makes in their day. And now with the addition of kids and teen journals, we are excited to start the practice of journaling at a young age, drawing out their creativity and confidence away from social media.

We have never had the opportunity to thank Mel in person, but we hope she reads this and can feel our gratitude exploding through the letters. We will be forever grateful to Mel for introducing us to prompt-based journaling and for inspiring us to to share our passion for personal development with others.

Website: https://mymorningmatters.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymorningatters

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mymorningmatters

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@morningmatters6857

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