Karen Maria Alson, Founder of the Spectrum Circle

Spectrum Circle

~ 5 Year Anniversary ~

​​The past five years have been filled with tremendous growth for The Spectrum Circle. I look back in awe to the many people from the beginning who believed in the goals and vision of The Spectrum Circle.  In the beginning, before the name or the website or hosting our first event with Brett Johnson, the Spectrum Circle started as a two-page white paper that I shared with five close friends. It was my vision of a safe space for women to share their authentic stories. Those five individuals encouraged, pushed, assisted and believed in me when I didn’t know what I was building. Today, I am thankful to countless strangers, friends, colleagues and others who helped build and expand the brand. My heart is full of gratitude. I am thankful, excited and hopeful for the future of The Spectrum Circle.

​ When I started the Spectrum Circle just over five years ago my goal was simple and a bit selfish. I wanted to listen and learn from women. I wanted other women to benefit as I had from great mentors and confidants who poured their knowledge into me. I wanted women to learn from other women that sadly the world was not fair and opportunity was not ALWAYS given based on merit or potential. That the professional and personal rules for women were different, full of double standards, bias and discrimination. That women and men who wanted to change that narrative needed to listen and learn from each other. Each generation had a requirement to pour into the next generation while teaching valuable professional and life lessons.

​The mission from the beginning till today is simple - to share authentic and great stories of awesome women. To spotlight women doing great things that the media and masses didn’t recognize. Not because they were not worthy but due to our nature as a society that highlights a few success stories and overlook the talents of the many. To share stories to teach, inform, change perceptions, highlight our humanity and spotlight women doing amazing things.

​As the Spectrum Circle grew as a brand a beautiful change happened in my life. I set out to share stories of others and by telling those stories I learned I was a storyteller. I asked the universe to create a path for me to spotlight more women and introduce incredible stories to grow my vision. I had no money. No investors. No funders. I stepped out on faith. In the beginning, I had cheerleaders who believed in me before I knew what I was building. They gave me the courage to be BOLD and ask for help.  I didn’t have a road map or clarity on how it would grow I had faith in the good energy I was putting out into the world. I let go of scarcity and fear and walked in joy and abundance. There were many days I wanted to give up or walk away.

​What I know for sure is that there are women of all backgrounds and ethnicities achieving success in their personal lives and careers. I knew their stories were impactful and could teach other woman to dream bigger or expand their views of ‘what is possible.’ These women weren’t celebrities or household names they were everyday people. Over my life and career, I witnessed many women, including myself who limited their dreams and goals or settled for less due to fear of the unknown or biases. Or the bigotry of low expectations that was placed on them by others that they internalized and took on as truth.

​When I started The Spectrum Circle, I naively assumed its impact would benefit a few people. My fear persuaded me to not dream too big. At the beginning and many days over the past few years I never would have imagined The Spectrum Circle would celebrate five years of the awards luncheon. I am blown away by the impact it has had on so many and the art of sharing our stories. I am thankful to talk to many women who understand the value of spotlighting each other. Publicly telling the stories of women who achieved success while navigating life’s obstacles. These women inspire and motivate others by their examples. Their joy of showing the world who they are has inspired me to keep going even when I wanted to quit.

​The path of building The Spectrum Circle has not been easy but it is one of the most fulfilling projects I have done as an adult. Building the Spectrum Circle has made me a better woman, entrepreneur and friend. I have gained greater empathy and courage. I have learned how to ask for help and accepted failure is a part of the success process. I have gained the courage to speak out on injustice. I am an advocate for women.

My heart is full of gratitude and thanks to everyone who has supported this journey. From purchasing a ticket, being a sponsor, donating a product, working on an event, volunteering time or expertise, recommending women to participate, sharing a positive thought or suggestion or sending good energy or a prayer. I am so thankful to everyone who has assisted in building the Spectrum Circle.
 
Thank you - The journey continues!
 
~ Karen Maria Alston